Fixed my flex problem

[ExplorerTom]

So most IFS trucks with torsion bars don't flex all that well. And when you crank up the torsion bars to get a little extra lift, you loose even more flex.

Here's my before shot:
http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu143/TJUrbanek/Explorer/c9c30b04aa3a8c11691ee85816a70cdd.jpg

With the lack of flex in the front, it's all up to the rear to flex. This was as far as I could drive before the rear tire unloaded and spun. Yea for open diffs!
http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu143/TJUrbanek/Explorer/4437fa171cb8ee44bfd3768ecb982ed2.jpg


Here is the after shot on the same berm:
http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu143/TJUrbanek/Explorer/fbbce39315397dbe030a52f3b43699d0.jpg
http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu143/TJUrbanek/Explorer/9f02525d78502145c75636da686d9830.jpg
http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu143/TJUrbanek/Explorer/63f7a8b8c09314e9445eb5e2b11b3fa1.jpg

not bad!

[xaza]

Much better, nice!

[Jim]

Sweet! So lockers are next up?

[javaman34]

Nice! Looks really good.

[dscowell]

Much better looks good!

[ExplorerTom]

Sweet! So lockers are next up?

it has Truetracs front and rear.

[ExplorerTom]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWraJt4YIik&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[The StRanger]

Very, Very nice !!!

[alexb]

Sweet! Where are you playing?

[carpenle]

Did I miss what you did to change the rig?

[The StRanger]

Solid axle front !!

[ExplorerTom]

SAS'd, SOA, long travel suspension, torsion diffs, Solid Axle diff covers......

[The StRanger]

D44 or D35

[ExplorerTom]

Dana 30. Trussed and gussetted.

[Stu]

Looks awesome! Josh does great work, it will be a beast in the rocks!

[The StRanger]

Dana 30. Trussed and gussetted.

Very Nice !!
JR need to get it together on his exploder !!
Hope seeing this helps !

[carpenle]

Oh now I see the difference! lol

[Chris]

Just a bit more flex there Tom! :thumb:

Another IFS bites the dust, I'm going to be the only IFS guy left here!

[SubAlpine]

nope, no SAS plans here either.

[Chris]

:thumb:

[The StRanger]

I'm going to be the only IFS guy left here!

Nope. I kinda like my IFS ..

[ExplorerTom]

I didn't mind the IFS, but I knew it was holding me back from doing trails that I wanted. And I figured I would end up pushing it too hard and breaking a CV trying to do a trail I shouldn't have with IFS. Not that I'm going to try a bunch of super hard trails now, but I figure the SAS is stronger and gives me the best chance of driving home. Plus it's way more comfortable off road without the torsion bars. I considered coilovers but it seems like those that go that route end up going SAS soon after.

[The StRanger]

True !

[glacierpaul]

Sweeeet Tom! Very nice.....

[Patrolman]

Nice work. I am sure you won't be disappointed. I am going to have to stick with Chris though and stick to IFS. It serves my purposes just great. :)

[Java]

Awesome!! :thumb: It looks factory. I have truetracs in both axles, it's a great setup, I never get stuck due to traction. just stupid. :) They're really good on ice.

[Brian]

Saweet! :thumb:

[SubAlpine]

Ford's torsion bar suspension leaves A LOT to be desired.

[The StRanger]

A solid would flex better But, My IFS Twist Fairly good !

[Austin]

Where are you wheelin at in the youtube video

[ExplorerTom]

A place out in the country on some private property between Parker and Elizabeth.

Took the truck to Chinamen's Gulch this weekend. It did well. Very well. Trail Damage rates it at a 4-7. I know I haven't spent much time on trails rated much above 5 or 6, but Chinamen's was crazy. I'd say an 8 easily. I got out without any body damage (the bumpers, skids and sliders did their jobs!) but not everyone was so lucky. The Truetracs were great. It climbed really well. Got tippy in a few spots. Banged the axles and diffs a bunch. Long trail, lots of people, long day, but fun. I was ready to hit the highway and head home though.

[Austin]

Nice man you'll have to put up some pics and I figured it was private property

[The StRanger]

Chinamans is a trail that can be as easy or as hard as you want it to be.
If you want to find the weaknesses in your rig, Chinamans is the trail !!

[ExplorerTom]

There were tough spots on Chinamen's that the only way you could make it easy was to turn around. The Chutes were pretty washed out and eroded and required a fair amount of spotting to drive up cleanly. And there were a couple other spots that the only way through was to stack rocks and/or get hands on the roof rack. It was tippy in spots. The Rock Pile and Stairs were the only 2 that you could actually bypass with a really easy line. One guy in my group said he was there 2 weeks earlier and the trail had changed a ton in that time. Areas that he got through without problems before were making him struggle yesterday.

[Austin]

Where did you get the sas done at

[ExplorerTom]

SFF Customs.

Call Josh at
(303) 725-2920 (tel:(303) 725-2920)

and/or look them up on Facebook.

[06HokieTJ]

Not that I'm going to try a bunch of super hard trails now, but I figure the SAS is stronger and gives me the best chance of driving home.
This. I'm the same way about my TJ. It's more capable than I am willing to do. But knowing you have bettered the odds of getting home is quite comforting :)

[TTBGuy]

That's a sweet Explorer

[Funrover]

Nice looking SAS!!!

[74fj40]

Looks really awesome! I remember my dad bought an explorer brand new in 1996. I thought it was the coolest truck around! Keep up the good work!

[ExplorerTom]

Here's a couple shots from this summer's adventures:
BML
http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu143/TJUrbanek/Explorer/BML%20Mill%20Creek%207-19-14/5417dd8ab3e0f8354c14965674673a02.jpg

T33a:
http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu143/TJUrbanek/Explorer/T-33a%20MSV%20Coney/356fabce7cf894c34629a028f5d44530.jpg

With as much as it flexes, keeping both tires on the ground is pretty easy therefore the Trutrac LSD engages seamlessly and it goes where ever I point it.

[Austin]

I'm jealous

[EKXJ87]

Wow that's some great flex, Sweet looking Explorer !

[AccordRanger]

What did you use for front shock mounts and steering box?

[ExplorerTom]

F-250 shock mounts and an F-150 steering box.
http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu143/TJUrbanek/Explorer/06569282673659280d32ba545cec9e35.jpg

[AccordRanger]

Thanks plan on slowly gathering parts for my full width.

[The StRanger]

Iv heard folk sayin use an E250 box ..

[AccordRanger]

Years?