96EXXLTinCO
July 29th, 2015, 09:37 PM
So for some reason I just kept kinda adding to my introduction thread, But since I found this section for "build threads", I thought I'd just go ahead and move over here. So here's what's goin on:
7/24/15--Hello Everyone, my name is Chad, and I live in Longmont. I do internet tech support from home, and and I have lived on the front range since we moved here in 83 when I was 6. I did spend 11 months in Phoenix in 05-06, but other than that it's been all Colorado. I drive a 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT, but sometimes I park that roll out my 96 Explorer XLT, 4x4, 4.0L OHV, 5-speed. Dont have a lot done to it yet, but right now she's sitting in the driveway where just last night I evicted the stock spring shackles, and am expecting a delivery of replacement bushing today to install some lift shackles. Here is how she is sitting as of the time of this post:
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah95/isplaytime/7-24-15%20shackles/CIMG0311%20Small_zpsqmji8hnb.jpg
I have spent the last year or so doing little things I like to it. Got a bit of a sound system, blue LED's under the dash, some 55w driving lights up front, added a overhead console out of another explorer, it shows outside temp and compass heading, camo seat covers, (I'm also a waterfowl hunter) changed all interior bulbs to blue LED, added some extra aux. power points, and some minor repairs here and there. Hopefully within about 15-16 hrs, the first half of the lift on the girl will be done. I've already cranked up the torsion bars and added a leaf to the leaf springs, now with the shackles I should be good to fit 31's no problem. By this time next year I hope to add a 3" body lift and 33's. And from there...........well just ask ExplorerTom what direction you take an explorer after that. So far I've taken this truck most of the way up Rock Creek, I need to go back and go the rest of the way, and Johnny's park twice. Back in High School I had a 79 Bronco that went over Johnny's many many times, as well as lefthand and Caribou. After that I had a 90 F-150 that did all the same trails. Havent done a lot of 4-wheelin since then but with my 2 trips up the hill I got the itch back pretty bad. After this little lift will be some bigger tires, followed by going through the front end a little at a time. Future plans include the body lift, a manual t-case swap, I'm thinking about just herc-lining the entire thing, and of course some custom front and rear bumpers and sliders fab'd by yours truely. I was going to wait until I had the truck back on the ground for a pic for my intro here, but apparently the anticipation of getting this part of the lift done was too much for me to be able to sleep. So Here's where we start. I'm looking forward to meeting some new people with a common passion and making some memories. The last 6 yrs or so of my life have been pretty difficult, and getting out in the woods to some places that not everyone can get to is pure therapy. Any questions, dont hesitate to ask, there's not much I'm not willing to talk about, so also on that note..........be careful what you ask, LOL. Hope to meet some of you soon!!!
7/25/15--- I did manage to get the lift shackles done today, and I'm ready to get some tires. Got a line on a set, just hope it works out. Here's a before and after the shackle install:
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah95/isplaytime/sized%20for%20EF/CIMG0297%20Mobile_zpsx6x1yxnu.jpg
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah95/isplaytime/7-25-15%20shackles/CIMG0321%20Mobile_zps68x7x3bc.jpg
Sooooo tempting to go see how she feels on the trail tonight..............
EDIT: I didn't go.........if I'm not working tomorrow, sounds like I'm gonna meet up with 66sporttop (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/member.php?1579-66sporttop) for a little fun around estes/allenspark. Headed to Rollinsville right now to pick up some 31's I just found on CL. Hope they're good.......gonna be hell trying to figure out how to get those put on tonight.............:confused:.........LOL
7/24/15--Hello Everyone, my name is Chad, and I live in Longmont. I do internet tech support from home, and and I have lived on the front range since we moved here in 83 when I was 6. I did spend 11 months in Phoenix in 05-06, but other than that it's been all Colorado. I drive a 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT, but sometimes I park that roll out my 96 Explorer XLT, 4x4, 4.0L OHV, 5-speed. Dont have a lot done to it yet, but right now she's sitting in the driveway where just last night I evicted the stock spring shackles, and am expecting a delivery of replacement bushing today to install some lift shackles. Here is how she is sitting as of the time of this post:
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah95/isplaytime/7-24-15%20shackles/CIMG0311%20Small_zpsqmji8hnb.jpg
I have spent the last year or so doing little things I like to it. Got a bit of a sound system, blue LED's under the dash, some 55w driving lights up front, added a overhead console out of another explorer, it shows outside temp and compass heading, camo seat covers, (I'm also a waterfowl hunter) changed all interior bulbs to blue LED, added some extra aux. power points, and some minor repairs here and there. Hopefully within about 15-16 hrs, the first half of the lift on the girl will be done. I've already cranked up the torsion bars and added a leaf to the leaf springs, now with the shackles I should be good to fit 31's no problem. By this time next year I hope to add a 3" body lift and 33's. And from there...........well just ask ExplorerTom what direction you take an explorer after that. So far I've taken this truck most of the way up Rock Creek, I need to go back and go the rest of the way, and Johnny's park twice. Back in High School I had a 79 Bronco that went over Johnny's many many times, as well as lefthand and Caribou. After that I had a 90 F-150 that did all the same trails. Havent done a lot of 4-wheelin since then but with my 2 trips up the hill I got the itch back pretty bad. After this little lift will be some bigger tires, followed by going through the front end a little at a time. Future plans include the body lift, a manual t-case swap, I'm thinking about just herc-lining the entire thing, and of course some custom front and rear bumpers and sliders fab'd by yours truely. I was going to wait until I had the truck back on the ground for a pic for my intro here, but apparently the anticipation of getting this part of the lift done was too much for me to be able to sleep. So Here's where we start. I'm looking forward to meeting some new people with a common passion and making some memories. The last 6 yrs or so of my life have been pretty difficult, and getting out in the woods to some places that not everyone can get to is pure therapy. Any questions, dont hesitate to ask, there's not much I'm not willing to talk about, so also on that note..........be careful what you ask, LOL. Hope to meet some of you soon!!!
7/25/15--- I did manage to get the lift shackles done today, and I'm ready to get some tires. Got a line on a set, just hope it works out. Here's a before and after the shackle install:
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah95/isplaytime/sized%20for%20EF/CIMG0297%20Mobile_zpsx6x1yxnu.jpg
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah95/isplaytime/7-25-15%20shackles/CIMG0321%20Mobile_zps68x7x3bc.jpg
Sooooo tempting to go see how she feels on the trail tonight..............
EDIT: I didn't go.........if I'm not working tomorrow, sounds like I'm gonna meet up with 66sporttop (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/member.php?1579-66sporttop) for a little fun around estes/allenspark. Headed to Rollinsville right now to pick up some 31's I just found on CL. Hope they're good.......gonna be hell trying to figure out how to get those put on tonight.............:confused:.........LOL