1994 Ford Explorer Build

[Travisfab]

The 1st Gen 91-94 Explorers seem to be pretty sparse on this forum, so hopefully my build will be something worth checking out. I've owned it for a couple years and it's proven to be a great vehicle for me. It's been reliable, comfortable enough to daily drive, and very capable off road.

I am going to copy and paste from another forum, so bear with the random comments

Original Plans (4/2/14)

James Duff kit in front
Shackle lift & James Duff shocks in the rear
Swap to manual hubs
Locker up front
15" Outlaw 2's
33x10.50's
Sliders
New front bumper/grille
Ski rack delete
Side molding delete
Tint windows

That's about it for now, going to keep it simple and start doing some 4x4 stuff.

Already snagged the front kit

 

[Travisfab]

Thanks guy's, give a couple weeks and this thing will do a 180!

James Duff blue just wasn't doing it for me

Picked up the Outlaw 2's
Before

Mid way to being done. Punched out all the rivets

Going with this style. I really liked it on the Bronco

 

[Travisfab]

Searched for a bit to find an interior this clean

Wheels done (on throw away tires)

Started to pull off the side molding. I've done this a few times and I know it's better to stop before your fingers blister! So a bit of progress on that.

 

[Travisfab]

So the front end is almost completely torn down. Pic is a day old, both coil buckets & radius arms are off now. Couple more things and some clean up & I'm off and running. Been splitting time between working & being a Dad!

Also finally gave in & bought myself a brand new set of 32x11.50 Falken Wildpeaks. They will be mounted up tomorrow.

Stoked on these Falkens. Gotta get this ***** out of my garage! Just lacking time is all.

Rolled her out of the garage tonight. Just need to tie up a few loose ends here and there & it's pretty much done.

Truck is riding nice & smooth with the new tires. Ride height is low, the truck is really a sleeper, you would never guess there are dual shocks, and radius arms with 1.25" heims under it.

For the moulding, get yourself a 3m rubber wheel. Just don't work the same spot for too long, run the risk of burning the paint.

I've been working it with acetone and a heat gun, burning my thumbs down!

 

[Travisfab]

Here's the kit

And the massive droop!

Got my tablet mounted up for all the cool things tablets do. I use Orux Maps for navigation.

Good times in Plaster City. Having 4x4 is so nice. I got into a little 5-6 foot wide dry creek that was just full of soft sand, plowed right through at street psi.

Blew a brake line & the check engine light is on. I haven't pulled the code yet, but the truck is struggling to get over 65 mph.

Good times in the local hills

This spot is 2 miles from my house. I've been going up on this hill forever, but it's been a while since I've had a vehicle that could make it to the top. A lot of people call it hang glider hill. Pretty cool to watch guys take off from the top.

Hit the most challenging trail I've been on yet, the trail to Pancake Rock.

Lot's of 3 wheel action and spanning deep ruts. This little Explorer continues to impress!

Just to give you an idea of the trail

& the approach to Pancake Rock

 

[Travisfab]

Some random shots from my last trip

 

[east_tn_81]

Love the gen1 Explorer . These things were a real SUV. Is it a 4.0? Open diffs?

 

[wanderer-rrorc]

As a founding member of therangerstation.com and rrorc.com (rough rangers offroad club)

I APPLAUD YOU SIR!!!

do a search under my username here in google without the - between and look at some of the amazing rigs we used to run..

 

[AFBronco235]

Hows the gas mileage on that rig? My girlfriend is wanting a 4X4 and I've been thinking an Explorer of the same gen as yours. I drive a bronco, so I'm very familiar with Fords.

 

[Ivan]

I lovex the one that I had. It was by far the most fun SUV for the money. Any jumps yet?

 

[ExplorerTom]

Nice Explorer.

 

[Travisfab]

Love the gen1 Explorer . These things were a real SUV. Is it a 4.0? Open diffs?

It is a 4.0. The rear has a limited slip & the front is open

 

[Travisfab]

Hows the gas mileage on that rig? My girlfriend is wanting a 4X4 and I've been thinking an Explorer of the same gen as yours. I drive a bronco, so I'm very familiar with Fords.

It gets about 15 city & up to about 18 on the highway. It's pretty decent actually.

 

[Travisfab]

I lovex the one that I had. It was by far the most fun SUV for the money. Any jumps yet?

 

[Travisfab]

Threw a little low profile skid plate on, and a random front yard flex shot.