Explorer hood hinges w/lift shocks on a ranger !

redbird · May 5, 2012

oh yeah they look nice ! just got my hood on and i am no longer "prop rodding" ... write up to come (with pics)

redbird · May 5, 2012

i searched for a "how to for this conversion, couldnt find one so i thought i would add one myself.. if you wanna go from this

to this

keep checking back as i sort out the pics

pyro4fun · May 6, 2012

Sweet idea! You should definitely do a write up! :icon_cheers:

Hooligan2c · May 6, 2012

Thats great man! I have been hunting junkyards for them to do the same mod. If you write up a tutorial I am all over it. It should be just a direct swap correct?

redbird · May 6, 2012

its not what i would call a "direct" swap but it doesnt take much to do it, first thing i will mention is that you need TWO drivers side 95-00 explorer hinges, (make sure they are straight ! i bought a pair months back and when i started the swap i realized that one had been mangled at one time, so make sure they arent twisted up, the ranger hinges are the same side to side, the explorer hinges are unique side to side. you will need two LH (drivers side) explorer hinges. you also need a steady hand and a sawzall or an air cutoff tool (good idea to have both on hand) you will need access to a welder, a drill and drill bits, you will need access to a hardware store, or if you have a junk yard near by, hit the ford section and grab eight door hinge bolts and eight nuts and you will need a tube or two of silicone sealer (i chose black) i did my swap while the engine compartment was empty, no engine, no brake booster, no heater box, nothing in the way, but i dont think you would actually have to remove all this to do the swap if you have a sawzall with a long blade. first thing obviously is you have to remove the old ranger hinges, mine were each bolted on with two 8mm headed screws, im not sure what years but some have the hinges spot welded on, so drilling those spotwelds out may be a challenge with your booster and the heater box in the way

redbird · May 6, 2012

next step is to remove the cowl access panel (to the right of the LH hinge) with 7/32" or 5.5mm socket you will need a swivel for one, or if you are lazy like i am, just dont put the socket all the way on the extension.

redbird · May 6, 2012

enlarge the hole just enough that the explorer hinge fits in the opening. its a good idea to use a small hand file to dull down the sharp edges

ronclark · May 6, 2012

I guessing this would work for a first gen too

85_Ranger4x4 · May 7, 2012

Just last night I was cursing the prop rod as I was trying to wrangle the DS cylinder head into place. :temper:

What year of Explorer are these out of?

Per the ol' faithful LMC catalog 83-03 used the same hinge.

You do seriously need to put this to the right format and submit it for the tech library, I don't know how many times this has been asked over the years and nothing as nice looking as this has ever came up. :icon_thumby:

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/announcement.php?f=5

redbird · May 7, 2012

i used 2 gen (95-00) explorer hinges, im not sure if the 91-94 explorers had the gas support rods or not. im going to the junk yard tomorrow to pull some wiring i need for my project, i'll look and see what style hinge the 83-92 ranger uses but im guessing it is similar to the 93-current ranger hinge. my hood is the composite fiberglass from an '01 ranger edge, at first i was kinda worried that the composite hood wouldnt be strong enough to overcome the explorer shocks, but it is heavy enough that the shocks collapse just fine. the steel ranger hood is roughly the same weight as the explorer hood so you guys with the steel hoods shold have no problems at all, im not sure about the aluminum hoods, you guys may need lighter duty shocks.

redbird · May 8, 2012

the first gen ranger has a hood hinge that is spot welded on, but they look to be the same hinge as the '01 so im going to say yes, the first gen ranger guys (and B2 guys) can also benfit from the explorer hinge swap if they choose to, obviously rather than remove two bolts for each hinge, the spot welds would need to be drilled out. looks like there is more room around the hinge on the first gen ranger so it may even be easier to do. i have some wiring to sort out so i'll catch up on this later

Tominator · May 8, 2012

Nice mod and writeup! Should be in the tech section! :icon_welder:

85_Ranger4x4 · May 9, 2012

redbird said:
i used 2 gen (95-00) explorer hinges, im not sure if the 91-94 explorers had the gas support rods or not.

The 91-94's used the prop rod, in the front.

LMC lists the same exact hinge from '83-03.

87anger · May 10, 2012

I have wanted to do this swap! my prop rod has caused many a headache. Definitely should be submitted for the tech section when you finish.

94 lngbd · May 10, 2012

on my 94 they are factory spot welded also & yet I just checked today @ dealership & they list the same hood hinge for 93-2012 & @ $59 for a pair I think I will be shopping bone yard for the explorer set up. Whats the reason for needing 2 drivers side ,why cant I use both RH & LH hinges

Explorer hood hinges w/lift shocks on a ranger !

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