Kroussin 93 Explorer build

[kroussinoffroad]

CAT DELETE / TEST PIPE

eliminated the catalytic converter and instead of cuting a pipe splaying the two sides apart and welding in wedges to make an oval like i did on the mazda figured i would do it a little different this time. i took some 3'' pipe heated it cherry red, squished it in the vice to give it it's initial oval shape. then i clamped the orifianl flange off the cat in the vice slid the 3'' oval side in and began heating and forming the pipe all the way around. once it was a tight fit and was pleased with it. i welded in the exposed side (non-gasket). for the gasket i plan on using a copper ring that i stumbled across (heavy truck part) it fits on the outside of the 3 studs and once formed is the perfect size for the flange. just gotta figure out how to get it to stay centered.

 

[dangerranger83]

Do exploders have a o2 sensor after the CAT or not? If not then you are good.

 

[kroussinoffroad]

nope no post o2. if there were i have a shnazy trick that keeps the computer happy for that one. sensor wise this engine isnt even as smart as the mazda was. this is a non-egr engine and i'm happy with that. however this will prolly be similar to the mazda in the fact that i'll prolly still be able to get the exhaust to flameout. seems to run VERY rich from the factory and on long decels i could get the exhaust to flameout or at high R's. not every time but introduce a ignition source and it would do it every time

 

[kroussinoffroad]

I'm really far behind on posting updates so i guess i'll take a lil time to throw one together. tryin to keep updates bunched up as one project even tho i had to jump around a bit to get work done on this thing (just how i operate i guess).

AUX SWITCHE'S front lights, winch, reverse lights yada yada yada

so i decided to do the switch's a little different in this rig as where i mounted them in the mazda is now occupied by the rear wiper swithc and sorts. so while sitting in it making truck noises and what not. i found a nice outta the way place to mount and wire everything. needed to have 4 swithces(initially) winch arming switch,2 for front aux lights and 1 for reverse lights. the reasone for the two front is due to the fact that i'll be running the dick cepek lights along with the high/low combo and both require airflow to keep the lights cool. so for no speed trail stuff i'll still have 2 hella's +highbeams. for higher speeds i can run the 2 hellas, 2 cepeks, and high/low combo.

Plan started with running a piece of conduit allong the trans tunnel and wiring all my switches in the front of the center consoule. nice and easy to reach from the drivers seat

So I layed out the holes and let the shavings fly. the two lower holes are closer together but still everything is symmetrical.

plans changed for the conduit in favor of clear vinyl tubing. with all the wires running thru it . 7 wires total with 4 being in the purple cased wire oh also mounted the fire extinguisher as well. (dont think i need to put a write up on that tho.

wired in everything accordingly. all the swithchs for the lights are just switching the ground leg of a relay so instead of running a ground to the switch leg for the light i ran a fuse power. which means each switch had to be disassembled and the led has to be reversed due to them being polarity sensitive (did not know that). pretty easy after i did 1.

the arming switch switch's the power out leg of the winch solenoid (low amp) it then runs to the two pisiton momentary switch which controls line in/out easy cheesy right? I alos kept the factory connection for using the remote as well and sinch the solenoid is behind the grill i also relocated the remote plug in mounted it in the grill and am super happy with how it turned out

the hole the P.O. used for the aux. lights worked for my winch control switch after painting a washer and using a dremel to make it fit over the swith. it looks as tho he used a torch and screwdriver to make the hole in the dash no joke.

since i removed the abs off the truck i was left with two open relays and rwo maxi fuse spots in the factory power distb. box. perfect. fliped the box over disected into the wiring and ran the necissary wiring for my lights. PERFECT!!!
to two all black relays will contorll the lights.

Wires taped into in the power distb. box

wiring from power distb. box.

Also the p.o. drilled the hole for his wire in an odd spot and was right on the crest of a ridge so i was battling to get a gromet to stay in the hole. abborted the gromet and came up with somthing else. will silicone the end for weather tight connection and then the silicone can be removed for futrue wiring. I still have to pull a couple more wires thru so it will stay open for now.

 

[4.0B2]

Looks good. I Wanna clean up some of my wiring bad... But I have upgrades that are more important at the time being. My wiring is safe; Just don't look the best.

The ex is coming along. Let's go! Back to work!

 

[kroussinoffroad]

not 100% sure where i'm gonna mount the C.B. i like how it was in the mazda but if i got that route it means i wont be able to ever run the factory ash tray again as the sides have to be shaved down including shaving off the mounting holes.
(WOW guess this is the best pic I have of the cb in the mazda)

it does clear everyting right here but then i will be putting holes in the front of the dash which i'm not too fond of either.and it's a bit far outta reach over here.

and then i need to figuer out where to mount the external speaker. with my hearing it is necissary to run one and i still have a hard time hearing people on the C.B.

kinda like how i mounted it in my brothers K5 and it would be money in the bank once i swap to the 1354M
(yes all the switchs now match. this was just mocking everything up and making a wiring harness)

 

[kroussinoffroad]

The ex is coming along. Let's go! Back to work!

well like I said, I am really far behind on here not in the garage. i took it out for the first test drive today.still needs a TON of work tho. hopefully it'll see some dirt this weekend. but time will tell

 

[4.0B2]

Mount it to the seat rails under the seat. Sure it's "out of the way" but it's also very clean. Then make a place on your dash or center console where your mic plus in.

something like this
http://www.westcoastmall.net/mcx64cx-microphone-extention-cable-p-2638.html

but i'd try to find one that wasn't coiled...

 

[kroussinoffroad]

yeah ah changing channels would suck, along with flipping between the two, or checking the weather band. i need it within reach and sight. but good idea if i could just feasibly remote mount the display along with all the buttons. WHO WAIT A MINUITE. HMM. LETS SEE WHAT TOMORROW BRINGS!!!!!

 

[4.0B2]

yeah we have a 2 meter ham radio that the faceplate is made for remote mounting. i love that thing! speaking of, i wanna update my 2 meter w/ one of those.... lol

if i strike it rich i'll buy one of these

 

[kroussinoffroad]

damn

just went to the garage and disassembled my c.b. looks like there are two integrated circuit boards perpindicular to eachother that are attached so no dice on the remote mount.

 

[kroussinoffroad]

if i strike it rich i'll buy one of these

Dont really care for these all that much. i tend to toss my mic into the cupholder most of the time. just seems like it would get bumped off channel or be hitting buttons all the time.

looks like i'll prolly mount mine in the assh tray like before.

 

[4.0B2]

yeah, i never thought about that, but i tend to throw around my mic to... not my 2 meter one, but the cb one does. i think i'm just gonna do the extension thing to the dash or maybe gear selector.. my 2 meter will stay where it is i'm sure.

 

[kroussinoffroad]

update: (with no pics)

took it out for a little road time and realized that drive flanges on paved roads SUCKS
so i picked up a new set of warn (standard) lockouts. now i just have to throw them in, run all my breathers, grease some joints, hit some gravel roads tonight.

the exhaust is done enough for now. i ended up running a flowmaster delta 40 muffler (still need a tailpipe) and the bumpre is done, I modified it alot compared to the original design. it no longer is a wedge in the front. it is more flat to match the profile of the front of the truck as well as make it alot cleaner for mounting the fairlead. the C.B. antenna is mounted to the fairlead jsut as it was on the mazda. as for AUX. lights i'm not positive if i'm just gonna run the two hellas or run the hellas and the cepeks. i'll snap some pics and see what ya'll think

PICS WILL COME SOON!!!!!

 

[4.0B2]

Tailpipes are only like $22 at the zone. Here anyways.