DBR/Giant 64 Ranger to Explorer

[Quasi242]

It starts again!

Here is a picture of my truck pre October 2010:

Specs:

2000 Ranger XLT 4X4. 3.0 V6
Dixon Brothers Racing (DBR) LT Kit
8" King Remote Reservoir Coil Overs
2"X2.5" King Hydraulic Bump Stops
Heim Steering
Giant 64 Long Travel Leaf Spring Kit
ADS 16" Triple Bypass Shocks
Ford F150 9.75 Axle w/ 4:88 Gears and Posi
Fiberwerxs 6" Fenders and Bedsides
6 315/70R17(35") BFG AT's
MasterCraft Baja RS Seats
ICOM Race Radio

It was a fun truck, but in October 2010 someone made an illegal left turn and hit me right behind the axle on the driver side front wheel. Here is the aftermath:

The insurance company only offered $5K and asked for a $1K buyback, so I hired a lawyer and filed a lawsuit. Almost two and a half years later, I have now settled the case and am able to move forward with another build.

The plan:

Build a Ford Explorer with the useable parts off of the Ranger (5 seats vs 2 seats)
Full safety cage
Try to modify the Dixon Kit to accept a bypass shock

A portion of my parts pile:

and, last but not least, the donor vehicle:

Specs:

1999 Explorer XLT 4X4, 4.0 SOHC
199K on original engine and transmission - still runs strong

Hopefully, I will begin to remove the interior this week and fabrication will begin within two weeks.

 

[Zombiemoto]

good to know you got it settled...was wondering what was to come of the original truck

 

[adsm08]

Man, if someone did that to me I'd cut their nuts off and hang them from a little chain off the hitch of my other vehicle.

 

[Quasi242]

Spent a couple of hours last night removing the interior up to the front seats. Everything came out easier than I was expecting. Hopefully, I will have both trucks in the same location by a week from Thursday. Until then, not much more will get done.

 

[Quasi242]

Small update:

Moved what remains of the Ranger to the same location as the Explorer. Pack rats had made a substantial nest under the hood. It took over 1/2 an hour to clean all of the cholla and crap out of the engine compartment before it could be moved.

The plan for the following week is take measurements off of the Ranger to figure out how to adapt the 64 kit to the Explorer, and continue with the removal of the interior and front body panels.

 

[mercurymullet]

You have to run a full width rear axle or a shit load of lift to get the 64's in there. Or you could narrow the frame behind the axle for the reverse shackle to clear.

 

[mercurymullet]

I didn't notice you have a full size axle, sorry.

 

[Smurf Mobile]

I recognize that BII tank from CL.

The damage packrats can do in a matter of months is rather fantastic, they had my 01's cab completely filled when I went back to steel the seats out of it. Looking forward to see what comes of the new explorer!

 

[Quasi242]

I recognize that BII tank from CL.

The damage packrats can do in a matter of months is rather fantastic, they had my 01's cab completely filled when I went back to steel the seats out of it. Looking forward to see what comes of the new explorer!

The BII tank is yours for free if you need one, I would love to get it out of my garage.

It stinks that they got into your cab. I was lucky and the only made a mess of my engine compartment. I should be posting another baby step update later tonight.

 

[Quasi242]

Remainder of the interior out with the exception of the headliner and the dash. For right now I need to keep the Expo mobile under it's own power, so the remainder of the dash will need to stay until I have a dedicated spot for the truck to sit during fabrication.

 

[Smurf Mobile]

The BII tank is yours for free if you need one, I would love to get it out of my garage.

I'd grab it, but I'm giving up on my truck for now and in the market for a Sport Track instead. I'm spending more and more time going slow over rocks than fast down the power lines.

Is the explorer getting gutted for cage work or to just lighten the load? Are you just going to junk the rest of the old ranger or try and put it to a new use?

 

[Quasi242]

BII tank will work for a linked SportTrac as well. I originally picked it up because I wanted to link the Explorer.

The Explorer is getting gutted for a cage. As for the Ranger I am going to remove what is useable and will scrap the rest. The frame and cab are dented up.

 

[Smurf Mobile]

The advantage of the explorer is that the wider frame lets you use a rear tank from an E series vehicle that wont require any strange conversions to an old style pump. That being said leaves are just so much easier to deal with, especially in the back.

Let me know before you send the old ranger away, I'm sure there are a few parts I could use and make worth your while.

 

[Quasi242]

The advantage of the explorer is that the wider frame lets you use a rear tank from an E series vehicle that wont require any strange conversions to an old style pump. That being said leaves are just so much easier to deal with, especially in the back.

Let me know before you send the old ranger away, I'm sure there are a few parts I could use and make worth your while.

That's true. The sending unit issues between OBD1 OBD2 vehicles is one of the main reasons that I changed my mind on the BII tank.

PM me a list of what you are looking for. I am certainly interested in offsetting the cost of this new project.

 

[mercurymullet]

That's true. The sending unit issues between OBD1 OBD2 vehicles is one of the main reasons that I changed my mind on the BII tank.

PM me a list of what you are looking for. I am certainly interested in offsetting the cost of this new project.

I kept the stock tank, and haven't had any problems.