95 Ford Explorer SAS build

[3rd Petal]

Copied over from my local 4x4 forum

This project started out as a dirt cheap budget build from a salvage titled Explorer and miscellaneous junk I had laying around.







But as time went by and parts were broken, as many people would, I became bored with a very mild, mostly stock, trail beater. So it got parked and set on the back burner for a few months. But now it's back and going under the knife. A general overview of the current plans are, spring over rear (8.8), SAS front (D44), 37's, custom reduction box, and custom front/rear bumpers.

To start I tore out the old spring under rear end. Then added some 3/8" shackles, cause the stock stamped ones wouldn't cut it




Then a simple 8.8, with custom rocker perches to try to get just a bit more out of the leaf springs

 

[3rd Petal]

All of this has been cut out



To be replaced with this



By means of these

 

[3rd Petal]

A little work with the tubing bender so the radius arms will clear the tires

 

[3rd Petal]

Got some frame end brackets built for the radius arms, then finished up the main links and built new 1 3/4" .250 wall upper links, didn't think the 1 1/4" ones would cut it.





Then mocked up under the vehicle

 

[bobbywalter]

interesting setup



drive shaft ok through full cycle?



i dont think they would live long with me in that configuration

 

[3rd Petal]

interesting setup



drive shaft ok through full cycle?



i dont think they would live long with me in that configuration

Thanks. DS should be just fine, don't see why it wouldn't be. But I don't have a t-case in it yet, so we'll see how it looks once I get my doubler and t-case bolted on