:( I burried my Explorer

[Mechanickid]

I was hanging out with some friends tonight and they were talking about the local mud hole. Its "legendary", Everyone who's someone has been through it. Its located directly across the road from our high school, so I decided to go down there n try it. My explorer is largely stock, just removed the front sway bar yesterday. I eased it in low box 1st and then shifted to 2nd underwater, (huge mistake), I then proceeded to bury it to the axles . After forward motion ceased it sputtered and shut off. Turns out the plug wires got wet from the fan blowing water on my engine and my exhaust flooded with water. After a tow from one of my best friends in a lifted F series I was out. It fired right up, I cleaned out the ol' 4oh,and water was spraying like a jet from my exhaust. Started down the road to his house and it was fine except shifting to second was harder than normal. I believe this was due to working it hard or water in my tranny so I'm changing its fluid very soon! What do you guys think I should invest in for mudding? I can get old school bias ply mud tires half price (100$ for 4) from a good friend. so any suggestions are welcome.

As well how do you dry out wet mud soaked carpet?

 

[Mechanickid]

bump

 

[KELLY88]

Buried it to the axles and didn't get a picture? What's up with that? Anyway as for tires, mud tires would be helpful but you'll need ground clearance too. If you want to get into some serious mudding then lift that Exploder!

 

[Mechanickid]

Yeah no pix! I hated it! I was like no one is gunna believe this guys!!! I need to put my 31's back on!

 

[Evan]

Most likely your clutch has some mud stuck between the fingers and engagement surface of the pressure plate. This will cause hard shifts. It will probably work its way out on its own.

What do you need for mudding? It all depends on your budget, skills, amount of time you have, and shop.

A good start would be a 6" lift with a set of 35" SuperSwampers, with Lockers in both axles. Run your breather tubes and intake up high as well.

 

[Mechanickid]

Thnx guys! yeah I'm on a tight budget (funded solely by me) but my dad says I can use the shop anytime. Thinking hard on some lift, tires and gears but no $$

 

[KELLY88]

Thnx guys! yeah I'm on a tight budget (funded solely by me) but my dad says I can use the shop anytime. Thinking hard on some lift, tires and gears but no $$

Well a 6" Skyjacker kit, new set of 35" Super Swampers and a locker front and rear would be really sweet but definitely not for someone on a budget. If you're working on a tight budget you can get pretty creative. Lots of people on here have parts and pieces of a lift kit that they are willing to sell for next to nothing or give away. Start looking for coils, drop brackets, lift blocks, etc and build your own lift. Either that or just do a 3" body lift and throw a set of 31s on there. I don't normally endorse body lifts because I don't like seperating the body from the frame but if all you want is the clearance for a larger set of the tires and the occasional mud trip then it's cool

 

[motohead771]

probably want to regrease your hubs/bearings and check your differentials for warter.

 

[Mechanickid]

yeah a 3 incher is $120 shipped from JC Whitney. Includes the bumper brackets and everything. I can fit 31's now

 

[Mechanickid]

I was thinking how hard is it to put a newer (around say 1998) ranger 8.8 in my explorer? They already have 4:10 gears and soa setup? Then all I need is a 4:10 carrier for my d-35 and a 4 inch lift for my ttb.

 

[c_note]

well with a body lift, you wont be lifting the engine and tranny out of the water very much. only what bigger tires can give you.

just save some loot as you go. mow a few lawns, and before you know it... you got a decent lift kit. dont waste money on things you will want to remove later on down the road.

 

[Mechanickid]

good point. I also have to pay for all my gas. and my insurance is 100$ a month. Just think if I saved that 100$ a month... I could do a sas!

 

[PaleBlue90]

probably want to regrease your hubs/bearings and check your differentials for warter.

also change oil,t-case oil,tranny fluid, and air filter. if you plan on going deep in mud/water get a eletric fan and move that air intake higher. i dont think it would be good for ya to have that fan hit water while spinning

 

[Mechanickid]

Yes time it is for a new fan! Electric for ease of offness! lol

 

[Mechanickid]

I think if I bolted my 31's on and gave it another shot I could make it. Its not really mud but like 1 and 1/2 foot water with a foot of SOFT mud at the bottom. I just wish it would have stayed running : /