the slo-vo build thread...

[bull90]

i like the canvas back idea! i should look into one for my bedcage

 

[4.0B2]

i like that white one posted last..

 

[86 slo-vo]

now i just have to come up with a catchy name for this one.

 

[Kage]

Since we're all throwing our $.02 in here

Take this for what its worth, coming from a fella that cut the top off a XJ (Somewhat apples to apples comparison).
　
I loved having the cut top on the trail, I hated it everywhere else. Unless you spend some good money (or you’re a pretty good seamstress) getting the top to seal is damn near impossible (assuming you do a soft top). With my inability to seal it up decently from the weather, all the interior electronics started to fail within a year.

Physically, after the first few wheeling trips (and few good hits) nothing really seemed to want to line up anymore (doors didn’t like to close, the windshield cracked to hell, etc). Granted, since you’ve got the advantage of body on frame, those issues might not be as bad as the unibody I was working with.

You could allways pick up a Bronco/4Runner. Same idea, but factory built
　
If this is truly going to be a family hauler/crawler, I’d think long and hard before I whacked the top off. Either way, its your junk, so cut it up (and take pics!). Worst case scenario is that you hate it, and swap another body on that frame.​

 

[86 slo-vo]

It's going to stay sealed in, I'm planning on like the few pictures I posted of the rear hatch welded back in behind the back seats.

While I'd love to be able to have te top off I want it sealed in for the winter months, and the wife requires this one to have AC lol.

The only reason I want to cut it is I love having a bed in the back, this is my second explorer and both of them drove me nuts in stock form having no room to haul anything outside

 

[kris97ranger]

are you going to mould a ranger tailgate into it? or just a net gate dealy

 

[86 slo-vo]

Probably some kind of tube tire gate

 

[ThatGuy]

The Ex is a great family wheeler. That's why I built mine. That's why my wife wants me to build another. We all ride in comfort, got plenty of room, and the heat and A/C is nice. I rode for several years in my zuk with no top or doors and that was good then but I wouldn't go back.

Good luck with the build. I'll be watching to see some new stuff.

 

[86 slo-vo]

thanks, i figured i was going to catch some flack for getting rid of the ranger.

if it were at all possible it wouldnt be going anywhere, but as ive said i just need the room more then i need the little single cab ranger.

im going to try to put my own twist on things, because as always i hate to just be in the norm when building stuff.

 

[Josh40601]

You make it seem like a Explorer/Sport Trac with an exo cage and 1 tons is something you see everyday on the trail....

 

[86 slo-vo]

what? i saw 12 of them at walmart earlier...

 

[ThatGuy]

The most I've ever seen in one spot.

 

[railman]

you knew all along ya needed an SC.......






just sayin'

seriously though....put the Rangers axles back in the Ex....put one tons and a SC on the Ranger.....

l8r, John

 

[Josh40601]

thats just because every stock explorer you look at you imagine it that way

 

[86 slo-vo]

seriously though....put the Rangers axles back in the Ex....put one tons and a SC on the Ranger.....

l8r, John

then i still have a payment and then i still cant take the family on a trip. so the explorer just works.