The Titanic ; 1991 Explorer 4 door

[oatmealman]

do you by any chance happen to own a xj?

 

[out cast]

so i've since parted the lift out. it wasn't complete, parts were broken, and it was so rusty that by the time you sandblasted it, it'd of been a 1/4 to 1/2" smaller after you get the rust off. I'll buy a new one later.

here are some pics of what the truck looks like currently, since i've added some spotties and fogs. then the second pic is with the old smashed gate and stickered up rear window. third, the cargo setup with my toolbox and stereo. (the two tone design on the toolbox is the design i'll be usin for my truck later on)

 

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since my hatch wasn't lining up and it was dented in more then one area i decided to get another hatch at the u pull it since they were having the st. patricks day sale (50%) off so it came out to be 35 bucks. Luckily when i was out there last time, i scoped out an ex with the PLAIN package... no rear defroster or wiper setup so i went back and bought the hatch... (i also got some LONG tuff country 8000 series shocks off a navajo (there are 2" lift coils that were still on the navajo when i left) along with the wider fender flares. i got the shocks and fender flares for a total of 25 bucks)

Current pic of my current hatch

Only BEFORE picture i took of the replacement hatch

I decided to shave the third brake light, key hole, emblems, and something i have only seen once on EF...

I'm shaving the black trim...

Here is after i removed everything...

 

[out cast]

inchin closer and closer... i decided to start work on my hatch, i fabbed the plates up to fill the third brake light and key hole as well as trim holes for the wrap around the hatch, they fit like a GLOVE...

third brake light filler... curved to fit...

Lock Cylinder Filler...

I also made some smaller pieces to weld the holes for the trim up with...

 

[out cast]

The shocks I got at the U-Pull it
Tuff Country SX8000's (paid 15 bucks for all 4)

New Flares (paid 5 bucks)

Pitman arm that just came in
Skyjacker FA600

That Fully completes my Lift!!!

 

[spaz1879]

cut your finger nails

 

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I found a ramp in town and decided to RTI my truck. i don't know the angle but using the calculator at http://www.offroaders.com/info/tech-corner/rti.htm, I put in 20 degrees, i went up 25" forwards and 23" (measuring from the bottom of the tire straight to the ground) backwards my scores woulda been 656 forward and 603 backward with a 111.5 wheelbase. basically means on a 20* ramp, i woulda went up 73" forward and 67" backwards... this is a stock 4 door explorer w/ disconnected sway bars, unclipped leaves, 3 washers in front under the coils...

 

[out cast]

LOOK WAT I DID TODAY!!!

i got the backend done today. it took about 4 hours because the bolts through the leaves and shackles wouldn't come out. had to torch it and then replace the bushings (what a bitch) then i had issues with my parking brake line, said screw it and this is how i left it...

 

[out cast]

Lift is done now. the front install went more painless than the rear did. the rear i had problems with bolts and bushings. the front was painless except for the rivets. overall this lift isn't hard. then we eyeballed the alignment and i've been drivin it. gonna get my 33's and alignment done today.

question... my coils are angled from the bucket to the beams. what causes this?

 

[venom97]

question... my coils are angled from the bucket to the beams. what causes this?

mine are the same way since i installed my 5.5 lift on my ranger too. not sure what causes this but good to know yours isnt the only one. lol

 

[out cast]

i think i figured it out. where the end of the coil spring is (the end of the wire) we accidentally got it under the bucket. i think thats whats curvin it soooo bad. we are gonna try to fix it asap. i got a 130 mile trip tomorrow and back thursday, alignment on monday. we'll get this fixed friday or somthin.

finished pics with 33s now

 

[Mechanickid]

sweeeeeet!!!

 

[out cast]

its huge for my first lifted vehicle. i love it though...

 

[Kyle M.]

Looks good, good job. Its tuff building on a budget, but it looks like you are doing great!

 

[crash_41382]

what did the 31's cost at the you-pull?