By Jim Oaks
Just when I thought I was done with this Winter Issue, I received an email from David Anderson of Oregon. His vehicle was so unique that I had to include it in this issue.
Before you go any further, study the photo above closely and decide what type of vehicle you think this is.
So, what is it?
What you see here is a 1999 Ford Explorer with a factory 5.0L V-8.
The vehicle had been involved in an accident, and the roof was smashed. The roof was removed, and the rear doors were welded shut. The gaps around the doors were welded in to give it a clean look.
Since the roof was removed, the rear was treated to an interior cage to protect the occupants. A removable custom soft top was then made to enclose the back.
A Jeep Dana 30 straight axle from a 1997 Cherokee was swapped in using a Rubicon Express long arm kit. David was able to order only the parts he needed. The rear 8.8-inch axle was retained. It uses a leaf over axle conversion with stock F250 blocks for added lift.
The axles were treated to ARB air lockers and 4.88 gears.
Currie Anti Rock sway bars are also used.
The tires are 35-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Claws on Allied Type 887 Rock Crusher rims.
An Atlas II transfer case is used to improve its off-road ability. 1-inch was cut out of the output shaft on the 4R70 transmission rather than using a 1-inch adapter plate.
The headlights and fog lights use HID conversion lights.
(Welding Up The Back Doors)
(Atlas II Twin Stick Cable Shifters)
About The Author
Jim Oaks is the founder of The Ranger Station, one of the longest-running Ford Ranger enthusiast communities on the web. He has spent over three decades owning, modifying, repairing, and driving Ford Rangers on the street, trail, and cross-country routes.
Since launching TheRangerStation.com in 1999, Jim has documented thousands of real-world Ranger builds, technical repairs, drivetrain swaps, suspension modifications, and off-road tests contributed by owners worldwide. His work has been referenced by enthusiasts, mechanics, and off-road builders looking for practical, experience-based information rather than theoretical advice.
Jim’s hands-on experience includes long-distance overland travel, trail use, drivetrain and axle upgrades, suspension tuning, and platform comparisons across multiple Ranger generations. The content published on The Ranger Station is grounded in first-hand experience and community-verified data, not marketing claims or generic specifications.
