Ford Explorer Overland Vehicle upgrade ideas???

[Sock Puppet]

As I mentioned earlier, the Explorer has a lot of room...plenty to sleep in with a cheap air mattress (helps with the incline created when the seats are folded down) and a sleeping bag or two:

F350, your old Ex is exactly where I'm headed with mine.

 

[F350]

I've slept in mine too! I really liked it and the quick lifts and 265's were a perfect match. I got next to no settling in two years of use. The bigger tires actually got the speedo to read correctly as it was a little over optimistic on miles I found out. Bad thing was then I started getting true MPG's... and mine were horrible.

 

[kojackJKU]

I had an 05 Explorer. It's a fine rig for modest offroad use. Turns tight and with the 4wd system it goes where you point it (mostly). I added rancho quick lift struts, bought them during the "shocktober" sale and saved $240. Buy 3 get one free basically. I choose to go this route vs a spacer lift because of ride and I wanted to keep what little wheel travel there was (there isn't much). On the pavement ride was as good as stock imo. I went with soft 8 wheels (4.5" backspacing) and 265/75-16 duratracs. This gave me a total of 2.5" of lift with was just right to me and finally got the ground clearance it needed.

It worked fine but is not a hardcore rig. I didn't have limited slip and it showed. It was great deer hunting rig and had decent room. Power was fine and it had a decent tow rating. Lot's of good info in the explorer forum and where I got most of my info when I built it. I've since sold it and bought something else. One thing I'll add is aftermarket stuff is really hard to find or non-existent.

Nice rig. Most overland rigs are not needed to be hardcore. I think this is the way the OP should go. the Rancho quick lift. add some steelies and bfg ATs, and some other goodies like roof rack for carrying stuff, a powered cooler or fridge, and nav equipment. I suggest using an android tablet with topo maps. your tablet can be all sorts of good for on the road.

 

[KeepOnExploring]

duckhunter71, I do have Auto 4WD/4HI/4LO buttons.

 

[libarata]

duckhunter71, I do have Auto 4WD/4HI/4LO buttons.

Grab a 5 gallon gas can, your fishing gear, sleeping bag, food/water for two days, and go have a weekend! Have you driven in 4wd, or have anyone that knows 4wd?

 

[Big50]

I'd do some of the minor lift and tire mods as mentioned. Since your budget is limited, make sure to save some money so you can actually go on a trip! Gas is a major expense and one has to make sure they don't spend so much money on modifications that they don't have enough funds to support a trip. Do some minor mods, take the truck out and see what you need from there.

 

[RoyJ]

Nice rig. Most overland rigs are not needed to be hardcore. I think this is the way the OP should go. the Rancho quick lift. add some steelies and bfg ATs, and some other goodies like roof rack for carrying stuff, a powered cooler or fridge, and nav equipment. I suggest using an android tablet with topo maps. your tablet can be all sorts of good for on the road.

Good point. Way too often, we see trucks here getting built into "trail rigs" instead of "overlanders". 4 - 5 inch suspension lifts, huge articulation, etc., is good for day trips on a difficult trail, but not covering 1000 miles in the middle of nowhere.

For strictly overlanding, the Explorer is actually not bad, as long as you don't go international (parts availability). I highly recommend F350's mod of Rancho quicklifts. Not only do you gain a moderate height, but also, precious suspension travel and damping adjustments. None of these are available if you go for a spacer mod (which often over-stresses ball joints and CVs).

If you're really serious, you can rip out the mid and rear seats and build a platform. I have a 4th gen, and with seats removed, have a solid 1500 lbs payload. That's enough to spend a week out here in the mountains of BC, with my dirt bike.

Start with maintenance - change all your fluids if you haven't already: front rear diff, transfer case, transmission + filter, engine + coolant depending on age. Decide where you want to go and start with some forestry roads to get a feel first. Do a simple overnighter, pretty soon you'll know what you need...

 

[midtnexplorer]

The explorer will take you were you want to go, but you to put some time and money in it. Mine as the spacer lift and the rancho's. I use a limit strap to keep from overstressing my cv's. I have custom upper control arms with uniball instead of ball joints. I have built a custom roof rack and sliders for mine. I have 285's and 4.56 gears with a spartan locker in the rear. Heres a couple pics of it.

 

[LilPoppa]

That looks great, midtnexplorer. I've got a 2000, and the only lift available is the Superlift, which after a new driveshaft and new tires and regearing and all that, I'm probably not going to go for. Too much money for to milage I've got. But you know what, I've had this thing for 5 years and it spends just about every weekend in the mountains without any major problems. Offroad or highway, it's a great vehicle. I've had the brakes redone and had new balljoints, but that's stuff any vehicle will need. I've decided I'm going to be keeping this thing until it's time for the scrap yard, and if I make any modifications, I'd like to install air lockers.

 

[Sock Puppet]

Hey Midtnexplorer, did you install the Spartan locker yourself or have it done? I'm considering a locker or lsd.

 

[midtnexplorer]

Hey Midtnexplorer, did you install the Spartan locker yourself or have it done? I'm considering a locker or lsd.

I installed it. Wasn't too hard just takes some time to do.

 

[JPoverland]

I'm new to the group and to overlanding. I have an 02 explorer I'm planning on building into a light duty rig but like I saw mentioned before it seems hard to find suspension lifts for the explorers... I did find a 3" front 2" back lift/levelling kit from Wulf industries that comes with replacement extended shocks and everything but I'm not real familiar with this company. Not sure if anyone else has tried this brand or knew if this would be a decent kit? It uses adjustable torsion keys for the front end and adjustable shackles for the rear.
Thanks in advance for any info!

 

[JPoverland]

I had an 05 Explorer. It's a fine rig for modest offroad use. Turns tight and with the 4wd system it goes where you point it (mostly). I added rancho quick lift struts, bought them during the "shocktober" sale and saved $240. Buy 3 get one free basically. I choose to go this route vs a spacer lift because of ride and I wanted to keep what little wheel travel there was (there isn't much). On the pavement ride was as good as stock imo. I went with soft 8 wheels (4.5" backspacing) and 265/75-16 duratracs. This gave me a total of 2.5" of lift with was just right to me and finally got the ground clearance it needed.

It worked fine but is not a hardcore rig. I didn't have limited slip and it showed. It was great deer hunting rig and had decent room. Power was fine and it had a decent tow rating. Lot's of good info in the explorer forum and where I got most of my info when I built it. I've since sold it and bought something else. One thing I'll add is aftermarket stuff is really hard to find or non-existent.

Do u think LT265/75R16 tires on +20 offset rims would work with the quick lifts without spacers or would they rub?