1994 Ford Explorer Build

[PHeller]

Is that desirable? I always thought the TTB's were less desirable. Maybe they are popular in desert racing for slightly better handling attributes.

 

[AFBronco235]

The TTB is JUST AS STRONG as a solid front axle. In some ways, even stronger. While I drive a bronco, it also uses the TTB and you hear stories all the time of guys jumping crazy heights and landing without problems. So long as you change out the bushings, a TTB is just as strong as IFS system out there.

 

[thethePete]

The TTB is JUST AS STRONG as a solid front axle. In some ways, even stronger.

No it's not.

Yes, it's easier to get big travel out of TTB compared to A-arm suspension, and solid front axles don't do so well at speed.

 

[Travisfab]

Any reason you chose the 1st Gen Explorer over the 2nd Gen?

I see tons of 4.0L builds like yours, and I'm always surprised at how few people spend that kind of money on the 302 models. Is that because it had a manual trans stock?

TTB is the main factor. The only way to get comparable strength and wheel travel out of a second gen is a solid axle swap. I live in San Diego and do high speed desert & Baja runs, the independent front is really what I need. I also have an 01 Explorer with a 302. It's way faster, and the interior is a lot nicer, but it's a soccer mom ride. This truck will either get a Chevy 5.3 or 6.0 heart transplant when the motor finally goes.


Weekend update -
Ended up throwing the LED bar into the bumper. Just wasn't digging it in the grill.

 

[Travisfab]

Here's the night shot

 

[PHeller]

TTB is the main factor. The only way to get comparable strength and wheel travel out of a second gen is a solid axle swap. I live in San Diego and do high speed desert & Baja runs, the independent front is really what I need. I also have an 01 Explorer with a 302. It's way faster, and the interior is a lot nicer, but it's a soccer mom ride. This truck will either get a Chevy 5.3 or 6.0 heart transplant when the motor finally goes.

You'll have to bear with me here because I'm still learning about desert racing setups and Explorers.

Are there any other reliable platforms that are on the cheaper end of the scale (ie not Toyota) that offer good high speed off road performance on budget? I come from an autocross background but out in the west there are lots of forest roads and BLM land where you can have just as much fun on dirt.

My current Toyota would be a good start except it doesn't have the power I'd like at higher elevations and I want something that can seat 4 people comfortably, but also provide room to sleep inside.

 

[ExplorerTom]

except it doesn't have the power I'd like at higher elevations and I want something that can seat 4 people comfortably, but also provide room to sleep inside.

Gears. Regear the diffs and it'll make up for the lack of power. You might lose some highway top speed: like if you could hit 100-110 before, 75-80 might be about all you can do. But to be honest, 75 is probably plenty fast in that underpowered Toyota.

I also come from an autocrossing background- but now I enjoy the slow speed forest service roads. Fast can be fun, but around here it's too rocky to get going too fast.

 

[Travisfab]

You'll have to bear with me here because I'm still learning about desert racing setups and Explorers.

Are there any other reliable platforms that are on the cheaper end of the scale (ie not Toyota) that offer good high speed off road performance on budget? I come from an autocross background but out in the west there are lots of forest roads and BLM land where you can have just as much fun on dirt.

My current Toyota would be a good start except it doesn't have the power I'd like at higher elevations and I want something that can seat 4 people comfortably, but also provide room to sleep inside.

If you want a 4x4, a TTB Ranger or Explorer are the best bang for the buck in my opinion. There's nothing else like the TTB as far as the strength and cost to build.

 

[Travisfab]

Been working on a buddies truck, so not much has happened lately. I dropped the ride height a bit, and I'm about to dial in some 7/8 heims for the steering, also picked up some seats. Just doing small stuff to prep for desert season. Bronco is back there and jealous!

 

[Travisfab]

Cant believe how long I waited to get some decent seats in this thing. What a difference! Mounted these up last night on the factory sliders.

 

[Travisfab]

New shoes

 

[Trophycummins]

Cool build. 😎

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[Travisfab]

Rolling around on 37's until I do the alignment

Little tough to see, but I re-did the steering with 7/8 heims. It's double nutted for now until I drill out the bolt for a cotter pin.

 

[Travisfab]

Pumped on the new tires. It's been way too long since this thing has been on normal street tires.

 

[thethePete]

Love this truck. I will be stealing a bunch of ideas for the new family hauler. Nice and simple and useful.

Any plans to cage it? You must be gettin' pretty quick in the dirt by now...