bftanks expo projects - update, 4-28-12, mounted winch on explorer

[bfdiesel]

So will your calipers not fit on your rotors? I thought they looked like they were going to work.

 

[bftank]

no the calipers won't fit, it seems that for the '97's they changed the caliper mount. sorry i didn't catch your call last night, i was working on getting one side fixed. looks like i will need to get the hub hole on the wheels milled out some as well. don't quite fit over the hub like they are supposed too.

 

[bfdiesel]

Interesting and that sucks.

 

[bftank]

so i ended up having the rotors machined down to 12.5" and the hummer outer wheels machined to fit over the hubs. dropped the spring hangers down 4.5". the stack is braced by a 3"x3" angle iron to which a bumper will be mounted. i still need to do a brace between the hangers. should have plenty of room to put in a winch at a later date. got the shock on the passenger side in, had to drill out the holes to 1/2".

not sure i am digging the blocky look of dropping the hangers down. seems to look disproportionate. it works and is tough though.


the tires hang out a little farther than i anticipated. i am hoping once the bumper is built it won't look as weird.



sorry the pictures are darkish. these are taken in the garage.

things left to do

install drop steering arm
extend swaybar links
longer breather hose
extend track bar
install dually hub on passenger side.
put together the rest of the wheels

 

[Shiryas]

Bftank,

The rear sway bar links are longer and I have read of guys using them on the front for small lifts such as ours. While I don't think I would use it much, I am trying to find a quick disconnect kit that I like the looks of and fab them on mine.

I hear ya on my build thread, its long overdue. I'll get on it after the axle swap is done.

Cheers, Chris

 

[redthies]

Looking good tank! A cross member to brace the blocks will help make it look "right". I used some salvaged skidoo front suspension a-arm tubes (heavy wall cro-mo) to extend my sway bar links. It is well worth having the sway bars in the front. I did not put them back in my 460 powered 92, but it was almost scarey driving the powerstroke without the front sway bar. Can't wait to hear your driving impressions!

 

[bftank]

thanks guys,

chris, i am going to have to try that out. maybe scab them off the back of the truck temporarily. i wanted to see if the swaybar would fit back of the excursion anyways.

red, i am planning on making the crossmember out of 6"x1/4" strap that i have and tying that into a piece of 12" c channel for a winch plate. i agree about the swaybar. definitely a priority especially in the canyons out here.

ran out of gas in the mig. once i get that refilled i will work on the bumper. mamma's wanting her parking spot back with the morning frost coming in regularly meow.


haha, gotcha! supertroopers ******!

 

[bfdiesel]

Alright meow!!

 

[bftank]

it's rolling again. seems i need to adjust the axle forward another hole, or do some fender trimming. the outside of the tires rub against the back of the fenders when turning sharply.







next up, build front bumper.

 

[bfdiesel]

you should come up and play this weekend

 

[bftank]

i would, but i have to work friday and saturday.

 

[bfdiesel]

I think you need to change your sig now as you are no longer using your stock suspension, or 35's. And where is the new family wagon?

 

[redthies]

It looks like your axle is already further forward in the wheel well than mine. It is the 37s causing the rub. My 35s don't rub at all. You just need a body lift now:sombrero:

 

[bftank]

meh, it is tall enough as it is. i think i will trim the back of the fenders to fit it better. shouldn't be as bad once the sway bar is hooked up. eventually i would like to get some fiberglass fenders with a 3-4" bulge to cover the tires that stick out 4".

 

[redthies]

I was joking about the body lift of course! I wonder if anybody makes a decent flare that would go 3-4"?