ExploringNH's 2000 Ford Excursion build
- Thread starter ExploringNH
- Start date
ExploringNH
Explorer
Gas powered. 6.8l v10. No power mods at all. I am a fan of keeping the engine as close to 100% stock as possible.
3.73. Honestly, it isn't bad at all. I ran 33's on my 02 4Runner v6 with stock 4.10 and it was not fun. This truck handles them well. I easily cruise on the highway at 80mph and have no trouble getting up to speed. I do plan to swap to 4.30 in the future, but only because I will be swapping axles/lockers and there is no cost difference between 3.73 and 4.30.
ExploringNH
Explorer
4.30 is available as a factory ratio.
If money were no object, I would probably run 4.88.
ExploringNH
Explorer
Yes. A full axle swap.
ExploringNH
Explorer
Did some demo work today. It's going to be a slow project over winter to rebuild the interior but I wanted to see what exactly was behind the paneling. There is some good usable space back there.
ExploringNH
Explorer
Today I decided to make use of a Rigid 10" SR LED bar that I've had lying around.
I'm pretty much just puttering around in some free time. No real direction in mind. The big project is building out the back but I don't really want to start on that yet. In the meantime, I'll fix a few of the shortcomings that I've run into this year. Next up is some reverse lighting. I have some Rigid Duallys hanging around that I might use for that purpose.
I never use the overhead heat (heat rises anyway...) so that will free up a little space, and the lower vents will be redirected under the sleeping platform to better provide heating for a pre-warmed bed. I'm hoping to get some good usable storage out of this so that I can drop the bed down a couple of inches. My head just barely hits the roof when I sit up. It would be amazing to be able to sit up straight to get dressed in bed or use the computer, or whatever.
I haven't driven it without the interior, but I would imagine there is a substantial increase in road noise. I will be insulating the entire rear section before anything goes back in.
I'm pretty much just puttering around in some free time. No real direction in mind. The big project is building out the back but I don't really want to start on that yet. In the meantime, I'll fix a few of the shortcomings that I've run into this year. Next up is some reverse lighting. I have some Rigid Duallys hanging around that I might use for that purpose.
I never use the overhead heat (heat rises anyway...) so that will free up a little space, and the lower vents will be redirected under the sleeping platform to better provide heating for a pre-warmed bed. I'm hoping to get some good usable storage out of this so that I can drop the bed down a couple of inches. My head just barely hits the roof when I sit up. It would be amazing to be able to sit up straight to get dressed in bed or use the computer, or whatever.
I haven't driven it without the interior, but I would imagine there is a substantial increase in road noise. I will be insulating the entire rear section before anything goes back in.
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ExploringNH
Explorer
Pulled the rest of it today. Blank canvas. I REALLY wanted to get the mattress sideways in the back but I don't think I can do it without losing more headroom, one of my biggest complaints with the current setup. I have 67" between the tops of the wheelwells. Unless I start cutting things, it won't fit. Decision time...
