Teasing interest in my 1992 Explorer Overlanding Truck

[turboki]

Hey all,

2 years ago I built a 1992 Explorer for my PanAmerica trip. I documented a the build here: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/118857-1992-Ford-Dora-the-Explorer-Build and here: http://www.turboki.com/?page_id=193

Well, I made it from San Diego to Alaska and back, and then down Mexico. I came back up to San Diego for Christmas/New Years and ended up meeting a girl who I married a few months later and before I knew it my wife got pregnant and the trip was put on indefinite hold. Since then the truck has just been sitting and it's breaking my heart. The truck is in overall great condition, but there are a few issues that I've been meaning to fix and upgrade, but I just bought a Ford Raptor and will start building that into my next expedition vehicle. This means that the truck will just sit and rot. Instead I'd love it if someone took over this beast and continued it's long legacy as a baja surf truck and expedition vehicle.

Looking to get around $5000 obo.

1992 Ford Explorer XLT
5 speed manual
4x4 with manual wheel hubs
10k miles on rebuilt engine
6 Yokohama Geolander tires (only about 5000 miles on them) with stock wheels
Upgraded struts (load bearing rears, heavy duty front)
Custom off-road front bumper with skid plate, winch adapter and power and hi lift mount
Custom off-road rear bumper with tire and jerry can swingout and winch adapter and bumper
Custom heavy duty safari rack with forward and rear light, axe and shovel mounts
0 gauge wiring with 600A relay through the truck for winch, fridge, accessories
Bed coated rear area for heavy duty use + fake grass for decoration
Energy suspension polyurethane bushings
Warn 8000 modular winch
4 KC offroad lights
2 rear facing fog lights
hi lift
CB radio + whip antenna
DVD touchscreen
Upgraded speakers
Axe & Shovel
Replaced most gremlins (electrical, switches, weatherstripping, windshield

Not included:
Fridge
Roof Tent
Rear bed/storage - This broke so I removed it and put the rear seats back.

The problems:
Third gear synchro has been grinding for a long time. Once you're used to driving this truck you can shift smooth, but I wanted to rebuild the tranny and replace it.
The exhaust is pretty beaten up and there are a few leaks. It should be replaced/repaired including the headers, luckily the headers for this truck are $80.
Steering rack should be rebuilt as there is some play in the steering.
Needs alignment.
Not registered at the moment. It passed smog 2 years ago, but the exhaust is pretty mangled at the moment so I don't know if it still will.

That being said it will take no more than a few hundred bucks and a little elbow grease to make this thing adventure ready.

So is there any interest?

Edit adding price: $5000 obo

 

[DetroitDiesel]

Any overheating issues? Is it road trip ready? I see the issues. Those are minor. Thanks.

 

[turboki]

No overheating issues. The truck is a freaking champ. It sat in my driveway for a year and when I started it up it kicked over right away!
As for road trip readiness, I would say you need an alignment, exhaust fix and registration and its road trip worthy. The exhaust is not really a must fix, but its loud and banged up so I would definitively get it fixed before having to listen to it for hours on end.

The gearbox and steering are issues I've had with it since before I took it to Alaska and back so I would have 0 doubts in doing trips with it.

I also will mention that the interior is a little worn out (dash cracked and carpets stained) however the truck, for being a cheap and easily fixable little truck is a beast and I just hate to see it sitting around unused. I will take more pictures this week and post them.

 

[DetroitDiesel]

Sounds perfect for what I want. I'm getting into rally racing on motorcycles and need a Baja support truck. Want to keep in storage near the border. What specifically is wrong with exhaust? Holes in pipes? Loose fitting? Does get the exhaust fixed mean replace whole thing? These trucks are lying in every scrap yard in the globe. I read your build and we want it for the same reasons. I'm sure they are all over Baja if I clunk. Pm me a price range you're looking to get as it sits also how long I can take to pick it up if paid in full. Thanks.

 

[turboki]

Oh thats awesome cause this truck really spent most of it's life in Baja being a surf/expedition truck. Here are some additional photos I took yesterday:

I was thinking around $5k for the truck with everything included except for the tent. I also want to swap the hood out cause the one thats on there contains a list of all the places I've been with it and I'd like to hang it on a wall.

 

[PHeller]

Sorta off topic, but I'm curious, after all the miles you've put on your first gen Explorer, would you consider a 2nd Gen Explorer to be a good base for a expedition vehicle?

 

[haven]

"I don't know how much it's worth so I guess I'm open to offers."

ExPo rules for the For Sale section say all ads must include a price. No auctions or "make offer" ads. Please update your ad, or it will be moved somewhere outside this section. thanks.

 

[turboki]

Sorry about that. Added a price.

 

[turboki]

Sorta off topic, but I'm curious, after all the miles you've put on your first gen Explorer, would you consider a 2nd Gen Explorer to be a good base for a expedition vehicle?

Only as long as it has the German 4.0L OHV motor. I think thats the 94-96 exploders. That motor isn't very powerful or fuel efficient, however it will run on 1 cylinder if it has to. No overhead cams also makes it much easier to work on in the wild. I've rebuilt a few of these motors and you really need a ratchet and a hand full of sockets and you can rebuild it in a day. In 97 they introduced a SOHC V6 and that thing was a steaming pile of crap in my opinion. More power but tons of reliability issues and a pain in the *** to work on. They also introduced a 5.0L windsor which is a pretty good powerhouse, but again its not as easy to work on.

At the end of the day it all depends on where you wanna go with the truck. I was taking mine to Mexico/Central America/South America where exploders are EVERYWHERE so parts are abundant, however if you were to take it to Asia, Africa or Europe I would lean way more towards a Land Rover or Yoda.

 

[turboki]

Bump

 

[turboki]

bump