Family Wheeler

[CheapThrillB2]

This was my DD explorer for the last two years........But with my recent purchase of my F250, i'm going to start wheeling the explorer with the family. My B2 is just not family friendly. So i am using the axles from the B2 and building up the Ex. Plan to run 35's and drive it to events vs trailering like i do with my B2.


Here it is right after i bought, i had already removed the ground effects and put some 31's on it by the time i took the pic.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/ddex1.jpg

4" Lift and 32x11.50s

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/IMG_2571.jpg

33x12.50s

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/IMG_2574.jpg

Little Ditch flex in my Yard

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/ex.jpg

and how it sits tonite (started on it around 4:30 pm, but done for the nite, start again in the morning pending hangover lol)

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/FamilyWheelerDec312008004.jpg

[nick_n_ii]

Wow, whats the plans and stats after the build?

[Haggar]

Looks good!

Take the time to try to clean up/stop any rust before it really gets going. Nothing worse than working hard on a vehicle, only to lose it to rust..

[CheapThrillB2]

thats the beauty of the a framed vehicle...i can just stick another body on...........which is exactly what i'm doing with the B2

[dodgedude1985]

looking good can't wait to see it in the end

[xj97sport]

id leave it like it is in the last pic .... it look a like a buggy with wicked wheeile action lol

[CheapThrillB2]

Front axle is in

had to Lengthened the front drive shaft to fit

all that is left up front is to finish the bumper and trim some fender and drill to holes in the rear spring mount to frame and bleed the brakes.

Still have to hang shocks in rear, lengthen rear drive shaft, and relocate the leaf spring mounts on the axle, bleed brakes.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/FamilyWheelerJan32009002.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/FamilyWheelerJan32009003.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/FamilyWheelerJan32009004.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/FamilyWheelerJan32009001.jpg

I plan to run 35x12.50s on it, but damn it looks so sexy on 38's

[xj4life]

but damn it looks so sexy on 38's

x2

[xj97sport]

hey john i have a nib curtis hitch for that thing if ur interested $150 hardware and all

edit: see it has one on it oh well let me know if any one with a b2 ranger or any thing similar in frame wants one

[CheapThrillB2]

it has a hitch

[xj97sport]

ya i know i edited my post

[abester69]

Welcome to the wonderful world of family wheeling, I can count on my hands how many times Ive wheeled w/out my wife and daughter. The wife still wants a 4D explorer, in the future I suppose. A family wheeler is the best way to go especially if you have other wheelers of the same mind set. You have made a wise decision my friend just dont forget about safety for the loved ones.

[nick_n_ii]

That thing looks sweet...

[CheapThrillB2]

Welcome to the wonderful world of family wheeling, I can count on my hands how many times Ive wheeled w/out my wife and daughter. The wife still wants a 4D explorer, in the future I suppose. A family wheeler is the best way to go especially if you have other wheelers of the same mind set. You have made a wise decision my friend just dont forget about safety for the loved ones.

yeah i am going to do some type of cage wether it be exo or inside the cab.

[CheapThrillB2]

I pulled the rear axle back out and relocated the leaf spring mounts (The b2 leafs sat 1 inch wider apart then the explorer. So i needed to move the mounts .5" in so the springs were flat when mounted. Also changed the pinion angle. Removed the old rear shocks and got the brakes bled.

How to quit for the day though, ran out of grinding/cutting discs for the grinder, ran out of oxygen on the torch (Nick i'll exchange the tank on Friday), and i am real low on wire for the welder. And i'm flat broke to boot :(

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/FamilyWheelerJan42009001.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/FamilyWheelerJan42009002.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/FamilyWheelerJan42009003.jpg

here it is next to the wifes explorer (hers has a 1" susp boost and is on 235's)

[nick_n_ii]

That thing looks sweet. Is it replacing the B2? Or just it's big brother?

[CheapThrillB2]

just another rig for lite wheeling and to do more local mild wheeling trips/camping etc..........

Keeping the b2 around, I really like the whole not caring about body damage etc type of wheeling so the b2 will serve that purpose.

[Evil Queen]

dang....I used to care about body damage....then I went to Canada :hehe:

[Bronco4-Play]

That looks great. I like it with the 38's.

[Shotgun]

ugly damn thing.:hehe:

[dodgedude1985]

looks awsome john

[CheapThrillB2]

Got the front winch mounted and did some trimming.....i need to extend my rear driveshaft 2"s tomorrow and she shall be wheelable.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/FamilyWheelerJan72009001.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/FamilyWheelerJan72009002.jpg

I still have plans to widen the front bumper and some more changes in that area.

[CheapThrillB2]

Yeah i didn't get around to making my driveshaft last nite, so i'll be doing that today at work when i have down time. But i did repack my front bearings, but their toast, so i'll run them for now and replace them in a week or so. But my damn LF hub is racheting so i think i may put the drive slugs in it tonite and buy new hubs shortly. Test Run is tonite, hopefully no issues. Thinking i may get the 35" BFG MTs to run on it tonite. Scheduled for like 4-6"s so the trails should be fun with all the ice under the snow lol.

[nd4spd71]

Test Run is tonite, hopefully no issues. Thinking i may get the 35" BFG MTs to run on it tonite. Scheduled for like 4-6"s so the trails should be fun with all the ice under the snow lol.



:wave:

I want to go!!! :hehe:

[Beefy]

You need to come up here :hehe: we have some snow for ya

[CheapThrillB2]

:wave:

I want to go!!! :hehe:

i have a back seat :poke:

[FORD FLARESIDE]

Yeah i didn't get around to making my driveshaft last nite, so i'll be doing that today at work when i have down time. But i did repack my front bearings, but their toast, so i'll run them for now and replace them in a week or so. But my damn LF hub is racheting so i think i may put the drive slugs in it tonite and buy new hubs shortly. Test Run is tonite, hopefully no issues. Thinking i may get the 35" BFG MTs to run on it tonite. Scheduled for like 4-6"s so the trails should be fun with all the ice under the snow lol.

How are you balancing your driveshaft? I'm think about putting a 9in in the back of the XJ. If I do, I'm moving it back about foot, so I will need to extend my driveshaft.

[CheapThrillB2]

balance shhhhhhhhit i didn't balance it.

i just got back from driving 25 miles at 45 mph and let me tell you,

38" bias ply tires
38" unbalanced tires
new driveshaft home made and not balanced























I think i need to go to the dentist lol




Seriously though, once i can afford it i wll send driveshaft to weller or valley and have it balanced.

[FORD FLARESIDE]

I think we should build a balancer. I'll do the prints, you build it inbetween rigs....
:hehe:

[CheapThrillB2]

Just got back from some snow wheeling/shakedown

I got a klunk under my floor, i think its the tcase hitting the bottom of the truck. I'll have to check the trans mount.

[CheapThrillB2]

I did learn that i DEF need to build a front trac bar to help with steering, as well as my gear box is DEF shot to hell. I am not sure if i liked the auto for wheeling though. I like the laziness (lol) of it, but theirs just so much power loss through an auto trans vs a manual. See how it goes, but don't be surprized if i install a 5 spd to replace the pukeLD i have in the truck now.

[CheapThrillB2]

with the 35's on it

http://www.axcessmypics.com/photos/photo02/cd/28/674aa283907d.jpg

my bro still has my good cam, but heres one with the phone.

[pre4runner]

not too bad, but the 38's rocked on it

[CheapThrillB2]

yeah i know, but i want to drive the explorer to events and do not want to chew up the 38's on pavement.


But your right it looked killer with them on it.

[BroncoBuddha]

time for some new front fenders :poke:

[KennyOffroad]

Looks Good. :thumb:

[jeepnxj96]

doesn't need new front fenders, he just needs to use the plasma like he did on the B2 and not go overboard:fryingpan::hehe:

that super sploder looks good John.:thumb:

[Fullsize4life]

them front shakles scare me.

[mdswmich]

There are some pretty sweet rigs over at www.explorerforum.com and tons of information as well.

Awesome job. Way better than those other things, what are they called Geeps?

[CheapThrillB2]

front shackles won't stay.....besides it worked on my B2 for a year and you seen the abuse i put that through....

I am on explorerforum as cheapthrillex :thumb:

[Fullsize4life]

I know it worked but it still scares me

[CheapThrillB2]

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/IMG_3530.jpg

well two trips snow wheeling, one on the 35's and one on the 38's and the 38's def wheeled better in the snow. But on the 35's the explorer sucks ass taint at breaking trail.

[CheapThrillB2]

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/Jan312009004.jpg

[nick_n_ii]

That thing has such a great stance to it. Ford should have sold them like that from the factory..

[BroncoBuddha]

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/Jan312009004.jpg

looking good John :thumb:

[Trucks are for girls!]

that thing looks great!!! nice job!!!

[CheapThrillB2]

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/Feb32009.jpg

stuffed my 38's and beadlocks o it tonite for a run next weekend.......I replaced my front springs with some stiffer ones. I also put some shorter shackles on the front. Its a little raked right now, try and take care of that tomorrow. Thinking i'll lower the rear spring mount being its fixed.

[CheapThrillB2]

Day shot

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/Feb42009.jpg

[sportsnut44]

the 38's look like they fit pretty good, and the 35's look like they belong on there.

maybe i should slip 38's under mine .

looks great john, where do you find all the energy

[pre4runner]

Looks pretty

[CheapThrillB2]

heres the truck

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/explorerbumper002.jpg

Heres one idea

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/explorerbumper1stattempt.jpg

Trying to keep it super simple, and use what i have that is exsisting. Not big on tube bumpers and stingers. Simple and Flat.

[CheapThrillB2]

Power steering pump took a dump and the pins in my aussie are broken, aussie is taking care of the pins from me and the pump is replaced.

rock sliders are on
http://www.axcessmypics.com/photos/photo03/40/e3/c3996b27d5b6.jpg

[CheapThrillB2]

Well i visited Rocks and valleys park today and managed to bust a yukon stub shaft in my LF

Here's a few pics from the day

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/SundownersEvart2009002.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/SundownersEvart2009023.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/SundownersEvart2009041.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/SundownersEvart2009045.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/SundownersEvart2009047.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/SundownersEvart2009051.jpg

The pink coat in the pics is my wife taking it over some obstacles
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/SundownersEvart2009049.jpg

And this my friends Finacee taking it for a spin as well

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/cheapthrillb2/Family%20Wheeler/SundownersEvart2009054.jpg

[CheapThrillB2]

I don't think i am gonna get my yukon stub warrantied. The last time i had the other shaft warrantied it was no questions and they took care of me quite promptly. This time they wanted to know engine/trans/ tire sizes. So i am sure once they see i was running 38" tires i will be SOL. Looks like on Yukon site 34" is the max tire size on a 44. They have a line on that page stating anything over "their" max tire size suggestion is void of warranty.

[CheapThrillB2]

why is it creating double posts when you post pics?

I edited my post, but i have noticed in other threads as well.