EXPLORER : LIFT - AKA SAS

So after a LOT of deliberation, advise from those that have lifted an Explorer, and research, I've decided I don't want to sink twice as much $ as the Explorer is worth into a quality long arm Skyjacker or James Duff lift. I don't want a weak $1200 Rough Country bracket lift either as they have been know to crack on the bracket and there is no performance benefit to it other than being able to fit bigger tires.

Plus, most Explorer builds online start with sinking money into TTB upgrades, then eventually go and do a SAS (Solid Axle Swap). I want to avoid spending money twice.

So I've decided to do a solid axle swap and I bought a set of '1976' F150 axles - High Pinion Dana 44 and Ford 9 inch with 4.56 gears. '1976' because the rear end is stamped 73, and it has drums up front so it could be a 73..who knows.

The 4.56 gears will handle 35" tires no problem :-) ..and the 9 tooth pinion is massive. (well compared to the Zuk LOL)

A few thing need to be addressed;

1. it has drum brakes up front, so I want to swap to discs
2. one side of the Dana 44 has a broken inner and outer shaft due to a blown ujoint
3. it needs radius arm pivot and C's bushings
4. the coil buckets have seen better days

This time I'll make sure the coils are completely vertical, and I'll buy a Superlift adjustable track-bar instead of cutting and sleeving it to fit. https://superlift.com/adjustable-front-track-bar-66-79-ford-f150-bronco-97-06-jeep-wrangler-tj/1978/ford/f-150?fbclid=IwAR0hn_0OGMx0w__hyS-u6pHqSRcGLSjNKHfAyc9QE-xAthyAh_XmkMIalGg

It should be a relatively simple swap since there's no IFS hardware to remove from the frame.

Goal is to replace anything worn or broken, and try and keep the width as narrow as possible.

Started to tear into the front hubs ready to swap the spindles out for disks and to remove the broken axle shafts. 

These hubs have different parts to the '79 axle.

Think I'm gonna need a lower coil mount too.

More tear down. This thing is in really good shape considering it's nearly as old as me.

Only broke 1 bolt...not too bad :)

Just waiting on buddy to get the disk brakes and replacement shafts, then I'll start on the Explorer.

'C' and radius arm pivot bushings came in from Rockauto...like and idiot I only ordered 1 'C' bushing. I'm sure I'll be placing another order soon tho.

EXPLORER : PSEUDO SNORKLE

Whilst trying to decide what to do about a snorkel on this thing, I took a look at the air intake tube and noticed the the front of the intake tube bolts to the core support facing forward. Great for cold air, even better to suck in water!

Also the intake tube is narrow, is probably restrictive and takes warm air off the manifold with a vacuum valve. That junk is all gone now. 

I've decided not to install a snorkel this time, but I'll add a reverse intake scoop and use 3 inch flex pipe to connect it directly to the air box. I doubt water would ever get up to the hood level after the SAS.

EXPLORER : RADIOS

Installed my HF and CB radios. Piggybacked the CB to the HF with hot glue. Let's see how long that lasts.

Just waiting on a new antenna to complete the job.....

They look a bit lost in the big ol' Explorer 😆

EXPLORER : HEATER

The Explorers heater only worked on high, so I went on a search for a replacement resistor pack at my local yard.

Out of all the Ranges, F-series trucks and Explorers, I was only able to find 1 resistor pack in the whole yard from a '91 F-Super Duty ....well I only needed 1 ;-)