My 2004 Explorer

[midtnexplorer]

This is my Explorer, little different than most people. I am little like that. So far I have switched the front to coilovers, the rear as rancho qicklifts with a 1.25" spacer. I have 305/70/16 GT Radial MT's. I have a one inch body lift. The future holds 4.56 gears that need to be installed along with a spartan locker. Going to make a winch bumper and then a rear bumper with a tire carrier. I have homemade rock sliders and roof rack.

 

[Root Moose]

Nice looking rig.

 

[east_tn_81]

I like it. Nice to see something a little different.

 

[IdaSHO]

Why the older explorers are not popular has always been something I couldnt understand.

Good body on chassis, very capable 4wd, comfy, reliable, great motor, and extremely rugged.

Only real downside is the rarety of the manual trans and the TTB front axle.


I used to have a '94 Explorer. Put nearly 100k on it, and beat the poop out of it on and off road.
Never let me down. Not once.

 

[east_tn_81]

The first 2 gen of explorers were very capable. Strong motors and 4wd systems. It is crazy they never caught on for builds.

 

[FromRaleigh]

I thought these didn't come with a low range, was that the next gen after this?

 

[LuckyDan]

My 07 has high and low range if that helps.

 

[midtnexplorer]

It as low range, I am not sure which on didn't have it, may have been the newer ones.

 

[SportsmanJake]

I am excited to see this build. This summer, I want to build a tire carrier rear bumper for my 98 F150. Maybe we can exchange some notes later on down the road.

Good luck!

 

[Raul B]

Very excited for this build....

 

[midtnexplorer]

I am excited to see this build. This summer, I want to build a tire carrier rear bumper for my 98 F150. Maybe we can exchange some notes later on down the road.

Good luck!

I'll pass on info I have when I do it. Got to get my gears installed first, these 305's with the stock gearing is my first priority. Still trying to figure out what style front bumper I want. I do not know how much cardboard I have gone thru making templates for the bumper.

 

[East Coast Overland]

That Explorer looks awesome! You have a fine taste good Sir! Looking forward to the remaining mods.

 

[4x4junkie]

The first 2 gen of explorers were very capable. Strong motors and 4wd systems. It is crazy they never caught on for builds.

Hear hear... I have two that are very close relatives to the Explorer (a Ranger and a Bronco II).
I wouldn't trade either one of them for anything else similar, even starting over again (at most I'd get stuck trying to decide between another BII or an Explorer Sport maybe). They're very comfortable to drive, have lots of room, have been reliable as dirt, and get very respectable mileage too (at least with the stickshift anyway).
There are some great communities on the 'net for these rigs too (www.therangerstation.com is just one of many). Lots of great tips & tricks for building these rigs.

Definitely diggin' your '04 midtnexplorer, very nice. That thing should look pretty mean once you get your bumpers done.

I thought these didn't come with a low range, was that the next gen after this?

2011-current do not have low range (nor a frame). 2010 was really the last year for the Explorer as far as anyone here should be concerned.