The Mule's resurrection (99 Explorer Sport)

TeamKarkos

Member
Cool build! I have thought about doing something similar with a 4dr for a family rig. Now is the time to buy, they are stupid cheap and very available.



Sports were only 2dr, I think 2wd was an option but most around me opted for 4wd. FWIW also more likely to have a manual trans/t-case too.


The 4 doors are really great and much easier to get parts relative to the two door. I would opt for a 2nd gen with a 302 for better longevity and no timing chain issues.
 

85_Ranger4x4

Well-known member
The 4 doors are really great and much easier to get parts relative to the two door. I would opt for a 2nd gen with a 302 for better longevity and no timing chain issues.

It would be 4dr for me with a kid on the way. I hem and haw if I would rather LS swap a first gen or t-case swap/eventually SAS a second gen though...
 

TeamKarkos

Member
D8975030-03B9-4626-81F3-13809A74AD97.jpeg

This past July we made it! Colorado and back in a truck people told me would never make it. It made it in style and handled all the road miles and trails we through at it. Mineral Creek, Poughkeepsie Gulch, Engineer Pass, California Gulch and then some. We did 2400 miles in 6 days from Illinois!
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This sign was the only destination we had as a waypoint. Once there, we just explored and went where the road/trail took us.
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TeamKarkos

Member
6A8B0CCF-1DD2-4E84-AB41-0C6FA45C1C6B.jpeg

So, we decided the bumper had to go. With no aftermarket support I picked up a cheap JK bumper a while ago and just figured it out.

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With a grinder and a welder you can make anything fit!
 

TeamKarkos

Member
I was pretty happy as the final product came together.
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The approach angle is SOOOO much better now with this new bumper in place! The winch is on the way too. Now...what are we going to do about a back bumper and tire carrier?

We also have swapped in 4 door springs to help with some of the sag we dealt with on our Colorado trip last year. I have pictures, but they're just leaf springs so, I won't bore you with those.
 

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