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<meta name="Author" content="Copyright 1999 Rick Horwitz All Rights Reserved">
<title>Off the Beaten Trail David Meisner's Ford Explorer 4x4</title>
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<td VALIGN=TOP><b><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Editor</font></b>
<br><b><a href="mailto:explorer@4x4central.com">Rick Horwitz</a></b>
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<center><img SRC="otbt.jpg" height=52 width=330>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica"><font size=+2>David and Maranda Meisner's</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica"><font size=+2>1992 Explorer EB</font></font></center>
<p><br>
<center><table BORDER=0 COLS=1 WIDTH="70%" >
<caption>&nbsp;</caption>
<tr>
<td><font face="Arial,Helvetica">I (we) have owned my 92 Explorer since
1997 when I traded in a 95 Ranger. I needed more seating for my family
and I do a lot of hunting so I still needed a 4 wheel drive.&nbsp;</font>
<center><a href="flex.jpg"><img SRC="flexsmall.jpg" height=178 width=271></a>
<br><font size=-1>Wheres Waldo (Ally)? Hahaha</font></center>
<p><font face="Arial,Helvetica">After getting high centered one too many
times I decided to get a suspension lift. I chose the 5.5 inch SuperLift
because it would give me the greatest ground clearance. I also bought the
extended radius arms and Super Runner Steering. Dick Cepek in Denver installed
the lift.</font>
<center>
<p><a href="Front.jpg"><img SRC="Frontsmall.jpg" height=177 width=271></a>
<br><font size=-1>Note the skidplates?</font></center>
<p><font face="Arial,Helvetica">During my first trip off-road I noticed
a banging sound under the floorboard. The passenger side drop down bracket
was about 1-2 inches from the differential and was making a good sized
dent on the top diff housing. When I contacted Dick Cepek they called SuperLift
on the spot and explained what was going on. Apparently this happens to
"some" Explorers. SuperLift sent us a different style drop down bracket
and it solved the problem. I have about 3-4 inches of clearance now.</font>
<center><a href="rear.jpg"><img SRC="rearsmall.jpg" height=159 width=270></a>
<br><font size=-1>This is what my rear looks like.</font></center>
<p><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Another problem I had was that the front
of the driveshaft was hitting the support rail on the floorboard of the
body. This happened a couple of times when I was trying to go through deep,
soft dirt and once in deep snow. I should have replaced the transmission
mount but instead I decided to go with a body lift. I got a great deal
on one from Dick Cepek and it only took half a day to install. There is
about 5 inches of clearance between the body and the driveshaft now.&nbsp;</font>
<center><a href="sizes.jpg"><img SRC="sizessmall.jpg" height=179 width=360></a>
<br><font size=-1>Here you can see the difference between my Explorer and
a Stock one.</font></center>
<p><font face="Arial,Helvetica">My air system utilizes a nitrogen air tank.
The tank is equipped with an oxygen regulator that will regulate the pressure
from 40 to 160 psi. It is located between the rear frame rails where the
spare tire used to be. I built a steel cage to house the tank and it is
isolated with rubber on the inside. I used 250 PSI airline hose to mount
quick disconnect couplers behind the front and rear bumpers. My local welding
supply house charges $13 for the refill.&nbsp;</font>
<center><a href="air1.jpg"><img SRC="air1small.jpg" height=178 width=272></a>
<br><font size=-1>Front air line with valve.</font>
<br><a href="air2.jpg"><img SRC="air2small.jpg" height=178 width=272></a>
<br><font size=-1>Rear air line with valve.</font>
<br><a href="airtank.jpg"><img SRC="airtanksmall.jpg" height=177 width=271></a></center>
<p><font face="Arial,Helvetica">I made the rear bumper with 2x.25 inch
square tubing. I designed it so I can hook tow straps to it and it is stout
enough to protect the end gate from inadvertent tree/rock collisions. I
also made sure I can use a custom tire carrier which I have not built yet.</font>
<center><a href="jack.jpg"><img SRC="jacksmall.jpg" height=178 width=271></a>
<br>&nbsp;<font size=-1>I made some brackets to conveniently mount the
High Lift.</font></center>
<p><font face="Arial,Helvetica">I recently replaced the Superlift springs
with taller, stiffer spings. The Superlift springs were sagging from the
weight of the winch and skid plates. I installed 7 inch lift springs that
are rated at 525 pounds/inch. The Superlift springs are rated at 445 pounds/inch.&nbsp;
The following chart shows the difference in spring height.&nbsp; I used
a stock Explorer to measure the Stock Installed length so a brand new stock
spring may be slightly longer.&nbsp;</font>
<br>&nbsp;
<table BORDER COLS=4 WIDTH="100%" >
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>
<center>Free Length</center>
</td>
<td>
<center>Installed Length</center>
</td>
<td>
<center>Settled Length</center>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Stock</td>
<td>
<center>13 in</center>
</td>
<td>
<center>???</center>
</td>
<td>
<center>10.25</center>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Superlift</td>
<td>
<center>19.5 in</center>
</td>
<td>
<center>???</center>
</td>
<td>
<center>15.25</center>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Coil Spring Specs.</td>
<td>
<center>20.5 in</center>
</td>
<td>
<center>19.75</center>
</td>
<td>
<center>17.25</center>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<center><a href="spring1.jpg"><img SRC="spring1small.jpg" height=272 width=178></a><a href="spring2.jpg"><img SRC="spring2small.jpg" height=272 width=186></a></center>
<p><font face="Arial,Helvetica">The only modification that I had to make
to allow the taller springs was to lower the Superlift cross member. The
front driveshaft was making contact with it whenever the spring would extend
far enough. To do this, I cut the side off of a piece of 4 inch pipe and
welded it in place below the driveshaft.&nbsp;</font>
<center><a href="xmember.jpg"><img SRC="xmembersmall.jpg" height=178 width=271></a></center>
<p><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Since I have converted to manual hubs I
have had problems keeping the spindle nuts tight. Especially with the 33
inch tires.&nbsp; I finally decided to do something about it. I trimmed
and filed some scrap steel to create "C-Clips" to lock the outer nut from
coming loose. The C-Clip is held in place by the splined washer and axle
clip. I have been using this since about the end of May with a few good
4-wheeling trips and the nuts have yet to come loose. I have noticed that
the fit of the clip in the keyway has tightened up. I figure that I will
run on these "experimental" clips until they cause damage to other parts.</font>
<p><br>
<p><b><font face="Arial,Helvetica">1992 Eddie Bauer</font></b>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Leather, sunroof, electric-seats/windows/locks&nbsp;</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">7 inch Suspension Lift, 3 inch Dick Cepek
Body Lift&nbsp;</font>
<p><b><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Engine:</font></b>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">4.0 Liter V6 EFI&nbsp;</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">2.5 inch dual exhaust with Walker Super
Turbo muffler, K&amp;N air filter, Secondary Electric coolant fan with
thermostat&nbsp;</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Optima battery&nbsp;</font>
<p><b><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Steering:</font></b>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">SuperLift Super Runner Steering&nbsp;</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Flaming River Steering Shaft&nbsp;</font>
<p><b><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Front Suspension:</font></b>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">7in Coil Spring Specialties springs&nbsp;</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">5.5in Superlift dropdown brackets&nbsp;</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">SuperLift radius arms&nbsp;</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Dick Cepek Race Series 77 shocks&nbsp;</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Stainless steel brake lines&nbsp;</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Custom front sway bar quick disconnects&nbsp;</font>
<p><b><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Rear Suspension:</font></b>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">SuperLift 5.5" spring over axle conversion&nbsp;</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Dick Cepek Race Series 77 shocks.&nbsp;</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Stainless steel brake lines&nbsp;</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Rear sway bar removed&nbsp;</font>
<p><b><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Axles:</font></b>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Front-Dana 35; 4.56 Precision Gear w/Trac-Loc&nbsp;</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Rear-Ford 8.8" 4.56 Precision Gear w/Trac-Loc&nbsp;</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Warn Manual Hubs&nbsp;</font>
<p><b><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Tires/Wheels:&nbsp;</font></b>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Dick Cepek Radial AS 33x12.50-15&nbsp;</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Progressive 15x8 steel modular rims&nbsp;</font>
<p><b><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Bumpers:</font></b>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Front-Smittybilt Winch Mount&nbsp;</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Rear-custom square tube&nbsp;</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Custom tow hitch&nbsp;</font>
<p><b><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Armor:</font></b>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Rhino Chrome Nerf Bars</font> (not pictured)&nbsp;
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Custom Steering Skidplate</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Custom Front Diff Skidplate</font>
<p><b><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Recovery:</font></b>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Warn XD9000i Winch</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">48 inch High Lift Jack</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Tow Hooks</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Snatch Block, Shackles, Straps</font>
<p><font face="Arial,Helvetica"><b>Air Supply</b>:&nbsp;</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Regulated nitrogen air tank&nbsp;</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Quick disconnects with valves near front
and back bumpers&nbsp;</font>
<p><b><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Audio:</font></b>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Sony Reciever and 10 disc changer&nbsp;</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Alpine Face-Off 11 Band EQ</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">5.25 and 6.5 MB Quart speakers&nbsp;</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">MB Quart and Orion Tweeters&nbsp;</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">MB Quart Comp X-Overs&nbsp;</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">12 inch Eclipse Subs w/ Sealed Box</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Audio Control 2XS X-over</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Alpine 3554 4-Channel Amp</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Orion HCCA250 Amp</font>
<p><b><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Other:&nbsp;</font></b>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Radio Shack CB</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Coleman 12v Cooler</font>
<br><font face="Arial,Helvetica">Pilot fog lights</font></td>
</tr>
</table></center>
<center><a href="mailto:David_Meisner@maxtor.com">Send email to David</a>
<br><a href="mailto:David_Meisner@maxtor.com">David_Meisner@maxtor.com</a></center>
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