Dave's multiple beer break Expy build

[cheapjeep]

Well I'm on a mission to make this thing meaner and leaner.
The way I bought it:





First thing to go are those running boards (Wife's not happy about that but just wait till it goes up 3"):





Rocker flares going on:









Glad to see a company like CRE still around I used their products 20 years ago.

CB antenna on.When we go camping this is still the easiest way to talk between multiple vehicles.:



Coming soon a bunch of front end mods! Stay tuned.

 

[GAINMOB]

i hate my computer at work...cant see ur pics...smh

 

[BIG GREEN FORD]

Nice!

 

[Canadian Expy]

Good Start

 

[Mikes05expy]

Sweeeet, where'd you pick the rocker flares up? I've never seen them before, I really like the way they look.

 

[cheapjeep]

Thanks for the comments guys. More to come.

 

[cheapjeep]

Sweeeet, where'd you pick the rocker flares up? I've never seen them before, I really like the way they look.

Hey Mike,I found these guys way back in '93 and used their product on a '92 and a '94 Dakota. I liked the results back then. When I pulled the boards off the Expy I seen there is a lot of exposed "soft under belly" if you know what I mean. I started Googling and was surprised they were still around let alone make anything for an Expy. Now I used a bigger mud flap than comes with them because hey,this is Pa and the plans are for some bigger tires and a lift but the ones that come with are nice and beefy. Best price I got is here. 2009 Ford Expedition CRE Rocker Flares - Shop Now Same part no. for the 2nd gen. You can also check out their own site. | CRE Products

 

[Mikes05expy]

Hey Mike,I found these guys way back in '93 and used their product on a '92 and a '94 Dakota. I liked the results back then. When I pulled the boards off the Expy I seen there is a lot of exposed "soft under belly" if you know what I mean. I started Googling and was surprised the were still around let alone make anything for an Expy. Now I used a bigger mud flap that comes with them because hey,this is Pa and the plans are for some bigger tires and a lift but the ones that come with are nice and beefy. Best price I got is here. 2009 Ford Expedition CRE Rocker Flares - Shop Now Same part no. for the 2nd gen. You can also check out their own site. | CRE Products

Thanks man! I can't believe I've never seen them before and the price on them for my 05 is pretty good. I think I'm gonna order some as soon as I get my rockers replaced.

 

[cheapjeep]

Frame cleaned up and painted with an epoxy rust inhibitor I got from work:

 

[cheapjeep]

Now this next part I'm really up in the air about and could use some opinions on what to do about it. I never liked all that chrome on the front of the EB so I bought a set of Anzo projectors in black. And I picked up a Paramount Evolution grille also in black. I love the headlights but the grille looks kinda tacked on and out of place. Just not what I had in my head. Too many colors going on up there on an EB. I love the concept plus the fact that I'm into this grille for $300 so I want to make it work. Also I'm into another project that will only work with this type of grille. This would have looked sweet on a black Expy. Sooo....... I'm thinking pull the mesh out of the shell and paint the shell to match the Royal Red upper body color. Red shell black mesh. Hopefully in my Bud fueled brain this will tie everything together. What do you guys think. Here's the pics as it is now:





Relay for halo's and led's tied into a run only source so they can be used as DRL's. Also wired to a switch in the dash so I can turn them off.



Relay for a future behind the grille driving light setup:

 

[dbovine]

I agree with body matching the ring around the outside would look better. Maybe even tone down those rivits around the mest and spray them black.

 

[cheapjeep]

Yeah i think red is the way I'm leaning.

 

[cheapjeep]

Replaced the "bad kid mirror" in the 3rd gen with something a little more useful. Dave's hillbilly built in nav! Hey it will have to do 'til I can pony up $1500 for an in dash and a Maestro that will work with sync Also this is totally reversible because most of the mirror mounting points are still intact.

Disk mounted and power picked up from wiring above the overhead console. Also used a little clear silicone on the suction cup so it doesn't come loose:





I used a tt 5" Via 1500 I picked up refurbished from Sears for $70. This as big as you can go and still be able to close the door:



You can even tilt it toward the driver for a better view.Would be nice if you could tilt it a little more but it's not bad at all:

 

[BIG GREEN FORD]

that is super clean!! Nice

 

[BIG GREEN FORD]

And love the led lights super bright

 

[cheapjeep]

And love the led lights super bright

Thanks Green! Never had em before but tried a set in the Jeep because it only has a couple dim bulbs under the dash with the soft top. Now I'm hooked and am on an led craze. Walmart sells them now so I know for sure I'm really socially behind! Anyways the domes in the Expy can use the 194 size leds except for the back. I put some kind of panel thing back there. Less than $25 at wallyworld and the Expy is ledified.

Jeep:



Expy:

 

[cheapjeep]

Well I decided to scrap the whole black grill thing because of a few things. First I can't seem to get one from Cali to here unbroken. Paramount uses too small of a box and if something gets stacked on it during shipping it cracks in the middle. After 3 attempts it's time to throw in the towel. Second it just didn't look right the way it was and if painted it was just gonna be a chip magnet in our Pa. winters. So the old broken stocker is back in for now.



But.....................................this is on the way from Bully and hopefully they can find a way to get it here unharmed.



Under hood wiring for the halo's and driving lights completed:



This rubber plug under the PCM is a lifesaver for anyone wiring accessories in an expy:



Inside:





These switches work well but I need to find a way to tone down the led's a bit. Way too bright at night. Permanent marker didn't work too well. I have a piece of tape over them right now.

 

[BIG GREEN FORD]

You can paiNt it with head light tint paint

 

[cheapjeep]

New grille and lights. Like it a lot better than the black one but I still might paint the surround body color. Haven't made up my mind yet.



Thanks for the spray tint idea Big Green. That worked pretty good on the switch led's and now since I have a whole can of the stuff I did the third brake light and am working on the tails.

Before:

 

[BIG GREEN FORD]

Your welcome glade to help