New project for trail rig

[poorboy1964]

Hey
I've been lurking here for a couple of months reading and try to learn what I could,
finally found the Expedition I've been looking for, she has a few bugs but nothing to bad,
2000 XLT 5.4 139K miles

This is not a daily driver I have a tow vehicle this will be my beater

Goal for this will be trail riding in rough rocky and sometimes snow covered terrain.
things I have in mind are
2" rear spacers and tt or keyed
33" or possible 35" I don't mind trimming alot
some type on front bumper or bar and winch
Rear locker.
Skid protection that I'll make.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Sweet!

I have 32" tires on mine. 33s would hardly be worth upgrading. I'd go with 35s for sure. But I think you'll need to do a 3" body lift in addition to that other stuff you mentioned.

The gas tank on my EB has a skid plate. Sure it's not the best but I've pivoted on a rock on my Explorer gas tank skid before. It's probably good enough.

 

[poorboy1964]

Thanks Tom I've read your thread it is right along the line I want to go. Body lift is there if I need it but as a last resort. I rolled a 285/75R16 from my F250 up to it today, yeah maybe enough but I'd like the 35 on it better. Pretty limited without a big off-set

 

[Habbibie]

Not to be a party pooper but you don't have a good platform for off-roading anything (expedition), it's overly big and heavy, you're gonna dump a lot of money on it just to get it up to spec with something like a stock Cherokee, wrangler or 4Runner, something that has a lot of aftermarket support making it relatively easy and cheap to make good use out of it.

Just my 2 cents on your idea
(And please pardon me I'm not intending to be rude regarding this topic)

 

[ExplorerTom]

The 1st gen Expedition is basically a larger 2nd gen Explorer (which I own both).

Back before my SAS (solid axle swap) on my Explorer, I had it to a point where it was actually quite capable. 2" body lift, add-a-leaf in the rear spring pack, TT, 33" tires........ It did quite well and did most of the trails I still do even with the SAS today. The SAS has created a much more capable rig but it also has a few drawbacks like making it a less comfortable rig on the road. There are days that I regret the SAS.

Depending on the terrain you plan on, height will probably be your biggest challenge. You'll need height to get the rear axle off the ground and to clear the frame. More height will improve approach, departure and break over angles. Bigger tires is the best way to gain height and bigger tires also roll over rocks easier.

I did a week in Moab in April with a bunch of classic full-sized Jeeps. One of them was a classic Cherokee (like a 1974 or something). It was stock. Had 31" studded snow tires and barely any clearance- I'd say less than my Expedition. Yet he drove Hells Revenge, Fins in Things, Porcupine 4x4 and 7 Mile Rim. Not bad.

 

[poorboy1964]

Not to be a party pooper but you don't have a good platform for off-roading anything (expedition), it's overly big and heavy, you're gonna dump a lot of money on it just to get it up to spec with something like a stock Cherokee, wrangler or 4Runner, something that has a lot of aftermarket support making it relatively easy and cheap to make good use out of it.

Just my 2 cents on your idea
(And please pardon me I'm not intending to be rude regarding this topic)

Habbibie do offence taken, I did my Research on what would work best for my needs, I'm a Ford guy but I looked at Grand Cherokee's and 4Runners but living so close to Moab They are 5-6 grand for beat to death junk this Expedition was only 2k. I have been looking for a rig for the last 9 months this wasn't a fast decision. So I started looking at Explorer Third Gen got ruled out pretty fast with IRS Axle Second gen's would work but then came the cargo area?
I own Recreational property on the mountain and hauling our gear and everyone we take back and forth became first priority, I have been doing this in my 03 Crew Cab Super duty But this is my Baby and I won't put a scratch on her LOL. So the Expedition will hopefully take my wife and I or a group a Friends on some trail rides through Utah's West Desert, I'm and old man now and have been doing this a long time but that doesn't mean I don't need everyone on here's advice.

 

[reece146]

Nothing wrong with the Expedition as long as you are not intending to be a rock hound or something. If you are even remotely thinking about a SAS in the future then move on to another platform and save yourself the grief later.

For basic trail riding and/or overlanding style travel these trucks don't need a lot to get places where they fit. Some spring spacers (real springs better) and cranking up the T-bars will let you run a plenty big tire (I'm running 305/65-18s on Lightning wheels w/ spacers). Sure it rubs occasionally but that can be dealt with if it bugs you enough. Needs re-gearing with this tire/wheel combo.

If it works on a F-150 of the same vintage it'll work on these trucks for the most part. They are pretty much the same truck other than the obvious body differences and the rear suspension.

For the front bumper and winch you can put a Jeep winch tray behind the bumper and mount something like a Warn M series winch there. I've got the winch and plate but haven't gotten around to doing it. Maybe when I put the front end back together I'll do that at the same time.

I'd like a nice bar for the front (have an ARB bar on my built XJ) but no one makes one that is nice looking or robust enough to be useful as a bar.

I always liked these trucks, even when they were still on the showroom floor. I was looking for something better on the highway after doing a series of long overland trips with my XJ pulling a trailer. Something bigger, comfortable, better towing power and settled on the Expedition after seeing this picture. This truck tows our trailer (~5000 lbs loaded) like it isn't there.



2¢

 

[poorboy1964]

Thanks Reece that picture looks like 90% of what my trails look like.

Do you find the need for lower gears when you are crawling along in low range?

I haven't looked for an axle tag yet but door code shows I have the 3.55 wish it was the 3.73 that might have been enough, won't worry until I decide tire size for sure I'll re gear if needed

 

[poorboy1964]

this one caught my eye

 

[ExplorerTom]

Rubbing might be an understatement with that blue one. Ive stuffed a tire completely into my rear wheel well:


Normal:

 

[poorboy1964]

Rubbing might be an understatement with that blue one. Ive stuffed a tire completely into my rear wheel well:


Normal:

That's some pretty good flex. Tom do you have any spacers in the back or are stock in that picture?

 

[ExplorerTom]

All stock.

 

[whitelightning99]

Looks nice man, similar to mine,id say go for what you want and don't worry about what others say about it man. i saw some were 'might have been on here' but the guy had his TKey's turned 1 1/2 and had issues with the axle boot covers rubbing holes threw them. i would like to do the TKey's and 2 inch spacer's too. i am still unsure on the TKey's turned but i know lots of ppl do it.But here's pic of mine just a "LITTLE FLEX" all stock right now, not to much for my first time, just wanted to see how it felt and felt like it was goona roll over lol i know i could have went up little bit more but didnt want to chance it.from the pic doesn't look like much

 

[poorboy1964]

Thanks it's the way forums work great info but everyone have their own opinions, I read that thread your talking about with the axle problem it was strange I believe something else was going on but who knows. I like to see flexed pics it gives me a good Idea of how much space gets taken up like Tom's pic above shows how tight things are.

Opinion I like your visor Had one on a 95 F250 others will hate it and say get rid of it,,,,,,,, LOL

 

[whitelightning99]

"Opinion I like your visor Had one on a 95 F250 others will hate it and say get rid of it,,,LOL"

Yea i understand your point ^^^

 

[hammerg26]

Nothing wrong with the Expedition as long as you are not intending to be a rock hound or something. If you are even remotely thinking about a SAS in the future then move on to another platform and save yourself the grief later.

For basic trail riding and/or overlanding style travel these trucks don't need a lot to get places where they fit. Some spring spacers (real springs better) and cranking up the T-bars will let you run a plenty big tire (I'm running 305/65-18s on Lightning wheels w/ spacers). Sure it rubs occasionally but that can be dealt with if it bugs you enough. Needs re-gearing with this tire/wheel combo.



View attachment 18325

2¢

What sort of springs? I am looking to lift mine a couple of inches (literally)... nothing more... was looking at spacers, but have decided to wait - glad I did...

Thanks in advance.

 

[reece146]

Was going to try these.

https://customsuspension.com/products/ford-expedition-air-bag-to-coil-spring-conversion-2-lift

If they don't suit my purposes I'll get a local company make up a set to my specs.

 

[hammerg26]

Assuming one can use these even if they don't have stock air suspension, right?
What about the front - just adjusting the torsion bars?

 

[poorboy1964]

I've looked into these I don't think they will give the 2" we are looking for I think it is 2" from settled or from the bottom rest of the air bag setting. custom coils are the only option, I have been looking at spacer and Moog replacement coils because my rear springs have sagged so bad. If anyone knows of a spring I'd like to hear it.

Turning up the torsion bars seams to be the only option for the front if you have 4 wheel drive

 

[reece146]

I had a broken spring when I put in my spacers. I just got new springs from NAPA or was it Canadian Tire?

Anyway, I forget what they were, likely Dorman or similar (i.e. nothing special, OEM spec).