My Stock EB Expy to Overlanding 4X4 Build

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MichaelDelaine

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I’m loving the looks of your expedition. I just recently
acquired an 06 and I’m looking to do something similar. Seems the aftermarket world doesn’t offer much however.
 
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OverlandExpy

OverlandExpy

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I’m loving the looks of your expedition. I just recently
acquired an 06 and I’m looking to do something similar. Seems the aftermarket world doesn’t offer much however.
Nope we're pretty much on our own lol. I would recommend the Rancho quick lift struts though if you're looking to ditch the air suspension. Recently did some lawn relandscaping and hauled over 8000lbs of sod in a dump trailer and the suspension worked great. Turned it to a slightly softer setting and didn't sag too much even with the insane tongue weight of all that dirt lol.
 
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OverlandExpy

OverlandExpy

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@OverlandExpy Have you thought about making your own skid plates, or talked to any fab shops about it? As usual, I have not found any aftermarket plates for us. I am starting to sniff around shops down here.
Yeah I'm actually in the process of making my own. Gas tank skid is first and foremost, then going to work on a front bumper/skid combo. I've got access to a cnc plasma cutter and I've got my own shop to do the rest of the fabrication. I'm in the middle of a few different home renovation projects at the moment though so I haven had any time the last few months to make any progress. I'll update this thread when I finally get it done, and if enough people are interested I could make a few extra to sell.
 

Vincent Vega

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Yeah I'm actually in the process of making my own. Gas tank skid is first and foremost, then going to work on a front bumper/skid combo. I've got access to a cnc plasma cutter and I've got my own shop to do the rest of the fabrication. I'm in the middle of a few different home renovation projects at the moment though so I haven had any time the last few months to make any progress. I'll update this thread when I finally get it done, and if enough people are interested I could make a few extra to sell.
@OverlandExpy ok cool. I replaced the lower radiator hose the other day while I have my Exp down for new timing chains and tensioners. The hose is tucked away as high as it can be, but it would just take one flying rock to take it out while offroading. Same with the transmission and PS lines down there. So I started to think about a skid plate between the subframe and front bumper. Thanks for letting me know what you come up with when the time comes.
 
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OverlandExpy

OverlandExpy

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@Vincent Vega oh nice how's the new timing chain coming along? I'm going to need to do that in the next 50k miles probably but have never done a timing job so I'm a little iffy on it.

Lol there is quite a bit of stuff on our trucks that is not placed in a great spot for offroading. My plan for the front bumper was to make the main mounting points where the tow hooks are, completely remove the front bumper up to the lights, bend some tube to keep the same lines, and then some plate steel connecting the bumper to the front cross member. Should protect all the important bits. Those radiators also worried me when I saw how low they were. No worries, I'm a little over due to make another update post to this thread with a bunch of small things I've been doing in my spare time. I'll get around to it one of these days..
 
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OverlandExpy

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Small update: Took a cut off wheel to the front bumper to give me a little extra clearance. Also, ARB compressor has been purchased, along with a light bar and some ditch lights. Got a lot of renovations going on at the house at the moment, but will hopefully be installing the compressor and lights in the next month or so. In the meantime, enjoy some pictures from my last trip. Been snowing like crazy in the sierras, went up to the mountains and had some fun.
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OverlandExpy

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The line on the rear bumper is where I was thinking of trimming it similar to how I cut off the front bumper. But it would expose the tow package and not increase my departure angle due to the hitch. Just going to wait until I eventually get around to fabing up a custom rear bumper with a swing out spare tire carrier...one day..
 

Vincent Vega

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@OverlandExpy are you still considering a locker (or lockers)? I was thinking a front locker might be good because I often end up with one front wheel in the air, spinning like crazy until it hits the ground again, so I am worried that sudden shock could snap the CV joint. Seems that would be less of a problem with a front locker. Any thoughts?
 
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OverlandExpy

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@OverlandExpy are you still considering a locker (or lockers)? I was thinking a front locker might be good because I often end up with one front wheel in the air, spinning like crazy until it hits the ground again, so I am worried that sudden shock could snap the CV joint. Seems that would be less of a problem with a front locker. Any thoughts?
Definitely, just saving up for them. Going with the Eaton Detroit lockers in the front and rear and am also going to put in 4.56 gears when I open up the diffs to put the lockers in. I think I made a post with the part numbers somewhere. Always try to avoid coming down on a wheel that's spinning, easy way to snap a cv. With my open diffs I use a method called power braking when offroading, you put one foot on the brake pedal, and the other on the gas. Keep the gas pedal depressed slightly and don't move it, I usually try to keep the rpms pegged around 1750. Now treat your brake pedal as the "go" pedal by gently reducing brake pressure. Keep the speed slow especially while going over bigger obstacles with a drop off. Takes a little while to get used to and to do smoothly, but it helps a lot with open diffs, and even more so with an LSD.
 

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