2nd gen explorer build

Kwoodbury488

Active member
Joined
Dec 30, 2025
Messages
43
Location
Bellflower ca
The good ole 2wd 98 ford explorer budget build. Got it completely stock from my brother with 103,000 miles on it a couple years back. When I first got it I just tightened the torsion keys all the way and put some wheel and tires on it. Then as time passed by I wanted more so I came across some used BTF upper control arms 4 inch spindles and some rancho shocks for the front and for the rear I was able to get some shackles shock pin eliminate mounts and some FOA 2.0x10 remote resi shocks for it. That’s how she sits currently. For what it is it’s done rally good for me but of course we always want more. In November I hit up a buddy of mine to get some shocks through him to do a coilover conversion on it to get rid of the torsion bars to my surprise he had an old Dixon bros 4.5 wider LT kit and some fox 2.5x8 coilovers sitting in some crates in the back of his shop and I was able to acquire that with some fox 2.5x12 fox gen 1 raptor shocks. The Dixon bro kit needed new ball joints so I just changed those out ordered a clevis from blitzkreig for the heim steering some shock towers from slag factory and just need some extend brake lines and will be able to start installing the front kit. Then the plan is to get some deavers and the cook craft rear under bed shock mount kit to run the first gen raptor shocks. I’ll be posting as I start the build can’t wait this will be my first long travel build so will be probably asking questions as the build goes. I’m pretty pumped.
 

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The good ole 2wd 98 ford explorer budget build. Got it completely stock from my brother with 103,000 miles on it a couple years back. When I first got it I just tightened the torsion keys all the way and put some wheel and tires on it. Then as time passed by I wanted more so I came across some used BTF upper control arms 4 inch spindles and some rancho shocks for the front and for the rear I was able to get some shackles shock pin eliminate mounts and some FOA 2.0x10 remote resi shocks for it. That’s how she sits currently. For what it is it’s done rally good for me but of course we always want more. In November I hit up a buddy of mine to get some shocks through him to do a coilover conversion on it to get rid of the torsion bars to my surprise he had an old Dixon bros 4.5 wider LT kit and some fox 2.5x8 coilovers sitting in some crates in the back of his shop and I was able to acquire that with some fox 2.5x12 fox gen 1 raptor shocks. The Dixon bro kit needed new ball joints so I just changed those out ordered a clevis from blitzkreig for the heim steering some shock towers from slag factory and just need some extend brake lines and will be able to start installing the front kit. Then the plan is to get some deavers and the cook craft rear under bed shock mount kit to run the first gen raptor shocks. I’ll be posting as I start the build can’t wait this will be my first long travel build so will be probably asking questions as the build goes. I’m pretty pumped.
Got the slag factory shock hoops all new ball joint’s precision on UCA and ttx on LCA. Jus waiting for my new steering heims steering clevis and brake lines to come in and then we starting on this build almost there.
 

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Let us know which brand outlasts which! We have not been to happy with TTX and their supposed HD label compared to Precision.
 
Got the slag factory shock hoops all new ball joint’s precision on UCA and ttx on LCA. Jus waiting for my new steering heims steering clevis and brake lines to come in and then we starting on this build almost there.
Got the blitzkreig motorsports clevis and their heims. Explorer is going in the garage Saturday to start it’s face lift Yee yee!!!
 

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Many memories in that garage with the boys playing garage hockey way back when haha can’t wait to see the progress!
 
Couple hours each night after the kids go down chipping away at it. Got the old mid travel kit taken off and the old shock towers cut out pretty stoked on the progress. Tomorrow gonna start bolting on the new kit get the shocks to full bump see where my towers need to go and hopefully be able to start plating the frame for the towers. Yee yee
 

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Got the the spindles and tie rods in. Set it at full bump with the shock in got an idea of where my shock tower is gonna go. Gonna do some prep work on the frame tomorrow and get ready to plate it for the towers. Almost time to start welding Yee Yee
 

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Got her to full bump checked clearance and if there was any binding seems pretty good just a couple spots that need to be cleaned up and we are good to go. Fabbing up the towers and cross member up next
 

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Got some progress on the passenger side got it plated and the stub outs on just need to notch the tower a lil more to get it right where it needs to go. Those welds aren’t the prettiest I know but it’s my first time so cut me some slack lol. I’ll buff out and work just fine. I’ll get better as I go haha
 

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