Exploring New Paths.

[SnazzyQ]

This is cool, and different.

Where i live these are usually bought by mexicans (no offence to any mexicans) and they put chrom trim EVERYWHERE and huge chrome wheels.

cant wait to see what you do with this.

[Camarofan]

Thanks man.
Apart from rims people around here typically leave them alone, but i know what you mean, whenever i look for custom ones, apart from lifted ones, i either see huge rims, or chrome door pillars.

But progress is going to be slower since i'm broke, and i don't have much to do, get the front dropped again, get it aligned, probably keep the camber if i can't adjust it and get some tires and rear shocks.
I can't decide if i'm going to keep the rims, or go back to factory rims until i can afford dished Cobras

[isthunidal]

I like the new ones when lowered

[Camarofan]

Time to bring the thread back to life for the sake of opinions. I can't decide if i want to go on air, or stay 'static' I'm going to have to flip my keys and pull my rear bump stops out regardless, but air shocks(Yes, shocks..i'm cheap, and i guess it's an old mini-truck trick) would allow me to adjust on the fly if i have to, but a static low car is crazy or stupid, like a dropped 4wd Explorer isn't.

[Oh Damn, it's Sam]

If air shocks are all you can afford or are willing to do, then static.

Very interested to see where you go with this. Can't say I've ever seen one of these done up tastefully.

[Camarofan]

I'd be a while before i could afford everything, i'd be spending about 350-500 bucks on a compressor kit so i can adjust front and rear separate. I've read that they don't support weight well, as they aren't meant to, so i'm not sure if it'd be a proper setup. I've looked at adjustable shocks, and since i can't get a yes from anyone running a auto-x in my area i'm not sure if it's worth it.

[Oh Damn, it's Sam]

Air shocks, or cans, simply aren't an acceptable substitute for a properly-designed air bag and shock absorber system, simply because they lack damping and their spring rates are ridiculously high. They're a hack, and they're unsafe.

Air ride is expensive. It's absolutely wonderful when it's set up right, but it's expensive.

If you're not prepared to throw $2000-$5000 at air ride (depending on setup), and I don't blame you if you're not, there's no shame in being static.

EDIT: What adjustable shock options are there for your application? The key advantage to adjustables is being able to fine-tune damping to suit your spring rate, which may be helpful depending on how you plan on using the vehicle.

[Camarofan]

They were factory replacement for the models with factory automatic ride control, but it was going to be used as a type of air ride, drop it when parked, or raise it if i need clearance. As for throwing ~$2000 at it, it's not completely money, i mean..it'd be a couple of years, but the truck isn't worth it, and adding it won't make it worth any more, especially in a region of lifted trucks, and V8's. The shocks were 9-way adjustable, the other are 6. The bad thing is, i don't want to drop over 400 bucks on shocks that i may blow through in a couple of months, since they're for factory and lifted heights.

[Oh Damn, it's Sam]

Aha, if you're planning on adapting factory air ride components, that's another thing entirely, and I wouldn't have any qualms about that, so long as they are happy being run lower than intended.

[Camarofan]

The rear typically runs some type of bag, but my truck does not have air ride, and it'd hold all the support as i wouldn't worry about putting the torsion bolts in. But according to Summit, they're replacements. And the compressors, and sensors, and that jazz would be substituted for manual controls instead of sensors telling the truck to lift or lower. So, i'll probably just save the money and buy a set of shocks that'll handle a 3 inch drop for the front, and go about my original plan for Monroe shocks in the back.

[Camarofan]

I figured i'd give a small update. I think the front finally settled, or the t-bars are getting old. I have a set of 225/70's on it now, which gives me more room for lows. I realized how much rust i had on the driver quarter, so i'll be fixing that, hopefully before it's too gone. I plan on going to ICC this year, hopefully with the truck in the show. I really want another inch drop before then, and i may need some advice on pulling fenders if i can't get enough room by rolling them and removing the splash guards.
Most recent picture of it clean.

[cosmo135]

Subbed because fellow Sodak on Stanceworks

[Dr.AK]

I love Explorers.

Will be watching this.

[Camarofan]

@Cosmo135- You're in Sioux Falls too? I've never seen your car, but i like the build so far!

Thanks guys. A little update with it, i acquired a splitter/spoiler for the front of it, kind of like an old Camaro or Mustang. I've been busy with work, and maintenance with the truck, but hopefully this month i'll have it a little lower, and maybe a little louder.

I have a few renders of how it could look by July, if i don't have time to get the fenders to fit.



-The fender flares were with the model and i'm too lazy to edit them out, so i just made it work.
-Credit to the creator of the original model

[cosmo135]

@Cosmo135- You're in Sioux Falls too? I've never seen your car, but i like the build so far!

Thanks guys. A little update with it, i acquired a splitter/spoiler for the front of it, kind of like an old Camaro or Mustang. I've been busy with work, and maintenance with the truck, but hopefully this month i'll have it a little lower, and maybe a little louder.

Yeah! It was stock all its life up until a month or two ago. I haven't gone out to any meets etc either yet so . Thanks man!

Damn that looks really good. You oughta straight pipe it