- Joined
- Nov 3, 2013
- Messages
- 1,180
Didn't think I would do a build thread but maybe, just maybe, there is something I can add to this awesome site. Probably not because I pretty much got all my ideas from CB. Not saying this is the only or best way to do things but this is how I did it.
At any rate, I wanted an EB since I was practically born. My uncle owned one when I was a kid. Purchased a new '93 Eddie Bauer in '92 and I loved it. Changed jobs in '96 and just never drove it anymore so I sold it. Fast forward to winter 2014 and I purchased my first EB. It was a project that got stalled in the middle. Perfect for me. Then I found another one here that I purchased to drive while I built my project. Well, the driver turned into my project and the project was sold to fund the driver. Here's me on the way home going through a blizzard. I was in 4 High from Nashville to Indy. This thread is about my '74 Red/red Explorer but not much stock is left. Stock will be my next build.
Here is me taking my first drive in my '74.
I mainly drive my EB on the dunes at Silver Lake. So first thing I did was install a used 2.5" lift from my father-in-law (he has a '75), Lock Right lockers and go through all the fluids. Needed a new radiator too. Went with a single pass four core from WH. Here's a pic after phase 1 in the summer of 2015:
But the 302 just didn't have the power I wanted so I started putting together a plan. I wanted pretty big HP and didn't want to break anything. After much deliberation, I chose a 408W, stout C4, Atlas 2 3.0, Duff 3.5" Monster Suspension with a 4 Link rear and 35 spline rearend. Front already had chromo axle shafts from Phase 1.
January 4th 2016 I pulled the body off the frame to start my build. Full disclosure, I did almost nothing to the body during my rebuild. I was on a schedule and needed to get it back together by July 8th (2016) for our annual 10 day trip to the dunes in MI. I had a lot to do in seven months.
Pulled the body on 1/4. Removed pretty much just the battery and disconnected whatever needed disconnected. Lifted the front with my overhead hoist and the rear just enough to slide the frame (with axles still attached) out from under the body.
I slightly lifted the body off the frame without doors and/or door opening supports and that won't work. So I saw the door opening supports Englewoodcowboy built, printed the pics out and built a set for myself (you can see his pic on my seat Lol). You can also see how I lifted my body from these supports. I added a couple kickers between these supports after the pic was taken as they started to bow inward a bit.
I used Harbor Freight dollies modified as necessary for both the frame and body.
After the body was off, it was disassembly time for everything. First thing I did was get a bunch off the frame then steam clean it.
Next off was cutting off front radius arm brackets for the Duff Long Arms and the rear spring perches/shock mounts.
All went well until I found rust-through/deep pitting under the rear shock mounts and spring perches. This surprised me as I thought the frame was in awesome condition until these mounts were cut-off (frame was rust-proofed early on or when new). Seems like dirt/water had been trapped in those spots for a few years. This is some of what I found after cutting off the mounts:
So I cut the bad parts out and welded new steel in.
I've got a ton of pics and will keep going with what I did.
At any rate, I wanted an EB since I was practically born. My uncle owned one when I was a kid. Purchased a new '93 Eddie Bauer in '92 and I loved it. Changed jobs in '96 and just never drove it anymore so I sold it. Fast forward to winter 2014 and I purchased my first EB. It was a project that got stalled in the middle. Perfect for me. Then I found another one here that I purchased to drive while I built my project. Well, the driver turned into my project and the project was sold to fund the driver. Here's me on the way home going through a blizzard. I was in 4 High from Nashville to Indy. This thread is about my '74 Red/red Explorer but not much stock is left. Stock will be my next build.
Here is me taking my first drive in my '74.
I mainly drive my EB on the dunes at Silver Lake. So first thing I did was install a used 2.5" lift from my father-in-law (he has a '75), Lock Right lockers and go through all the fluids. Needed a new radiator too. Went with a single pass four core from WH. Here's a pic after phase 1 in the summer of 2015:
But the 302 just didn't have the power I wanted so I started putting together a plan. I wanted pretty big HP and didn't want to break anything. After much deliberation, I chose a 408W, stout C4, Atlas 2 3.0, Duff 3.5" Monster Suspension with a 4 Link rear and 35 spline rearend. Front already had chromo axle shafts from Phase 1.
January 4th 2016 I pulled the body off the frame to start my build. Full disclosure, I did almost nothing to the body during my rebuild. I was on a schedule and needed to get it back together by July 8th (2016) for our annual 10 day trip to the dunes in MI. I had a lot to do in seven months.
Pulled the body on 1/4. Removed pretty much just the battery and disconnected whatever needed disconnected. Lifted the front with my overhead hoist and the rear just enough to slide the frame (with axles still attached) out from under the body.
I slightly lifted the body off the frame without doors and/or door opening supports and that won't work. So I saw the door opening supports Englewoodcowboy built, printed the pics out and built a set for myself (you can see his pic on my seat Lol). You can also see how I lifted my body from these supports. I added a couple kickers between these supports after the pic was taken as they started to bow inward a bit.
I used Harbor Freight dollies modified as necessary for both the frame and body.
After the body was off, it was disassembly time for everything. First thing I did was get a bunch off the frame then steam clean it.
Next off was cutting off front radius arm brackets for the Duff Long Arms and the rear spring perches/shock mounts.
All went well until I found rust-through/deep pitting under the rear shock mounts and spring perches. This surprised me as I thought the frame was in awesome condition until these mounts were cut-off (frame was rust-proofed early on or when new). Seems like dirt/water had been trapped in those spots for a few years. This is some of what I found after cutting off the mounts:
So I cut the bad parts out and welded new steel in.
I've got a ton of pics and will keep going with what I did.
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