"The Beast" - Explorer 5.0/ZF/NP203/NP205 is ALIVE!

[Madgyver]

In our state, the body cannot be no more than 3" above the frame if you plan to drive it on the street and be street legal. With the stock mounts that's already about 1 1/4".....

 

[ChrisinWV]

I do plan to run a 3" body lift, and 3 1/2" suspension....I don't mind stretching wheel base a little, but was planning to most of that up front....
I was trying to stay within the dimensions of the Baja rig, just for uniformity while prerunning...but that plan could change without warning....LOL
I don't mind putting a little money in a good rear shaft if I need to to get the flex needed, but I already have my 9" setup and ready to go with the currie 9+ nodular case, arb and 4:88's. Again trying to stay with parts that can be swapped if need be in the desert...
I am sure at this point it will be a while til mine gets together, but hopefully later this summer it will start to take shape.
thanks for the insight.

 

[Tito]

Alright Hydroboost is in and plumbed!!! Took the Cobra unit, pump and hard lines into Oil Filter Services downtown Portland and they took care of me!

They made up my new lines to go from the master to my H-block
From the Pump with newly made fitting to the Hydro with fittings and replaceable HP line
And from the Hydro to the Box with new fittings

Also got line for the LP return and mounted up the explorer cooler on the core support. I'll probably use the Astrovan reservoir since the Explorer one got melted in my freak gasoline accident and it didnt fit under the hood anyways. I'll tap it and put an extra return port in it and see if that works. Anyways, here are some pics. You can see some of my green overspray from the cage in the pics ;D I am sure there is some pink in there somewhere.

 

[Heus33]

Looking great Josh - nice to see the fire extinguisher in close proximity!!

 

[Tito]

Got the radiator in as well as the upper GTO hose and lower BC crossover tube. Of course with the explorer motor things dont seem to fit quite like they should, at least thats what I figure the issue is. The GTO hose fits okay but goes right over the power steering reservoir. If/when I get a larger remote reservoir it will fit perfect in there. For now I took the reservoir off of a astrovan and added an extra port for the hydro return. It also fits under the stock hood unlike the explorer reservoir which I happened to melt anyways :-X The crossover tube fit like crap too, had to modify the hose parts that came with it. If I did it again I would just get a new 5.0 radiator or get the ports reversed. The crossover cost $100 and is NOT meant to be used for the explorer without extra modifications, and without instructions it was a bit of a guessing game to start with. Oh well, win some, lose some. I got it in and everything and am okay with the install but would have liked to have been better and with instructions. Hope I dont get any leaks.

Also got the stock heater that I rebuilt, sealed and upgraded the motor and cage on. Its nice to have the heater tubes running to the rear of the engine, makes for less crap all over the place.

Got the dash primed and painted, well the main part that my overlay will bolt to. I'll paint or powder the overlay after I get everything where I need it and am done messing around on it.

Lastly for the day I modified the stock shifter as it was interfering with the dash for 1st, 3rd and 5th...well thats not good. I pie cut the shifter base that bolts to the trans and bent it over. I'll tack it once I have the dash back in and am happy with the fit, etc.

 

[bronko69er]

Lookin good!

 

[Mtn Gote]

Whats your driveshaft lengths and angles gonna be? Interesting for sure man!

 

[Tito]

Rear is stock length now ~ 34-35" and front is 38."

The front angle is excellent, the rear...we'll have to see on that. I think it should be fine but it is high. I will likely put a limiting strap in the center to keep the whole thing from dropping down and losing the shaft.

 

[Mtn Gote]

Got a measurement of the whole setup? ZF-203-205.

 

[garberz]

Hey Tito, I'm just checking out some of you pics and progerss. How long before it's drivable, or is it already? Sorry your thread is too long to research. I noticed you now have I fire EX. within 6" of where you are working,;D . And congats on the trophy wife, I mean the trophy your wife won for pink.

 

[Tito]

Haha, yes I do have a trophy wife but she comes with many added benefits ;D

It is real close to being drivable. Cooling system is plumbed, hydro is plumbed, efi is wired, just needs exhaust, a serp belt, and the dash installed and wired. So not much but I will get it done in the next 2 weeks and take that glorious first drive ;D

 

[Tito]

Its alive again ;D ;D
regshawn came over and we worked into the night and got it fired up at about 3 am. Still need to check all my fluids, bleed the power steering/hydroboost and brakes and finish my wiring for lights but got what we needed to hooked up and got it running on the second try. I mistakenly put the spark plugs in a counterclockwise order. Anyways, I am tired, time to get 3 hours sleep before I drop it off to get exhaust work done...yippie!!! ;D ;D ;D

 

[SC74]

Congrats! I love that feeling when it cranks on the first couple tries!!

 

[sprdv1]

Sweet man... Get some shut eye, and it'll be time to go again this afternoon... ;D

 

[trlblazr]

The beast lives again, cool.

 

[garberz]

Exciting huh? It's just about ready for it's new home.

 

[Tito]

Thanks guys, it feels good. I got my autometer c2's installed as well and holy crap those are sweet!!!! Should look great with my luminescent guages!!! Need a little neon to go over the speakers now ;D

 

[vertex]

Lets see some pictures of that dash. I have been waiting patiently to see the finished product.

 

[Tito]

Haha, me too, I havent decided what to paint it or if I should paint it. Also need to put the luminescent stickers on and get the vents in as well. Should be SLICK!

 

[vertex]

Paint the main dash and then polish and clear coat the overlay. Just watch those sunny days and the reflection from the dash overlay ;D .