Wheel base question?
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Ashland, KY
Wheel base question?
I would like some imput on this idea I have. I have a 46 and a 48 truck. Both of them are 1/2 tons. I found a 1994 ford explorer 4dr, 4 wheel drive. It does not have a motor and trans in it but the rest of it is there. I was thinking of putting one of the trucks on the explorer frame. I think the explorer is 114" wheel base. (I think) Anyway what do you guys think about this. I can get the explorer for nearly nothing. I think it would be nice to have a old truck like that with a good moderen day ride. A friend of mine told my I need to find a long wheelbase extended cab ranger if I was going to do this. I'm going to check the explorer out first and see what the wheelbase is on it. But I want to know some of your guys imput on this. And does anyone know anybody who has done this and if so did it work out pretty good. Thanks
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Orange County, CA
I have not hear dof this done with the exploreer. But it probably will not just be an drop on kind of thing. You will have a bit of modifications ahead of you. Unless you have lots of patience and fabrication skills I would say stick witht he stock frames, if they are usable, and upgrade the frames.
But, if you still want to. The 1/2 ton trucks are 114" wheels base, so the wheelbase is the same, however, consider where the axles are on the frame on the explorer vs the location of the axles on the trucks. Just do lots of measuring, and see what might happen. There is another thread on here right now regarding a '40 on a later frame, check it out, it will give you more of the stuff to look out for.
But, if you still want to. The 1/2 ton trucks are 114" wheels base, so the wheelbase is the same, however, consider where the axles are on the frame on the explorer vs the location of the axles on the trucks. Just do lots of measuring, and see what might happen. There is another thread on here right now regarding a '40 on a later frame, check it out, it will give you more of the stuff to look out for.
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Ashland, KY
Well it was just a idea. I would say we are going to keep it all original as far as the frame goes. It would be alot of work, I thought it would be cool to have a good smooth ride though. But like my dad said thats part of the old trucks that rough old ride.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Beavercreek oh
If you want modern ride put in on air with a mustang II conversion, that way you get disc brakes up front and rack and pinion steering. I'm putting a '40 on a '99 Ranger due to the fact that when I got my truck somebody thought it would be cool to cut our the X member and some other cutting was involved and the frame is way out of square and the places that were cut are to far gone.
Good luck with how ever you go with it.
Keep us posted with your progress!!
John
Good luck with how ever you go with it.
Keep us posted with your progress!!
John
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Even though the wheelbase is the same you will have problems getting the bed to clear the kick up in the rear of the frame over the rear end. I have seen a couple of conversions where the pickup bed was raised. I think you could use the Explorer rear end, but I'd keep the original frame. 
Vern
Vern
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