Hello all,

Just wondering if any goes off roading in the Ford Explorer? I am looking at a '91 Explorer Sport 4x4 and wanted to know if it works well off road. I have read that Ford designed it for street use, and not off road use (makes you wonder why they made a 4x4 option) and was just wondering if anyone out there has used them off road, or is still using them?

 

I've never personally off roaded in an Explorer (let alone driven one) but I see a lot of epople using them off road around here. They seem to do well, but I don't know what mods they do or don't have. Best way to find out is try it lol. If your looking at buying one, that's an even better reason to try it off road.

 

i had a 91 explorer 4 door and it did great off road. they come with a dana 35 front axle and a 8.8 rear and most have at least 3.55 in the diff's. just stay away from a auto cuz there not the best, they can be upgraded but its kinda pricey, if it's an auto i'd stay away unless the tranny's just been rebulit

 

If it's an older one with a TTB Dana 35 up front I'd take it. Especially the Sport..that is the 2 door, right? Shorter wheelbase = tighter trails

 

4x4 can be very good in snow, for example.

 

I have a buddy that wheels the hell out of his Explorer:

 

Yes, it is the 5 speed manual trans, and it is also the 2 door. I was thinking the same thing about the shorter wheelbase. And I can't wait to try it off road. Just have not seen any Explorers doing that. Thanks for the advice.

 

just dont put firestones on it!

 

LOL I knew someone would mention that. It has raised white letter tires on it, but I can't make out what company. Looks like a generic one to me. Have only seen pics of the truck so far, have not seen it in person yet.

 

Im getting this one as part trade for my truck. 6" SL, 3" BL and those are 35s

 

Nice looking truck! I doubt I will put any lift on mine, as I will do only moderate off roading, but I like having that capability there should I need it.

 

They work well but as with anything they have good points and not so good. And limits in stock form. They did put 3.27 gears in them.

Som,e pic's of my 94 Sport. It has a Skyjacker 2" suspension lift, 31 10.50 BFG AT's, Warn winch, C-5 auto, T&M doubler, 3.73 gears, and a No Slip rear lunch box locker in the factory limited slip case.

 

3.27's? I heard they were 3.55's. Looks like yours is a pretty capable machine.

 

Yup! Mine came stock with 3.27's and a M5OD 5-speed. You can check the rear axle tag to be sure. The door sticker should have an axle code also.

The TTB front works well off road. The Bronco II has beter departure angle and break over angle. But the X is great for off road travel and moderate trails. In 95 they went with to the Short Long Arm front IFS in place of the TTB. I have never owned a SLA vehicle but it has been said that the TTB is much beter off road. The same design TTB was used in the Bronco II, 83-97 Ranger, 91-94 Explorer, 80-96 Bronco, and F series trucks. I have owned a number of BII's, a 96 Bronco, and the 94 Explorer. I have been very happy with the way all worked off road.

The biggest weekness I have found in the little Ranger Based Vehicles are the transmissions. The wheel bearing on the front 28 and 35 TTB are close together and and seem to have trouble with larger tires (33's and up). It's a good idea to service the tranny and front bearings often.

But I guess the biggest thing is how a person drives and what you want to do with it. I use mine for off road travel and spend a week or 10 days at a time out in the desert or up in the moutians. I use the truck to drive to Colorado and Utah (sometimes farther) for the trips. I go slow and easy and don't like any damage on my truck. The guy I go with most of the time writes for an off road magazine and used to write and publish guide books and videos. To keep up with him in his stock truck and not damage my truck I need at least one locker. Others seem to want to wheel hard and catch air and go fast and seem to enjoy breaking. To each his own.

 

Cool, thanks for the info. I do plan on adding a Detroit Tru-trac to the rear diff and maybe one for the front if one is available. I plan on going slow, and my off roading will be few and far between at the moment as I am new to the sport.