Before
A stock Ford Explorer Sport Trac is pretty good on the highway in USA, but can it be customized in a way to get it into the rough Icelandic snow and ice driving?
The plan is to make this into a true off road custom Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Starting with the insertion of a Dana 44 whole front axle with disk brake kit in front, but use the Ford 8.8 rear axle in the rear. Both axles to be fitted with air-lockers and 4.88 gear ratios. Four link suspension in the rear and old Bronco suspension in front - except for the airbags that are to be used both front and rear.
Like I had planned I took a trip to fetch the Sport Trac I bought. I flew in from Iceland through Minneapolis and then to Denver Colorado.
When I leave Iceland the sun is just setting - it is still sunset when I get to Minneapolis seven hours later!
My plan is to meet the man I bought the truck from and get to know him. He is willing to find more trucks for me to export to Iceland.
Colorado
Ron meets me at the airport and invites me to his home and family. Unfortunately my luggage gets misplaced in Minneapolis and I only have a tiny emergency bag with a toothbrush and comb
In the morning a little bit of snow had fallen. I feel I have brought something precious with me from Iceland! Weather in Colorado seems similar to what it is often like in Iceland.
The truck looks nice. It has leather seats and a nice stereo.
Ron spends the day showing me around Denver. Of course we take a look at a 4 wheeling shop. In front of the shop we see this typical "American" style off road truck. This is a heavily lifted Toyota Hilux. It looks rugged and ready but a bit too high and lacking proper fender flares.
Preparing and building the front driveline on the custom Sport Trac is going to be the most work.
Dana 44
Front axle (closer) is a Dana 44 from an old 74ish Ford Bronco. I could use the ARB air-locker from my Dana 44 IFS, but had to get new gear ratios. The preparation included having the ratios and the air-locker put into place by professionals in axle work. The axle work was done by Jeppasmidjan.
Rear axle (further away) is the Ford 8.8 from the rear of my old F-150. It has all the goodies I need, but perhaps the bearing need to be replaced.
Wheels off!
My Sport Trac will never be the same
It is now lifted to remove the suspension and the parts of the driveline that won't be used.
Front right suspension unit still in place.
Front left suspension unit removed. Brake disks are almost new and this looks pretty good.
Stuff on the framing needs to be removed to make room for the new suspension system.
The big frame piece containing the steering engine in front of the front differential unit needs to be moved further to the front and will add protection to the cooler.
Putting the large tires in place helps in figuring out how the planned modifications will be implemented.
Oli is doing final cutting of the suspension bracket seats that are no longer needed. Already the steering machine, suspension system and the front transfer case is out.
It is time to see how the tires will fit. Oli also has an Explorer modified for 38 inches, so measuring his gives us a good estimate of the required cutting. White lines mark roughly the size needed for these tires.
We decide to let the Sport Trac lift more rather than less. This will be the final offset.
This gives you a good idea about the final look of the truck. This is a totally different truck. Radical and in my opinion much improved!
Fender flares will need to cover all treading of the wheels to be legal here.
For the next step I need the disk brake kit and the bushing set as well as the air-bags. Ron, my friend from Colorado, is collecting this stuff for me. Then with the help of FedEx it will be in my hands, hopefully next week.
Project Sport Trac is getting more exciting!
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