Prerunners B II under construction (finally!)

[prerunner]

The change to the '96 Sploder AC looks to be a massive PITA. But, the smaller unit might make other changes easier down the road.

Basically, the rectangular opening moves about 4" to the right, if you were wondering why I'd bother. It also works. The B-II one didn't.

 

[prerunner]

I want this in there so bad. But I gotta make more changes yet.

Things you can lol over: The bottom of a shopping cart I'm using as an engine stand. I also already have the exhaust, starter and T-case shifter installed. The bag of cement powder beside an already heavily stained concrete floor. :icon_rofl:

 

[prerunner]

Quick update. Started adding the '96 Explorer hood hinges. Never cared much for the prop rod.
Old school:

 

[prerunner]

It occurred to me as I was drilling out the spot welds that if I got this all wrong I was seriously screwing up my truck. Oh well...

Bit more drilling, a lot of prying and off it comes.

 

[prerunner]

Had to take out a tiny bit more metal to clear the newer style setup. About 1/8" in total. Centered it as best I could as well.

Yeah. Its not square in this pic. I ground more off that side after trying it.

 

[prerunner]

And it fits. This system does away with the prop rod that first and second gen RBV's had. I'm not implying it didn't work, just that I didn't like working around it. I'll add some extra clearance around the bottom left of the bracket later.

I'm gonna use self tapping screws to mount these and before I finish this I'll paint it. Maybe tomorrow.
I'll also add that I'm adamant about doing this rig my way. I want the underhood area to be more like the 1995 to 2001 Explorers since they're real common in junkyards and cheap used. These used SOHC V-6 and 5.0 V-8 power, one of which might end up in mine one day. Things like the HVAC system were smaller to fit the larger engines. BTW, this isn't how you should build yours - just how I'm doing mine.

Tomorrow I'm going to drop the brake booster to do the left side.

 

[prerunner]

Sorry for the late posts. Been both busy and poor. And to top it off, I missed out on a FREE running, driving '93 Explorer! A ton of what I need and like $150 a ton for what I don't. Now that pissed me off.

Edit, May 29: Found a 4" lifted 91 Exploder with a cracked head as a parts truck. Need to scrape up around $900...

Edit, June 16: Sorry for the lack of enthusiasm on this. Just waiting to start a new job. As usual, when theres no money to spend theres a TON of parts and parts trucks available. One of the major advantages of RBV projects are the availability of parts and cheap vehicles to choose from. I'm still here lurking but need a boost on the B II.
I know:

Another edit. Aug. 2: Okay. Finally heading into a weekend with (I hope...) some cash to spend. Bronco is very high on my list of stuff to do. Hell, I wanted to be driving it by now.
Nope. Didn't happen. Again. Although more people have let me down on parts and vehicles.

This is getting depressing...

 

[prerunner]

Well. After looking high & low for the engine harness (once even made a deal on one that the guy decided to sell out from under me), I've decided to just load the 4.0 into the BII.

Its in there now and I took pictures but damned if I know where my computer hid them. It also apparently erased the originals.

The 4.0 bolts in on the 2.9 mounts (for those of you that haven't done it yet.)
Still making changes as I go but progress is progress. Right now its changing to a manual 1354 T-case from the electric.
If I find the pix I'll post 'em.

 

[prerunner]

Lousy pictures, I know. But I'm back on this thing now. (proof? lol)

 

[prerunner]

Also made it to a few junkyards and picked up the floor plate, rubber boot and plastic bezel for the manual TC shifter. Think I might check back for an Exploder Sport carpet. Mines pretty gross.

Edit (9.22.12): After a drought with no parts trucks coming up, I might have a couple coming my way. I need a daily driver soon as my Super duty will need injectors sooner than later. One parts truck (they're both Exploders) will have to become a driver for a bit. Injectors for the diesel are damned expensive and I can't afford them for a bit. The Sploders are a red 93 sport with an A4LD stuck in drive (dead?)with 3" lift and 31's. Likely parts for the B-II. The other is a 98 with a rebuilt automatic, no other information and no idea why she accepted my $350 offer. If all goes well, I might have both in the yard by tomorrow afternoon.

Of course, 20 minutes after posting he above edit, the guy with the 93 emails me to say he "had to get rid of it." So its gone. The 98 has a blown engine but its real clean. 15 k on the rebuilt trans. I need a flatbed trailer soon.
Next morning the 98 was gone. I'm losing hope on this swap and haven't been "into it" for a bit. Any advice?

 

[prerunner]

My SD died. Its not worth what it needs in repairs.
I'll shop for another someday, I loved that thing. Right now I' m hunting for a Ranger or Explorer for daily driver / winter beater. I've sent off 21 emails and made a dozen calls this weekend and still have no wheels.

The B-II has been getting little attention lately. I tend to be frustrated with it and with the rainy season here I'm not very motivated. Working in the dark, under a tarp sucks. I won't give up but until I get motivated it won't get much attention.

I hope having an RBV for a dd helps my motivation.

 

[Smurf Mobile]

Shit man that sucks about your SD.

I seem to have the same luck with parts vehicles though, it seems like I'm always 5min late on calling them, broke, or out of town when the really good deals pop up.

Keep us posted on the transformation though.

Andrew

 

[prerunner]

Ok. The new daily ride is a bit ... umm.... different. The high roofline says so.

And I bet not many have a TV & VCR in their headliner. Strobing lights too. lol

Actually, I've never heard of a Centaurus conversion on an Explorer before. But its pretty funky!

 

[prerunner]

VCR.

There are video game hookups in there, plus there are switches to control a cassette deck (up in the raised roof) in the back of the console (not pictured, yet)
Have any of you guys n girls seen one of these Centaurus conversions before?

Edit: Its still a $700 beater but odd enough I don't wanna hack it up. The mileage isn't as good as I'd hoped either.
They were built by a van conversion company in Indiana before TV s and video players were common in SUV's. If I decide to do anything interesting to it I'll start a new thread, k?

 

[prerunner]

Thanks Smurf Mobile. If I didn't have bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all. :icon_rofl:

Edit: I wrote in post 71: "I hope having an RBV for a dd helps my motivation." Its working. I absolutely need another parts Explorer. I need things for both now.

And... I will start another thread for the Centaurus after I actually finish one of the things I've started.

 

[prerunner]

Well, after lurking here from time to time and waiting for something to come along for my B-II - I finally caught a break. A local guy parting a lifted 88 Ranger. Most of a front lift, I think only the drop pitman arm is missing, but I'm not sure. I don't know what brand even (he didn't.)
But for $150. I ain't complaining.

 

[prerunner]

I'd have taken the pitman arm too but he'd have tried beating that out with a bfh. So I'll spring for a new one.
One more pic then I gotta get that crap outta the ole ladies garage. She'd kill me. lol

Next I have to figure out what I got. (But I think I got a decent deal just the same!)

Just thinking he had a 5.0 in that 88. Bet those coils are stiff...

Edit: I think the radius arms are Skyjacker RA-135's. Crossmember is factory stock. The suspension brackets are stock (zero lift). The coils are longer, as are the brake lines. Wtf is this?

Edit Feb 9: A mix n match lift kit. Probably good for 2 - 3 inches of lift with messed up camber. The good part is the Radius arms. Still worth $150.

 

[prerunner]

Its funny how you can think you have a direction on a project and then something changes it. Today, while looking for dana 44 parts (to do the Mappyjack conversion on my dana 35 - http://www.mappyjack.com/Dana44.htm ) I found a "short" dana 44 set up for a S-10 on Craigslist. Didn't know what to think of that but kept going back to re-read it. Ended up calling, going out there and buying it.

 

[prerunner]

Now depending on your point of view, this is either a decent find for $140 or a total abortion. I haven't found the BOM # on the housing but seems like an early Bronco 44 with Chevy outers (even the flat top spindles that convert to high steer). Missing the short side inner & outer axles, calipers and tie rod. Oh, and the one spindle has a mess of welded crap on it. Hubs were disassembled but included.

 

[prerunner]

Also has 4.10's with an open carrier inside. Looks to be a pretty good fit for the B-II. What would you guys recommend for leaf springs for this?

BTW, I won't be adding a thread for the Exploder Centaurus. I actually don't like it much.