06 Expy Build
08-11-2014, 10:56 AM
#1
So cold in the D
Thread Starter
06 Expy Build
This sucks. It sucks because off road parts for 2004+ Expeditions are not in demand; because they are not in demand there are not many parts around.
So - working with what I can find, adapt, and create...
I purchased the truck in August of 2013, as a winter-driver for Michigan weather. My daily is (was) a 2004 RX8.
Here's the truck - the day I bought it. 2006 Expy, Eddie Bauer, 4x4, Leather and stuff; 88k miles.
Pretty unspectacular, really. Each time the truck passed a soccer field it would instinctively turn towards it. Same with any place to get groceries.
Knowing I wanted at least a modicum of cool-factor, AND with my desire to always have more car than I need for any circumstance, I set-out looking for lifts and tires and what-not.
First up was tires and wheels. Unfortunately, the tire-size I wanted had few options. Same with wheels. I ended up adding a LOT of unsprung weight to the truck. I hate weight. But - here's the result - MB wheels with 295/70/17 Trail Grapplers. A supertuner re-adjusted the effective gearing, and gave me back a little power I "lost" through the added weight at the corners.
Ebay was the source for my 3.5"/2.5" spacer lift and leveling kit. I removed the running boards, and here's the new look of the truck.
Remember that bit about 'having more car than I need'? This winter I helped tug 6 or 8 cars from local ditches. One car, a disabled-person's Van, was too far down into the median for me to reach. I felt horrible leaving her and her driver stranded.
Couple that with being stuck in my back yard for two days as the truck was bottomed-out in wet, heavy snow, and I decided I no longer wished to be at the mercy of another car, OR have to leave somebody who really needed help.
I found Tactical Armor Group (TAG), based in Georgia, and placed my order for a wincher bumper.
That was half the battle. Next, I started looking at winches. After a few weeks of googling my brains out, I settled on a 10k Engo winch with synthetic line.
And finally, this weekend I found a screaming deal on new tires; while I have too much tire, I'm now motivated for a body lift
Best part about the Larger 315/70s - I saved about 10-11lbs per corner, as these tires weigh less than the E-rated Nittos. Win!
Currently looking at a factory e-locker from 2011 model, if I can get one that fits my IRS 9.75 rear end. If not, it'll be truetracs front and rear.
So - working with what I can find, adapt, and create...
I purchased the truck in August of 2013, as a winter-driver for Michigan weather. My daily is (was) a 2004 RX8.
Here's the truck - the day I bought it. 2006 Expy, Eddie Bauer, 4x4, Leather and stuff; 88k miles.
Pretty unspectacular, really. Each time the truck passed a soccer field it would instinctively turn towards it. Same with any place to get groceries.
Knowing I wanted at least a modicum of cool-factor, AND with my desire to always have more car than I need for any circumstance, I set-out looking for lifts and tires and what-not.
First up was tires and wheels. Unfortunately, the tire-size I wanted had few options. Same with wheels. I ended up adding a LOT of unsprung weight to the truck. I hate weight. But - here's the result - MB wheels with 295/70/17 Trail Grapplers. A supertuner re-adjusted the effective gearing, and gave me back a little power I "lost" through the added weight at the corners.
Ebay was the source for my 3.5"/2.5" spacer lift and leveling kit. I removed the running boards, and here's the new look of the truck.
Remember that bit about 'having more car than I need'? This winter I helped tug 6 or 8 cars from local ditches. One car, a disabled-person's Van, was too far down into the median for me to reach. I felt horrible leaving her and her driver stranded.
Couple that with being stuck in my back yard for two days as the truck was bottomed-out in wet, heavy snow, and I decided I no longer wished to be at the mercy of another car, OR have to leave somebody who really needed help.
I found Tactical Armor Group (TAG), based in Georgia, and placed my order for a wincher bumper.
That was half the battle. Next, I started looking at winches. After a few weeks of googling my brains out, I settled on a 10k Engo winch with synthetic line.
And finally, this weekend I found a screaming deal on new tires; while I have too much tire, I'm now motivated for a body lift
Best part about the Larger 315/70s - I saved about 10-11lbs per corner, as these tires weigh less than the E-rated Nittos. Win!Currently looking at a factory e-locker from 2011 model, if I can get one that fits my IRS 9.75 rear end. If not, it'll be truetracs front and rear.
