93 Chevy Explorer 4x4 conversion how to?

flatblackprelud

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Joined
Aug 25, 2009
Location
efland
I did a quick search couldnt really find anything on it. I just want to know if its possible and what all it intails. I dont think its out of my reach as Ive done a lot of akward swaps in cars, and converisions in cars, just never really done anything with trucks/vans. But my dads got one and would love to make it 4x4 and turn it into his obx vehicle so....LMK any info you know on it.
 
You might be better off selling it and gettin a 4x4 exploder......A sas if done right is nowhere near cheap.
 
Its a chevy explorer, not a ford explorer, chevy explorers are the conversion style travel vans they made. You know the ones with captian chairs in tv and all that good stuff. He kind of inherited the van and I'm in the process of redoing the electronics in it for him i.e. flatscreen, new speakers, dvd instead of vcr, ps2, etc. But we make trips to the outer banks multiple times a year and he would love to take this but its not 4x4 so instead he has to take his truck which isnt a problem but if he could drive the van out on the beach...he'd be in hog heaven....lol.

Heres a pic of what it is, this is not his, but same deal as his.
ai405.photobucket.com_albums_pp131_Highwayman_10_Bouillon003_1_1.jpg
 
1stgenxxx said:
You might be better off selling it and gettin a 4x4 exploder......A sas if done right is nowhere near cheap.
Click to expand...

i think you might think I have a 2wd ford explorer suv, this is a chevy explorer van. But if not, and you know what I was talking about then please explain a little more in depth what a sas is please sir.

And as far as the skill level is involved in doing this, I have converted my 4g63t dodge colt, to awd so I think I could do it, with a little insight on whats needed and a quick rundown.

Thanks guys
Rick
 
ooooppppsss sry
 
It would help to know what drivetrain it has now. I am going to venture a guess of 350, turbo 350 tranny and a 12 bolt rear?
You could find a 4x4 version of the tranny (or change the adapter??) and a 203 or 205 transfer case. Then find a dana 44 or 12 bolt front (ASSuming he won't be doing any hardcore wheeling) that matches the drop of the transfer case and set it up in the front. I would just use leaf springs, possibly the ones from the front axle donor.
It will take some fab work to get the spring mounts, shackle mounts, driveshafts, crossmembers, steering, shocks, etc done right, but it is doable.
These people may be able to offer some insight, or do the conversion for you.
 
You know I havent even looked at what was under it now...lol It is a 350 I do know that. But you answered a lot of my questions and the site is very helpful just by glancing at it. I know without a doubt he wont be doing any hard wheeling with it, he's always telling me to stay out of the mud and stuff...lol, that it breaks things. The only time it would hit 4wd would be to go out on the sand.

Again thanks a lot.
rick
 
Find an '80s model chevy truck 4wd, maybe with a rusted out cab or something for cheap and youve got what you need. It would probably be easiest to find the whole truck instead of finding all the parts. Correct me if im wrong but a colt is just an ugly dsm car, sorry, so all the pars bolt right up from an eclipse or gallant vr4? This 4wd swap will be a little harder.
 
It's not that hard. I've got a buddy that's doing one now(conversion van). He did luck into a donor van that was already 4wd. Let's just say there's a good chance that it'll end up black with some red trim. And I pitty the fool....
His has a ford 44 up front with a 9 inch in the rear. np 205 case 350 small block.
He fishes alot and using it for the same thing.
 
RHSCTJ said:
Find an '80s model chevy truck 4wd, maybe with a rusted out cab or something for cheap and youve got what you need. It would probably be easiest to find the whole truck instead of finding all the parts. Correct me if im wrong but a colt is just an ugly dsm car, sorry, so all the pars bolt right up from an eclipse or gallant vr4? This 4wd swap will be a little harder.
Click to expand...

a colt is an ugly dsm car, but you are very wrong, parts just dont bolt up, you must fab the entire rear to bolt the rear in, including but not limited to, cutting out the entire back half of the car fabbing mounts, fabbing a driveshaft, fuel cell, etc etc. Im sure this will be a little harder as I havent delt with it yet, but Im also sure I can do it. Btw heres a shot of the colt, as its not just a bolt in process for putting in the 2.0 either, as they came with a 1.6 some of which were turbo etc etc etc.

But thats probably what i'll do is look into a donor truck, thanks a lot for the input. Im sure I can find one no issues around here.

ai250.photobucket.com_albums_gg277_ximportxangelx_l_488166877fcc0ab2d1dfbeeba2b930c0.jpg

ai250.photobucket.com_albums_gg277_ximportxangelx_l_1c9ef3d05a5912f2cb8d33ba55de023a.jpg


snappy said:
It's not that hard. I've got a buddy that's doing one now(conversion van). He did luck into a donor van that was already 4wd. Let's just say there's a good chance that it'll end up black with some red trim. And I pitty the fool....
His has a ford 44 up front with a 9 inch in the rear. np 205 case 350 small block.
He fishes alot and using it for the same thing.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot and good luck to your buddy. Like I said were not building a monster or anything, just trying to give pops a retirement vehicle...lol. I'll start a build thread and all and keep it updated when I do decide to start it.

Again thanks a lot guys for all the input, and more is def. welcome. I think Im going to enjoy this site a lot.

thanks
rick
 
My bad my bad. I thought a colt was just a rebadged gallant. Might be way easier to do the van. I bet that thing will run. Whats it weigh?
 
RHSCTJ said:
My bad my bad. I thought a colt was just a rebadged gallant. Might be way easier to do the van. I bet that thing will run. Whats it weigh?
Click to expand...


1800lbs with me in it (track weight)
1987lbs with me in (weekend weight)

havent weighed it since the awd swap, but maybe 100-150lbs heavier. Best 1/4 time was a 10.7 at 158, so if it could hook it'd definatlly do a little better. Car made 497 on pump gas on 24lbs. Over 600 on pump with meth and 35lbs. NO TRACTION...lol. But have since pulled the motor to put in my ol ladys gsx, and using her motor to build a stroker for the colt, gonna do a 2.3, unless my buddies and I get crazy enough to try a 2.5 setup. Dreaming to break 9's
 
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