Jesse chose a 2000 V8 Ford Explorer chassis to build his Tour Jeep off of. The wheelbase was about the right size for his application and it had many modern amenities that would make his Tour Jeep a capable trail rig and street driver. Here's a quote from Jesse on his chassis selection,
"I am very satisfied with the project 2000 Ford V8 4x4 Explorer frame, just as it is made, because I will be able to retain the, narrow 65" wide, 8.8 axles with 3.73 gears, 4 disc brakes, rack and pinion steering, adjustable torsion bar A-arm front. It has independent suspension, rear under the axle leaf springs with the hangers mounted to the side of the frame. large anti sway bars front and rear, 20+ gal gas tank with a skid plate, the large quiet muffler."
Front view of Explorer chassis
This picture shows the stripped chassis and Jesse has already rotated the steering box so that the rack and pinion will have forward control.
Closeup of Rack & Pinion steering.
Jesse trial fitting cab on chassis.
Jesse trial fitting cab on chassis.
Positioned just about right!
This is on the new chassis Jesse saved for it, a 2000 V8 Ford Explorer.
Yes, it has Jeep wheels on it, instead of ford wheels.
Jesse also saved this part of the floor, because it already has the body mounts, what a concept.
Here is the picture with the cut out rear floor bolted back on. The Explorer gas tank and exhaust look like they will be fine where they are, Jesse rebuilt the rear axle, new brakes and shocks are installed. The Explorer seats are bolted in only to make sure the leg room spacing is good as it will have three bench seats in the back.
Front view with Explorer floor installed
The Explorer chassis provides plenty of ground clearance for Jesse’s needs and the cab fits rather nicely.
View of motor bay and rear of cab.
Torsion bar A arm suspension, allows for a lot of ground clearance, without the bulk and space of springs and yet the engine can be mounted right up above and next to the front axle, because it is an independent front end, 4 wheel disc brakes. Jesse wont be riding off road much in this, but should be OK. It has a nice Vacuum shifted part time front axle. Yes, the cab, especially the back needs a lot of work.
Jesse had to get back to making the property ready for the roofers and house repairs. the project Tour Jeep is a roller now and it is back in the shed, under the gantry, now he can pull the cab off and on and make the Chevy engine mounts, paint the frame, install the rest of the running gear and build the new side wall framing on the rear section with a front and rear roll cage.
Here's one of the rear cab mounts fitted into position.
Small Block Chevy V8.
5.7 block, steel crank 4 bolt main, bored to 355"
TH-350 Transmission
NP241 with Drivers side drop. GM
The motor installed in Jeep.
Here's the crossover pipe Jesse made to link the Chevy V8 to the Explorer exhaust. He wanted to get it installed before he set the cab back on.
Crossover pipe installed.
