RB’s prerunner build.

[Riverbound]

Picked up this beauty over New Years. It was time to step up my off-road game and needed something that would comfortably haul the family, while having the ability to traverse off reading like I like to do it.

Decided instead of going the side by side route (keep in mind I have had a rhino since they came out) I wanted to step up and experience what it’s like to have windows doors AC and heat.

This thing started life as a 1994 Ford Explorer 4x4.

A buddy of mine built this a few years ago. And I have wanted it since. The majority of the work was done at Mc Neil racing. The truck has been used hard and put away wet a couple times. So needs some love for sure.

But is a great base for me to start my build with and be able to use in between projects.

Motor and teams is stock 4.0 liter and trans.

Interior has been fully caged with 4 buckets and harnesses. Stock door panels and dash (which need some love)

Full size 35” spare with room for coolers [emoji106]

Fox coil overs up front.

Fox bypass in the rear with a linked rear

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[Riverbound]

Our first big trip was from opus buddy’s property in ocotillo to Mexico. Approximately 110 miles or so. We made it most of the way except our group was just too large and we were running out of daylight. So we went about 80 miles total. Family approves. [emoji106]

With how dusty it was it was nice to roll up the windows and crank the AC. [emoji106]

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[Riverbound]

A buddy picked up a new to him prerunner as well. Last thing he wanted was to have me pull him out of being stuck. But the explorer handled it amazingly.

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[RitcheyRch]

Looks like fun.

 

[pwerwagn]

I really dig that thing.

One of my race trucks has the stock 4.0/5 speed. Ain’t the fastest but the damn thing won’t break!

 

[Riverbound]

I really dig that thing.

One of my race trucks has the stock 4.0/5 speed. Ain’t the fastest but the damn thing won’t break!

When we decided to buy it the plan was to do an LS swap. But these 4.0 liters are just so reliable not sure I want to mess with it.


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[Riverbound]

First break I’m sure of many.

Looks like an axle seal failure. Axle will be checked and new bearing and seal installed. Having the other side checked as well while it’s apart.

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[Guest06]

I know that there’s a carbon fiber dash and front door panels made, not 100% on rear door panels but would be bad ass for sure. Looks like a fun cruiser for sure.

 

[DLC]

Looks like a cool cruiser! Put a new dash in it and add the radio / head phones from rugged or PCI.

If you swap out Motor / trans you might start to chase problems - to fast for the suspension, to much power for the drive train.

I have spent a lot of time under that tressel - having frosty’s! There are some great mini dunes west and just a tad north from where that tressel is.
Used to run our rhino’s there all the time.

That is a great platform! I was looking for a ford Ranger, but kinda gave up on that idea...

 

[Riverbound]

Looks like a cool cruiser! Put a new dash in it and add the radio / head phones from rugged or PCI.

If you swap out Motor / trans you might start to chase problems - to fast for the suspension, to much power for the drive train.

I have spent a lot of time under that tressel - having frosty’s! There are some great mini dunes west and just a tad north from where that tressel is.
Used to run our rhino’s there all the time.

That is a great platform! I was looking for a ford Ranger, but kinda gave up on that idea...

That’s my plan. I’m going to try and find a junk explorer with good interior and swap panels and dash. I’m happy with the 4 liter since it’s a cruiser.

We have got quite a few pre runners in our group and was going to build a ranger but this is better suited for what I need.


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[Guest06]

https://classifieds.race-dezert.com/ad-details.php?category=77&adid=134198

 

[Guest06]

Not sure what lug pattern you are currently running but a buddy of mine when he was building the 1450 truck now owned by Tim @ Maxed Out Marine, built on a cnc a set of 5/5 front billet hubs that utilize the king pin snouts and add 1” per side to over all width. Best part is they use real bearings and are ten times as strong as a stock hub. They are just sitting in his shop last i heard he only wanted 850$ with cnc calipers and big rotors

 

[Riverbound]

so suspension wise this thing is dialed. unfortunately electrically there are some issues that I need to correct. first order of business. I found a factory dash with all the factory wiring in tact. The dash that's in there now is cracked and in rough shape.

so I'm removing the entire old dash with butchered wiring and installing this ebay find with unmolested factory wiring. and I will carefully trim around the V-bars and roll cage to have a cleaner look than we currently have. The guy had a set of factory rear door panels as well so he threw those in. ​

 

[Riverbound]

Spent the weekend going through the truck and fixing odds and ends and in general just doing some cleaning.

Ordered a new plate for her.

“Pre run fun”

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[Riverbound]

Stashed away in the warehouse at the office. (We need a bigger warehouse to make room for our personal stuff. Lol).

Gonna do a Pismo run this weekend.


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[Riverbound]

It’s wasnt all work this weekend. Took the kids out for lunch. Something fun about going around corners tires screeching and truck leaning with one wheel almost lifting off the ground. Kids enjoy it.

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[Riverbound]

So one of the first big items on the to-do list is to get a trailer.

I have narrowed it down to either a 20 or 24 enclosed (either option will be a v nose) Found a builder back east that will let me spec exactly what I want.

We want to have AC/heat and a bathroom/shower. As our future plans include a pusher and this will be where the kids sleep. Big dilemma is if we go 24’ (28 overall) it limits our options on coaches. To a total of 37’ length.

On the other hand a 20’ with everything we want might be too small. But since I’m building it I can make changes to design.
This is the explorer sitting on a borrowed 20’ trailer for reference

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[Meaney77]

Word of advice, bigger is better with trailers. You be amazed at how much crap you end up packing and all of that space takes up valuable cargo space.

 

[wsuwrhr]

Word of advice, bigger is better with trailers. You be amazed at how much crap you end up packing and all of that space takes up valuable cargo space.

Garages, boats and trailers. All catch two footer sickness rather quickly.

 

[Riverbound]

Word of advice, bigger is better with trailers. You be amazed at how much crap you end up packing and all of that space takes up valuable cargo space.

I agree. Except In this case it results in a smaller coach due to 65’ limit in Ca. So I can only go to a max 37’ overall coach.


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[hallett21]

Not sure how soon you'd be buying the pusher. But would it be worth getting the bigger trailer now and possibly get a non commercial A so you could pull longer loads with permit?

No one ever complains about having too much space. Lol look at your shop


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[Riverbound]

I was asked about the spare and if/how it was secured. It’s actually a pretty trick idea. The cage comes around and crosses the floor of the rear of the truck. So they welded in a threaded rod And welded a nut to a socket. They then machined a piece that fits in the wheel to hold it down. Here are some pics.

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[Meaney77]

I agree. Except In this case it results in a smaller coach due to 65’ limit in Ca. So I can only go to a max 37’ overall coach.


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I am over the 65’ limit and have yet to have any issues...I hope I don’t eat my words and jinx myself now!

 

[Riverbound]

I am over the 65’ limit and have yet to have any issues...I hope I don’t eat my words and jinx myself now!

With my luck I would get the book thrown at me. Hence why I’m trying to do every thing legit.


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[Riverbound]

Not sure how soon you'd be buying the pusher. But would it be worth getting the bigger trailer now and possibly get a non commercial A so you could pull longer loads with permit?

No one ever complains about having too much space. Lol look at your shop


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I thought I could do non commercial class A. And go longer but couldn’t find anything confirming. If that’s the case then I would go with bigger for sure.


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[RaceTec]

Cool ride man!!! Keep the updates coming!

 

[Thunderhead1]

I like it!!!!

Don't cheat yourself on the trailer!!!

I pull a 28' enclosed with a 43'DP....

How do all the nascar guys pull the over length rigs in and out of Komifornia...

It can be done...

 

[Thunderhead1]

I thought I could do non commercial class A. And go longer but couldn’t find anything confirming. If that’s the case then I would go with bigger for sure.


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Cal trans over length permit...

90.00 per year.... Just sayin

 

[Riverbound]

Cal trans over length permit...

90.00 per year.... Just sayin

Do you have any info on this? I have looked and came up dry.


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[Riverbound]

I like it!!!!

Don't cheat yourself on the trailer!!!

I pull a 28' enclosed with a 43'DP....

How do all the nascar guys pull the over length rigs in and out of Komifornia...

It can be done...

My questions are regarding to doing it legally. I know people speed and talk on their phones all the time but doesn’t make it legal.


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[Singleton]

I agree. Except In this case it results in a smaller coach due to 65’ limit in Ca. So I can only go to a max 37’ overall coach.


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Go talk to Ultra Santek trailers in Perris. They custom built my TH. Trailer started as a stacker. With height comes options of what you can do.

 

[Singleton]

Do you have any info on this? I have looked and came up dry.


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http://www.heavyhaul.net/california-permits/

 

[River Lynchmob]

View attachment 613174

View attachment 613175

Stashed away in the warehouse at the office. (We need a bigger warehouse to make room for our personal stuff. Lol).

Gonna do a Pismo run this weekend.


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Nothing a trash bin and some organization wouldn't take care of.

 

[Riverbound]

Nothing a trash bin and some organization wouldn't take care of.

There’s not a single thing in there that’s trash. Organization yes. 10lbs of shit in a 5lb bag. [emoji17]


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[River Lynchmob]

There’s not a single thing in there that’s trash. Organization yes. 10lbs of shit in a 5lb bag. [emoji17]


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I bet I could find one

 

[Done-it-again]

I like it!!!!

Don't cheat yourself on the trailer!!!

I pull a 28' enclosed with a 43'DP....

How do all the nascar guys pull the over length rigs in and out of Komifornia...

It can be done...

There is a motorsport exception for race teams to and from events in CA....

 

[Riverbound]

There is a motorsport exception for race teams to and from events in CA....

So let’s say I was to create a “race team” under a Motorsports Llc. Then I would be ok?


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[Done-it-again]

So let’s say I was to create a “race team” under a Motorsports Llc. Then I would be ok?


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In theory yes. But if your going to Glamis and its not a scheduled "race" event, or location, then it could be an issue with CHP. But again does CHP know every rule? Maybe not, so if you show a your LLC info and its for testing your race car you "might" get away with it..... Or they will fine you and make you drop your trailer and have it towed with something that keeps it under the limit.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/trafficops/trucks/ex-motorsports.html

 

[Thunderhead1]

There is a motorsport exception for race teams to and from events in CA....

Yes..my point exactly...

 

[Thunderhead1]

So let’s say I was to create a “race team” under a Motorsports Llc. Then I would be ok?


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No!!! your overthinkin this thing.... Singlton put the link in the post above.

fill it out ... send 90.00 you get an annual permit.

ITS LEGAL that way.... anything happens, insurance is valid , cops are happy etc etc.

Mike

 

[Riverbound]

No!!! your overthinkin this thing.... Singlton put the link in the post above.

fill it out ... send 90.00 you get an annual permit.

ITS LEGAL that way.... anything happens, insurance is valid , cops are happy etc etc.

Mike

Seems to easy. Lol


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[Thunderhead1]

Seems to easy. Lol


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Hardest thing is waiting for them to process the application.
Ive done it for length and width...

the boat is 12' wide

the MOHO and trailer is 78

 

[Thunderhead1]

But back to your build thread...didn't mean to get into the weeds here on this.... Are you running that in the poker run at pirates this weekend??

I was headed that way,,,, But seems that I will end up in Barstow at the race out of Slash X this weekend.

 

[Riverbound]

But back to your build thread...didn't mean to get into the weeds here on this.... Are you running that in the poker run at pirates this weekend??

I was headed that way,,,, But seems that I will end up in Barstow at the race out of Slash X this weekend.

No problem. You have been beyond helpful and have cost me more money. Lol.


Unfortunately no. I will be taking it to Parker next weekend. And then back to ocotillo for pres weekend. An Illness in the family has unfortunately sucked up a lot of my free time.


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[Melloyellovector]

Universal in riverside will build anything you want
Santek also.
Are you doing out of state for price?

My universal is 26ft 9ft tall 8.5 wide, fits rail with paddles on. Bathroom, shower, cook top, microwave, heat and air, 2 couches that convert to beds and 2 happy jack beds in rear, fridge, large flat screen, al n Ed diamond sound system, large air compressor, hidden wench in floor, 7k lbs axles. It’s pretty over the top for a “enclosed car hauler”

Buddy of mine has I believe it’s a santek stacker, but he had them do solid floor up top with beds for all the kids to sleep up top. And him and wifey sleep in the MH. He’s over length for sure, but it’s a pimp ass set up

 

[Riverbound]

Universal in riverside will build anything you want
Santek also.
Are you doing out of state for price?

My universal is 26ft 9ft tall 8.5 wide, fits rail with paddles on. Bathroom, shower, cook top, microwave, heat and air, 2 couches that convert to beds and 2 happy jack beds in rear, fridge, large flat screen, al n Ed diamond sound system, large air compressor, hidden wench in floor, 7k lbs axles. It’s pretty over the top for a “enclosed car hauler”

Buddy of mine has I believe it’s a santek stacker, but he had them do solid floor up top with beds for all the kids to sleep up top. And him and wifey sleep in the MH. He’s over length for sure, but it’s a pimp ass set up

Yes. I’m going out of state due to price. Nobody can come close locally. Or I would build local.


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[Done-it-again]

Check out this company. A few sand guys had trailers built by them.

http://newtrendcustomtrailer.com/

 

[Riverbound]

This is who I have been talking to. Their service has been excellent and I can’t seem to find better pricing even factoring I’m transporting to me.

https://www.unitedsalesllc.org


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[Thunderhead1]

I went with a spread axle trailer.... If I had it to do over again I would have went with a traditional set up... the fenders are shorter and the trailer is higher.
The spread axle tows awesome... looks cool... BUT completely sucks for off road . I ripped the door step off mine on a couple studder bumps that I have driven over 100 times with my last trailer...

Just something to think about....

 

[Riverbound]

Well. Yesterday didn’t go quite as planned. [emoji17]

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