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Michael_Exploder

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Michael_Exploder Rank IV

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Rank IV From Los Gatos, Santa Clara County, California, United States
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  • Michael_Exploder
    2025 KOH Kids 1000 race…celebrating His 13th birthday, Viking Hauling Team “kid” Nathan Malate finished again this year in his razor with his stepdad in the passenger seat and “ 0” mechanical issues for the day….Congrats Nathan on another solid finish….2 for 2
    Michael_Exploder
    Ugh! 2025 KOH update….Both Trucks aced the fastdesert sections, “0”issues except two flats which had a fellow racer loan us a wheel and tire so we could continue. At remote pit we changed out the rear driveline on 4840 then Claw Hammer bit us, rolling onto our lid…recovered rig later that night…
    Michael_Exploder
    2024 BITD Vegas to Reno race update : Our Team Viking Hauling (#4840) unfortunately suffered a DNF this year @ mile 206. The Culprits…1 of 2 rad. fans failed at the 60 mile mark and a slipping 3rd gear beginning at mile 160 w/280+ deg. trans. Temps we decided to called it at pit 5…Fun in the desert!
    Michael_Exploder
    Prepping for the Vegas to Reno race coming up in August….We’re first timers to this event so we are cautiously shooting for a finish…..(Viking Hauling #4540) Making sure to tighten that last nut and bolt….
    Michael_Exploder
    Installing g new “Moog” branded “ U” joints on the front and rear drive lines this week, (keeping at least two of the still good but high mileage old ones for “ Trail spares”) in my experience staying with a good, heavy duty part when You have the option equates to peace of mind on the trip.
    Michael_Exploder
    Made the jump from guest to member this evening, looking forward to getting out and meeting many of You at the next meet up later this month in Sunol,Ca. New trans installed on the Exploder….upgrades to wiring, trans cooling, brakes and suspension, added vital sign gauges as well..
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    Reactions: 4Low_Good_to_Go, Cotton_Actual, 101Tundra and 3 others
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    Michael_Exploder
    Michael_Exploder
    Thanks, looking forward to it, I’ve been traveling through and exploring the Western and Eastern Sierra most of my life and still haven’t seen nearly all there is to see. We are blessed to have so much rich history right in our backyard.
    4Low_Good_to_Go
    4Low_Good_to_Go
    Mike, it was great to meet you! We’ll definitely hit the trails soon. Look forward to hearing more about your experiences!
    Michael_Exploder
    Michael_Exploder
    Right back at You! So much going on in the Eastern Sierra to explore, if You only go for the scenery You could spend a lifetime standing in disbelief looking out over vistas that most will never see. I have several “base camps” that I return to frequently and venture out from them in every direction….(Hope Valley, Ca., Leavitt meadows/falls, Bridgeport, Lee Vining, Lone Pine) Happy to share them with U and the group.
    Michael_Exploder
    I decided to start with with a complete eval. of the power train, cooling, brakes, electrical, suspension and steering, repairing as needed before adding the “cool stuff” Trans. goes in this weekend….
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    Reactions: El-Dracho
    El-Dracho
    El-Dracho
    That is the right approach in my opinion. First get everything technically in order to have a good reliable basis and then the shiny stuff can be added.
    Michael_Exploder
    Michael_Exploder
    Thanks, Yes especially when prepping an older vehicle for driving out into the desert miles from a shop, although I do most all my work myself, it’s good to give Your vehicle a good once over in advance of even a short trip….
    Michael_Exploder
    Not many of us Ford Exploder over landers out there….but hey……what the heck…..Who’s counting?
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    Reactions: Morehouse Expedition and WesternDirtRoads
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    Michael_Exploder
    Michael_Exploder
    I agree…..We bought it new and used it as a grocery getter and to carry our newborn son around in. Once he got his license, he drove it for a year or so and then went off to College. It sat in the garage until I got the over landing bug and the rest is history….hope to post some pictures soon and get out and meet up with many of the members here locally.
    Morehouse Expedition
    Morehouse Expedition
    Mine is a 2005 and the only mods I have done is slightly bigger tires but big plans in the works as soon as the parts get here. She has never left me stranded
    Michael_Exploder
    Michael_Exploder
    Good platform the 2005 third gen. Explorer, good luck with Your build, freshened up the trans. On the 99’ recently so it’s going back in this weekend……a thankless job when done at home but worth the effort….
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