My step-father recently purchased a '94 Ford Explorer 4x4 for my graduation/off-to-college present. It does need a little work, but is still driveable as of right now. I have been a reader for around five years, and while I know what a good setup is on paper, I wouldn't know one by looking for myself even if it slapped me in the face. I would like to know what was under my Explorer so that I could upgrade it (of course).I know it is a 6cyl. and is non-XLT or Eddie Bauer. I was thinking a couple of lockers, small to medium lift, mild tires, & new gears. I would like to wheel it on the weekends, but it still has to get me to school and back, which requires about 50+ miles on the highway. Any help would be appreciated.  

hey there, look at what kinda trails you plan on riding,if ya want to ride all kinds its gonna be a lot of compromise,to do a lot of things well, or if not a few things very well!
look at some online catalogs,four wheel parts wholesalers .com has a way to put your truck in and see what comes for it!
keep it close to stock drive train wise,cept for gears, lockers, tires, a lift will get ya room for a better tire to have a large one in dogpatch.
have fun,half of that is the build!
happy wheelin!  

Stay away for spider gear replacement lockers as they can be a heart attack on slick pavement if this vehicle is to be used a lot for commuting.  

Keep stock drivetrain, except lockers, since you're using as daily driver go with a selectable locker like OX or ARB. Depending on what size tire you want to run will determain lift. You should be able to run a 31x10.50x15 or 265x75x16 stock. Don't remember what size rim came on '94, I think they're 15's.  

are 94 exploers ifs?  i don't think explorers ever had any good trial potentiol in close to stock form  

Yes, Dana 35 IFS with I-beam suspension.