Vermin SUV: 2001 Ford Explorer Rat Rod

Despite what owners think, Rat Rodding isn't anything new.  In 1972, Rod & Custom Magazine dedicated a whole issue to the "beater," aka the low-budget alternative to slick customized cars. Few Rat Rods of today fit into that category as many are highly customized and labor intensive works of art. Look hard enough though, and you can still find home grown examples of acquired taste.  Find this 2001 Ford Explorer Rat Rod for sale in Nanaimo, BC Canada for $3,500 CDN via Kijiji.

High Tippy: 1996 Ford Explorer Centaurus Conversion

All sorts of vans have been converted with high top roofs and DVD screens surrounded by wood, but I don't think I've seen a Ford Explorer high top....at least before today. Find this 1996 Ford Explorer Centaurus Conversion here on eBay offered for $4,900 buy-it-now located in Grand Rapids, MI.

Former K9 Cop Car: 2002 Ford Explorer XLT

People routinely ask me the best car for their particular situation and transportation needs.  They typically ignore my well thought out advice and go buy some overpriced pile of depreciation from the first dealer lot they drunk-walk into (oooh...it smells newwwww) but that doesn't matter because I will continue to dole out unheeded advice like the smelly preacher-man at Sproul Plaza.  So, you need a car to transport your feral children to school/birthday parties/soccer camp?  Find this 2002 Ford Explorer XLT here on eBay bidding for $780 reserve-not-met with $3,200 buy-it-now located in Haysville, KS.

Firestoned: 1992 Ford Explorer Studebaker Woodie Lookalike

Imagine for a minute that you are insane want the comfort and reliability of a 90s Explorer combined with the looks of a '52 Studebaker and faux wood sides of various classic woodies.  Taken alone each one of these things is perfectly good, but combined it sounds like a plate of deep fried gummy bears covered in BBQ sauce or a zydeco/punk rock Britney Spears tribute band.  Take a look a this 1992 Ford Explorer Sudebaker Woodie Lookalike offered for $2,700 near Anchorage, AK via craigslist. Tip from Zach.

Hard To Beliebe: 1995 Ford Explorer

Ford had a massive issue back in the 1990s with Explorers exploring the roll over integrity of their chassis on a regular basis.  In the end Ford managed to transfer most of the blame to Firestone tires, but a top heavy truck equipped with tires that spontaneously combusted like a drummer from Spinal Tap was a bad combination for all involved.  But today's sunny-side-down Explorer has a celebrity connection that is difficult to beliebe, but hilarious...Find this 1995 Ford Explorer offered for $14,000 in Venice, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Tom.

Mid Week Match-Up: Longroof For Doctordel

This week's we've got a Mid Week Match-Up request from longtime DT commenter Doctordel:

An unfortunate and significant shift in my domestic situation has me looking for a people-mover that will accommodate two preteen boys and their attendant lacrosse gear and guitars. I find myself scouring CL for reliable yet interesting transportation but my aim is pretty scattered. I am inexplicably drawn to wagons (duh) but this purchase must be a smart one that won't wind up leaving my boys stranded after the lights get shut off at the fields twice a week. And, no, I can't use my 1800es as their mother and I agree that airbags are a good thing for risk mitigation.

DTO: Drag and Drop: 1953 Ford F100 with Ford Explorer chassis

Debuting in 1954, the second-generation Ford F100 sported a 110-inch wheelbase, which is just 1.5 inches off of the second-gen Explorer. Sandwiching one body to the other frame together must be as easy as dragging and dropping elements in Photoshop, right? Regardless of the labor put into it, the result is the restomod you see here. In flat black with 20-inch chrome torque thrust wheels, it's sure to be embraced by tasteless casuals a discerning buyer looking for modern convenience with an old-school facade. Find this 1953 Ford F100 restomod for sale in Dallas, TX for $22,000 via craigslist.

10k: Fast Box: 1998 Saleen Explorer XP8

In 1998 Saleen started to modify a few Ford Explorers in the same way it had created scores of modified Ford Mustangs.  The basic Saleen recipe was to take a Ford product and add a supercharger, body kit, a few badges and significant digits to the price tag.  Saleen was one of the few aftermarket companies to be certified as an OEM, so Saleen actually issued its own vehicle identification numbers (VIN).  Internet rumor lists the total production volume of the XP8 at around 125.  Find this 1998 Saleen Explorer XP8 for sale in Fremont, CA for $13,900 via craigslist.

5k Riddler: 1949 Ford Carry All Panel Truck on 4WD Exploder Chassis

In case you aren't familiar with the Daily Turismo riddler badge - it is a unique honor that we heap upon particularly unique vehciles and is represented by the universal symbol of the penguin, wrench, lawnmower and question mark.  This featured riddler is a 1949 Ford Carry All Panel Truck body, 48 F-100 cab, sitting on top of a 4WD Ford Explorer chassis and powered by a 4.6 liter Ford V8 and decorated with Willys Jeep headlights...and its for sale on ebay in Du Quion, IL for $4,700 with 1 day to go.

Army-man grill?