An SUV from the 1990s gets a pony car nose job in the late 2000s.
An entrepreneur found a way for a vehicle customizer to transfer the nose of the S197-generation Ford Mustang to the first-generation Explorer SUV. To everyone’s delight, it’s not half bad.
Reddit user U/fifer253 uploaded the images to a community dedicated to questionable car modifications. However, a previous set of photos was uploaded to Imgur seven month ago by user aamnesiac. Redditors are busy making parallels to the Mustang SUV. However, we have to say that the Explorer-turned pony car is well-crafted. The Mustang’s frontfenders were likely reduced to fit the Explorer’s body structure. Additionally, the Explorer’s hoodline is higher than the SUV’s to give it that muscle car-chic high cowl.
A custom roll pan replaces an existing bumper made of steel. It incorporates exhaust cutouts into the sheetmetal. A second set of taillights is also available, inverted beneath the Explorer’s regular Explorer. This adds serious Family Truckster style.
We believe the most serious error made by the customizer was not putting the wheels in the arches of the front wheels. However, we are certain we couldn’t do better. The offset front wheels are a clear indicator that this SUV was home-built. The quality of the work is excellent.
However, some unattractive or tacky details can distract from the customization work. All of the window surrounds, as well as one set taillights, have a lot of chrome trim. The front bumper is protected from unwanted dogs and potholes by a tacky skidplate/brushbar combo. The step bars underneath each door are unattractive and do not match the brush bar or rear roll pan. Jetzon Revenger tires are available on black-painted Explorer wheels.
A custom such as this might be a good way to get a Mustang-ish SUV into your driveway if you don’t want the $43,895 base price for the 2021 Ford Mustang E. As nice as the Explorer is, it would still be a good investment in an EV ‘Stang.