Girl friend 1B has been my workhorse for years.  All stock, the only factory mod is a tow package.  I have an aftermarket larger tranny cooler which helps alot when towing my ski boat. 

She has Tokico gas struts so she corners quite well at 35 mph.  The other thing that holds her to the ground are.... no, not those cruddy Firestone tires but Goodyear Fortera's.  I had Michelin XLT's for years and they were great in all weather but the Fortera's took it up a notch! 

Brakes: back are stock drum. Front, drilled and slotted.  I'll have to look up but I think they are Brembo's and Repco semi metallic pads.  They work great but when hot, sound like they are grinding but I see no extra wear.  No fade even though I don't have braided lines on.

Everything works except for 4wd low which I never use.  I think Fjord figured it out in later model Exploders... just not needed.  4wd and 1st gear (automatic) works great on steep boat launches and during ski season.

Back area is great for sleeping in! Just drop the seats.

She's well tuned so I get about 16 mph in the city and 21 on the highway. She also has a Flow Master exhaust which gives her a good note and some extra oomph!  Found out the bands on the tranny were not adjusted. I knew something was funny when I got her out of Dean's Transmission.  They forgot to adjust before I took it out of the shop!

She's been great for getting up to trail heads, taking all my fishing, windsurfing, hunting, ski/snowboard gear and bikes! Not bad for a 1st year ford model.  Engine has 265.000+ miles, still runs strong, just a bit of valve ping and eats a quart of oil about 1500-1700 miles so she's great for an old gal.  Learned the hard way, after 3 tranny's, never to take it for a backflush to any quick lube place. 

Well maintained. Like all my girls, I have practically every single receipt down to the nuts and bolts and a well logged maintenance diary.