A few members have expressed the idea of having a "Extreme SUV Challenge" (like the tough truck challenge.) I thought it was a good idea and I don't think we would have a problem getting sponsors or magazines to publish it. Is what I want is do you think its a good idea and where it should be held at. Take the poll of "yes lets do it" or "no I'm a weenie!" then reply here and give a good idea of a place.

Hell Yes. I think we could really show people what the ex can do.

Damn straight we should do it... Location? I dunno.. west coast people are gonna say out west... east coast people say out east... I'd say in the plains states so it would be a good central location.. but I don't know of any great wheelin spots it could be held at.
Pete

good idea, i love it!

Things to think about...

1. Land permits.
2. Event insurance.
3. Porta Poties.
4. Who will judge the competition.
5. What type of events
6. Do you have the equipment to set up a course. I.E. Logs, Boulders, Mud Pit.
7. Open to all SUVs or just Explorers.
etc. etc.

Definitely, we should be having this. Of course, I'm from the west, but I can tell you that there is some extreme 4 wheelin spots here in the Uintah Mountains in Utah. We go every year and end up destroying something on the Xploder. But, it needs to wait until late Spring or early Summer for the snow to melt.

So far you guys have been talking about great places to wheel. But, are you interested in different events like the toguh truck challenge or a rock crawl like the ARCA competion. Great trails don't lend themselves to the several events type of wheeling and a closed course is a compromise in various ways as well.

Firebird Raceway has a tough truck course already setup. It has a jump, a log pit and a rock crawl. I bet they would want a fortune though to rent the facility,

Well, why don't we hold off until I can finish college and film school and then I'll get to work, make too much money and buy about 15 square miles of land in Texas. We'll just hold it there...

Now your thinking! LOL

Be even funnier if I was kidding.....

Rick, You've got really good points there. First off I think we should have all kinds of SUVs in this. For all the things we have to figure out to get this going, I think alot of those can come with inviting several diiferent 4x4 clubs. There is someone out there with a kickin SUV that would want to do this that has land or knows someone who does. See where I'm getting at here? The off-road club I'm in has a annual challenge and we hold it on a members farm land. About 4 acres of land to do what ever we want. We have to sign waivers before and help with clean-up afterwards. This can happen as long as we stick with it.

OK, I wanna know whos voting "NO"!!:mad: :fire: :mad: :D








How can you vote no on something that would kick serious butt. I can already see it on the cover of 4-Wheel mag. "Explorers win Extreme SUV Challenge!!!!"
:smoke:

sounds like a cool idea. i'd like to see it, but i doubt it'll ever happen.

Originally posted by leenjen
sounds like a cool idea. i'd like to see it, but i doubt it'll ever happen.

Not to sound too cheesy, but :smoke: "If you build it they will come"!!!!:bounce:

Gees, where is all this negativity coming from? I agree with Diff!! If WE build it they will come.:mattmoon:

I voted yes lets do it. I think it would be great to show off what the explorer can do against other suv's. As for location I would have to say somewhere where both west coast people and east coast people can be involved in it also without having to drive across the whole country.

I voted no to an event that would invite all makes of SUVs. Personally I won't thrash my truck as hard as say a Tinbender driving his FourRunner. For those who aren't familiar with those guys (TinBenders) they think nothing of dumping their vehicle on the side, roof, multiple rolls etc.

I have thought about it and if the hard core Jeep Cherokee guys, Toyota and Land Rover guys come out we're toast... IMHO. Besides Riffman I don't know anyone who relishes the idea of rolling their Explorer.

Then again maybe I'm thinking too hardcore...

Originally posted by Rick
Besides Riffman I don't know anyone who relishes the idea of rolling their Explorer.

Then again maybe I'm thinking too hardcore...

Translation Let's cheer Riff and his project on so he can represent us! :)
Pete

yeah the toy's and XJ's would kill us ........ sorry but the tinbenders toyotas with full size axle d60's with awsome crawl ratio's and body damage golore we would be toast ..........maybe if we had a moderate built class and a custom class like moderate is bolt on lifts with some modification allowed and custom is custom suspension axles blah blah blah

WEENIES!!!!!:D



No I'm joking!! I understand what you guys are talkin about, but I thought it would only be fair to invite all SUVs. So is what you guys are saying is it would be better to have it an all FORD challenge? Hey I can handle that!! Gives me a better chance of whoopin a**!! What do you say guys, Do we make this an all Ford thing?

I hate to be the pessimistic one, but what about all the Broncos that are extremely, extreme... If the intention of this is to show the world what the Explorers can do then we better have something to put up to show it.

Maybe Fakrwee and his Frodder group is willing to "do anything to win", but you can count me out of that class.

I say invite everyone and break it down in to classes. Of course we all know we would get stomped by other classes but inviting all would create a larger turnout and we know who would win the Ford class, ex's of course. Break the classes into Makes and Models and then go for an overall champion. Being that we are talking about SUV's with expensive body panels, then body damage would have to be a penalty :nono: That way we keep the crazy drivers honest, have less:roll: and:frustrate while still having fun and concentrating on driving finess rather than right pedal only drivers causing:hammer: . I am looking at it as a way to get more prodect R&D to the Explorer market.

I would love to see this happen, but I totally agree with the last few posts. I ain't gonna go 'hard-core' just to win a competition. My baby's too expensive/new for that.

We need competitions that test vehicle ability along with finess of the driver so that we don't have :bounce: and :hammer: and :roll:

I agree guys. I don't have any plans of going out and doing whatever it takes:roll: to win. I wanna compete against other SUVs with my same capabilites and driving skills. I don't wanna compete in something where someone is going to:roll: there SUV just to win. Diff has a good idea. Break it down to classes and havin a whoops gets you penalty points. Look at this as a ARCA rock crawling comp. and a tough truck comp. rapped up into one comp.

I know it's East Coast, and most of the more built up X's are out west, but Paragon has pretty much what you are asking for. It's a private facility and insured with guides and equipment. They have everything from dirt trails that a Mustang could run on to Extreme Rock Crawling, Mud Bogs, etc. There are plenty of motels/hotels, etc around, and if you have a group over 15, the rates per vehicle are reasonable (like $25 each) for everything, including guides. It can be used for private events too.

Only problem is it's location :( for you guys (and gals) out West.

And how many of the big dawg Explorers are out East?

As I said, VERY few. The only one I have seen so far, and it is still a work in progress is Lizardtrac's. He's doing a solid axle swap right now. The rest of us East Coasters are just starting to make bigger X's. (So we're a little behind the times :p ) Mine won't get any bigger since it's a daily driver, but I am looking for an older Sport to work over.

Nicely put Tom!:smoke:

We all know our limits in our rigs, but you still continue to push them, right? I do! Every single weekend, I go out and try a different line on the trail that I haven't tried before. That is pushing your limits!! I beleive that I haven't spent the last 2 years of my life and awhole lotta money on my rig to know my limits and never push them. I think if we want people to look at us with respect for us and our rigs we have to go out and prove ourselves. We will always have the grocery getter image because we are SUVs but we can be SUVs with serious attitudes. People use to give me shit for spending so much money and time on a explorer and not a jeep. Now they know me and respect me cause I went out and proved myself with the big dawgs.


I think we all could have fun with this if we look at it in the right perspective.

http://www.explorerforum.com/rawdeal/PB080831.jpg

http://www.explorer4x4.com/wht_rick_climb.jpg

These two photos go together you have to climb over the boulder on the top photo to clear the boulder on the right.

http://www.explorer4x4.com/wht_rick_scrape.jpg

http://www.explorer4x4.com/moab_rickdblwham2.jpg


http://www.explorer4x4.com/moab_rickair.jpg

Yeah we don't do anything extreme, we baby our rig :confused:

If you feel you need to prove something to someone that's fine, but I've been there done that and got the T-shirt. I fourwheel for the enjoyment of wheeling and the outdoors not to prove to someone what my rig can do.

As far as Tinbender type dumbness that usually comes with any form of competition. Just watch the tough truck competition videos.

"Maybe Fakrwee and his Froadder group is willing to "do anything to win", but you can count me out of that class."

I thought you were a Froadder Tom. If not is it just Paul and Collin? The reason I made the initial comment is from what I heard from Paul "only the most extreme wheelers who aren't afraid of body damage" can be part of that group.

I have recieved body damage while pushing the limits of gravity, but I don't like it. I guess that means I'm afraid of it :D

BTW... remember Bump Dump?

I would like this competition like between friends, difficult thing would be where, but I believe some person will provides the site (a ranch would be a good option), would establish between participants regulation, I think that something fundamental is the security (but is something in which I believe that all will be agree), like everything, it will has a slow beginning, but within 5 years who knows?

About xtreming thing, i guess eachone has his own limit, and i guess eachone knows his truck.

Maybe i do not see all scope of this event (like first post stated it), but, i insist, like a friends meeting, would be great!

I vote yes, but cautiosly.

Rick's advices and comments are very importants (even required).

I voted no, sorry, but we can't even seem to get more than 30 explorers together. Let alone enough rigs and press to make up an entire challenge.

Warning though,

Let's try and watch our comments about Tin Bender and the other's like him. The last thing we want is them on the Explorer board having their JU fun. Besides, sorry guys, but they'd kick our a@@

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?s=&postid=144131

Ok, I have said what I don't think will work. Now here's what I do think will work.

If it's exposure to the off-road community that your after then why not start particpating in more of the existing runs and competions that already get coverage. We had a great turn out for the Superlift run at Attica. We not only impressed Superlift, but the owner of the Attica Badlands, and the photographer who rode along with us.

The press was already there and according to the photographer the article which will include our Explorers should be running very soon in Off-Road magazine. There ya go, the event was already there and the press was there and they saw us, ran with us and will now publish the piece.

Superlift has runs all over the country to particpate in. www.sportsintherough.com

Then there is the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab. How about a BIG turnout of modified Explorers for that HUGE run? ALL of the offroad press is out there as are the vendors. Instant publicity with minimal work. Of course the best thing to do would be to contact the press to let them know we will be there so they can plan to do a shoot with us.

Same thing goes with the TDS Safari at Truck Haven. Now is the time to contact the press if we want them to cover our group at that HUGE event.

You still want to compete? Well, they are taking applications for the Tough Truck Challenge for next year. Can't beat that kinda coverage. It appears in the magazine, on video and sometimes even on TV.

Still not wild enough? Join the ARCA tour and use your Explorer for EXTREME rock crawling at it's best. There are already Cherokees and Four Runners doing it.

So your basically telling me to give up, right? If I want competion to go to some previously done event. I don't think so!! I wanna do a first!! I wanna do an all "EXPLORER CHALLENGE!!" Yeah big deal, I feel that I have something to prove. Is there something wrong with that? I got into wheelin' for the enjoyment of being outdoors and doing something challengeing. My explorer isn't built for extreme rock crawling. Its built for everything. Mud, rocks, sand, and snow. It can do it all not just one thing. If I wanted a rock cawler I'd build a rock buggy. Its kinda like everyone doin swaps. If I wanted something with dana 44s or dana 60s with a big 302 and C4 trannys I'd buy an old ford. I know my 4 liter and TTB set-up can take it and keep up with anything out there. I can prove it and have proven it. I would rather spend 3 grand on my TTB then change my explorer to an F-250. IMO!! Don't get me wrong I would love to do a swap but I don't see the advantages of your guys swaps. I JUST WANNA PLAY!!!!

You can do whatever you please if you want to start an event go for it. It's just not the type of event I'm interested in.

I suppose you can say we already compete. We all try obstacles on our runs and some make it and some don't. Some break parts and some don't.

As far as the swaps. I just added what I felt Ford should have done in the first place. TTB and IFS may be great for desert racing, but I like the rocks and max articulation in undulating terrain. A solid axle gives that to me. Without any compromises. I now have a thick cast iron pumpkin instead of a thin aluminum pumpkin, the bearing caps are steel instead of aluminum and I feel it will hold up better for what I do. Just a matter of personal choices.

I just want to make a comment on the "Froader" group.

The name "Froader" is a creation of Winter Douglas. Now you probably want to know who is Winter Douglas?
Winter is a highly skilled designer, builder & mechanic of raceing and off-road vehicles.

Right now Winter is finishing up a 6 month project on my Ex. in which he has redesign and built a whole new front suspension. He is also my new mechanic and Tom
(Fakrwee) & Colin (Fenderguy) mechanic. He goes on all of our trips and has done most of the new and recent rebuilds on our trucks.

Winter wanted to start a group of wheelers who wanted to do more of the hard stuff, because he has been basicly building our trucks to do that kind of stuff.
Since we would be doing trips like the Rubicon etc. we were looking for people who were not afraid to get some body damage, and had at least 35" tires or larger,
and had some experience in rock crawling and such.

We are right now a very small group base here in So. Calif. and we might remain a small group for now. If you are wondering who are the members right now, they consist of myself, Tom Rios (Fakrwee), Colin (Fenderguy) , Winter Douglas & Bill Collins (Ranger X).

Tom Rios (Fakrwee Tribe) is also another group. Since we all know each other so well we do runs together alot. Tom does his famous FAKRWEE TRIBE Rubicon Run each summer.

So, we all have talk about doing something like Tom has propose and I for one am open to the idea for such an event.

But see Rick, look at this set-up up and tell me what you think.Extreme TTB (http://www.camburg.com/extremeexplorer.htm)

I think that would work as well as your dana 44 set-up.

Originally posted by studdedx
But see Rick, look at this set-up up and tell me what you think.Extreme TTB (http://www.camburg.com/extremeexplorer.htm)

I think that would work as well as your dana 44 set-up.


I checked out the pictures and they really look nice, but my question is how much would a set up like that cost???
Wouldn't the straight axle setup be a lot cheaper and you are still getting a good front end set up.

Also is that a power steering booster or brake booster in that one picture???
Those are two places I wished someone would make better. Seems like the steering never wants to work when you need it and neither does the brakes.

As I said before when you upgrade the TTB you still have the aluminum cased D-35. Have you ever seen just how thin of a casting the pumpking is? And the aluminum bearing caps are another shortcoming. Both Tom Davis and myself have broken our caps in two.

Then there is the inherent difference between wheel travel and articulation. You don't get the leverage with a TTB that you do with a solid axle. Another thing is that when the front end compresses equally side to side on a TTB you lose ground clearance under the diff, with a solid axle the ground clearance always remains the same.

Perry mentioned the brakes. With a D-44 you get bigger brakes, a longer spindle, and "real" locking hubs that aren't made of cast aluminum.

Studdedx, that is a simular kit to what Winter has design and is installing right now on my truck. Also Winter has design a new steering system for my truck . My truck is a prototype for Winter's kit. It is the first and only kit made so far. I can not disclose the cost right now.

Winter build this kit to be just as good as a soild axle.
I first want to go with the solid axle, but Winter said Why? He said he could build me a TTB suspension that would be just as good or better. I wish I could show you guy's some pictures of this kit, but Winter is still working on the truck. Anybody who is going to Truckhaven in Jan. will definitely see it in action.

To go with the new front suspension, Winter is working on a 4 link coilover system for the rear which probably won't be ready until a year from now, unless the budget allow's it to be sooner. Then the truck would probably be ready for some truck challenge.

I can understand why Winter wanted to use the TTB because he is into desert racing, but why didn't he upgrade to a D-44 TTB which has a cast iron pumpkin and steel bearing caps?

would a late model full size Bronco work? I think they have a dana44 in them.

Originally posted by studdedx
look at this set-up up and tell me what you think.Extreme TTB (http://www.camburg.com/extremeexplorer.htm)
I think that would work as well as your dana 44 set-up.

It wont work as well as a dana 44 with those auto hubs on it :rolleyes: http://www.camburg.com/images/ExlporerCustom/1-DROOOOP.jpg

Maybe you should hold this competition in Johnson valley and see what an explorer can do, or bring it out to my neck of the woods in Farmington or Las Cruces.

Rick, that's a good question, I will have to throw that one at Winter to get an answer.

well i understand the need for a solid axle but to take a suspension that doesn't flex for crap and then put it on your truck is just stupid yeah wristed arms help but i get more flex now with my TTB then a EB setup but the d44 sure would be nice because u wouldn't have to worry about what's going to blow up when u power over that rock or when u lift a tire and come back down on it and it bites ......... not to mention the pluses of solid axle articulation compared to a TTB ... solid axle is all about the leverage and leverage = traction

This thread has really changed direction, but o well :D

Anyway, it is true that the stock Bronco D-44 setup doesn't flex very well, but swapping in the stock Bronco components is a great way to start.

Gees you guys really know how to turn my threads around!:D

So ifs its all about strength how come you guys don't do dana 60s instead of 44s?

Strength vs. weight. Dana 60s weigh a ton. That means it takes more to control the weight in the way of springs and shocks. I believe it would also require some serious beefing to the frame to keep things from breaking.

Currie makes a kit to adapt D-60 knuckles, hubs and U-joints. That would give the best of both worlds.

Is that on your "to do" list?

Not for the front, I think what I have will hold up very well. I just bought some Moser axles for the D-44 so those should hold up pretty darn well with the 4.0L.... I hope:rolleyes:

A D-60 in the rear may be in my future though, as well as a boxed frame to support the extra weight and a new rear suspension.

Are there any details to that new rear susp.?

Besides lots of flex... nah

NO way, Rick going for aton of flex....nah no way....hes not like that!!



:fart: oops was that me?:D

rick, with all the added weight and upgrades....
are you planning on boosting the horsepower and torque (supercharger, twin turbo, nitrous, underdrive pulley, etc..)?

I've seriously thought about nitrous :D

back on the SUV CHALLENGE subject i don't think enough X's would show up for a nice compition so i say invite rangers from RRORC and other boards to compete

back to east coast. we have some spots here in florida to hold an event like that. Richloam has the superlift challege every year there and the florida explorer club has run there (i have not made that run) i am by no means a big dog BUT there are soem big dogs in the club nobody seen the rigs or pics of Rocky, mdrut, or fmexplorer's explorers? im proud to ride with these guys (especially when i get stuck.) i digress....

i thin the SUV challenge is a good idea because there are so many suv on the road. the thing is if we opened it up to th eworld wede have honda crvs with p175 r14 tires getting stuck all over the place. i think that the best thing would to be to have numerous club support and spin it off of another event like if "truck expo" was in daytona and we had a spot near there we could have an event the same weekend with all those guys and retailers in town.

i dont know im just spouting.

Ideas for classes

1.)Stock
2.)Some Mods
3.)Heavy Mods

This should definetly happen!!!

I agree that to get the coverage of our X's, we need to do some of the events already out there. This year it looks like there is a Superlift 4xAdventure in Colorado in Sept., how about having some of you big dawgs come out here again and show them what's up. That is just my $.02

How about if everyone comes up to Oregon and does the 4x4 Wars with me? So far I'm the only Explorer that has run this course, but I didn't compete in the rock climb. You can check it out at : http://www.motorizedmadness.com
theres a few pictures of the Explorer in the mud drags.

Anne

Ive only browsed this thread but Lizard and I are both entering our trucks in the PA on/off road rally. Basically its open to any ROAD LEGAL vehicle doesnt matter what it is as long as it meets inspection in your home state. and it incorporates everything from on road navigation to off road driving (of course) and completing various tasks. I know two of the tasks that where cancelled due to the snow where horseback riding and building a bridge over a ditch and then driving your truck over it. This is the first year the rally is being run but its a real good idea imo to base an SUV competition off of.

http://www.wastedtrails.com/RallyMain/rallypage1.htm

I tend to agree with Rick about not wanting to compete in a tough truck contest.
I enjoy the challenge of getting to scenic places that you might not be able to get to unless you had 4wd.

But, I think it would be cool to have a big Explorerforum.com Event more centrally located in the USA so that we can get people from all over the country to come and offroad. A couple of places come to mind.
1. Superlift's OHV Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
2. Clayton, Oklahoma. Never been there, but heard about it recently from some local Houston Jeepers. Here's some pics:
http://community.webshots.com/user/tonkatoy84
Looks very rocky.

I always have thought that driving in an Offroad Rally would be cool. But, I don't really think my truck is best suited for that. :D

ill go for any of those johnstone- right in my neck of the woods. ive been to Clayton, and all i can say is if you* wanna go there you better "bring it". if you're not locked front and rear and running 35's min. you better be close to that + a d@mn good driver. there's alot of hardcore stuff there with very few bypasses.

*you- anyone here... not just "you" Johnstone. :D

hell ya!!! lets do it. i want to let people know the older X's are still alive. whers it ginna be at?

I Would Like To Do It, But Like They Said Either Have Different Classes Or Have Only Explorers.

I Don't Disagree With Putting A Solid Axle In An Explorer, But I Have Been To A Few Of The Explorer Runs And Have Not Had One Bit Of Trouble Getting Up Any Of The Obstacles. In Fact I Think That I Do Just As Good As Anyone That Has A Solid Axle. My Explorer At The Same Time Can Go Run The Baja 1000 With No Problems. I Agree With Winter & Derrick That The Ttb Suspension Is Better.

I Don't Disagree With Putting A Solid Axle In An Explorer, But I Have Been To A Few Of The Explorer Runs And Have Not Had One Bit Of Trouble Getting Up Any Of The Obstacles. In Fact I Think That I Do Just As Good As Anyone That Has A Solid Axle. My Explorer At The Same Time Can Go Run The Baja 1000 With No Problems. I Agree With Winter & Derrick That The Ttb Suspension Is Better.

Check out a Moab return trip thread. Then go back and rewrite that statment.

I Don't Disagree With Putting A Solid Axle In An Explorer, But I Have Been To A Few Of The Explorer Runs And Have Not Had One Bit Of Trouble Getting Up Any Of The Obstacles. In Fact I Think That I Do Just As Good As Anyone That Has A Solid Axle. My Explorer At The Same Time Can Go Run The Baja 1000 With No Problems. I Agree With Winter & Derrick That The Ttb Suspension Is Better.

What size of tire are you running?????
The only problem I have with the stock front end is that I keep going thru wheel bearings. I am running 35" tires and that is a lot of tire for that front end.
Not sure what kind of wheeling you do but if I had the money I would have a straight axle. We wheel in lots of rocks and I suppose if I had a locker in the front that would help out a LOT but I can't go everywhere the people I wheel with in there Jeeps go, but then there are times I can do better then they do but that is because of the wheel base difference.

Check out a Moab return trip thread. Then go back and rewrite that statment.

YOU GET YOUR STRAIGHT AXLE, AND I WILL GET MY TTB AND WE CAN HAVE A DUO, HOW ABOUT THAT? I HAVE BEEN TO MOAB, AND I WENT EVERYWHERE RICK H. WENT JUST AS EASY AND HE HAS A STRAIGHT AXLE, SO THERE. YOU GO REWRITE YOUR STATEMENT.

What size of tire are you running?????
The only problem I have with the stock front end is that I keep going thru wheel bearings. I am running 35" tires and that is a lot of tire for that front end.
Not sure what kind of wheeling you do but if I had the money I would have a straight axle. We wheel in lots of rocks and I suppose if I had a locker in the front that would help out a LOT but I can't go everywhere the people I wheel with in there Jeeps go, but then there are times I can do better then they do but that is because of the wheel base difference.

I HAVE 33' TIRES.

So your rig can do as good as Ricks?

TTB? Solid Axle? They both suck. 2nd Gen IFS is the only way to go!

Mine kicks ass when it ain't broke! :confused:
http://www.explorerforum.com/data/3358/410710030005.JPG

LOL, ya'll are cracking me up.

So your rig can do as good as Ricks?

SO FAR IT HAS.

No offense to you Yellowstreak- or anyone else that has TTB for that matter- but........

Moab isnt exactly the toughest trails in the US. If TTB worked just as good as a solid axle on rocks, then youd see alot of TTB rigs in the rocks. You dont. Why? Because its not strong enough. Its all fine and dandy while your playing on 3-4 rated trails with 33's or 35's, but run dual transfer cases weld/ lock (not LS) the front, slap on some 39.5's, and see how long that TTB lasts. Fact is it cannot handle alot of abuse like a solid axle can, and it cannot provide traction during extreme articulation like a solid axle can. This is not opinion its fact. Just because you followed Rick around on some rather mild trails does not mean yours works just as good his does. Throw some 37's on and follow Rick around at the 'Con and then brag on your TTB.


As i said, this is not meant to be insulting to the TTB rigs. I have wheeled with many and i am highly impressed for what they are. They are far superior to IFS offroad, and on a rig with 33's or even 35's they work pretty damn good.

SO FAR IT HAS.
If I was about 16, I'd say BRING IT!

But as it is, I didn't build up my truck to destroy it competing. I built it to have fun wheeling.


TTB? Solid Axle? They both suck. 2nd Gen IFS is the only way to go!

Mine kicks ass when it ain't broke! :confused:
I agree w/ you 110%. . .I should have kept that IFS stuff. ;)

The only reason I went solid is so I could see everybody :eek: when I do this:

http://www.jefethegreat.com/truck/pics_04/04-17-04_BigBear/sm/SANY0006.jpg

:D

SO FAR IT HAS.

Yellowstreak, show us your rig. I have been on the last 4 Moab trips with Rick and followed him on 98% of the trails he did, and dont seem to remember you at all. :confused: I was totally shocked and surprised at what my 91 would do when it was just stock with 30" tires. After 4 years of wheelin in rigs with 33s and 35s locked front and rear they are very, very capable rigs. There is no reason to not be proud of your X. On 33s and a pair of lockers it can take you aimost anywhere you want to go. :D Thats what we do this for isnt it. :thumbsup: But dont be disillusioned, there in NO substitute for articulation, stability, and ground clearance. No amount of money and custom fab work can make the TTB perform like a SASed rig and thats just the cold hard FACTS :( . I have seen many 1st gens with 6" lift,35s, and lockers, climb and lean and tip and claw and sway and bounce their way and make it to the top of an obstacle you could swear there was no way to drive a truck up. There would be times a rig would be leaning over so far the passenger was screaming and trying to climb up out there window, the drivers seat is stuck 2" up his hiney and the front tire still has 1 1/2 feet to fall before it touches the ground. :eek: Then Rick casually cruises thru it like its nothing. His front axle will look like this, / all 4 wheels are on the ground and his cab is level, and look like he is jumping the curb in front of my house. :fire:
Take your truck out, and wheel the crap out of it. Your X is capable of doin some pretty radical stuff, enjoy it. Just dont be fooled, there is no comparison.

Oh yea Moab late May next year, be there and prove us all wrong. :p

Jefe thats CRAZY

Johnstone wrote:
I tend to agree with Rick about not wanting to compete in a tough truck contest.
I enjoy the challenge of getting to scenic places that you might not be able to get to unless you had 4wd.

But, I think it would be cool to have a big Explorerforum.com Event more centrally located in the USA so that we can get people from all over the country to come and offroad

AMEN to that!!! Something centrally located, and with trails for all - or at least most levels -- including the stockers is the ideal. We need to get the word out in terms of X popularity and capability! We need to get more people with Explorers into taking them on the trails! Not to mention that it would be awesome to meet so many of you who have provided a ton of great advice, shared awesome ideas and inspired my on-going build over the years!!!

As much as we crack on the Jeepers, I give credit where credit is due >> they really have something with their Jeepers Jamborees and Camp Jeep events. :thumbsup: I'd like to see a similar Explorer Event. Love the idea of having it at a place like the Superlift Off Road park. We should have it at a place where and/or time when we will get major media and manufacturer attention. We need to make it difficult for the media and mfgs to ingore the popularity, capability of the X platform.

PS: Jefe, that picture is SICK :thumbsup: Someday, my X will get there...