No off-road use for limiteds?

olaverty · February 2, 2011

Ordered my limited a couple weeks ago. Was browsing the owners manual posted on line and read this interesting statement:
"NOTICE TO OWNERS WITH 20 INCH WHEELS AND TIRES
When equipped with 20 inch wheels and tires the vehicle is designed for
on-road use only and not off-road use."

Now obviously it's not gonna change the way I will use mine, but doesn't this effectively preclude all limiteds from off-road use as they come standard with 20 inch wheels? So why would Ford include the 4WD system on limiteds if this is their point of view?

SuRrEaLNJ · February 2, 2011

you shouldnt be ofroading with "dubs" and street tires. for that matter you shouldnt be offroading with a FWD crossover.

the new explorer is designed for on road use and equiped with 4x4 for inclemant weather. i am not bashing the new trucks, all signs point to a supperior ride and features, but the fact of the matter is it is what it is, and its designed what its designed for

snoranger · February 2, 2011

SuRrEaLNJ said:
you shouldnt be ofroading with "dubs" and street tires. for that matter you shouldnt be offroading with a FWD crossover.

the new explorer is designed for on road use and equiped with 4x4 for inclemant weather. i am not bashing the new car, all signs point to a supperior ride and features, but the fact of the matter is it is what it is, and its designed what its designed for

I fixed that for you.

LincolnAviFan · February 2, 2011

olaverty said:
So why would Ford include the 4WD system on limiteds if this is their point of view?

Well, you can switch wheels and tires but adding the 4WD-system later on might be difficult..

unclemeat · February 3, 2011

SuRrEaLNJ said:
you shouldnt be ofroading with "dubs" and street tires. for that matter you shouldnt be offroading with a FWD crossover.

the new explorer is designed for on road use and equiped with 4x4 for inclemant weather. i am not bashing the new trucks, all signs point to a supperior ride and features, but the fact of the matter is it is what it is, and its designed what its designed for

Earl, thank you for so elequently stating the obvious.

JDraper · February 3, 2011

It's because of the tire size and profile. Those tires will be very low profile and have a street tread, so no give in the sidewall if you run over rocks. Most likely written in by a lawyer not wanting the owner to sue Ford to replace his rims when they get dented up.

bender · February 3, 2011

Yes my 08 limited with 20" wheels said similar, also in the 08-10's if you get the 20s, they only come on 2wd and AWD (no low-range 2 speed transfer case) statement it strictly because of the wheels and low-pro tires.

FLOffroad · February 3, 2011

Those tires would probably just pop if you tried to take them offroad. Best ratio for tire size:wheel size is around 2:1 for offroading, 20" wheels with 30"ish tires is just not smart for offroading.

1AJeremyD · February 3, 2011

I wouldn't really want to go and bang up my, probably 500 a piece, rims off-roading in the woods. I would like to see what is possible with the new explorer for off road capabilities. Just gotta wait and see what comes out.

peterk9 · February 3, 2011

olaverty said:
Ordered my limited a couple weeks ago. Was browsing the owners manual posted on line and read this interesting statement:
"NOTICE TO OWNERS WITH 20 INCH WHEELS AND TIRES
When equipped with 20 inch wheels and tires the vehicle is designed for
on-road use only and not off-road use."

I plan to get a set of the base 17" steelies to mount my Winter tires on for my Limited. I guess that means that I'll be okay to go rock crawling then.

Mishtar · February 3, 2011

peterk9 said:
I plan to get a set of the base 17" steelies to mount my Winter tires on for my Limited. I guess that means that I'll be okay to rock crawling then.

I plan on getting the 17's as well Peter.

IZwack · February 3, 2011

20" wheels for off-roading is just fine, you just need 40" tires to match them.

Gandalf · February 3, 2011

Sorry, but this issue has me confused. What, exactly, is meant by "off road"? There are all kinds of roads, from paved, through dirt and gravel, to roads where even a stock Explorer of any generation would be questionable. As long as its a "road", then I am OK? (note, that last question was facetious) So then, where is it, exactly, that I am not supposed to take a 20" wheel equipped Explorer? Well, other than the obvious boulder field or log strewn forest...

I understand that a lot of this is legal CYA by Ford, so they won't get sued because someone's Explorer won't go through the same terrain a fully outfitted Wrangler will, but still it seems rather fuzzy to me.

unclemeat · February 4, 2011

Gandalf said:
Sorry, but this issue has me confused. What, exactly, is meant by "off road"? There are all kinds of roads, from paved, through dirt and gravel, to roads where even a stock Explorer of any generation would be questionable. As long as its a "road", then I am OK? (note, that last question was facetious) So then, where is it, exactly, that I am not supposed to take a 20" wheel equipped Explorer? Well, other than the obvious boulder field or log strewn forest...

I understand that a lot of this is legal CYA by Ford, so they won't get sued because someone's Explorer won't go through the same terrain a fully outfitted Wrangler will, but still it seems rather fuzzy to me.

This is an Explorer enthusiast website. You are obviously confused. The 91 Explorer (gen I) was 4x4 of the year when it came out. Before I lifted mine I took it everywhere offroad, mud rocks, and sand. It did just fine. Also see the home page of this site for a description. My 04 Ranger Level II stock (gen II is way better than a similarly outfitted jeep. That vehicle goes everywhere. The long wheel base makes it ride and drive much better than any wrangler. I spend a lot of time offroad, hobby and occupational.

A 20-inch wheel equipped explorer will do just fine on wet and snowy pavement or maintenaned gravel roads. Even better would be the mall parking lot.

Gandalf · February 4, 2011

unclemeat said:
This is an Explorer enthusiast website. You are obviously confused. The 91 Explorer (gen I) was 4x4 of the year when it came out. Before I lifted mine I took it everywhere offroad, mud rocks, and sand. It did just fine. Also see the home page of this site for a description. My 04 Ranger Level II stock (gen II is way better than a similarly outfitted jeep. That vehicle goes everywhere. The long wheel base makes it ride and drive much better than any wrangler. I spend a lot of time offroad, hobby and occupational.

A 20-inch wheel equipped explorer will do just fine on wet and snowy pavement or maintenaned gravel roads. Even better would be the mall parking lot.

Um, my question is about the practical limits of what the new Explorer can do off pavement. It has nothing to do with how well earlier generations handled in the back country and it certainly has nothing to do with any kind of Explorer vs Jeep comparison.

uniquename · February 4, 2011

Gandalf said:
Um, my question is about the practical limits of what the new Explorer can do off pavement. It has nothing to do with how well earlier generations handled in the back country and it certainly has nothing to do with any kind of Explorer vs Jeep comparison.

I've spent enough time offroad, I will try to give you a realistic expectation.

With the 20s, I would avoid places where a rock (wouldn't need to be big) could scuff the rims up. The biggest concern is the tires. Those things will not help you in mud, sand, etc. I am NOT bashing the explorer, more the tires. If what I have seen/read is right, expect to go a little deeper into the woods than an AWD car simply based on ground clearance. I've seen lots of stock XJs and ZJs (jeep suvs) look quite capable with decent tires, and look pathetic with the wrong tires.

Gandalf · February 4, 2011

uniquename said:
I've spent enough time offroad, I will try to give you a realistic expectation.

With the 20s, I would avoid places where a rock (wouldn't need to be big) could scuff the rims up. The biggest concern is the tires. Those things will not help you in mud, sand, etc. I am NOT bashing the explorer, more the tires. If what I have seen/read is right, expect to go a little deeper into the woods than an AWD car simply based on ground clearance. I've seen lots of stock XJs and ZJs (jeep suvs) look quite capable with decent tires, and look pathetic with the wrong tires.

Thank you! That is the kind of info I was looking for!

I am seriously considering a new Limited. While I don't go off road as a rule, I do occasionally take a non-paved road to a cabin or a camp site in the mountains or the desert. I'd like to know how much the 20" wheels will limit me, especially as compared to my stock 93 XLT.

unclemeat · February 4, 2011

My bad. I just thought I needed to defend my junk. Some here have been making false statements about older Explorers.

uniquename · February 4, 2011

unclemeat said:
My bad. I just thought I needed to defend my junk. Some here have been making false statements about older Explorers.

And plenty have been making them about the new ones too

At the end of the day, hopefully we all are happy with the choice we made.

Gandalf · February 4, 2011

unclemeat said:
My bad. I just thought I needed to defend my junk. Some here have been making false statements about older Explorers.

Peace.

No off-road use for limiteds?

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