Real world experience with the 2011 limited 4wd?

Bill1234 · February 28, 2011

So I placed my order today and wondering if it was the right choice. I have read much about the 20" rims and the tires that come with the limited. Yes I know that I can put other tires on, but after dropping 40k for a car, one should not have to...

I have been driving real 4wd trucks for many years now (94 ranger, 99 4runner, 06 pathfinder). I am really concerned that I will miss the 4wd here in the northeast. I have never been one to let snow slow me down and there are a couple really good hills to climb to get to my house...

I would love to hear from people that have taken delivery and had a chance to run the new Ex (20" rims) in the snow/ice. For anyone that has spent years with real 4wd, any regrets with the “AWD” new version?

Thanks

TomTomNJ · February 28, 2011

I've had trucks before and my off road consists of beach sand. While I haven't taken it on the beach yet, I can tell you that it doesn't drive like a truck. It drives like a front wheel drive car. Also, I had to cut some of the plastic front facia because it was way too low to take off road. I trimmed about 3.5 inches off and it looks much better.

Looking under the truck it looks exactly like a car. Not sure what options you will have to lift it, but things may not be available for a while.

I had the 17" rims on my previous Expedition. They were perfect on the beach, but I always liked the 20" rims and wanted them. Now that I have them on my Explorer, I love the way they look, but I'm concerned that the profile is way too low. And even when I hit potholes, I don't like the feel/sound they make. I'm sure if you hit something hard enough, the rims may bend. And I'm concerned about driving with my tires deflated. The distance from the beach access/exit and where I re-inflate the tires is short, but it may be problem. I guess I will find out this Spring.

BTW, Ice/snow/rain, the new Explorer works great. Not one issue and I'm in the Northeast with you and got the truck before all the storms.

It's a good truck for what I do 95% of the time and I like that I'm still able to trailer my boat when I want. And if this does well on the beach, it will be perfect for what I use my truck for.

russell bruesch · February 28, 2011

Im curious about fords spec of the ground clearance for the new Ex of 8.3 inches. I have the limited also and have not crawled under the vehicle to verify this measurement. Is the front facia or air dam the lowest part on the Ex or is there some other component under the vehicle that the 8.3 ground clearance dimension came from? It sure looke like the front facia may be the lowest part to the ground.

w1kedz · February 28, 2011

TomTomNJ said:
Also, I had to cut some of the plastic front facia because it was way too low to take off road. I trimmed about 3.5 inches off and it looks much better.

I'm curious if you have checked your gas mileage, on the freeway disturbing the curves of the facia would be so disruptive to air flow. How is the handling on the freeway since the mod?

sm4astan · February 28, 2011

Given the discussion on lower spoiler I recalled this 2011 Explorer Walkaround "with Jason" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj_mSwkxE2A.
Overall a nice review, especially for anyone who is just biding time to get their Es. At the 4:25 mark there is a brief review of the lower air dam and its function.

KonaExplorer · February 28, 2011

i received delivery a week ago and live in Ontario, Canada not Ontario, California though I wish I were sometimes and have been very impressed with the ice/snow characteristics. I have gone from a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee which had awesome abilities in the ice and snow and i have no complaints in comparison. I have purposely over the last week, on back roads, slammed on the brakes, floored it, tried fish tailing, whatever and am very impressed. i have the limited 4WD with the 20" inchers.

esandye · February 28, 2011

sm4astan said:
Given the discussion on lower spoiler I recalled this 2011 Explorer Walkaround "with Jason" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj_mSwkxE2A.
Overall a nice review, especially for anyone who is just biding time to get their Es. At the 4:25 mark there is a brief review of the lower air dam and its function.

I noticed on that video there was a comment on the difference in the size of the lower grille opening with tow package vs no tow. Can anyone comment on the visual difference? Is it very noticable?

sm4astan · February 28, 2011

My normal evening activity after kids go to bed and Mrs. and I are watching TV is to scour the Internet for new articles on the new Explorer. Just found this review of how the Ex handled a recent blizzard in the Midwest. Granted the site could be biased, but the review sounds genuine, pointing out good and bad.

http://www.fordinsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?7136-Blizzard-Review-2011-Ford-Explorer-XLT

I'm posting this hear, as there is a good description of something I'd just sort of heard mentioned in other reviews. The flexible air dam on the new Ex ....

Explorer’s new front clip does not exactly have an abundance of ground clearance, but Ford cleverly made the fuel-economy-enhancing spoiler underneath the front fascia out of a pliable material. The flexibility allows the Explorer to do things like, you know, go through two-foot snowdrifts without damaging the whole front end.

Read the full review for how the Snow Mode faired in snow drifts from a few inches to feet.

sm4astan · February 28, 2011

A few more good quotes from that article -

A great all-wheel drive system is only half the battle during snowmagedden. All vehicles use all fours to stop, so its tough to eek out any kind of advantage in terms of stopping on slippery conditions. This is where the new Explorer shines. It has one of the best anti-lock brake systems we’ve ever seen.

Stopping in slushy, slippery conditions was met with an ABS system that does not leave the driver in a panic, but actually gives the driver great confidence that the barge will be stopped in time. Ford’s AdvanceTrac stability control is also terrific in the Explorer’s application, taming the engine to keep the Explorer on course.

uniquename · February 28, 2011

Not a bad article. I have to disagree (based on a short test drive) on one thing. The armrests were great to me. Granted, I am 6'1", but I'm not "large" in the general sense of the word.

If it's as good as my 08 (and I expect it is better), this one will more than please me in the snow. It sounds like they found similar limits to what I found mine to be and had a more comfortable time getting to those limits.

mikerod87 · March 1, 2011

Can wait to see someone put lifters on this bad boy!!

esandye · March 1, 2011

I noticed the same thing in my test drive as described in the article , a large distance between the seat and the armrest on the door. It was not a dealbreaker and I have one on order, but I may be taking a small pillow to prop my L arm on when taking extended road trips. I'm 5'8" as was the reviewer. What have others noticed?

Bill1234 · March 1, 2011

@TomTomNJ - Thanks. The potholes seem to be growing here in CT also. Hopefully they are fixed by time mine arrives

@KonaExplorer - Thanks. It seems like the GC might be one of the last few out there that are still true 4wd. It helped me to know you don't miss it!

JDraper · March 1, 2011

I went from an '05 F-150 Supercrew 4x4 to the Explorer and found that the Explorer was far better on snowy roads than my F-150 ever was. Much more sure footed, better handling, better braking. I've owned 3 earlier generation Explorers and this one outhandles them all without a question.

Sgt1411 · March 2, 2011

Bill1234 said:
So I placed my order today and wondering if it was the right choice. I have read much about the 20" rims and the tires that come with the limited. Yes I know that I can put other tires on, but after dropping 40k for a car, one should not have to...

I have been driving real 4wd trucks for many years now (94 ranger, 99 4runner, 06 pathfinder). I am really concerned that I will miss the 4wd here in the northeast. I have never been one to let snow slow me down and there are a couple really good hills to climb to get to my house...

I would love to hear from people that have taken delivery and had a chance to run the new Ex (20" rims) in the snow/ice. For anyone that has spent years with real 4wd, any regrets with the “AWD” new version?

Thanks

I mentioned this on another topic post about the Terain Management System and snow.

We had a 4-6" dump of snow the other day, and driving around at work in a 2011 Crown Vic with Firestone Firehawk snow/ice tires was acceptable & got me where I needed to go.

After work I jumped in my 11 Explorer Limited 4WD, switched the dial on the TMS to Grass/Ice/Snow and experienced a vehicle in the snow that was better then expected.

Travelling up an inclined onramp to a bridge, couple cars spinning a bit with 4-6" fresh snow, not plowed, the Explorer powered up with no loss of traction at all, no slip on any wheels, no instability felt at all.

A very confident ride.

That's coming from someone who drove a 2007 GMC AWD Yukon in the snow and IMO this TMS is significantly better.

As far as an urban vehicle in the city with snow its the best I have driven.

I cant wait for the next snowfall.

TomTomNJ · March 2, 2011

w1kedz said:
I'm curious if you have checked your gas mileage, on the freeway disturbing the curves of the facia would be so disruptive to air flow. How is the handling on the freeway since the mod?

No, I have not noticed any extra noise or decrease in fuel economy since I trimmed it.

Real world experience with the 2011 limited 4wd?

Bill1234

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TomTomNJ

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russell bruesch

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w1kedz

sm4astan

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KonaExplorer

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esandye

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sm4astan

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sm4astan

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uniquename

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mikerod87

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esandye

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Bill1234

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JDraper

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Sgt1411

TomTomNJ

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