Well it happened...again.

[Explore10FL]

Last Friday morning on my way in to work the worst fear came true...once again. I unfortunately ran off the road and was unable to recover due to the banking off the side of the highway, and ended up in the trees and finally a cement culvert. I am heartbroken as I had put so much time and effort into this beautiful surviving '97 XLT. Nothing in this world will replace this one, I had planned on keeping it for as long as I possibly could and one day showing it off in some car shows, hoping for a show and shine award at the very least but more happy to let the young people see what was a top offering in my high school years, as I was the class of '99. Either way the Explorer did its job again and allowed me to walk away somehow, I don't think another vehicle would have endured this brutal ride without some injury to the occupants. Thankfully I was alone and no other vehicles were involved. Now to find another truck and hopefully a 2nd gen Explorer as clean and preserved as this one. Thanks for all your help in the short time I had it, in making it truly my creation the way I wanted it. Man, what a sweet ride it had became, gone in an instant.

 

[Lee's Automotive]

Last Friday morning on my way in to work the worst fear came true...once again. I unfortunately ran off the road and was unable to recover due to the banking off the side of the highway, and ended up in the trees and finally a cement culvert. I am heartbroken as I had put so much time and effort into this beautiful surviving '97 XLT. Nothing in this world will replace this one, I had planned on keeping it for as long as I possibly could and one day showing it off in some car shows, hoping for a show and shine award at the very least but more happy to let the young people see what was a top offering in my high school years, as I was the class of '99. Either way the Explorer did its job again and allowed me to walk away somehow, I don't think another vehicle would have endured this brutal ride without some injury to the occupants. Thankfully I was alone and no other vehicles were involved. Now to find another truck and hopefully a 2nd gen Explorer as clean and preserved as this one. Thanks for all your help in the short time I had it, in making it truly my creation the way I wanted it. Man, what a sweet ride it had became, gone in an instant.

View attachment 436290 View attachment 436291 View attachment 436292 View attachment 436293 View attachment 436294 View attachment 436295

Man, that sucks but I'm glad you're okay and you was able to walk away from it

 

[Explore10FL]

Man, that sucks but I'm glad you're okay and you was able to walk away from it

Indeed, thanks for your concern. I am in a bit of shock still.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Last Friday morning on my way in to work the worst fear came true...once again. I unfortunately ran off the road and was unable to recover due to the banking off the side of the highway, and ended up in the trees and finally a cement culvert. I am heartbroken as I had put so much time and effort into this beautiful surviving '97 XLT. Nothing in this world will replace this one, I had planned on keeping it for as long as I possibly could and one day showing it off in some car shows, hoping for a show and shine award at the very least but more happy to let the young people see what was a top offering in my high school years, as I was the class of '99. Either way the Explorer did its job again and allowed me to walk away somehow, I don't think another vehicle would have endured this brutal ride without some injury to the occupants. Thankfully I was alone and no other vehicles were involved. Now to find another truck and hopefully a 2nd gen Explorer as clean and preserved as this one. Thanks for all your help in the short time I had it, in making it truly my creation the way I wanted it. Man, what a sweet ride it had became, gone in an instant.

View attachment 436290 View attachment 436291 View attachment 436292 View attachment 436293 View attachment 436294 View attachment 436295

really sorry to hear this, it looked super clean in all the photos! main thing is no one was badly hurt. these rigs are quite tough, and can stand up to quite the hit. a good testament to the quality of these. hopefully you find a replacement, man that was one clean truck. will say a good reminder to everyone that there are no 2nd chances on the road. glad to hear youre ok, though.

 

[Explore10FL]

really sorry to hear this, it looked super clean in all the photos! main thing is no one was badly hurt. these rigs are quite tough, and can stand up to quite the hit. a good testament to the quality of these. hopefully you find a replacement, man that was one clean truck. will say a good reminder to everyone that there are no 2nd chances on the road. glad to hear youre ok, though.

You have got that right and this is the second time in a 2nd gen I believe I should have been hurt alot worse than I was, even went to work and put in a full day of hard work. Just really bummed for my truck, thanks for the kind words...means alot.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

You have got that right and this is the second time in a 2nd gen I believe I should have been hurt alot worse than I was, even went to work and put in a full day of hard work. Just really bummed for my truck, thanks for the kind words...means alot.

yeah, sorry to hear about the truck. when ya care bout em a ton, its like family. however, will say, most things happen for a reason. maybe there was something worse up the road, who knows. or maybe theres something great waiting round the corner. still, sorry to hear, though. know how it would feel losing mine.

 

[Explore10FL]

yeah, sorry to hear about the truck. when ya care bout em a ton, its like family. however, will say, most things happen for a reason. maybe there was something worse up the road, who knows. or maybe theres something great waiting round the corner. still, sorry to hear, though. know how it would feel losing mine.

Yeah this one was a part of me in a way. Bought and fixed/modified all by myself to my specific liking. Not a hand me down or helped paid for by another individual or anything given to me for free. It was gonna be around and enjoyed for years. Like a lil brother or dare I say, a sweet child of mine. But time will tell the full story. Thanks again.

 

[DemonMudder]

Dang, sorry to hear that, was such a clean truck! Hope ya can find another soon, glad you're all good too, real glad for that!

 

[410Fortune]

trucks can be replaced, you cannot!!

Glad the truck saved you, accidents happen!!

 

[Rick]

Oh man, so sorry to see this. I am glad you are ok! That looks like it was a hell of a ride!

 

[joney]

Last Friday morning on my way in to work the worst fear came true...once again. I unfortunately ran off the road and was unable to recover due to the banking off the side of the highway, and ended up in the trees and finally a cement culvert. I am heartbroken as I had put so much time and effort into this beautiful surviving '97 XLT. Nothing in this world will replace this one, I had planned on keeping it for as long as I possibly could and one day showing it off in some car shows, hoping for a show and shine award at the very least but more happy to let the young people see what was a top offering in my high school years, as I was the class of '99. Either way the Explorer did its job again and allowed me to walk away somehow, I don't think another vehicle would have endured this brutal ride without some injury to the occupants. Thankfully I was alone and no other vehicles were involved. Now to find another truck and hopefully a 2nd gen Explorer as clean and preserved as this one. Thanks for all your help in the short time I had it, in making it truly my creation the way I wanted it. Man, what a sweet ride it had became, gone in an instant.

View attachment 436290 View attachment 436291 View attachment 436292 View attachment 436293 View attachment 436294 View attachment 436295

Bummer! But you walked away! Glad your Explorer did its final job for you. And who knows what beauty you might find next! And you may well transfer parts of this one to it! Best wishes!

 

[Josh P]

How fast were you going?

 

[C420sailor]

Old girl saved your life.

Airbag deployment?

 

[Explore10FL]

Dang, sorry to hear that, was such a clean truck! Hope ya can find another soon, glad you're all good too, real glad for that!

I appreciate that.

 

[J_C]

Wow, sorry for your loss but you are okay which is the main thing. Vehicles come and go, this is just a reminder of how suddenly it can happen.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

looking at your media posts- was the interior in this one blue?

 

[Explore10FL]

How fast were you going?

I'm not exactly sure but the speed limit is 55 so by the time I began to do some tree trimming I would say 40 ish and that's given the cruise wasn't set, I use the cruise all the time so it more than likely was on. Could have been less by the time I hit the brakes. Seemed like I was clearing trees for 10 minutes before I finally stopped.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

I'm not exactly sure but the speed limit is 55 so by the time I began to do some tree trimming I would say 40 ish and that's given the cruise wasn't set, I use the cruise all the time so it more than likely was on. Could have been less by the time I hit the brakes. Seemed like I was clearing trees for 10 minutes before I finally stopped.

i see a 3rd gen when i clixk on your profile- did you get another one?

 

[Explore10FL]

i see a 3rd gen when i clixk on your profile- did you get another one?

Sure did its as if I have a damn addiction to these things. But it's a 4th gen 2010 super nice one at that.

 

[Explore10FL]

looking at your media posts- was the interior in this one blue?

Yes it is still blue as I have not sent it away yet. It's sitting under my parents rv carport next door still and I have intentions of pulling the entire interior. So far I've pulled the floor mats.lol