2002 Ex in the dirt...

[DesertSpive]

Who says IRS can't off-road!?! My Dad and took my Mom's new '02 Limited (2WD, 3.73 LS) out to Stoddard Valley to view the meteor showers. We would have taken the FX4, but it hasn't arrived yet. Looks like it will be in the last week of this month. Anyways, the showers were awesome, and the Explorer did pretty good (better than I expected). On the road, the new Exs are great cruising machines (smooth, quiet, comforatble), and they do well on the two-tracks. Obviously were weren't burning up the trails at the OHV park, but it got us several miles off the highway, no problem (I feel it is adequate for what an average family would need to use it for). For as low as those running boards are, we didn't scrape them once, but that was also with some careful spotting at times. The IRS rides stiff, but controllable on fast dirt roads, and handles the occasional whoops okay. The steering and suspension, makes it very precise on and off-road. Like I said, it wasn't my first choice for a desert rig (and my Mom doesn't have the need to ever go off the pavement) but it did suprisingly well. Here are some pictures:

--Sean

 

[BislamJoe]

Very nice man. I honestly think that the '02's might have some offroad potential in the desert. I've heard that the rear half-shafts go through the frame though. Yuk. You need to lift it high enough to get those outta the frame, then build it with some hella travel and jump dunes with the 'yota and Ranger guys!

 

[TwoToneX]

Or just do front and rear solid axle swaps They're not the best truck, but hey, they're not an Aztec. Nice pictures, good to hear it can do at least a little bit off road!

 

[BislamJoe]

Nah - IFS/IRS is fine on the dunes. Better than live axles, in fact. I think you need to build a mean desert-runner.

 

[espnfreak]

Nice Truck! Looks like it did pretty well, especially with the 2wd, if its a v-8 i wouldnt mind because of all that extra power and a huge engine. i like my ponies

 

[Rick]

Thanks for the report and photos. I sure hope more people start taking their '02s offroad and start modifing them

 

[kvo]

Tell me those are not railroad tracks you were sitting on in the third picture??? People, people, people, please please please, don't ever take crossing the RR tracks lightly. If there are RR tracks, there will be trains, and they can come at anytime, in any directions, on any track. If the locomotive is pushing from the rear, you'll never hear it until it hits you. If the engine is in the front, you may get mesmerized by the distance and misjudge it, bamm, you're a gonner.

I'm sure you have seen pictures or have heard of instances where people have been killed at those intersections. When I worked for the RR, I saw a few accidents where people don't care to look where they were going, thought that the train is slow and or thought that they can beat it, etc. They LOST and it cost them their lives and limbs!

Just PLEASE be careful and look both ways and then look again before you cross RR tracks. Don't ever take crossing the RR tracks lightly or sit/park on the tracks like that. It gives me chills and bumps looking at that picture.

 

[mattadams]

I love the sunset picture, looks great .

 

[RTStork]

I haven't liked the new Explorers untill I saw your pics. It looks great!.

 

[JoeC5]

That last picture is awesome.

 

[DesertSpive]

Originally posted by kvo
Tell me those are not railroad tracks you were sitting on in the third picture??? People, people, people, please please please, don't ever take crossing the RR tracks lightly. If there are RR tracks, there will be trains, and they can come at anytime, in any directions, on any track. If the locomotive is pushing from the rear, you'll never hear it until it hits you. If the engine is in the front, you may get mesmerized by the distance and misjudge it, bamm, you're a gonner...

...gives me chills and bumps looking at that picture.

I don't know why that picture gives you chills. If you look closely my dad is driving. I took that picture while the Ex was in motion. Also, this was the desert, where you can see the RR tracks for several miles in every direction. It took us no longer to cross the tracks than it would to cross them on a street, and it was a marked rail road crossing.

--Sean

 

[Jason_25]

Good pics man. I hope to see more '02's offroading in the future.

 

[mobius]

RTStork- i noticed you have a cut airbox, did that make a noticeable difference, i just pulled the horn intake hose thing out of mine when i put the K&N in it?

 

[rustytr]

I've don't like the 02's but they would look good lifted and dirty...

 

[RTStork]

Originally posted by mobius
RTStork- i noticed you have a cut airbox, did that make a noticeable difference, i just pulled the horn intake hose thing out of mine when i put the K&N in it?

I cut a big square in the front of the airbox and it feels stronger than when I had just a cone shaped K&N attached to the end of the intake hose. It seems to pull in cooler air. So, yes, I'm very happy with the performance of the cut air box.

 

[kvo]

DesertSpive -

I'm don't mean to preach and everyone has the right to do what they want but that was just my thought after seeing that picture. Lots of people have that perception that they can see or hear the train coming from miles away and yes, some of those are now buried because they got hit by the train.

Don't take it the wrong way, it's just one man's opinion. Other than that, have fun with the new X.

 

[DesertSpive]

I was just pointing out, that your concerns were unwarrented in this peticular case. Just wanted to get some pics up to show everyone an '02 in the dirt.

Also, it's the V-6, but it does really good. The Ex has about 5000 miles on it now and the motor has really loosened up. I am very impressed.

--Sean