Badlands Attica, Indiana June 16-18 Chat Thread

[Dre]

Here's the link to the webpage with movie links:
http://www.endofsuburbia.com/previews.htm

and the main page:
http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/Index.html

and another page:
http://kunstler.com/mags_diary16.html
I'm gonna start a new topic on this. It's like computers and the year 2000 all over again but this time with a bigger bang.
Andhere's the link to the new topic:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1370837#post1370837

 

[cableguy]

For those of you who haven't checked badlands webpage lately, park rates will go up march 1st. 1 day pass 20.00$ 2 day pass 30.00$ 3 day pass 40.00$.

This isn't that much of a rate hike considering what you get for the money. When I call over there about the night run I will inquire about a group rate if we have enough people sign up ahead of time.

 

[SplashMan]

Yeah, I read about the new prices over on a local Jeep board. Still very reasonable and we will probably be able to get a $5 discount or so if enough people sign up.

Also, I'm changing my trail levels to 1 & 2 only. I won't have the mods done to the B2 that I thought I would and I don't wheel the Sploder any more. The B2 is getting an explorer 4.0 and trans put in and that sucked up the axle swap cash. With 33s and the 4.0, I'm afraid D28 parts will not hold up too long.
I'm still up for being a trail leader or back up guy, the Green and Quarry can be fun and getting out there for me is the biggest thing.

 

[Dre]

Hope I can get something going before the run... or I will be running tha quarry in my Mounty...



or just simply buy a cheap explorer to beat it a bit around the park.

 

[RFR2212]

Yeah, I read about the new prices over on a local Jeep board. Still very reasonable and we will probably be able to get a $5 discount or so if enough people sign up.

Also, I'm changing my trail levels to 1 & 2 only. I won't have the mods done to the B2 that I thought I would and I don't wheel the Sploder any more. The B2 is getting an explorer 4.0 and trans put in and that sucked up the axle swap cash. With 33s and the 4.0, I'm afraid D28 parts will not hold up too long.
I'm still up for being a trail leader or back up guy, the Green and Quarry can be fun and getting out there for me is the biggest thing.

Just make sure you know how to fix d44 ujoints and axles, so you can help me fix my busted junk An extra hand always helps.

I bet my junk will break before your junk!

 

[Rick]

Ford got back to me regarding coming out to our run. Before I respond I would like some input from you guys regarding what we would like them to do. I have attached the correspondence below. If they brought a bone stock 2006 would there be trails for them to do??

Rick, I was forwarded the note you had sent to Rick Haas in December last year. You were asking if Ford would like to send a team to join you at one of your events to celebrate your 10th anniversary. We may be interested.

I would like to know what the latest information is on your specific events and what ideas you have if we are able to support with a few engineers (i.e., are you wanting Ford to be there to answer questions, bring our own trucks, etc.).

 

[Arnie897]

There may be some trails that they can do....However, last time I was on the green trail there were many points where a bone stock explorer was testing out the running boards as sliders.

Other than trails, there are dunes, puddles, and the rock quary to play in if you have clearance issues...as I imagine a 06 would.

 

[DeRocha]

There may be some trails that they can do....However, last time I was on the green trail there were many points where a bone stock explorer was testing out the running boards as sliders.

Other than trails, there are dunes, puddles, and the rock quary to play in if you have clearance issues...as I imagine a 06 would.

IMO that would be fine as I would want them to realize the limitation of stock vehicles. Once they realize the range of vehicles at our run they can at least appreciate our need for more OEM parts and accessaries to make our vehicles better all around..

 

[cableguy]

There are tons of places that you can take a bone stock explorer out there. Granted, it may not look like an explorer when you are done. Breakover angles will be the biggest problem like Arnie said. They could run most of the green, all of the creek, and then play for hours in the quarry. I think they would have fun in it, plus see what can be done in a modified explorer.

I'll volunteer a passenger seat for them to ride with me on a harder trail.


I've seen bone stock Jeeps run all over out there, but they have much shorter wheelbase and can turn on a dime.

 

[SplashMan]

A stock '06 Explorer running the trails... it is something I would like to see, but I would have to say it would only be able to run in the quarry, dunes and probably the trail that goes from the quarry and winds down to the creek. There are one or two spots it would probably have traction/clearance issues but we had a stock '01 XLT Explorer follow us down that trail once and a stock Jeep Liberty too. The larger width and lower stance of a 3rd gen Explorer will really limit where it can go. They could get some killer promo shots though, exspecialy in the creek.
Now a Escape, Ranger, Explorer Sport or Sport Trac stock could do the Green, the quarry and probably a couple other trails no problem.

 

[slravene]

isnt there someone on here that runs Badlands in his 3rd gen? SurrealNJ (?) maybe?

 

[mynameisaric]

i think a body lift, bigger tires, trimmed bumpers, and some sort of traction aid in the differentials would be all a 3rd gen would need to get around at the badlands(if they dont like there rockers), but running boards are a big no-no. I smashed my rocker with a 2" Bl and 2" suspension lift, but i was playing on the rocks on the orange trail. most of the breakovers on the hills, my frame doubled as a slider. I make very good use of every skid plate on my truck

 

[mechanix]

IMO that would be fine as I would want them to realize the limitation of stock vehicles. Once they realize the range of vehicles at our run they can at least appreciate our need for more OEM parts and accessaries to make our vehicles better all around..

I agree with this 100%. Also I would like to add maybe they would relaize how limited they are compaired to a Jeep Rubicon and maybe make something like an Escape with a solid axles with lockers and such just as an idea. The 06 Explorers are huge.

I got an open seat for them if they want a ride.

As far as take a stock Explorer I don't think the under carrage will like them when they are done.


Eric

 

[Dre]

My opinion is that Ford is not really interested in building a trail rig out of an Explorer. From the beginning they tried to build better grocery hauler/soccer mom bus type of vehicle with every new generation of Explorers. It's not like Jeep Wrangler where they keep stuff the same way for decades. They do it cause people buying TJ's want them built this way.

They might want to bring their Ranger with an off-road package and a few engineers to gather feedback from us, every day abusers of their products to find out what works and what needs improvement. That's about it.

I would count on their support for their own publicity's sake if anything.

 

[slravene]

exactly....i wouldnt count on seeing an explorer out there as it is NOT built for offroading in mind. No matter how hard they bash it on the trails (if one did come) they wouldnt change anything because everyone who would wheel an explorer already has one.... Its GREAT that they would consider comming out and i would absolutely love to see some other vehicles on the trail (F150 FX, Ranger, and maybe an escape) I just think that the explorer will stay at the mall.

 

[adarkang]

I am hoping to make it to the badlands. Hopefully my RCD kit install will go smoothly. If all goes well, I should make it to this event. I am planning on doing the install in about 3 weeks or so.

 

[Dre]

But most likely we will see people here with modified third generation Explorers soon. As soon as they will get a bit cheaper people will find ways to modify them... solid axles anyone??? graft an Explorer body on top of an F-150 frame perhaps???

 

[cableguy]

I'd like to throw a newer body style on my frame once I am done beating mine up. If I can find one cheap enough it would be a pretty easy swap. My drivetrain is good, but my body is junk.

Might just have to talk to the ford guys about that!!!

 

[Dre]

thought about that... you would have to cut some in the back... third generation has IRS... first and second have solid axle...

anyway - possible

 

['97 V8]

Everything is possible with the right amount of green $$$$$ if you know what i mean.