Howdy from Black Hills, Wyoming

[Redmanss]

Hello board, like many I'm a long time lurker who recently signed up to get more out of the forum and hopefully give back here and there when I can. I'm running a near straight stock '97 4x4, fairly low relative mileage at just shy of 128k as it's done a good bit of sitting over the last several years while I had other vehicles to run around in. After downsizing recently by selling off the '04 Explorer that had far more miles and issues on it, it's back to my daily driver and weekend goat for the hills, so I'm doing a fair bit of work to freshen it up again.

I wanted to offer up some thanks to the users here who have posted some incredibly helpful threads over the years on the 2nd gen trucks, particularly on the subject of brakes as I just redid the majority of my brake system and lines. Next on the work order will be upper control arms, shocks, sway bar links, lights and general tune-up. No promises as time is a hot commodity for me, but I'll see what kinds of pics I can get while doing the work to help out others.

 

[Turdle]

Welcome to the forum!
I really like that area up there, enjoyed the drive across Wyoming from the east gate of yellowstone. You are near devils tower I guess, is there much off roading to speak of there?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! That's low mileage for that year.

 

[Redmanss]

There are thousands of miles off off-roading available in the Black Hills NF (covers 1.2M acres!), many of which you can do dispersed camping along as well for truck camping action. A $25 annual permit is required from the Forest Service to access the roads, and you can view maps here: Black Hills National Forest - Maps & Publications

As for the mileage, I picked it up used in '05 with 35k on it, racked a ton of miles the next year using it as a commuter vehicle for 70+ miles daily. Then it sat mostly idle for the last 11 years while I worked overseas, but have taken it cross country a couple times recently so it still does highways very nice. The suspension is very tired, hence the refresh to it over the next couple weeks. Rock Auto likes me a lot right now...