Starsailor
Member
- Joined
- October 19, 1999
- Messages
- 41
- Reaction score
- 0
This message is for all of you with Stock Explorers. I have a 99 Explorer XLT SOHC and decided to go to the pre run at Truckhaven. There I met both Rick & Paul who gave me wonderful advice and helped prepare me for what was to be a very exciting day.
Our first part of the trip brought the group to a Wash with about a 6 foot drop into it and a 10 to 15 foot exit. At first I was apprehensive watching the modified trucks having a bit of trouble exiting this first obstical but after looking a bit for an alternative route found a path that I was able to negotiate with ease. After this and a few ups and downs with me occasionally scraping Bumpers we proceeded to a rather large (and to me Steep) hill where I was watching several Jeep Wranglers having great difficulty and with my belief that they were better off road vehicles I held little hope of making it to the top but decided to go for it anyway. With my Explorer in low I gave it the gas and up we went making the top with no problem at all. So with new found faith we proceeded on Our next obstical was a hill with numerous ruts and rocks. I sat on the botom watching others pick there way up, some having problems while others making it with little difficulty. Then it was my turn and after a few minor difficulties I made it once again to the top...This time however instead of nice flat ground I found myself staring into an abyss. After talking to the Spotter and feeling I had few alternatives I decided to give it a shot...Well the fist attempt had me going over the lip and bottoming out leaving me stuck..So I backed out and with a little momentum was off and sliding down this chute. Finally the tires establishing a grip on this "cliff" I was able to get myself into the correct track when I heard someone over the CB saying "Hey we should get a Pic of that "Stocker" ..Well the Chute curved to the left and I was greeted with a boulder field Which I proceede into with caution and with a little help from one of the other drivers I was able to get through with nothing but a few dings underneath...We then proceeded to the location where Rick had his mishap and after some consideration I decided I had enough fun for the Day. The remainder of the weekend had me on very mellow trails around the Salton Sea and Joshua Tree. In closing I would like to relay this to all you other "Stockers" out their. don't sell your Explorer short...She'll do alot more than you think she can. I would also like to thank both Rick & Paul who helped me out and gave some wonderful advice and made my first Explorer run enjoyable. I will see you all in January and I hope to see a few more stock Explorers along with us.
Dan Wilson
99 Explorer XLT 4X4 SOHC
------------------
[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 11-30-1999).]
[This message has been edited by Starsailor (edited 12-02-1999).]
Our first part of the trip brought the group to a Wash with about a 6 foot drop into it and a 10 to 15 foot exit. At first I was apprehensive watching the modified trucks having a bit of trouble exiting this first obstical but after looking a bit for an alternative route found a path that I was able to negotiate with ease. After this and a few ups and downs with me occasionally scraping Bumpers we proceeded to a rather large (and to me Steep) hill where I was watching several Jeep Wranglers having great difficulty and with my belief that they were better off road vehicles I held little hope of making it to the top but decided to go for it anyway. With my Explorer in low I gave it the gas and up we went making the top with no problem at all. So with new found faith we proceeded on Our next obstical was a hill with numerous ruts and rocks. I sat on the botom watching others pick there way up, some having problems while others making it with little difficulty. Then it was my turn and after a few minor difficulties I made it once again to the top...This time however instead of nice flat ground I found myself staring into an abyss. After talking to the Spotter and feeling I had few alternatives I decided to give it a shot...Well the fist attempt had me going over the lip and bottoming out leaving me stuck..So I backed out and with a little momentum was off and sliding down this chute. Finally the tires establishing a grip on this "cliff" I was able to get myself into the correct track when I heard someone over the CB saying "Hey we should get a Pic of that "Stocker" ..Well the Chute curved to the left and I was greeted with a boulder field Which I proceede into with caution and with a little help from one of the other drivers I was able to get through with nothing but a few dings underneath...We then proceeded to the location where Rick had his mishap and after some consideration I decided I had enough fun for the Day. The remainder of the weekend had me on very mellow trails around the Salton Sea and Joshua Tree. In closing I would like to relay this to all you other "Stockers" out their. don't sell your Explorer short...She'll do alot more than you think she can. I would also like to thank both Rick & Paul who helped me out and gave some wonderful advice and made my first Explorer run enjoyable. I will see you all in January and I hope to see a few more stock Explorers along with us.
Dan Wilson
99 Explorer XLT 4X4 SOHC
------------------
[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 11-30-1999).]
[This message has been edited by Starsailor (edited 12-02-1999).]
