Off roading with AWD V8

[shadowless127]

I want to be able to do some light off roading with my vehicle (nothing that requires a lift or anything). I just want to be able to climb dirt/sand hills and be able to navigate sandy/dirt terrain. I did a little bit of this this past weekend and had mixed results. Tried to go up a sandy hill but really couldn't get enough traction (prolly due to my tires, vehicle weight, and the fact it was softer sand), did some flat land tooling around on sand and had good results.

What is the best way I can accomplish what i want with my AWD V8 besides obviously getting new tires (still running the original Rugged Trails, got about 5K left on them imo). What are some mechanical safety precautions i should be aware of, besides tranny temp? And what's the best driving style (was doing light acceleration in 2nd gear)?

Thanks!

 

[rhyno]

With sand, i feel that airing down your tires is even more important than the type of tires you have. That will help you 'float' instead of dig down into the sand. Try lowing your tirepressure to perhaps 15 lbs to widen the tire footprint on the sand. Also, keep your momentum up, and dont turn too sharp or hit the gas to quickly.

 

[410Fortune]

AWD will be good for light wheeling, keep in mind the V8 AWD is like a 30/70 split (70 percent power to rear) so its not the same as a true 4x4.

When my 96 5.0L was AWD on 33" AT's it would go pretty good in the sand... but NOW that its converted to the 4406 manual transfer case it is a monster off road
the extra power and mpg around town also make the manual t case (ditch awd get 4x4) conversion something you might think about if you plan to have more fun off road

 

[shadowless127]

With sand, i feel that airing down your tires is even more important than the type of tires you have. That will help you 'float' instead of dig down into the sand. Try lowing your tirepressure to perhaps 15 lbs to widen the tire footprint on the sand. Also, keep your momentum up, and dont turn too sharp or hit the gas to quickly.

I figured lowering tire pressure would help, but i know aobut the momentum, quick accel, and sharp turning as i've driven other off road vehicles (ATVs, dirt bikes, trikes, etc.)

410, I have a 3rd gen, I can't swap out my AWD for a 4406. And I enjoy having AWD for normal driving, a lot nicer on turns and curves. Although i do hate the 70/30split because i constantly get my rear end loose because of the power from the v8

 

[410Fortune]

dang oops I always assume V8 and AWD = 5.0L my bad... I have not spent time around the 3rd gen explorer's

 

[shadowless127]

dang oops I always assume V8 and AWD = 5.0L my bad... I have not spent time around the 3rd gen explorer's

it's ok I assume AWD = Mountaineer at this point; completely void of the fact that the 3rd gen X's come in AWD lol.

I was really shooting for a 4x4 V8 3rd gen X but couldn't find one for the price w/ the features I wanted. Although I must say, the 3rd gen rides a lot nicer then the 2nd gen; too bad we had to sacrificed that solid Axle for it lol.

 

[jrford]

Although i do hate the 70/30split because i constantly get my rear end loose because of the power from the v8

I found the same thing in snow. I have the Axle code 45 - 3.55's (Class II hitch) which are 'open' diffs. With all that power going to the rear, hard to tell but i think one of the rear wheels is breaking free???? A possible fix (not sure)is to add a limited slip, progressive slip rear?

 

[awdrocks]

I want to be able to do some light off roading with my vehicle (nothing that requires a lift or anything). I just want to be able to climb dirt/sand hills and be able to navigate sandy/dirt terrain. I did a little bit of this this past weekend and had mixed results. Tried to go up a sandy hill but really couldn't get enough traction (prolly due to my tires, vehicle weight, and the fact it was softer sand), did some flat land tooling around on sand and had good results.

What is the best way I can accomplish what i want with my AWD V8 besides obviously getting new tires (still running the original Rugged Trails, got about 5K left on them imo). What are some mechanical safety precautions i should be aware of, besides tranny temp? And what's the best driving style (was doing light acceleration in 2nd gear)?

Thanks!

Doesn't your 03' come with part time 4wd and not AWD? My 02 is not AWD and can be put in 4x4 High. I didn't think they did away with this so fast by 03'..

 

[shadowless127]

I found the same thing in snow. I have the Axle code 45 - 3.55's (Class II hitch) which are 'open' diffs. With all that power going to the rear, hard to tell but i think one of the rear wheels is breaking free???? A possible fix (not sure)is to add a limited slip, progressive slip rear?

I don't feel one wheel breaking free, i feel the entire back end getting loose because off all that torque sent to the 70% drive wheels. They have the same problem with the 2nd gen V8's w/AWD. I wonder how noticable it is with the 4th gen AWD's considering they're using the 3v V8, putting out 295hp.

I wish my truck came w/ the towing package to give me Class III, trans cooler, and the all important 3.73 LS rear. Im not sure if the LS rear end would fix it totally, but it should be a great improvement.

Doesn't your 03' come with part time 4wd and not AWD? My 02 is not AWD and can be put in 4x4 High. I didn't think they did away with this so fast by 03'..

On all X's 02-05 you had 3 driveline options, 4WD, AWD, 2WD
On all Mountaineers 97-current you have 2 driveline options, AWD, 2WD

I have an 03 Mountaineer with AWD.

 

[1_v8_merc]

Ive NEVER had trouble with my mountainer, v8 AWD.

back when i had stock tires...i launched jetskis in the bay, and there was some pretty nasty sand.....NEVER even spun a tire.

then i got some 31" BFG M/T's......DAMN that truck handled better.....i get extreme traction, LOL.


I used to launch jetskis every weeekened, and i had to get past a NASTY sand gultch, then back it out like 20 feet out into the bay.
It was funny too, because all these big bad 4x4 trucks used to come out there, and sprin tires and be throwin water, makin noise.

So when i pulled up, everybody used to look at me like I was crazy,

Just backed up, had water almost half way up my doors,ahaha.
And just go right out, no problems, barely spinnin tires!


I even pulled some chevy full size van out once, WITH his 2 jetskis attached!



I got ALOT of respect for the awd systems now, i dont know why people complain of sand and mud.....ive been thru some pretty harsh ****, and never been stuck.


Hell, i just took my truck off-roading down some trails a week ago here in New Jersey.....near lake union. I took it WAAAYY back there, tons of sand and tight paths......but i got thru without any problems.
Almost sweated a few times because of the really nasty sand....but i got thru by myself.


And I had NO IDEA where you get off talking about breaking the Rear End loose!!!!Either the explorers are vastly different or theres something majorly wrong with your AWD.(i think the explorers are part time, and mountys are full-time?)

Because ive TRIED and TRIED to break the rear end loose in 1 foot of snow, and CANT AT ALL.

Truck is just too heavy.


But if you want good traction, you gotta get better tires man, thats just the way it is! Its not all differentials and gearing, TIRES are a HUGE part of getting better traction, no way around it........

 

[Mbrooks420]

AWD works well for light wheeling, and should do fine on the sand. And if you can't break the rear end loose in a foot of snow, I'd say there's something wrong with your motor.

 

[jrford]

My problem most likely BAD tires, they now have about 40k on them getting down to 5/32’s left of the tread. Never had problems in dirt and sand. Only trouble with the rear end is at WOT on packed/icy snow. I might be very well spinning all 4 wheels when it happens but when you let off the gas it pulls itself out no problems. Best 4x4 I driven.

 

[mace]

re

awd has the best traction on the beach i've ever used. im totally serious. i've used a 96 bronco and an f-250 sd for years on the beach before i got the mounty. i have gotten off the beach on some steep exits ramps and watched an experienced, aired down jeep driver get stuck. i air down to 16 psi.

i was leery of awd too at first, till one day i just tried it. very impressed. i am to understand the 70/30 power can actually go 30/70 depending on wheel slippage.

i also pulled my boat out once, which is a 24' walkaround. with a full tank of gas and the trailer, its just under 7000 lbs. wasnt hard at all. i was stunned. the air leveling suspension in the back was screaming though haha. thought i was gonna blow up the rear shocks.

now for deep mud and rough rocky type of stuff i'd have second thoughts for clearance reasons

 

[Cobra2top]

Im on vacation this week at the OBX (outerbanks NC) and are about a mile from what they call 4x4 only beach. I have a 03 AWD 4.6 Eddie and thinking of taking it up and run the AWD through it's paces. I have only had the rig for a few months and have not taken it off anything yet. I've was told by a police offer last time I was here that AWD is not recommended since you do not have Low to pull yourself out of the deep stuff. He did go on to say that a tow would cost $200 so keep that in mind if I go. Now I was driving a Ford Freestyle and that is not a off roader, so I turned around.

I have been back there before in a jeep and it did get pretty deep in the back bay areas. The jeep never got stuck but was screaming from time to time.

Anyone track a AWD Explorer back there? I just picked up Bridgestone A/L tires for a improved highway ride, not very agressive as the stock BFG Ruggeds I pulled off. I would have to drop the pressure if I talk myself into doing it........

Should I attempt for the fun of it or just let her sit and hit the beach!?!?

 

[mace]

re

i'm not sure about the 4th gens. air down to 16, i bet you'll be just fine. put it in low gear, and take it easy for a bit. i bet youre gonna be suprised. also the streetier the tire the better on loose sand. like rhyno said, you are more apt to "float" on the sand rather than "saw" in. if the awd is like the 3rd gens youre in good shape. i dont recall ever coming close to getting stuck, and the beach I drive on (LBI / NJ) is totally treacherous in some places.

Now if you frame the truck I never wrote this

 

[shadowless127]

I thinks me needs new tires.....Took the truck through some nasty water today due to weather and AWD kicked ass.

I think my problem was, VERY soft sand, fully inflated tires, and too much gas.

 

[mace]

re

too much air on loose sand is a killer. ive seen damn near every make and model stuck at one time or another. 90% due to too much air in tires. ive helped some people out there who were stuck, and after we got the air down and dug a little, they literally pop right out

 

[Cobra2top]

Great info! Mace, where on LBI do you drive on the beach in NJ? Is it off season?

 

[shadowless127]

too much air on loose sand is a killer. ive seen damn near every make and model stuck at one time or another. 90% due to too much air in tires. ive helped some people out there who were stuck, and after we got the air down and dug a little, they literally pop right out

I was doing this on very soft sand with 35psi in all the tires.

 

[mace]

re

I drive on the south end of the island, basically from ship bottom to holgate. i drive on in the fall for the striper derby. october november. theres been alot of erosion on LBI in recent years, theres some places that are impassible haha. gotta be really careful sometimes