So what do yall think...

[milehighxr]

Is thing able to go off road like the first gen? Or should I look at the much larger Expedition if I intend to go on forest service roads with it?

I ask, cuz wifey wants a new vehicle, and she doesn't wanna have to think about putting it into 4x4 when the conditions need it, but if I'm buying a truck(suv) it better be able to go on forest service roads without cracking the oil pan.

 

[reserved50]

well the first gen would probably crack a cylinder head and over heat or blow oil out of the front pump transmission seal, overheat the brakes on the way down, maybe get stuck in 2x4 if it has electronic shift due to a faulty shift motor or not engage 4x4 on the front auto hubs, don't ask how I know this. There are some tests on you tube with SUVs having one side of the vehicle on a slippery incline and the other side with traction showing capabilites, not sure if newer gen Explorers were included, should be able to handle it if you get the AWD version with decent tires.

I've driven or had all of them, for reliability I think these ones are the top with the old 5.0 Exploders. BUT what I can tell you is that Merkur is a sweet ride, always wanted a 5.0 swapped one, apparently the south African PD had then from the factory or something.

 

[thefranchise713]

This was not really designed with anything more than light off-roading in mind. No frame, no locking rear differential, no high/low option, etc.

 

[milehighxr]

well the first gen would probably crack a cylinder head and over heat or blow oil out of the front pump transmission seal, overheat the brakes on the way down, maybe get stuck in 2x4 if it has electronic shift due to a faulty shift motor or not engage 4x4 on the front auto hubs, don't ask how I know this. There are some tests on you tube with SUVs having one side of the vehicle on a slippery incline and the other side with traction showing capabilites, not sure if newer gen Explorers were included, should be able to handle it if you get the AWD version with decent tires.

I've driven or had all of them, for reliability I think these ones are the top with the old 5.0 Exploders. BUT what I can tell you is that Merkur is a sweet ride, always wanted a 5.0 swapped one, apparently the south African PD had then from the factory or something.

The XR is now my project car, whatever gets bought has to rescue me when I'm found on road dead with her

This was not really designed with anything more than light off-roading in mind. No frame, no locking rear differential, no high/low option, etc.

The most I'm gonna do with this Explorer, is to take a forest service road to a trail head, and then hike in from there for camping. Most of the camping we're gonna do with the wife is car camping, or a short hike in from a level parking lot. When I buy it the first thing I would is rip off the street tires, and put on some knobby off road tires. No sense in having all wheel drive, if the tires can't truly handle mud and snow

My Fiesta is **** in the snow, with the stock Optimos, my Xr with summer tires did way better in the snow

 

[JAPeterson]

99% of the vehicles out there can be driven on improved Forest Service roads with no problems, you just need to watch where you are driving

 

[peterk9]

Is thing able to go off road like the first gen? Or should I look at the much larger Expedition if I intend to go on forest service roads with it?

I ask, cuz wifey wants a new vehicle, and she doesn't wanna have to think about putting it into 4x4 when the conditions need it, but if I'm buying a truck(suv) it better be able to go on forest service roads without cracking the oil pan.

Check out pages 4 & 5 of this thread; http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...road-experience-with-5th-gen-explorer.379958/

Peter