Stock Capabilities

[Riggs]

I'm no rockcrawler (except with my four limbs) but I do intend to use my 98 XLT for some mild off road use in the desert. My truck is stock except for Edelbrock's & twist to fix the saggy-left-rear. Do I need to do the 1.5" torsion lift to get better approach and departure angles? I'll probably just be crossing washes and staying on roads & trails. I might drive up a wash or two to get closer to my photos. I will keep my replaced and carefully monitored Firestone AT's on 15" rims.



Will the 1.5" lift really buy me anything? Would Airlift #59514 (instead of shackles or springs) work in the rear for lighter offroad applications that don't require all that much flex? I just don't want to scrape my belly all over the West. Sometimes I think that could happen when I look my "slightly less saggy" truck in the driveway and then look at the neighbor's J**P!



Peter <><

 

[Cameron]

Peter,

In my opinion, the stock Explorer is a very capable SUV. I took my stock (actually I had 31 inch tires) to Attica Indian’s Badlands which is an off road park 150 miles south of Chicago. I have a Sport and therefor, a shorter wheel base then your XLT. I had no problems but admittedly, I kept to the basic trails.

Lifting your body up will give you better approach angle but wont give you more clearance. As long as you stick to level 1 and 2 trials, you should be okay. Just take it slow. Off roading is not a speed contest. Also, it’s always a good idea to not go off roading alone. In the event you get stuck or break down, there will be someone there to help you. At least until you determined the trails are mild.

 

[yob_yeknom]

Our Explorers are very capable vehicles. The only lift I have is some 31" All-Terrain tires. When we had that trail ride in George Washington National Forest, I was amazed at what my Explorer was capable of. There were rocks to go over, streams to cross, and steep banks to climb. Most of the time I was thinking "I'm never gonna make it up/over that." Each time my Explorer surprised me and made it. Even over the stuff I thought was crazy to even attempt. Have confidence in your Explorer. It's a bad motor-scooter! (phrase we use at work)

 

[leebo]

I'd like to start of by welcoming you to the site. You'll find anything and everything all right here.

As for the "stocker" I to am a lowrider(as tom calls me...jerk) until I can get the money for my lift. There are several things you can do to improve a stocker. Do a search on them and you'll find a ton of info. Start off by getting the "trail equipment". It includes stuff like a tow strap and jack and such...nothing major...just stuff that can save your a@@. You also can give "GJarrett" a yell. He too owns a newer explorer and uses it a ton for 4x4(and enjoys denting stuff too) Give his sig a look...it's got a link to his truck. I'd also replace those firestones....they suck.....plain and simple. They're paying for them anyways....get rid of them. You also can do easy stuff like undoing the sway-bars and the minishock. These stop your flex off-road. It's like driving off-road with a cast on your truck. No need for them on the trail.

Give my site a look. I really haven't done anything too major but do have several photos of a stocker at work.

 

[Ray Lobato]

This is a picture of a stock Explorer playing at Hollister hills. The only modification is I have 31x10.5 BFG's. I don't even have the torsion bar twist on it yet. Your Explorer is vary capable of doing lots of things. You should get skid plates, if you don't already have them. I don't remember if it was 98 or 99 that they stopped putting them on.
Does 1.5" make a differance? YES!! The second picture is the same truck on a rated 4 trail at Moab Utah with 1.75" front and 2" OME springs in the rear, and I can tell you that a stock truck would not be able to do that trail. Airlift is not good for off roading. If you come down hard on them they will break.

Holister Hills

Steelbender Moab Utah

 

[SplashMan]

I am only running 31" BFG/MTs with the Warrior shackles and T/T and I took mine on a 8 mile tour of some Wis logging roads. The roads are VERY rutted and at the time it was just warm enough that the foot of snow on the ground was melting and that made mud. I had a great time and didn't get stuck once and threw a heck of a lot of mud at my friend who was following me on his ATV.

Until I found this site I was just like you and had no idea what I could and could not do. This place is going to make you go crazy. I can guarantee it!

 

[Big Bear Bob]

Ok my torsion bars are rated at F, how is this going to effect my off road abilty?