Stock Explorer offroad ready>

[dwd4x4]

I have a question. Is a stock first generation Ford Explorer (or Mazda Navajo or Mercury Mountaineer) offroad capable? And if so, is it good offroad? And, are they as good as a Jeep Grand Cherokee?

 

[gluvsave35]

it depends on the trails
and also the driver

 

[uh60james]

I take mine offroad on a regular basis, nothing to crazy though.

 

[JStrider]

I took mine offroad at moab on the "stocker" runs

I have slightly bigger tires then what the explorer comes with... dont know the size but the outer circumference is 10% longer then the stock size...

I was the only full stocker on those runs and I did pretty good hit bottom a couple times, but didnt hurt anything, mostly hit the spring mounts I think.

had to get the strap once... but that was cuz my 4x4 was on the fritz... well actually it wasnt the 4x4... it wasthe dash indicator lights...

the stock explorers can do some pretty impressive things... just gotta be able to pick a good line thru the obstacles

 

[410Fortune]

yes
better then which grand cherokee?

The cherokee has a solid front axle, 4-5 link with coil springs, similar in the back.
The Jeep will outflex a stock explorer off road.
the Jeep also does not have a frame, it is unibody, when they are flexed off road the body can twist and cause issues down the road. The Cherokee also has WEAK axles and the AWD traction control All trac whatever systems are very problematic.
Even the V8 grand Cherokee had a dana 35 rear axle and a dana 30 front, Jeep a D35 behind a V8? What were you thinking??


The Jeep may flex better stock for stock, but my $$$ is on the Explorer ANY DAY

The Explorer has a leaf spring rear 8.8 axle which is very strong, and the Ford twin traction beam front end which can do very well off road and be made to flex very well. The Transfer case is pretty stout and the low range is really good for a stock truck. The Explorer's hold up better off road but the Jeep may go a bit further, stock truck for stock truck (assuming we are talking 91-94 Jeep era as well)

 

[gluvsave35]

well put 410fortune!!

 

[Dopler174]

I got my money on the X. The jeeps have a lot of problems that aren't easily fixed if I'm not mistaken. Don't they have some vacuum line that makes the front hubs work correctly? Not all the way sure. I know that the only big problem you get from the X's 4x4 is the shift motor. Even if you can't fix it or have no money for a new one, just crawl under it and turn the selector on the transfer case. Explorer should put a hurting on the jeep, even with the better flex.