The Real Potential of an Ex?

[eggsplorer]

Just a small question for you guys. I am not trying to be negative or give a bad rap to explorers(after all I have one myself). The question is, What Offroad Potential to Explorers really have? My buddies say that they are front end heavy, and don't have the ability to do much four-wheeling. So, are stock explorers weaker on the rocks(or whatever you choose to four wheel on) than other 4x4 SUVs?, like a 4runner or cherokee?

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[Alec]

Well, when I was stock I did many 4x4 trails in Moab without a problem. I'm sure a 4x4 Explorer can do even better than I could in stock form, so I'd say pretty darn capable

my Moab 2001 album: Dead Link Removed

You can see in this pic that many of the participants were stockers. We didn't have any problems with trails that are rated on the difficult side of "moderate" in the guide book we use.
Dead Link Removed

 

[ahhjaws]

When I was stock, I was all over the place. Colorado, Moab... And I'm sure I still didn't show the X's full potential. I would have to agree, X's are pretty darn capable. There were many times, I was the only one in our group that was able to go up hill, over obstacles, and so on. Even with jeeps.

 

[Rick]

“What?” “Build an Explorer!” “Why?"

With the Ford Explorer being the #1 SUV in America for nearly a decade there is certainly no one who is un-familiar with this vehicle. The trouble is that most people equate a Ford Explorer with soccer moms and shopping malls rather than off road trails such as the Rubicon and Terminator.

The Ford Explorer may be the best kept secret in the off-road world. When these rigs are stock they are capable off-road performers. After a few modifications they become nearly unstoppable.

From 1991-1994 the Ford Explorer platform came with a full ladder type frame, 8.8” 31 spline rear axle, Dana 35 Twin Traction Beam (TTB) front suspension (axle diameters and U-joints are the same as a Dana 44), choice of manual or electronic shift transfer cases with low range, manual or automatic locking hubs, and a torquey, reliable 4.0L V-6.

In 1995 Ford changed the front suspension in the Explorer to an IFS system (Independent Front Suspension). Although the IFS systems offer less wheel travel than the TTB systems, they have proven themselves to be extremely reliable off-road. In fact I have yet to see someone break ANY component in their IFS system while offroading.

Unfortunately there is currently not a locker or limited slip unit available for the IFS Explorer application. We hope in the future a manufacturer will recognize the need and demand for this product in the market place.

So, what does it take to make the Explorer “really” off-road worthy? The same type of modifications as any other rig. Large tires for flotation and ground clearance. A lift to accommodate the big tires. Re-gearing to compensate for the larger diameter of the tires and a locker or two for putting the power to the ground. Approach and departure angles can be maximized by installing aftermarket bumpers, and the break over angle is excellent since the transfercase is tucked well up within the frame rails.

Check out our feature trucks and look through our past “Serious Explorations” off-road adventures. See for yourself just what kind of a performer the Explorer really is!

 

[Xplodor]

I owned a built CJ7 before and while I had my Explorer. I took the Explorer out on a few runs stock, and then with a 2" lift. The X preformed GREAT, did way more than I thought it would, even on the rocks. I was so impressed with how it did stock, I just wondered how it would do heavily modified. I ended selling my CJ and started working on my X! I'm happy with the results and I'm not even close to done with all I have planned. One of the things I LOVE about wheeling the X is everyone isn't aware of what it's able to do, so when you go through obstacles better then HeePs and Toyotas everyone just stares and are amazed. Explorers rock, plus the rear seats fold down flat so you can sleep and do "other" stuff in them! Try doing that in a HEEP!

 

[Alec]

The text Rick posted is a bit old, we have had a few IFS breakages, but nothing major at all.

Hey, if I can do "difficult" guided trails in my 2WD with 31's, imagine what a 4x4 rig can do!

Now with 33"s, 5' boulders, 3' rivers, and 35deg sideways trails are nothing!

 

[Sean1973]

I take my 100% stock 95 Limited here Dead Link Removed almost every other weekend. I've never been stuck. I did have one problem a few weeks ago, it was raining hard and the trail got a little slick. But a little tire pressure change and I crawled out of the canyon. To me the X's are very capable. I also have a VERY modified Samurai (GM 2.8 V6 conversion, GM 5-speed, 3" Suspen. lift 2.25" body lift, and a hell of a lot of other things) And the X can almost keep up with it on the trails. No offence Rick, but the Suzuki Sammy, IMO, is the best keep secret in the 4X4 world. BUT, as for a good road and off-road 4X4, the X will beat out the Sammy. Even with the 2.8 V6 and tranny conversion, my Sammy has a top speed of about 85MPH and a VERY ROUGH ride(I think I can taste my kidney's when I drive it on the streets). My X will do 105MPH VERY smooth.
Just my $0.02.

 

[RFR2212]

Originally posted by eggsplorer
My buddies say that they are front end heavy, and don't have the ability to do much four-wheeling.

Typical

 

[SaleenEXP]

I'm not really into off-roading, but judging from what I've seen, especially from this site, I think Explorers have way more potential than other vehicles such as jeeps. And I've seen plenty of stock Explorers have no problem keeping up with stock Jeeps on trails. And when it comes to mods, I've seen way more lifted/off-road orientated Explorers than other vehicles. Including a couple lifted Explorers at my school. One of them was compleltey caked over with dirt/mud when he drove down for this semester, he said he was off-roading for like a week straight and didn't bother to wash it.

 

[Fusion213]

Aren't all front engine engines front end heavy?

 

[unclemeat]

Putting down other trucks saying theirs is better, thats just the manly thing to do. It works on girlfreinds and dogs too. My X before it was lifted was tougher than me. It could take more beating and banging than I could. The truck frequently went where only bulldozers would go. They have never had to pull me out.

 

[eggsplorer]

Yeah, all front end engines are heavy. Probly, shoulda mentioned that in the first post, but you don't have to treat me like an idiot.

J/K

~Ryan

 

[MrShorty]

what constitutes front end heavy? My explorer has measured out (approximately) 2300 lbs front axle 2000 lbs rear axle. that's about a 55/45 split.

 

[Robb]

I am kinda confused by the question.............potential vs. stock. Obviously, after spending a little time looking around this site, the potential is definatly there! As far as stock, there are VERY few SUVs that come from the factory as great off-roaders. It is sorta a "contradiction in terms". Most of the descent SUVs come off the floor as OK off-roaders, and I think the Explorer falls into this category (of course this varies on year).

Robb

 

[zensius]

Sean1973 what makes you think the Sammy is the best kept secret? I see tons of those tricked in magazines all the time. I think the Explorer is the big secret. It can haul a ton of gear, can fit a large tire without much $$ and the running gear, if it's in good shape, can pull you through most anything. Out here in the SF area I NEVER see any lifted X's. I know from other people's signatures that they're out here but I never see any. All that aside I think most body-on-frame SUV's are equally capable in stock 4x4 form. The largest advantage can be gained with a good driver and a good line.

 

[DesertSpive]

The Ranger/Explorer platform is not only reliable, rugged, and capable, but it is also versitle and comfortable. I think the Explorer is a perfect size for trails, just as capable as an XJ Cherokee, but with more room. Plus the Ex has bigger fenderwells, for larger rubber. This platform has been proven time and time again in racing and has shown it's metal.

And the SLA crowd does have a front locker option now. Both myself and Wade (go off road) are running the Powertrax No-Slip Slip in our front-ends.

--Sean

 

[Chew_12]

Yea i just took my stock explorer this weekend through mud and water up to the bumper, and did great. After i was done I couldnt tell what color my car was. I was stupid for not bringing the camera. The only thing about the stock X is to be careful not to get high-centered.

 

[Xplodor]

I agree with Zensius. I have NOTHING against Sammys and I've seen MANY of them on trails doing what my heavily moddified CJ7 was doing. One thing I did notice with all the Sammys was if the truck couldn't make it over an obstacles, the driver would back out and take a really fast run at it. The Sammys would littereally bounce around, up, and off the obstacles to get though. A lot of times this would lead to breakage, a lot of times it didn't, but I feel it was a unsafe practice. I've pulled a lot of Sammys out in my time. Then again I've been pulled/winched out many times too in the CJ7 and Explorer. I have nothing against Sammys, but I totally feel the Explorer is the best kept secret in the 4x4 world. If it wasn't I still would have kept my CJ7 or bought a Sammy, and not have started all over from ground zero with the X. I truely believe the X gives you a good foundation to build a nice street/trail rig, and eventually a beast like Ricks.

 

[GJarrett]

How Typical

"My buddies say...." how typical. And I suppose they have a lot of experience wheeling with Explorers huh?

Here's Hells Gate at Moab.
Dead Link Removed

Here's my (almost-stock) 1999 luxury Eddie Bauer Explorer at Hell's Gate doing something that doesn't look very "weak[er] on the rocks".
Dead Link Removed

I've got a lot of modifications on my Explorer. But as far as mods that improve my trailworthiness, the only real mods my Explorer has are a rear locker and oversize tires (with enough lift to clear the tires). No beefier diffies, axle or gear swaps, engine or steering or braking or cooling or frame or etc mods - and don't forget that I have a newer model, so I am burdened with one of those "crappy IFS" front suspensions.

I've run Schoolbus in Tellico, Black Bear Pass and Holy Cross in Colorado, too many trails to list at Moab (Hells Revenge, Moab Rim, Golden Spike, Metal Masher, Poison Spider Mesa, Lion's Back etc etc etc etc etc etc etc) and countless other little known difficult trails in TX, OK, AR, CO, UT, NC, TN and CA. I ran many of those trails (such as Steelbender and Lions Back in Moab and Poughkeepsie Gulch and Black Bear Pass in CO) before I had a rear locker.

My goal in 2003 for new trails to put under my belt include Pritchett Canyon in Moab UT, the Rubicon in northern CA, and the Slickrock and Guardrail trails at Tellico in NC. I'll be more than happy to let all your buddies join me on the trail so they can show me up

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=15264

http://www.explorer4x4.com/gjarrett.html

 

[SaleenEXP]

, damn, that right there proves the potential of an Explorer with minor mods like tires, lift, and rear lockers with no gear swap, axle swap, frame mods ect. Thats amazing.