FordExcursions.com Forums
Godfather
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• Sea Cliff, Long Island, NY, USA |
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• Registered on 4/13/2003 |
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• 53 posts |
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 Posted:5/9/2004 17:12 |
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NOW- here's my off road Excursion story (funny you should ask!):
Last November, I took my kids Stephi (now 14- just dumped by her 1st boyfriend after 2 weeks!) and Gregory (12- what a blast!) We were upstate NY by Woodstock in a town called Phoenicia and were sightseeing (got 20 mpg on trip up- 7.3) when I took a turn into a rest area to turn around. I didn't see it from the road but the rest area was up hilly path to the muddy parking lot.
I switched the Exc into 4wd and climbed the path with nary a wheelslip!! We drove right up with the Stevie Ray CD on- little Greg had "shotgun" and loved it. I whipped around the muddy lot a few times and had a blast. A "local" was coming up the path in a Ford Ranger 4wd, I waved him down & asked about any more trails. Keep in mind this is the Catskill Reserve Park and a beautiful area. He told me to try Peck Holler' Rd and said it goes to a trail and has a stream crossing!!
My offroad appetite was whetted so off we went. After we FINALLY found the damned thing, we started. We were all pumped up and started on the paved road. After a beautiful 1/2 mile, including deer (kids loved them) there was the ROAD ENDS sign. I switched into 4wd again and we were on gravel!!! Before long, the incline really started and gravel changed to grassy trail with mild tire ruts. No problem for the HUGE Exc but the foliage was starting to get closer and this truck's True Blue paint is mint so I was a little concerned, but the Exc loved it and kept on truckin'!!
Then, the ruts deepened, the trail got rocky and we started driving up a circular path around the mountain with incredible small waterfalls on the right and a STEEP dropoff to the left. The kids eyes were WIDE OPEN- they couldn't believe it!! Me neither, a 50 thousand dollar truck up on Jeep trails plus, I'm scared of heights! I couldn't believe how non-chalantly the Exc took the trail- even with almost 88k on the original Steeltex A/T s. The powerstroke didn't even burp but I was gettin' concerned about the taller rocks maybe kissing an oil or tranny pan.
The path straightened, narrowed and steepened after the mountain and the Exc's mirrors were rippin up lotsa foliage!! Soon, we saw the stream!! I got out first to take a look. It was a rock bottom fass stream about 4 inches deep and 15 feet wide. NO PROBLEM- the wheels got wet but didn't slip. I felt like I was ina Land Rover ad!! The kids couldn't believe it. I did take pictures which I'll develop soon.
Once we crossed the stream, teh path was OK and easy for a 1/4 mile but then got really narrow. All kings of vines were hanging off the mirrors (damn the foliage, full 4WD ahead!!!) and as we rounded the next turn ( i was going slow, 5 mph) a group of hikers were on the path and freaked out to see the HUGE Exc on the trail. Their eyes were wide open and they said in amazement- " you got that truck up here??". They actually had to step into the brush to let us pass- nice people. The scenery was amazing- I wish I had my Husqvarna '86 250 Enduro up there.
Once we passed the hikers, teh trail was really rocky and muddy so I switched to 4WD Low as a precaution but it was too low so I went back to 4WD hi. We kept climbing and went about another 3/4 of a mile when my brain cells/better judgement kicked in. By then the trail was way too narrow and the rocks and mud really getting serious!! The scary part was if I slashed a tranny or oil pan, we were screwed- it was a no cell phone service area. We found a small clearing that I backed the Exc into , turned around and started our descent.
I couldn't believe how TOTALLY CONTROLLABLE the Exc was!! i've never driven it offroad before and was shocked at how good it was. I could have had a cocktail party in it and enjoyed the scenery with the Swedish Bikini Team while the Exc took it all in stride!!
The ride down was awesome with nothing but beautiful scenery. The hikers moved over again
(still freaked that the Exc made it) we "FORDED" the stream and got to the main road where I stopped to rip the branches off the mirrors. WHAT A BLAST !!!
The gauges didn't even move (well, the useless tranny gauge NEVER does) and the Exc handled it all without a problem and didn't bottom out or hook anything. As soon as I have pics, I'll post them.
Needless to say the kids and I were stunned at what we were able to do with the truck- WOW!!!
GOOD THING no other 4WD was on the path, especially at the top. I wouldn't want to have to back down!!!
Remember- this is a totally stock 2002 PSD 7.3 Ultimate that had 88,000 mles on ALL original tires, shocks, brakes and suspension. TALK ABOUT NO BOUNDARIES !!!! GOOD JOB FORD !!
Try it- you'll have a blast!! Ciao, Greg/Godfather |
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Boar-Ral
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• Edmonton, XX, Canada |
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• Registered on 8/20/2003 |
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• 56 posts |
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 Posted:6/10/2004 10:08 |
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Please post the photographs as soon as you develop them and scan them. I am really interested in seeing them. I have only done minor offroading in the Rocky Mountains with my Excursion. Most of my experience offroading is with my Chevrolet Avalanche and I know what you mean about worrying about foliage creeping closer to the vehicle. Your experience sounds much less expensive than my offroading experiences. (Slashed tires, impacted front end, banged up rear end.) It's good that you had fun out there! |
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