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:4/19/2004 00:28 |
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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 fast 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, the path was OK and easy for a 1/4 mile but then got really narrow. All kinds 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.
Once we passed the hikers, the 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 teh 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
posted 4/19/2004 00:21
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JohnBoy
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• DFW, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 9/3/2002 |
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• 971 posts |
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 Posted:4/19/2004 12:38 |
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Yeah... those outings are fun when they work out...!!!
Had many a jeep and have gotten into over my head stuff more than I want to say... but the ex will do ok if there's room for it !!!!
and if you HAD run into another 4x4... who would have backed down ???
the little bitty jeep or the BEAST ?
2005 6.0L 4x4 Eddie Bauer Ex
2003 6.0L 4x4 Limited Ex - traded in (BooHoo )
"The Republicans should back off and let men marry men, women marry women, and legalize abortion. In three generations there would be no Democrats." |
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Dave Sullivan
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• Kitchener, XX, Canada |
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• Registered on 2/27/2003 |
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• 199 posts |
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Posted:4/19/2004 15:36 |
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There you go.. I mentioned sumwhere here that the Ex does do well off road.. I was quite pleased and surprised by my results.
You bring up a good point about the trany pan. I think there should be an engine oil skid pan and a trany and transfercase skid pan as stock. It would also be a good idea to put some protection up front where all the rads are, but that would be part and parcle of a REAL off road package.
Dave. S.
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absolutezero273c
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• Toledo, OH, USA |
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• Registered on 4/9/2004 |
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• 81 posts |
• 1
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Posted:4/22/2004 09:50 |
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| Quote: |
...a rock bottom fast stream about 4 inches deep and 15 feet wide. ... |
I realize this stream was only 4 inches in depth but it got me wondering whether or not, when fording a stream (no pun intended) deep enought to cover the axles is there need to worry about water getting in the vents on the axles? Are there vents on the axles?
The reason I ask is I was looking through a Land Rover accessory catalog and they had a kit that would, using tubing, plumb the vents into the upper cavities of the body (i.e. A, B, C pillar).
2001 Excursion XLT 7.3L 2x4 145K
2001 Flagstaff 829-BHS |
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,186 posts |
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Posted:4/22/2004 10:08 |
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| Quote: | | Quote: |
...a rock bottom fast stream about 4 inches deep and 15 feet wide. ... |
I realize this stream was only 4 inches in depth but it got me wondering whether or not, when fording a stream (no pun intended) deep enought to cover the axles is there need to worry about water getting in the vents on the axles? Are there vents on the axles?
The reason I ask is I was looking through a Land Rover accessory catalog and they had a kit that would, using tubing, plumb the vents into the upper cavities of the body (i.e. A, B, C pillar). |
Yes ther eare vents. I'm not sure on the Excursion because I haven't looked, but typically there are short tubes that extend the vents to a higher location on the frame. This is easily done with a self-made kit using the rubber tubing typically used for tranny lines. I did it when I had my Bronco and was into 4-wheeling...I extended the breathers for the axles and transfer case along the frame and up through to the top of the engine compartment by the air filter.
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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