Finally let her off the leash!

[NevadaGeo]

After a long winter and busy springtime, I have finally taken my 2017 Expy Limited off-road to do some geologic field work in the mountains of northern Nevada. Like a dog who is used to being taken for walks on a leash, she ran like the wind on the dirt roads and two-tracks once the leash was taken off. Uphill tracks with rocks were her pleasure and only asked for more.

Springtime wildflowers are peaking now and was great to get out without worrying about flooded stream crossings and mud.

I was more than happy with the ease of off-road travel using both 4H and 4L with the lockers. Using the Manual selection, gears were easily selected for uphill and downhill. What a pleasurable day with my dirty, dusty truck!! She liked getting dirty so much since I generally keep her clean and tidy.

 

[cullinan18]

Since you previously had an F150 FX4, how does this handle off road comparably? This is my first "truck" and I am curious how it will perform and hold up.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

After a long winter and busy springtime, I have finally taken my 2017 Expy Limited off-road to do some geologic field work in the mountains of northern Nevada. Like a dog who is used to being taken for walks on a leash, she ran like the wind on the dirt roads and two-tracks once the leash was taken off. Uphill tracks with rocks were her pleasure and only asked for more.

Springtime wildflowers are peaking now and was great to get out without worrying about flooded stream crossings and mud.

I was more than happy with the ease of off-road travel using both 4H and 4L with the lockers. Using the Manual selection, gears were easily selected for uphill and downhill. What a pleasurable day with my dirty, dusty truck!! She liked getting dirty so much since I generally keep her clean and tidy.

View attachment 20814 View attachment 20815

Great pictures Nevada. You sure have pretty country to drive in.

 

[jeff kushner]

+1+1+1

 

[NevadaGeo]

Since you previously had an F150 FX4, how does this handle off road comparably? This is my first "truck" and I am curious how it will perform and hold up.

I am thoroughly impressed by the power of the engine, the stability (some side-hilling, always gives me the stomach-butterflies, you know, when you feel the blood leaving your head...) and clearance. I was somewhat concerned about the 2-ply nylon sidewall tires (oem Hankooks) but they performed well with no punctures. Not even any rubber chunks tore out by rocks. I was also concerned with the undercarriage being unprotected from rocks, but no problem. I have contemplated getting full undercarriage body armor (skid plates) and may go through with that.

The truck loved being off-road and gave a ride any of my F-150s could never give. You should definitely take the Expybeast off-road and see what she is REALLY made of!!

 

[NevadaGeo]

Great pictures Nevada. You sure have pretty country to drive in.

Thanks Andy. I love doing my geologic work in Nevada, especially in the springtime. Soon, all those mountains will be brown from the summer dryness and maybe burning due to storm lightening!! Always a problem out here where the storms blow up, no moisture but plenty of electrical discharge. But I have been blessed with this career and Nevada. I keep reminding myself that I get paid to do this stuff!!!!

 

[ExplorerTom]

Awesome stuff.

 

[powerboatr]

Very NICE pictures, almost need to be in a ford brochure..

thanks for sharing..

 

[rjdelp7]

Is the 2017 a lease? I can't believe someone would "off road", a new, $50,000 vehicle. Esp. with no skid plates and street tires. You insurance company must love you....

 

[NevadaGeo]

Is the 2017 a lease? I can't believe someone would "off road", a new, $50,000 vehicle. Esp. with no skid plates and street tires. You insurance company must love you....

Believe it or not, many geos and land people out here use Expeditions for off-road travel. After doing my geological work in Nevada for over 30 years with F-150s, I have learned a few tricks... like not getting in too deep and not walking out. If the terrain looks beyond what the vehicle capabilities are, I walk to where I need to be.

The OEM Hankooks are not only street tires, they are rated AT, all terrain. BUT they do only have 2 ply nylon sidewalls, which is a concern of mine. But if I get a flat out there, I will replace them. Until then, it is an experiment. The Expy was built for the road as well as the off-road.

Try it, You'll like it!!

 

[rjdelp7]

Believe it or not, many geos and land people out here use Expeditions for off-road travel. After doing my geological work in Nevada for over 30 years with F-150s, I have learned a few tricks... like not getting in too deep and not walking out. If the terrain looks beyond what the vehicle capabilities are, I walk to where I need to be.

The OEM Hankooks are not only street tires, they are rated AT, all terrain. BUT they do only have 2 ply nylon sidewalls, which is a concern of mine. But if I get a flat out there, I will replace them. Until then, it is an experiment. The Expy was built for the road as well as the off-road.

Try it, You'll like it!!

It is not built for off road. No skid plates, no brush guard, low ground clearance, 2 ply tires and the fact it is a 2017. I would not want a scratched and dinged up paint job. I owned a Hummer. They were made for off road. Every couple of months, the dealer would hold a "Hummer Happening". A dealer sponsored, off road event for owners. The following week, the dealer was swamped wilh body damage and mechanical repairs. It was a real money maker, for the dealer.

 

[John Christopher]

Is the 2017 a lease? I can't believe someone would "off road", a new, $50,000 vehicle. Esp. with no skid plates and street tires. You insurance company must love you....

I was thinking the same thing. Getting scratches and dents in a 2017 is a bummer.

 

[bobmbx]

Can't say I have any thoughts of taking a $60k vehicle off-road. Not a criticism, mind you. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Believe it or not, many geos and land people out here use Expeditions for off-road travel. After doing my geological work in Nevada for over 30 years with F-150s, I have learned a few tricks... like not getting in too deep and not walking out. If the terrain looks beyond what the vehicle capabilities are, I walk to where I need to be.

The OEM Hankooks are not only street tires, they are rated AT, all terrain. BUT they do only have 2 ply nylon sidewalls, which is a concern of mine. But if I get a flat out there, I will replace them. Until then, it is an experiment. The Expy was built for the road as well as the off-road.

Try it, You'll like it!!

If I lived in country like you live it I would definitely take my 17 off road.

 

[NevadaGeo]

It is not built for off road. No skid plates, no brush guard, low ground clearance, 2 ply tires and the fact it is a 2017. I would not want a scratched and dinged up paint job. I owned a Hummer. They were made for off road. Every couple of months, the dealer would hold a "Hummer Happening". A dealer sponsored, off road event for owners. The following week, the dealer was swamped wilh body damage and mechanical repairs. It was a real money maker, for the dealer.

What?? The Expy is not built for off-road? And the Hummer is???? Whoa. Off-road people around here (like half the population) NEVER drive Hummers especially off road. Hummers are built for people's ego to make others think they are bullet-proof.

There are many ways to drive off-road for pleasure in the back country and avoid scratches and dents. It is the risk that drives exploration. In many nanny states, the government has legislated risk out of life. That is why I love working my career in Nevada.

I purchased the Expy for both gentle off-road and road trips. It excels at both!!! Like I said, try it, you'll like it!!!!

 

[jeff kushner]

Nevada, You've got pretty good clearance EXCEPT at the rear shocks/struts as they sit fairly low but as long as you keep that in mind as you drive....well, you proved it....it's a beast in 4wd!!

jeff

 

[Barjrob1972]

I've taken our '15 on some pretty nasty unpaved roads and it does fine, although, admittedly, I'm not rough with it like I would be my Rubi or my wife's Trailhawk. The 4WD systems on these trucks are pretty darn good. My only real caveats have been the weight @ 6k lbs. and the size, both or which have made me shy away from a couple of places my Rubi would just laugh at. As long as the ground is mostly solid and the paths wide, these Expy's will chew it up. In fact, I was traveling FS roads in the Ouachita Mountains just yesterday and only had to back away once due to a questionably small 'bridge', and I use the word loosely.
Now, I did get in some East Texas red clay that was freshly wetted and that one made me worry a bit considering we had no cell service and nobody was within CB range. We had to back straight out for about about 1/2 a mile but it crawled out and got us home.

 

[NevadaGeo]

Nevada, You've got pretty good clearance EXCEPT at the rear shocks/struts as they sit fairly low but as long as you keep that in mind as you drive....well, you proved it....it's a beast in 4wd!!

jeff

Thanks Jeff. Half of life is using your head in whatever you do. I will be going out to my field area again today and take the beast off-road. I have been doing field work off-road for over 30 years and have learned a few things along the way!!

So nice in the hot summer months. Where I will go today is 20 degrees cooler than the lower elevations. Gotta love it!!

 

[NevadaGeo]

I've taken our '15 on some pretty nasty unpaved roads and it does fine, although, admittedly, I'm not rough with it like I would be my Rubi or my wife's Trailhawk. The 4WD systems on these trucks are pretty darn good. My only real caveats have been the weight @ 6k lbs. and the size, both or which have made me shy away from a couple of places my Rubi would just laugh at. As long as the ground is mostly solid and the paths wide, these Expy's will chew it up. In fact, I was traveling FS roads in the Ouachita Mountains just yesterday and only had to back away once due to a questionably small 'bridge', and I use the word loosely.
Now, I did get in some East Texas red clay that was freshly wetted and that one made me worry a bit considering we had no cell service and nobody was within CB range. We had to back straight out for about about 1/2 a mile but it crawled out and got us home.

Just like anything in life, gotta use your head but gotta have fun!!! Your Rubicon is the ultimate off-road vehicle. There are many of those around here with smiling drivers!

 

[pkuchirka]

That's the thing people don't do with a "SUV" anymore. Finally someone is using a sport utility vehicle what it is meant for! Towing, off roading, and comfort on highway. Can't beat A expedition

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