General Offroad Capability

[rob845]

I was wondering how the expy's ( 1st gen, 2nd etc ) do off road. I am assuming due to the size of the trucks that the transfer case is stout. But what about the diff's? What are the general areas of weakness that should be looked at first if you were looking to build an off road rig? what would you improve?

I'm not talking about trying to follow a jeep, or crawl 3' walls and forge 6' creeks or survive a blast from 7lbs of C4 ( LOL Top Gear anyone ) just something that you would not think twice if you had a change to go exploring.

Anyone have good pics of their rig off road?

 

[sgtowing]

That Marauder wad bad ass. As far as the 2nd gen, I learned real quick that you at least need the spacer lift and 33's. I got stuck on the breakover angle at the top of a hill. I had to get pulled off. I crawled up and down the hills just fine. Just need more ground clearance!!!!

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[JDMitchell]

My 97 hasn't had a problem getting anywhere that I wanted it to go yet. I was very surprised at the off road capability. 4 low works great and the rear axle is nearly bullet proof.

 

[rob845]

The last truck I took off road or built up was a 96 Bronco 5.8 W/4" lift and 33 tires. It was a hell of a truck. Minus the extra length of the expy I am hoping that these work off road at least as well...

 

[panda24619]

they work just as well. the flex on the rear end of the 1st gens is great! the 2nd gens i would recommend a 3/2 lift and at least 33s. but you can make it stock on some great locations. heres my youtube channel and some cool videos. http://www.youtube.com/user/98offroadFORDexpo?feature=mhee the "anderson truck trail" videos are the ones you wanna watch. its me, tallsville, and smoothexpy out there. smooth is 2wd. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jN4AxnBkDI and heres another video. im going to stick with open desert for now on or at least till i get a bigger lift and/or bigger tires. i keep hitting my gas tank and my tranny has a nice big dent in the pan.

 

[tonydiv]

The biggest limitation that I've found is the front diff. You really need a selectable locker to do any remotely serious wheeling. (unless you're a fan of 3 wheel drive)

 

[toms89]

The biggest limitation that I've found is the front diff. You really need a selectable locker to do any remotely serious wheeling. (unless you're a fan of 3 wheel drive)

If one of the front wheels sees air its pretty much 2wd at that point with the open diff. I know thats unlikely but with some of you rock crawlers?! Tony does not have to worry as he has an extra 500 pounds on the front end!

 

[Thermo]

99Voodoo, when it comes to the first generation X's, they are pretty stout and if I had to give it a weakness, it would either be the IFS and its general weakness due to the CV joints and inability to handle larger tires or the rear springs moving in their mounts when you twist up the truck severely (maybe this is just a problem with my Rancho lift). But, other than that, point the wheels and go for it.

Now, for the second and third gen trucks, the IRS is the weak link for the fact that due to its design, when you twist up the truck, the rear end tends to sink vice rising up (like a solid axle does). This leads to the rear differential getting caught up on stuff. Back in 2002, another Expedition group I am involved with managed to get hooked up with Ford and Ford brought out a test mule to put through its paces. So, there was about 20 X's going through the woods nose to tail. The only trucks to get stuck that day were the test mules. So, just something of note. Granted, all the members said the newer X's road great on the road, but out 4x4ing, they preferred their 1st gens.

Any other info that you are after?

 

[walnuts4x4]

the 1st gens are a lot better for offroading than the newer gens... more lifts and fit bigger tires stocks... but mine has gone pretty much anywhere I wanted to go... not much rock crawling but goes through mud,snow, water and keeps on trucking

 

[Thermo]

Of note, the 1st gens will go through water up over the headlights. NOt that I have testing that personally. LMAO. I will admit that it is a little scary to look out the driver's window and see the water level up near the door handle. But, it will survive just fine. Done it twice.

 

[tallsville]

2nd gen is good for offroading. usually can go anywhere i want with it. been stuck a few times but that could hve been avoided with a 3/2 lift and taller tires. right now running 29" tires(thanks to the ex) instead of stock 31" so its like offroading in a lowered truck. btw mine is the silver expy in the pandas video

 

[99 Expy]

Like everyone has said. 1st gens are a better choice for wheeling. Since i have the 4.6 i havethe weaker and smaller drivetrain and open diffs in both axles, but it has still held up great. I have 265/75/16 tires on mine with stock suspension and there is still more roomin available and flexes like crazy. The park ranger where im at has a 3rd gen with the same tires and they are packes in there. As far as capability i have NEVER not been able to climb something or go where ive wanted unless i get highcenterd in snow. From my experience in snow, i always get caught up on the gas tank since it is so big and hangs low. I rarely need to use 4x4, but in my 2010 silverado work truck, ive been in 4 wheel more times than i can count.... If you even consider that a comparison

 

[DR3W]

Mine is only 4x2 and it does good off road. Just a 3-ish inch lift on 33's and some beefy AT tires to grap the ground.

And its only a 4.6 but i haven't gotten stuck anywhere... yet. Lol

But im not doing super super crazy trails, yet not super easy... But choosing proper lines is key as well.

 

[2000eb]

um... i would say not as good as the full size broncos. i have 83 and 86 bronco that stock are awesome. the expy doesnt do as well as my broncos. i take them all to the same places and yes the expy is good but its just good, my 83 bronco is amazing granted its a 4spd manual with locked up rearend and 3 in lift runnin 33's. but even when bronco was stock it would do more. plus broncos CAN turn on a dime. i do alot of steep hils and tight trails with lots of decent sixe rocks and holes that tend to destroy alot of vehicles. but when you get somewhere with a expy and everyone else has their trail built rig and they look at you funny you know the expy is exceptional

 

[Thermo]

Oh yes, the people do look at you funny when you get the Expy back in places that it shouldn't. I know when I was 4x4ing in WA state, I got lots of looks taking the Expy out and about. Granted, back then, the truck was still the latest and greatest and people probably figured I had more dollars than sense.

Now, with the mods that I have, when I go out "4x4ing", I have to leave the truck in 2wd to make it any fun or any challenge. With the 37's, the truck will just go where ever I point the wheels. Short of running into 3 feet of mud, the truck is almost unstoppable. I goes through 3 feet of water no problem. My only "complaint" is I seem to have issues with driving in the sand. For me, the truck seems to sink really easy. I can still make it through, but takes a lot of gas to make it anywhere. But then, this was in very loose sand and most other trucks had the same issue.

 

[panda24619]

thermo how are you sinking in sand? your tires too beefy and just digging? ive never gotten stuck in sand. been stopped moving. but never stuck. i get looks all the time like how the hell or what the hell??

 

[toms89]

Oh yes, the people do look at you funny when you get the Expy back in places that it shouldn't. I know when I was 4x4ing in WA state, I got lots of looks taking the Expy out and about. Granted, back then, the truck was still the latest and greatest and people probably figured I had more dollars than sense.

Now, with the mods that I have, when I go out "4x4ing", I have to leave the truck in 2wd to make it any fun or any challenge. With the 37's, the truck will just go where ever I point the wheels. Short of running into 3 feet of mud, the truck is almost unstoppable. I goes through 3 feet of water no problem. My only "complaint" is I seem to have issues with driving in the sand. For me, the truck seems to sink really easy. I can still make it through, but takes a lot of gas to make it anywhere. But then, this was in very loose sand and most other trucks had the same issue.

When I take mine to the outerbanks I always drive it on the beach. Pretty much the only 4 wheeling I do other than snow. The deep sand does slow it down and takes more power to move. Its kinda like walking in the sand...takes a lot more effort. Its like the wheels are constantly having to climb the sand but I guess really it is just moving it. I always use 4 low in the sand and it takes less throttle.

 

[jacks3am]

theyre just fine, i think second gens have a lower range t-case so its easier to crawl around and up stuff but 1st gens have a better suspension for offroading

 

[Thermo]

Panda, the sand in Hawaii is about 12-18" deep and nothing but powder essentially. It isn't like the sand beaches in WA/OR or even on the outer banks. I watched a friend with 15.5" wide tires sink his F-150 on this sand. Granted, it didn't help that his truck was only a 2wd.

But, like I mentioned, I didn't get stuck, I simply found that the truck needed tons more power to make it through and also required 4hi.

 

[panda24619]

o yeah i know how hawaii sand is. not sure if you know, but have a condo over there. watched some guy drive on the beach. he did fine, till he turned and tryed leaving. haha sank to his frame. he called a guy with one of those tall yotas and he pulled him out no problem. it was funny. desert sand here is either hard or super soft. but even the super soft stuff isnt too bad.