I don't want to steal this thread, @GixxerJasen , but I think it's largely on topic: you mentioned you have the stuff to air down. I managed to get my boat put away for winter storage last weekend, in a building with an 8' high door opening when I need 8'3" to clear my windshield. Airing 4 trailer tires down was part of the solution, and took forever. If you have a kit you like that connects to 4 Schrader valves simultaneously and allows one point to air down/ up, I'd be curious for the recommendation. I haven't started my research yet and have until Spring to develop a solution.
Moab Advice
- Thread starter GixxerJasen
- Start date
Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
OP
OP
GixxerJasen
Full Access Members
@m3olsen I don't have that particular solution, though I've seen some that folks have made using air lines and connectors that works pretty well. If I did it more often I'd probably do the same thing.
I did pick up this kit. Based on other kits I've seen with this compressor it seems like a pretty good deal, plus it's got Ford stickers on it and Ford blue air hose, so it gives my Expy a extra 5hp just being inside it.
I tested it and it works well. I'll have to do one tire at a time but it is what it is, and it's not going to be often outside of family trips.
I did pick up this kit. Based on other kits I've seen with this compressor it seems like a pretty good deal, plus it's got Ford stickers on it and Ford blue air hose, so it gives my Expy a extra 5hp just being inside it.
I tested it and it works well. I'll have to do one tire at a time but it is what it is, and it's not going to be often outside of family trips.
skydude
Member
I dont remember airing down...because I dont remember airing up!
But I can tell you, 2WD with Toyo A/T didnt have issues..(granted I was going down the Shaffer Trail.
The Potash I found to be a bit more challenging for someone with no real 4 wheeling.. I did cross a dry river bed that if there was any water or mud I would have been a bit more concerned...either way..I cant wait to go back, spend more time... and get lost!!
But I can tell you, 2WD with Toyo A/T didnt have issues..(granted I was going down the Shaffer Trail.
The Potash I found to be a bit more challenging for someone with no real 4 wheeling.. I did cross a dry river bed that if there was any water or mud I would have been a bit more concerned...either way..I cant wait to go back, spend more time... and get lost!!
StephenOsborne1
Well-Known Member
Airing down is not needed but the vehicle will ride much better and you have less chance of shredding a tire as there is some give... I'd try about 25 psi without beadlocks. Too much lower and you risk popping a bead.
StephenOsborne1
Well-Known Member
Good find @GixxerJasen . I did some quick googling, and the Ford-branded version you found for $329 (currently) is ~$80-100 less than ARB-branded ones. LOL I ordered one!I did pick up this kit. Based on other kits I've seen with this compressor it seems like a pretty good deal, plus it's got Ford stickers on it and Ford blue air hose, so it gives my Expy a extra 5hp just being inside it.
I tested it and it works well. I'll have to do one tire at a time but it is what it is, and it's not going to be often outside of family trips.
OP
OP
GixxerJasen
Full Access Members
Yea, I was pretty surprised myself. They shipped pretty quickly, though I was worried at first because they didn't send the "Your order shipped" email notification until after it had already arrived.
OP
OP
GixxerJasen
Full Access Members
Last year.
Today
So, technically the right tires are off road, that counts right?
Took my family down UT-128 as the sun was setting and blew their minds. Can't wait to get out exploring.
We did get to fight some snow in Denver before heading over.
Today
So, technically the right tires are off road, that counts right?
Took my family down UT-128 as the sun was setting and blew their minds. Can't wait to get out exploring.
We did get to fight some snow in Denver before heading over.
OP
OP
GixxerJasen
Full Access Members
Thanks everyone. After driving around Arches yesterday we got the opportunity to seek out dirt today. We hit Fisher Towers and for comparison purposes I didn't air down. Then we popped down to Onion Creek. While the family ate a picnic lunch I aired down to 25psi. Wish I hadn't left my deflators at home. That made a lot of difference in ride comfort for everyone, especially those in the very back. Speaking of which, it's great that a vehicle can transport 6 adults in comfort out here like the Expy can.
This was exactly the type of thing I was looking for. Everyone was in awe with the scenery and commenting about how nice it was to be away from all the crowds and people. Not looking for hard stuff, just to get away from it all and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Dirty tires, woohoo!
Did a little playing around.
Potash road, Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point tomorrow.
The thing I'm happiest about, my wife has some medical issues, and I didn't think she'd enjoy the bouncy ride but she's already planning with me on more outings. Win!!!!
Two more.
This was exactly the type of thing I was looking for. Everyone was in awe with the scenery and commenting about how nice it was to be away from all the crowds and people. Not looking for hard stuff, just to get away from it all and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Dirty tires, woohoo!
Did a little playing around.
Potash road, Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point tomorrow.
The thing I'm happiest about, my wife has some medical issues, and I didn't think she'd enjoy the bouncy ride but she's already planning with me on more outings. Win!!!!
Two more.
duneslider
Full Access Members
Enjoy, I know I love it down there! We can't get enough of it.
OP
OP
GixxerJasen
Full Access Members
Wanted to throw in a quick after action report here for anyone else curious about these things.
1. In addition to the advice offered here, the Funtreks products were very valuable to me. I picked up both the book and the memory card with the tracks to go with the book. I had my garmin running the tracks and the book with me. both helped with planning, keeping us on track, and making the family comfortable with where we were going. We stuck to the green (Easy) tracks only on this trip.
2. My little Ford branded ARB kit worked well. If I did this a lot more, I'd not be using an expy and would pay for the dual ARB, but as such it served me well. I bought a pack of tire deflators and while I'd like to say they were a huge help, they didn't do me much good sitting on my workbench in Texas where I left them. Oops. Found a pointy rock and did all my deflations with that, it's still in the air compressor case. 25psi rolled over everything and definitely made a difference in the ride quality for everyone. We ran Fisher Towers at road pressure and Onion Creek at 25psi and the difference was noticeable.
3. Never really needed anything but 2WD. The Expy and the Coopers handled it all in stride. There were a few times I was concerned about things like ground clearance but my wife spotting for me and her videos confirmed that the truck was good. I popped it into 4A a couple of times just for good measure but probably wasn't necessary. A couple of icy water crossings and some sketchy sections were where I engaged it but 2WD probably would have been fine.
I took the whole family on the trail to Fisher Towers. Honestly, if you aren't going to hike the trail I'd skip this one. We found that the one and only picnic table was taken so we moved on.
We then went to Onion Creek Trail. Picnic areas were big and empty and beautiful. The trail is fun splashing through the creek at least 27 times ( we counted but there was a discrepancy in the count between a few folks in the truck) and the scenery was amazing. While not difficult at all I think this was the family favorite of the trip.
Next up a few days later was Potash Road and up the Shafer Switchbacks. This was definitely a little rougher and showed the Limited suspension really isn't cut out for off roading and not launching those sitting in the back above the rear wheels. We spent a lot of time at a very slow pace but enjoyed the views.
Who needs a picnic area when you have rocks and a view?
Some members of the family didn't so much enjoy the switchbacks but we got up without issue. Once up top, the road hugs the side of the cliff and it's tight in places with blind curves. I cussed out the Taco coming around one way too fast who had to lock up his brakes to not hit me as he slid around the corner.
My wife and I took a day and we did Gemeni Bridges and Long Canyon Road. As reported by @Chromo the Expedition looks like it won't fit as you are rolling down the narrow canyon into the rock, but it does.
Actually, there's a lot more room than it looks like.
This is a screengrab from a video my wife took. Her eyes were huge seeing it rolling on three wheels!
We definitely had a good time and also enjoyed the National Parks and I spent a day doing a bunch of hiking too. If you haven't been, I'd highly recommend you go check it out. I need to go back with my motorcycle and really explore the place.
Thanks to all who offered advice. Now I'll leave you with some dirty Ford.
1. In addition to the advice offered here, the Funtreks products were very valuable to me. I picked up both the book and the memory card with the tracks to go with the book. I had my garmin running the tracks and the book with me. both helped with planning, keeping us on track, and making the family comfortable with where we were going. We stuck to the green (Easy) tracks only on this trip.
2. My little Ford branded ARB kit worked well. If I did this a lot more, I'd not be using an expy and would pay for the dual ARB, but as such it served me well. I bought a pack of tire deflators and while I'd like to say they were a huge help, they didn't do me much good sitting on my workbench in Texas where I left them. Oops. Found a pointy rock and did all my deflations with that, it's still in the air compressor case. 25psi rolled over everything and definitely made a difference in the ride quality for everyone. We ran Fisher Towers at road pressure and Onion Creek at 25psi and the difference was noticeable.
3. Never really needed anything but 2WD. The Expy and the Coopers handled it all in stride. There were a few times I was concerned about things like ground clearance but my wife spotting for me and her videos confirmed that the truck was good. I popped it into 4A a couple of times just for good measure but probably wasn't necessary. A couple of icy water crossings and some sketchy sections were where I engaged it but 2WD probably would have been fine.
I took the whole family on the trail to Fisher Towers. Honestly, if you aren't going to hike the trail I'd skip this one. We found that the one and only picnic table was taken so we moved on.
We then went to Onion Creek Trail. Picnic areas were big and empty and beautiful. The trail is fun splashing through the creek at least 27 times ( we counted but there was a discrepancy in the count between a few folks in the truck) and the scenery was amazing. While not difficult at all I think this was the family favorite of the trip.
Next up a few days later was Potash Road and up the Shafer Switchbacks. This was definitely a little rougher and showed the Limited suspension really isn't cut out for off roading and not launching those sitting in the back above the rear wheels. We spent a lot of time at a very slow pace but enjoyed the views.
Who needs a picnic area when you have rocks and a view?
Some members of the family didn't so much enjoy the switchbacks but we got up without issue. Once up top, the road hugs the side of the cliff and it's tight in places with blind curves. I cussed out the Taco coming around one way too fast who had to lock up his brakes to not hit me as he slid around the corner.
My wife and I took a day and we did Gemeni Bridges and Long Canyon Road. As reported by @Chromo the Expedition looks like it won't fit as you are rolling down the narrow canyon into the rock, but it does.
Actually, there's a lot more room than it looks like.
This is a screengrab from a video my wife took. Her eyes were huge seeing it rolling on three wheels!
We definitely had a good time and also enjoyed the National Parks and I spent a day doing a bunch of hiking too. If you haven't been, I'd highly recommend you go check it out. I need to go back with my motorcycle and really explore the place.
Thanks to all who offered advice. Now I'll leave you with some dirty Ford.
duneslider
Full Access Members
Glad you had fun!
OP
OP
GixxerJasen
Full Access Members
Ok, last post here, I promise. Maybe. Here's some video of the areas we drove in. Hopefully this entices some others to visit and check it out. All easy stuff done on a mostly stock truck. (aside from wheels and tires)
www.youtube.com
- YouTube
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
www.youtube.com
Similar threads
