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Ford Explorer Mercury Mountaineer 2005 and earlier
3348 messages, Last post on Oct 31, 2011 at 3:14 PM
You are in the Ford Explorer Forum.What is this discussion about? Ford Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer, SUV
#1708 of 3348 Recent Explorers, Off Road by brianbm
Jan 04, 2004 (4:32 pm)
Just a post to inquire if I'm missing something ...I am sniffing out a replacement for a 1993 4x4 Explorer (160K) that has gone offroad steadily since purchase. I am very, very happy with the old girl; less space then I'd like, so the replacement will be bigger, but no catastrophic failures that got me stuck below the high tide mark, or elsewhere on the beach. (I surfcast, that's the off-road stuff for me.) I got to 130K before needing to spend significant money, on the front locking hubs, and that's fine. ALAS: when I look at the lower control arms on the Explorer and Expedition, I cringe. I can just see one of those arms snapping after one rock too many at Montauk Point, or some other beach decorated with protruding rocks. So, the question: What happens when you snap a control arm? Is the vehicle still drivable? My local Ford guy has a great service department (Ramp Ford, Long Island NY) but the only thing he sells that looks good right now is an F-150 (it's on the short list, but it's a lot more money and gas then I need to spend.) Are we agreed that the IFS-fitted versions are not really competent once you're off road?
#1709 of 3348 by brast69
Jan 05, 2004 (3:35 pm)
Well,I have a 03 MM Premier, before that a 98 MM. I am familiar with the "Outerbeach" I live on Long Island as well. In the summer I was on the outer beach... Smith Pt beach to as far as the inlet, "Great Gun". I drive fast and rough on the beach!! Never had a problem what-so-ever. I was on the beach EVERY weekend. I drove from the surfline up to the dunes,bouncing, airborn etc...I also went up to Rocky PT. and Middle Island and did some real off-roading. As far as the lower control arms...I cant say whether I hit a rock or not, But all is still just like the day I drove it from the showroom
#1710 of 3348 Yikes by brianbm
Jan 05, 2004 (6:06 pm)
You're a more aggressive driver on the beach then I am, I guess. Sand beaches would be o.k., and most of Smith Point is sand, but the rocks at the Inlet are going to whack those control arms good. If one breaks - and it'd be a catastrophic failure, not a degredation of function - can you still drive? .....need to get Ant14 in here.
#1711 of 3348 Tough driving beach by brianbm
Jan 05, 2004 (6:09 pm)
The one that worries me, in terms of mishap, is Montauk. Narrow beach, just barely enough to drive in places; steep slope into the water on some corners; snaggletoothed rocks are going to ding components no matter what you do. You snap a control arm there, you're going to really be praying for that flatbed truck. I don't know if one could get to you, depending on the tide.#1712 of 3348 Cost by twinturbotim
Jan 06, 2004 (4:29 pm)
Say with the 3k rebate right now, is it possible for someone (if they're extremely good) to bargain down so with rebates you could get a 36k explorer for 27?#1713 of 3348 twinturbotim by akangl
Jan 07, 2004 (6:30 pm)
I bought a 2004 Ford Explorer XLS Sport V-6 4X4 last night, MSRP was $30,655, Invoice was $28k, with the $3k rebate that put me at $25k + fees.Figure invoice on a $36k truck is going to be approx $33k or so, you might be able to hit $30k, but $27k, nah, I really doubt it.
#1714 of 3348 hmmm by steve_ HOST
Jan 08, 2004 (9:41 am)
Mountaineer ok, Explorer not?U-Haul rejects Explorers (USA Today)
Steve, Host
#1715 of 3348 My thoughts exactly........(quoted from USA Today article) by akangl
Jan 08, 2004 (10:09 am)
"It's a perfectly capable tow vehicle," said Stuart Bourdon, automotive editor of the California-based publication."The bottom line is, if you don't overload the vehicle and you've got the proper tires with the appropriate ratings and they are properly inflated and you drive with common sense, you really shouldn't have any problems."
I guess I just don't get it, I've owned 1 of each generation of Explorer, I found all to be very wonderful vehicles (had a 1994 and 1997). The 2004 I just bought is wonderful, so much improved, Ford did a darn good job addressing a lot of the problems that the prev generations had. I'm impressed and glad I stuck with Ford.
#1716 of 3348 U-Hell is a conservative, cash-pinched business by swschrad
Jan 08, 2004 (10:50 am)
that has been in payment trouble several times in the last 20 or so years. their type of business requires slavish devotion to minimizing risk (aka, low-margin but necessary, and if they do it right, they make a living.) I suspect it is a cheap gut reaction to schools of lawyers sniffing about for blood in the water, and not necessarily related to the suitability of their trailers to the road.a lower, wider, longer tow vehicle will generically improve the survivability of any towing mishap, because you would expect the tow to break off before flipping the tow vehicle in case of a major issue.
that said, I don't expect anybody who maintains their vehicle and uses it within range to have any trouble, even with the high-hat trailers U-Haul used to provide until the early 1980s (and the first chapter-11 I was aware of.) present stuff is lower and less likely to provide an issue than some of the rigs I used to pull moving from one city to another on a just-out-of-college type budget.
no, I think they're on an atomic-powered risk-avoidance kick. if you rent, as always, do your own vehicle or trailer check before hooking up and signing the acceptance sheet. if you've got creaky tires, dinged or dark lights, or silly-looking running gear, talk gently but firmly with the representative. that's the best way to insure you have a solid experience, not a sordid one.
for most people in many places, U-Haul is about the only choice they have in rent here, leave there. if any of this concerns you, investigate other options.
personally, just because they've got their nose in the air, my response this morning is of the "yo' MOMMA" variety. but make your own evaluation, I have used their trailers behind several vehicles (not on my exploder or the previous ranger,) and nobody died and nobody tried in those experiences. they just have too many lawyers on staff right now.
#1717 of 3348 I pulled by akangl
Jan 08, 2004 (11:41 am)
A 1970 Shoop 2-horse trailer with my 94 2-dr, it was a huge trailer, very tall and very wide. It did fine, I also pulled that trailer with my 1994 Mazda B4000 (Ford ranger), the truck weighed 3000 lbs, the trailer weighed 3500 empty, pulled it with 1 horse in there. No problems at all. Probably not the smartest thing I've ever done, but nobody died.To POST a message, please
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