What have they done to my ride.

[The StRanger]

Found out the new Explorer is a Front wheel drive / 4 wheel drive !!!
Realy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Realy ??????????

[Coonburger]

*mind blown*

[mattzj98]

As is the new Cherokee!

[The StRanger]

Well It SUX !!
Was thinkin of getin a new Explorer for the wife for Xmas
Now I might rethink it !!

[Brad]

There is some serious moronic thinking in Detroit. Or wherever they are designing the new vehicles nowadays.

[Cr33p3r]

Yeah Ford is setting them up like the Escapes.

[Fordguy77]

FWD has been an option on the newer explorers for a few years now, as well as the escapes for a long while. for people who are trying to save money, and don't necessary need 4x4 they can save around $3500 and spend it elsewhere on the car like the interior or just save it. Its also a marketing ploy in some of there cars as well.

[curt86iroc]

welcome to the world of crossovers! there are very few "true" SUVs left...

[The StRanger]

Yeah Ford is setting them up like the Escapes.

Look more like an upsized Edge !

[The StRanger]

welcome to the world of crossovers! there are very few "true" SUVs left...

Iv used to look for a " drop down tailgate " Gone
And A true offroader should have 4x4 Hi & 4X4 low Tcase !! Gone.

[Shane]

This is why I typically drive older vehilces the WJ is the newest year vehicle I have ever owned. When someone asks why I don't buy something newer I simply tell that they don't make like they used to.........That and wife wife would probably kill me since I have 67 cars in the last 23 years.

Sorry typo not 67 meant to put 37. 67 cars would have been divorced for sure!

[The StRanger]

This is why I typically drive older vehilces the WJ is the newest year vehicle I have ever owned. When someone asks why I don't buy something newer I simply tell that they don't make like they used to.........That and wife wife would probably kill me since I have 67 cars in the last 23 years.

Sorry typo not 67 meant to put 37. 67 cars would have been divorced for sure!

Im a true fan of classic cars & trucks.
But I "LOVE" Cruising around with a nice ride with a/c and Injection

[Clickpopboom]

We had a 2012 in the shop recently and it was junk. No 4 low, huge rims that barely leave any room for suspension travel, and less ground clearance than your average Subaru.

[The StRanger]

We had a 2012 in the shop recently and it was junk. No 4 low, huge rims that barely leave any room for suspension travel, and less ground clearance than your average Subaru.

Yup !!!
True Mall Crawlers !!!
Like that damn TrailBlazer. What a waist of a Transfercase !

[ExplorerTom]

This went nuclear over on Explorerforums just before the 2011 came out. Ford claims that according to their research, only a small percentage of owners took their Explorers offroad. Which, we all know is true across any brand- there's Rubicons out there that will never even touch dirt.

I bet in 10 years, the new market will be even more pathetic.

[The StRanger]

Very true, I see all these Jeeps, Trucks & SUVs With 22 & 24 inch wheels.
Never see a scuff on the frame.

[The StRanger]

Here in a bit the only way to get a new wheeler will be Solid axle swap front & rear !!

[Native ZJ]

what's the world coming to

[The StRanger]

Thats why I love my little Ranger
4x low, little lift and Big tires..

[glacierpaul]

..... Which, we all know is true across any brand- there's Rubicons out there that will never even touch dirt. I bet in 10 years, the new market will be even more pathetic.

This must be why the service manager always asks me if I take mine wheeling:rolleyes:, all they are used to seeing is non-wheeling Rubicons. I say we all get together and start our own 4x4 vehicle production company.........:D

[ExplorerTom]

I say we all get together and start our own 4x4 vehicle production company.........

I wonder what a vehicle would look like if all the 4wheelers got together and designed it by committee.

But this is part of the reason why I drive a 4 cylinder, FWD Saturn VUE most of the time. While they made a TON of Rangers and Explorers that I can pull parts from, I just don't see any reason to wear mine out hauling myself to work each day on a combination of asphalt and concrete roads. Another reason is that I already had the VUE- and it's paid for. Another reason is that it gets 25-30 mpg vs the Explorer's 15-18 mpg.

[dscowell]

I say we all get together and start our own 4x4 vehicle production company.........:D

I'm looking to go to school for engineering. I'll learn all I can to help build the ultimate offroad 4x4!:thumb: Make it so it can drive over all these so called "SUVs":D

[The StRanger]

I wonder what a vehicle would look like if all the 4wheelers got together and designed it by committee.

But this is part of the reason why I drive a 4 cylinder, FWD Saturn VUE most of the time. While they made a TON of Rangers and Explorers that I can pull parts from, I just don't see any reason to wear mine out hauling myself to work each day on a combination of asphalt and concrete roads. Another reason is that I already had the VUE- and it's paid for. Another reason is that it gets 25-30 mpg vs the Explorer's 15-18 mpg.
I have my DD Ranger basic driving light wheeling.
And building the other Ranger for some thing Im not afraid to flop on its top..

[ExplorerTom]

I'm looking to go to school for engineering. I'll learn all I can to help build the ultimate offroad 4x4!

I'd stay out of the automotive field though. Plus if you work for any of the Big 3... have you been to Detroit?

Oil and gas. That field right now, and for the foreseable future, is red hot. I have a mechanical engineering degree and have been thinking about getting into that field.

[AccordRanger]

Another reason is that I already had the VUE- and it's paid for. Another reason is that it gets 25-30 mpg vs the Explorer's 15-18 mpg.
You actually get 15-18 mpg in yours? I get about 11mpg

[dscowell]

I'd stay out of the automotive field though. Plus if you work for any of the Big 3... have you been to Detroit?

Oil and gas. That field right now, and for the foreseable future, is red hot. I have a mechanical engineering degree and have been thinking about getting into that field.

I wasn't really thinking about automotive anyways would be cool I would really like to do something in aviation that would be sweet! What I've heard about oil and gas though is that you live in pretty crappy places and its more about the money the anything else.

[ExplorerTom]

What I've heard about oil and gas though is that you live in pretty crappy places and its more about the money the anything else.

If you work IN the oil fields, yes. But if you have a degree, there's a good chance you will work in downtown Denver in an office building (at least the company I know of). As a degreed engineer, you'd only travel out to the fields occassionally.

And it's still about the money.

[curt86iroc]

If you work IN the oil fields, yes. But if you have a degree, there's a good chance you will work in downtown Denver in an office building (at least the company I know of). As a degreed engineer, you'd only travel out to the fields occassionally.

And it's still about the money.

or you could work in the field of renewable energy :)

[mattzj98]

Designing our own ulitmate 4x4??? I'm in! 1tons, 38s, good aproach and departure angles, big v8 with propane option stock 4-1 with 5.13s stock and room for 4. Did I miss anything? =)

[Hypoid]

Designing our own ulitmate 4x4??? I'm in! 1tons, 38s, good aproach and departure angles, big v8 with propane option stock 4-1 with 5.13s stock and room for 4. Did I miss anything? =)A $5000 msrp. :D

[mattzj98]

Haha come on man, I don't do magic haha

[Haku]

I wonder what a vehicle would look like if all the 4wheelers got together and designed it by committee.

But this is part of the reason why I drive a 4 cylinder, FWD Saturn VUE most of the time. While they made a TON of Rangers and Explorers that I can pull parts from, I just don't see any reason to wear mine out hauling myself to work each day on a combination of asphalt and concrete roads. Another reason is that I already had the VUE- and it's paid for. Another reason is that it gets 25-30 mpg vs the Explorer's 15-18 mpg.

It would look like the Rally Fighter....

http://carsfolia.com/icim/local-motors-rally-fighter/local-motors-rally-fighter-01.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn6rvj08__0

They built it based on enthusiast input and people got to vote on the design of the thing. The only way to buy one right now (unless you buy one used) is to go to the place and build it yourself (with help from the manufacturer). They do that so they don't have to have the legal liability. Its more desert oriented and is only rear wheel drive.

It has 18" of travel and a GM V8 engine and drivetrain and all that seems like a heck of a lot of fun, though not from a Rock Crawling point of view or anything that would be useful in Colorado. There are plenty of custom built 4x4 vehicles in the world (ICON comes to mind), but I think its about time that someone came up with a Rubicon competitor from someone else (cough cough Toyota).

Seems like well over half of the Rubicon's I see are taken apart almost immediately and have a 3-5" lift, bigger tires, and lots of Armor bolted on shortly after purchase. Seems like they would sell a heck of a lot of them if you could buy them with upgraded everything and 40" tires off the showroom floor and a warranty to boot.

I think my current favorite custom 4x4 out there is this one...

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/toyota-truck-4runner/450595-tons-underneath-build.html

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o116/triplexj/IMG_20130308_070446_544_zpsf73542ba.jpg



http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/Bentfabrications/Alen%20Tabor/P1070577.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o116/triplexj/IMG_20130308_070258_954_zps006b6fab.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/Bentfabrications/Alen%20Tabor/P1070579.jpg

It essentially took the Bent Fabrications Evolution lower chassis and plopped the Truck cab on it, so its essentially a full bodied ultra 4 car. He's using CUCV 1 tons and a GM 4.3 Vortec V6 engine and Toyota Dual cases. The tires are 40's I believe, but he might have upgraded to 42's during the build. Its still in the finishing stages, but should be a VERY cool and capable vehicle that you could still drive on the road happily and all for less then you'd pay for an upgraded Rubicon. Oh, and this is what the chassis looks like when its in full tube buggy mode...

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/Bentfabrications/KOH%20EVO%20GP/CIMG1215.jpg

I just think its the best of both worlds, with a nice cab to roll the windows up, but the rest is full on competition buggy style.

[Haku]

Oh, and as far as the Explorer, sorry to those who liked it, but I wasn't that sad to see it religated to the Crossover market. It was never much more then a stepped up Minivan to me. I was sadder to hear of the demise of the Ranger for sure and its sad that you have to buy a much larger truck to get anything that I would consider offroad worthy strength wise. I think a resurrection of the Bronco with similar ideals to what they did with the Mustang would be cool, and bring some of the Early Bronco styling in with a modern drivetrain and some solid axles and lockers and stuff.

The other vehicle I'd love to see a modern interpretation on would be the Suzuki Samurai. Something similar to what BMW did with the Mini or VW with the Bug, but offroad style. Make a bit bigger, more stable and safer, and again, solid axled with locker and other off road options.

[The StRanger]

Designing our own ulitmate 4x4??? I'm in! 1tons, 38s, good aproach and departure angles, big v8 with propane option stock 4-1 with 5.13s stock and room for 4. Did I miss anything? =)

Sound right to me !!

[Fordguy77]

Oh, and as far as the Explorer, sorry to those who liked it, but I wasn't that sad to see it religated to the Crossover market. It was never much more then a stepped up Minivan to me. I was sadder to hear of the demise of the Ranger for sure and its sad that you have to buy a much larger truck to get anything that I would consider offroad worthy strength wise. I think a resurrection of the Bronco with similar ideals to what they did with the Mustang would be cool, and bring some of the Early Bronco styling in with a modern drivetrain and some solid axles and lockers and stuff.

The other vehicle I'd love to see a modern interpretation on would be the Suzuki Samurai. Something similar to what BMW did with the Mini or VW with the Bug, but offroad style. Make a bit bigger, more stable and safer, and again, solid axled with locker and other off road options.

For whatever reason it never made it past the concept board, despite a positive feedback from many enthusiast. Was set up to have a diesel, 6 spd, stock on 33's, standard winch. Tops still removable :blah:
http://www.arabaresimleri.somee.com/resimler/Ford/2004-Ford-Bronco-Concept-FA-1600x1200.jpghttp://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2004/2004-Ford-Bronco-Concept-Side-1280x960.jpghttp://img.netcarshow.com/Ford-Bronco_Concept_2004_1600x1200_wallpaper_16.jpghttp ://files.conceptcarz.com/img/Ford/ford_bronco_chicago_04_dv_014.jpg

[The StRanger]

If it was lifted 4 inchs it would look like a lot like a Hummer !!!

[dscowell]

If it was lifted 4 inchs it would look like a lot like a Hummer !!!

I agree it's too much like a hummer for my liking

[The StRanger]

I do "kinda" like the grill.

[Haku]

Since its a concept...had it gone anywhere close to production I'm sure it would have been toned down and changed heavily. They like to over design for the shows since it looks more dramatic. I think a very slightly updated version of the EB would sell really well, but I'm not holding my breath.

Another cool option that would be cool to see in the US are the Bowler Wildcat or its big brother the EXR-S...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BQVtJB6Iug

[The StRanger]

Just not a big fan of some of the Crap there sellin right now. Bout the best they got is the now Tacoma..

[The StRanger]

And the new Dodge Ram ..

[Haku]

Yeah....I was gonna say the Dodge Power Wagon is pretty cool as an offroader even though its a bit large for Colorado wheeling, but a front and rear lockers and a winch stock is pretty cool. I don't have the money, but if they made a Cummins Diesel version of it that would be the perfect tow and recovery rig. They made this concept a while back and I think they should put it into production...

http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/2742/powerwagon1kgped1569311.jpg

http://image.fourwheeler.com/f/whats-new/breaking-news-mopar-powerwagon-and-ram-runner-image-vehicles-unveiled/27393950/powerwagon2.jpg

Ford Raptor is pretty cool too, but I've never seen one on the trail. The Tacoma/FJCruiser/4runner are all pretty good right now as well, and they make a version of the Tacoma to compete with the Raptor now too (with better suspension and such). The Rubicon is still the go-to vehicle for something you can drive off the lot, toss some better tires on, and go wheeling and have all the stuff you want for offroad. I think its about time that someone else came out with a competitor for it.

[The StRanger]

The Jeep is still a Jeep..
FJ's are Cool but still like the Taco better..
Raptors are WAY overpriced and I would be Sceered to wheel it.
They dont make the Ranger any more..
And GMs got nothin !!!

[Haku]

Oooh....them is fightin words :p

I agree with you on all points in your last post though. I would take a Taco over the FJ/4runner any day, and there really isn't anything at a reasonable price that I would want to own these days. Its like that "Half-Price Raptor" that they are doing on the Xtreme4x4 show. You could get an old F-150 (or ranger for that matter) and modify to work even better and still not be into for as much as the Raptor costs. That goes for the Rubi in many ways too, and thats not even counting the 10's of thousands that many spend in addition to the purchase price on those right after they get them (or they go out of warranty).

[The StRanger]

True on the Xtreme econoRaptor. Thats why Id love to find a Lightning 5.4 for the other Ranger.
!!! Ya !!! Thats not hapanin...

[Flyer]

My 4Runner has ben relegated to non-wheeling trips and DD duties ever since I got my Rubicon. Was never a Jeep fan, but now I am and probably will stick with them even though I don't like any of their other products. It was easy to put on bigger tires, beef up the axle, and it goes anywhere now. Never did see a lot of Explorers on the trails like I do the 4Runners though. I wish Ford would bring back the Bronco without making it look too boxy. That I would buy. 99% of people are not like us though...they want the most comfortable ride and the best fuel economy. Nobody is willing to build a car few people buy. Even the FJ may be discontinued soon due to low sales. I think the only reason 2-door Wranglers are probably still in production, is because the 4-door Wrangler sells ridiculously well and they share almost every part so they can be built easily on the same line.

[The StRanger]

My 4Runner has ben relegated to non-wheeling trips and DD duties ever since I got my Rubicon.

Thats why I picked up the other ranger. Got tired of doin hard trail and Passin on some hard parts caus I was afraid to hurt the DD..

[Rob]

Even the FJ may be discontinued soon due to low sales.

I think 2014 is the last year for it.

[The StRanger]

I think 2014 is the last year for it.

Ya. Thats what we hear
Dont understand. We sell lots of them and