How does the Excursion 4X4 handle in deep sandy trails?
Has anybody taken their Excursion into the sand yet? How does the Excursion 4X4 handle in deep sandy trails?
I used to take my Jeep and S10 Blazer 4 wheeling in deep sand where the tracks were so deep you couldn't easily steer over them even if you tried. It was always fun driving those deep sand trails because I just kept my foot on the gas with my hands off the steering wheel and the vehicle just followed the tracks even around corners without me steering.
Has anybody here taken their Excursion into this type of environment to see how it handles?
Did you try stopping and slowly starting in deep sand? How did it perform or did it get stuck?
I'm just kind of worried because the Excursion is twice the weight of everything I've taken on these trails and would hate to get it seriously stuck in the deep sand with nobody around. Even if somebody was around, they'd have to have a pretty stout vehcile that's good in the sand to pull out the 4 ton beast.
I won't be taking my beast on these types of trails until mid next year, but was hoping to hear some kind of feedback from somebody who's already been through this experience. So far, I've been rather impressed with it's off road capability when it will fit on the trail. It will be interesting to see if I can get my Excursion through elephant hill in Moab Utah next year without any damage. I put my Suburban over elephant hill years ago, but it sure was tight. Then comes the white rim trail. Anybody here take their Excursion in that territory yet?
Re: How does the Excursion 4X4 handle in deep sandy trails?
I will ask craig how his did at glamouth- his excursion is a bit modified though- 20 inch lift with out the air in the bags- and 30 " with- i beleive it did good - you may want to air down to 10 lbs- just make sure you can air back up- jess
Re: How does the Excursion 4X4 handle in deep sandy trails?
Elephant hill is cool. I did that with a freind in a stock Land Rover Discovery. I loved the look on peoples faces in the parking lot below when they see a nice truck like that doing these things. Just imagine the look on their faces when they see an Ecusrion coming done the hill!
This one one of the reasons I am thinking about doing a lift. I figure if I coould do that hill then I could go anywhere that I would like to go.
If I remember correctly you have a 4" lift. Is that correct? I am still stock but am considering the 2 1/2" Ranch leveling springs with some sort of rear lift. Still trying to decide.
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2000 4x4 PSD Limited Excursion The Beast
DPTuner 40Tow, 60Tow, 80Econo, BTS Valve Body, AIS Intake, AIH Delete, MBRP Stainless 3.5" DP and 4" Exhaust, 5" All spring Edge lift, Rize Traction Bars, CV joint driveshaft, 315 BFG ATs on Alcoa wheels, Warn Transformer with multi mount winch power front and back, 1000 watt power inverter, VCR, 4.10 gears and ARB Lockers Front and Back
Re: How does the Excursion 4X4 handle in deep sandy trails?
qadsan - I've had my X out in the West Desert a bit. My sand experiences have been purposely limited. Usually, they're just a short hop through maybe 50 to 100 yds. of sand at a time. I keep the speed up, don't do any sharp turns, and don't stop. I can really feel the 8,000 lbs I've got wanting to sink in.
It's just not worth it to me to push the X much further in the sand. If I do bury it, it will be heck to get it back out - IF I can find another vehicle big enough to pull me out!
Re: How does the Excursion 4X4 handle in deep sandy trails?
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Beast: Just imagine the look on their faces when they see an Ecusrion coming done the hill!
If I remember correctly you have a 4" lift. Is that correct?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I'm going to have to have my wife film the look on my face when I first 'try' to take my Excursion up elephant hill for the first time. I didn't mind taking my Suburban over elephant hill as it was already dented up from 4 wheeling and a little beat up from flying across the desert at high speeds, but my Excursion is a different story. I'll be alot more careful with my Excursion at first, at least until the first dent finds me. I remember one real nasty spot on the way back from the devils kitchen clibming over this rock where large sharp rocks were on each side of my Suburban and I had to switch back with the rear of my suburban hanging over a drop off while hanging onto the steering wheel for dear life as I bounced all over the place. I didn't think we were going to make it through, but after several agonizing attempts with my wife spotting, we made with only one big scrape. It's times like that when I wished I had my Toyota Land Cruiser to make things much easier.
Right now, my Excursion is the stock height with stock tires. I've already purchased a Fabtech 5.5 inch dual front shock lift kit with new rear springs, Centerline Phython 16.5 X 9.75 wheels with the BFG 35 inch KO tires. I also bought Bilstein 7100 shcrader valve racing shocks. Bilstein sent me the wrong rear shocks by mistake which is the only thing holding me back from installing everything. Once I get everyting installed, then I'll be looking to drivelineman 'Jesse' for a driveshaft solution to get rid of any driveline vibrations I may have. The Fabtech 5.5 inch lift with the 35 inch tires will give you approximately 7 inches of additional lift (5 inch suspension lift / 2 inch tire lift).
While writing this post, I was trying to remember some of the names of various places on the elephant hill trail. I did a quick search on the internet and found this site about the elephant hill trail in Moab Utah. Take a look as I'm sure it will being back unforgettable memories http://www.outdoorwire.com/4x4/trail.../elephanthill/
Re: How does the Excursion 4X4 handle in deep sandy trails?
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by UTAH: If I do bury it, it will be heck to get it back out - IF I can find another vehicle big enough to pull me out! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Utah, That's exactly what scares me
Jesse, I may have to get a DC compressor mounted, something like the Quick Air 2 perhaps. Do you have any experience with the Quick Air 2 or is there another compressor you like better?
Re: How does the Excursion 4X4 handle in deep sandy trails?
qdsan,
I got onto a construction site with my X that turned out to be filled sand. I was in two wheel drive at the time. I was amazed at how fast the X dug a hole for itself--one or possibly 2 revolutions of the tire and I was down 6 inches. I got out in 4 wd ok but I could feel how heavy the X really was in that environment. One more reason why I got rid of the F-stones and put 295 BFG's on.
Your 7" lift will buy you four extra revolutions of your tires before you bottom out.
Re: How does the Excursion 4X4 handle in deep sandy trails?
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by POLR BR: qdsan,
Your 7" lift will buy you four extra revolutions of your tires before you bottom out. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
That line really got a good chuckle out of me. Even my my wife had to come over and see why I was laughing. It's funny and very true!
Re: How does the Excursion 4X4 handle in deep sandy trails?
I have had my X on the beaches at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina(mostly at the point at Buxton)numerous times.I drop tires down to 25 and head on out Truck does fine.Haven't gotten stuck yet.I still carry a strap,because everyone gets stuck eventually.The sand is fairly soft,especially if you get out of the ruts.Still no problems.I just take it easy and try to keep the tires from spinning.Haven't installed my 7" lift kit yet!Not much into extreme 4-wheeling.Just into fishing with my feet in the sand,doing an occaisional 12 oz. curl!
Re: How does the Excursion 4X4 handle in deep sandy trails?
Working every day on a mile of sandy loam Mississippi River Bank torn up by months of construction equipment setting up an RV park. Worst time was when it was powder dry but 4 wheel high and steady motion keeps every thing going easily. Only time I got it stuck was in one area down a ramp to the actual river where there was grass over a two inch layer of silt. When the X broke thru' the grass I got it stuck spinning on the hardpan below the mud. Now I am going to break down and get some new tires. Probably the BFG AT HOs that all of you are bragging about. I hope they are quiet!
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'01 Excursion PSD 4x4, the Not so Lean Green Machine, arrived 10 a.m. 9/13; In garage 5 p.m. 9/13; Great Dealer
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'04 EB Oxford White Excursion 4x4, born 7/21/03 with 6/23/03 Indy 6.0 PSD (actually the Crew Cab Superduty with the built in air conditioned Camper Shell). Skid Plates, Warn Concealed 12M Winch (Why Ford insists on paying EB a royalty is beyond me but I could not order a White Limited.)
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