Does anybody have any advice for going offroading in a stock X?

 

Pick your line carefully.

 

what monsta said.

seriously...

(stock tires and suspension, notice not much clearance+shallow angles)

I do lots and lots of off-roading. Not hamster-pounding, just serious get out there and hunt/camp/fish with my two oldest boys and a ton of crap. I have put 24.5k miles on my 2005 EX, Including off-roading in the Desert, Mountains, Snow and Baja.



I don't know what year etc. you have. I have a 2005 EB PSD 4X4 and the most serious issues were:

1. VERY, VERY delicate tires. The factory BFG's are marginal at best. Any stick or sharp rock will destroy the sidewall. Even if you are crawling along. Trust me.

2. No front wheel travel. On my vehicle less than 3/4" "UP" travel stock.
You have to go very, very slow, and then also pick your line as Monsta said. If you are anything like me you won't go that slow and bottom out repeatedly while cursing.

3. Entry/departure angles are very shallow. No cure except pick your line or don't go there...


(much better!)

This is after a 3.5"-4" lift, much better than stock, but certainly not high. Most who see my truck are suprised to hear that it is lifted. It does not look it, it just looks "right".



Some unintended off-roading on the Ortega Highway...


_____________________
Quietman
www.roenation.com
2005 EXCURSION Eddie Bauer 4X4 PSD
4" FabTech lift/level, Bilstein mono-gas shocks, Rancho Steering Stabilizer
Silverstars, BFG 295/75/16 AT KO's on Factory Mags
LANDYOT Generation II Radius Rods, Ford factory hood insulator

 

You have a really nice truck. How does she thing handle off road, on the highway lifted and in the snow? How is the 6.0L diesels power and is that in arizona? Also, I have an 2001 XLT with a 6.8L V-10 that does not have stock tires in the front or back (Goodyear wrangler with silent armor technology) but i dont know if rocks or sticks etc will tear up the sidewalls on those tires. But it has stock suspension.