Off roading Escape?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 1, 2008 | 12:04 AM

luckyranger79

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 55

Likes: 0

Off roading Escape?

My wife has an 03 Escape XLT with a 3.8L. We do a lot of offroading with our trucks and stuff. I was thinking of having my wife take the Escape on some trail runs with us. Not too difficult, some hill climbs and some mud. Anyone ever taken their's off road on a regular basis? They seem very agile and sturdy for a FWD-based vehicle. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Mar 1, 2008 | 08:10 AM

sfcwoodret

Posting Guru

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 1,337

Likes: 1

Probably has the 3.0 engine and I would'nt take it through mud but try keeping it on roads with a good foundation such as unimproved secondary roads. Escapes can go off road but not like a true 4 wheel drive vehicle can.

Mar 1, 2008 | 09:06 AM

redvalley

Junior User

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 71

Likes: 0

From: North Idaho

I used my wife's for a little trail riding once, it did ok. I did dent the heck out of the factory funning board though. Thos little cars are pretty close to the ground, and the tranny isn't that strong if you have the v6 it might not hold up well to the extra strain in the mud.

Mar 1, 2008 | 10:26 PM

rosabaer

New User

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

You would realy be surprised on what these lil trucks could do off road.
If you want I could post a link so you could see an escape in action.

Mar 2, 2008 | 04:59 PM

DoctorCAD

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 401

Likes: 0

You will be fine if you remember that it is a car with some higher ground clearance.

Remember the CV joint boots, remember the alternator is at the bottom of the engine bay, remember that there is no locking diffs or low range, remember that there are no skid plates on the undercarriage, remember the short suspension travel.

I've seen pictures on another Escape board of fairly hard-core use. It can be done if you just remember...

Mar 5, 2008 | 02:48 PM

hingabo

New User

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 12

Likes: 0

I'm with DoctorCAD on this one. I prefer the higher altitude mountain trails but I'm careful to avoid water and mud. The alternator was fried when I got this one; I think it had been wet. Oversize tires are my only real mod.

Mar 5, 2008 | 03:29 PM

MattV

Cross-Country

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 85

Likes: 0

From: Talking Rock

I was wanting to take my wife Escape offroad until I got underneath the front end and saw how close the drivetrain is to the ground. No offroading in our Escape unless absolutely necessary!