Does anyone take the Ex offroad?
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,139
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Look at me !! Watch out for sand if you're in 2WD. LOL
6686, it's the interwebby, and an open forum. Not every member will post technically relevant information. That's the nature of this beast.
NEVER FRY BACON NAKED!! That's the answer to it all and never untrue..
BTW, I'm 39 Y.O.
6686, it's the interwebby, and an open forum. Not every member will post technically relevant information. That's the nature of this beast.
NEVER FRY BACON NAKED!! That's the answer to it all and never untrue..
BTW, I'm 39 Y.O.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
Well We have had our ex off road quite of few times unlifted and lifted, I preferre the latter especially in washes with rock, and we are careful to choose trails that are wider to avoid scratches but thats what you get trailing. as far as off roading capabilities not much different than a pick up and shorter than a crew cab.
YouTube - Excursion hill run
I just wish I have some footage when we were at Pismo
YouTube - Excursion hill run
I just wish I have some footage when we were at Pismo
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 128
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This and several other "posts" like it fascinate me - as examples of the "generation gap". The fellow who started this "thread" raised a simple question, which invited people who are technically competent to help him out.
But so many of the younger people feel a need to "mouth off"; they have no embarssment at their inability and/or unwillingness to supply info. in an adult matter.
As soon as I see someone typing "lol" at the end of their sentence, I know EXACTLY what they are. Ego-centric kids who want desparately to be noticed.
Now, for some info. to help the original poster out.
We bought a EX with 4wd precisely because of its "off-road" capabilities. Our ranch has about a mile and a half of what could laughably be called a "cow trail" before we get to county-maintained roads. That's when it isn't raining or snowing.
When the weather turns sour, its long wheel-base, weight, and wide stance are a great help in getting thru.
Because we do not, unfortunately, have "limited slip" differentials, when we do feel "wheel-spin" a touch of brake "loads" the differentials or "tricks" them into TRUE four-wheel drive. Thanks to the EX's great weight, it squashes the snow, ice, or mud down enough for the tires to get a "bite", and we get thru where smaller, lighter vehicles could not.
I do not believe in "lifting" vehicles for off-road use. Judging from the type of kid who "lifts" a vehicle, I am satisfied they do this because they think it is "cool", and will help them get "noticed" by others of their "ilk".
The typical SUV has a high "roll center" or "high center of gravity" bone stock. The last thing you want to do, if you are going into unimproved areas, is make that "high roll center" worse.
One of the reasons why "lifting" dosn't accomplish anything in terms of the ability of any particular vehicle to slog thru unimproved trails, is that no matter how high you "raise" a vehicle like ours, the axles and differentials are unaffected, and thus subject to getting "hung up" on rocks. Since "off-roading" to me, assumes not necessarily LEVEL surfaces, I sure as HELL do not want to make my EX less capable by making it more likely to over-turn.
Obviously, there are specialized conditions that require specialized vehicles. For example, if I am going into VERY rocky areas with tight turns I would not recommend a large SUV for that kind of condition, "raised" or not. For that kind of driving, there are a number of ATV's that will go where other passenger vehicles, again, no matter how high you "raise" them, will not.
Perhaps I should type a "LOL" at the end of my comments, to please the younger folks ?
This and several other "posts" like it fascinate me - as examples of the "generation gap". The fellow who started this "thread" raised a simple question, which invited people who are technically competent to help him out.
But so many of the younger people feel a need to "mouth off"; they have no embarssment at their inability and/or unwillingness to supply info. in an adult matter.
As soon as I see someone typing "lol" at the end of their sentence, I know EXACTLY what they are. Ego-centric kids who want desparately to be noticed.
Now, for some info. to help the original poster out.
We bought a EX with 4wd precisely because of its "off-road" capabilities. Our ranch has about a mile and a half of what could laughably be called a "cow trail" before we get to county-maintained roads. That's when it isn't raining or snowing.
When the weather turns sour, its long wheel-base, weight, and wide stance are a great help in getting thru.
Because we do not, unfortunately, have "limited slip" differentials, when we do feel "wheel-spin" a touch of brake "loads" the differentials or "tricks" them into TRUE four-wheel drive. Thanks to the EX's great weight, it squashes the snow, ice, or mud down enough for the tires to get a "bite", and we get thru where smaller, lighter vehicles could not.
I do not believe in "lifting" vehicles for off-road use. Judging from the type of kid who "lifts" a vehicle, I am satisfied they do this because they think it is "cool", and will help them get "noticed" by others of their "ilk".
The typical SUV has a high "roll center" or "high center of gravity" bone stock. The last thing you want to do, if you are going into unimproved areas, is make that "high roll center" worse.
One of the reasons why "lifting" dosn't accomplish anything in terms of the ability of any particular vehicle to slog thru unimproved trails, is that no matter how high you "raise" a vehicle like ours, the axles and differentials are unaffected, and thus subject to getting "hung up" on rocks. Since "off-roading" to me, assumes not necessarily LEVEL surfaces, I sure as HELL do not want to make my EX less capable by making it more likely to over-turn.
Obviously, there are specialized conditions that require specialized vehicles. For example, if I am going into VERY rocky areas with tight turns I would not recommend a large SUV for that kind of condition, "raised" or not. For that kind of driving, there are a number of ATV's that will go where other passenger vehicles, again, no matter how high you "raise" them, will not.
Perhaps I should type a "LOL" at the end of my comments, to please the younger folks ?
You say the truck doesn't have LSDs. It does (or can). It doesn't have LOCKERS. Lockers are required for rigs that frequently lift tires (off of the ground) which negates much use of an LSD.
Light weight is important off road. While compacting the terrain might help in some situations, the heavy weight works against you most of the time. This sounds like the old argument about which tire works best in mud or snow, narrow or wide. I can tell you that no one with any type of extreme off road rig has narrow tires (except maybe a swamp buggy). Floatation is key, even in deep snow. I've got pics where my Jeep is parked next to the roof of a forest service building (I'm on 8' of snow). My X wouldn't come close. A narrow tire is only good if your tire is tall enough to get through the mud/snow to hard ground before you high center.
You are missing the point of a lift. A lift is (or should be) designed to get you more tire clearance. A larger tire gets your diffs further out of harm's way. I don't advocate the huge lifts as, you're correct, the raised CG is awful. Most Jeep guys lift as little as possible and cut the rest away for tire clearance. Another benefit to a lift is break over angle. A long rig, like an X, is more likely to get high centered at the belly than a rig that is equally high with a shorter wheelbase. In the past decade there has been a big movement in the Jeep world to flat, smooth belly skids. This means rigs don't have to be so high as they don't have as much to hang them up.
Raising a X is pretty much just done for the owners perception of what looks good, not function.
An X is great rig to get you down logging roads, up to ski areas and many other important uses. But as a wheelin' rig, not so good.
Check here. HotwireAuto - Fuel Injected Wiring Harnesses
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: Bremerton, Wa.
Back in the old days,my first 4X4 was a new '70 landcruiser wagon with an 8K warn winch,10.00X15 Cooper Discoverer M&S,headers,2BBl carb for a 289 chev and a delco Dist and was my daily driver and also off road rig. I never went anywhere that I would have damaged it,well except for the year,'75,that we did the Rubicon,but did do some really fun runs.That rig could climb a heck of a lot of hill,dig thru a lot of beach sand and loved to play in the mud. My son rolled it after we had had it about 16 years and 250K miles and I drove it 20 miles home.It was totaled and I couldn't buy it back,so got a '76 and drove that for another 6 years.Also had an FJ60 wagon and a newer one for a couple of years,but got rid of them quick. After that I got a '94 Cherokee and put wider tires than stock on it and added the old Warn,still worked great after 20 some years,and did some more 4 wheeling,but it wasn't the same as the old Land crushers as were the Yukon and Suburban that we had after the Jeep .I have tried some off roading with the "EX",but it just doesn't feel the same and you just can't do the narrow deep woods trails.Love the "EX" for hauling the trailer tho and with my DPtuner set on 60tow,now that I got the IRP sensor replaced,it'll pull it almost anywhere.Yes,wide tires for sand,snow and mud,Narrower tires for daily driving and mileage.Jacking your rig up only improves the tipability of it,not the road clearance.Oh,and a Hi-lifter jack is indespensible for getting yourself out of ruts and mudholes.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,714
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Mine never touches dirt! That's what I bought my Polaris Ranger for! My Ranger will go 1000's of places more than my gigantic Ex will go! I took it off road 1 time and got bounced through the roof, rubbed the bottom, that was it!
The Polaris Ranger is smoooooother!
The Polaris Ranger is smoooooother!
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Back in the old days,my first 4X4 was a new '70 landcruiser wagon with an 8K warn winch,10.00X15 Cooper Discoverer M&S,headers,2BBl carb for a 289 chev and a delco Dist and was my daily driver and also off road rig. I never went anywhere that I would have damaged it,well except for the year,'75,that we did the Rubicon,but did do some really fun runs.That rig could climb a heck of a lot of hill,dig thru a lot of beach sand and loved to play in the mud. My son rolled it after we had had it about 16 years and 250K miles and I drove it 20 miles home.
L/Cs are excellent off-road machines. Of course maybe it's because the very first were designed off the Jeep platform.
Seriously though, nice rigs.As far as lift goes, I believe in just enough to get the job done (larger tires) and no more. My CJ7 for example runs 37" MTRs and I managed to get those in with a SOA conversion which netted about 5-6" of lift, which for a CJ should not be near enough lift to get them in there. The rest of the clearance came from hogged out wheel wells and TJ flairs to keep it neat. I know I could fit 40's with a comp cut in the rear and flatties up front but I don't feel the need at the moment. It's not ideal as I really should stretch the wheel base a bit and widen it up some, but I just keep my limitations in mind and wheel accordingly.
I see the Ex not so much as an Off Road vehicle as Off Pavement. I stand by my statement that it is too big and too heavy to make an effective all around off roader. All around means more than just blasting through mud holes and running down muddy two-tracks. It is just not designed for much more than that. I'd say it's probably best in its class since, well, there isn't anything else IN its class.
A Jeep Unlimited Rubicon OTOH is probably the best all around conventional 4 wheeler ever produced, but it is designed to be that way, and certain other features are cut short to reach that goal. It has great wheel base, good track width, good axles, gears, E-lockers front and rear, excellent tranyy/ xfer case, etc. It has all the ingredients, but it's not overly spacious, could use a bit more under the hood, not the best riding thing on road, etc etc. Trade-offs to make it excel when it leaves the pavement, except for under the hood. That wasn't a trade off. It was just down right criminal. It needs one of two things. Either a Hemi or diesel!
The Ex on the other hand is too long, too wide, too heavy, too etc. All those features though make it great on the road doing what it's meant to do, haul a bunch of people and a bunch of gear in luxury while towing a small house down the highway. Digger said it best when outlining the shortcomings of the Ex off road.
And like I said early on, nothing raises hackles like....
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 882
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From: Ohio
I'm about ready to just WALK the next time I go off road. I've got a 750 Brute Force and my buddy has the same. Last time we went out he was leading in an unfamiliar area and he started down this rocky hill that REALLY made me go hmmm. He made it down so I figured what the hay and away I went. I figure it must have been his 7 foot 400# butt (not kidding) that kept his bike planted but I didn't have near enough ***. Next thing I know the back end of my bike is trading places with the front the hard way, I'm headed face first over the bars, and that 700# pig managed to somehow roll over me TWICE on the way down.
I slid the rest of the way down the hill amongst a small avalanche of rocks and gravel, only to come to rest at the feet of my amused audience. Of course the base of the hill had to be the gathering spot for everyone in the tri-state wheeling community. Much hilarity ensued.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 86
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Comments like this show just how ignorant a person is, sure I put lol at the end of my comment why because it is just that MY COMMENT. At least take the time to find out who initiated this thread..thats right sift through your personal ignorance and find out it was me! That said, back on topic seeing Candiansmokie's setup gave me a few pointers. I really really dont want to raise the Ex but a capable winch/bumper setup and wider m/t tires will be a decent start for me.. lol ( that slipped)
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 0
= = = = = =
This and several other "posts" like it fascinate me - as examples of the "generation gap". The fellow who started this "thread" raised a simple question, which invited people who are technically competent to help him out.
But so many of the younger people feel a need to "mouth off"; they have no embarssment at their inability and/or unwillingness to supply info. in an adult matter.
As soon as I see someone typing "lol" at the end of their sentence, I know EXACTLY what they are. Ego-centric kids who want desparately to be noticed.
This and several other "posts" like it fascinate me - as examples of the "generation gap". The fellow who started this "thread" raised a simple question, which invited people who are technically competent to help him out.
But so many of the younger people feel a need to "mouth off"; they have no embarssment at their inability and/or unwillingness to supply info. in an adult matter.
As soon as I see someone typing "lol" at the end of their sentence, I know EXACTLY what they are. Ego-centric kids who want desparately to be noticed.
Sorry man I am not with ya on this one! Your statement seems a little out of line. LOL is pretty well used by all ages all over Email and Internet. I am not a kid and not Ego-centric and I don't need attention. Very Uncool and mean hearted statement though!
Moderator please delete all of this off topic garbage please!
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 0
I'm about ready to just WALK the next time I go off road. I've got a 750 Brute Force and my buddy has the same. Last time we went out he was leading in an unfamiliar area and he started down this rocky hill that REALLY made me go hmmm. He made it down so I figured what the hay and away I went. I figure it must have been his 7 foot 400# butt (not kidding) that kept his bike planted but I didn't have near enough ***. Next thing I know the back end of my bike is trading places with the front the hard way, I'm headed face first over the bars, and that 700# pig managed to somehow roll over me TWICE on the way down.
I slid the rest of the way down the hill amongst a small avalanche of rocks and gravel, only to come to rest at the feet of my amused audience. Of course the base of the hill had to be the gathering spot for everyone in the tri-state wheeling community. Much hilarity ensued.
I slid the rest of the way down the hill amongst a small avalanche of rocks and gravel, only to come to rest at the feet of my amused audience. Of course the base of the hill had to be the gathering spot for everyone in the tri-state wheeling community. Much hilarity ensued.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
= = = = = =
This and several other "posts" like it fascinate me - as examples of the "generation gap". The fellow who started this "thread" raised a simple question, which invited people who are technically competent to help him out.
But so many of the younger people feel a need to "mouth off"; they have no embarssment at their inability and/or unwillingness to supply info. in an adult matter.
As soon as I see someone typing "lol" at the end of their sentence, I know EXACTLY what they are. Ego-centric kids who want desparately to be noticed.
Perhaps I should type a "LOL" at the end of my comments, to please the younger folks ?
This and several other "posts" like it fascinate me - as examples of the "generation gap". The fellow who started this "thread" raised a simple question, which invited people who are technically competent to help him out.
But so many of the younger people feel a need to "mouth off"; they have no embarssment at their inability and/or unwillingness to supply info. in an adult matter.
As soon as I see someone typing "lol" at the end of their sentence, I know EXACTLY what they are. Ego-centric kids who want desparately to be noticed.
Perhaps I should type a "LOL" at the end of my comments, to please the younger folks ?
I have taken my Ex on some pretty crazy trails and had a blast doing it. I do recall following a little jeep trail up the mountain south of Mt. Sneffels near Ouray, Colorado - the higher I got, the more regret I had. Fortunately I came to a slightly wide spot and did a 15 point turn 180 degrees to crawl back down the trail (the cliff drop was about 150 feet). It was fun - but won't creep a trail like that again.
Junior User
Joined: May 2008
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