OuterLimits
I control the horizontal and the vertical
As you peruse these overland forums, you will find gaggles of Jeep builds. Trifectas of Toys (Landcruisers, 4Runners, Tacomas). Messes of Montys. X-Terras, Rovers, Subarus, Suzukis galore!
Allow me to cleanse your build palette with "something completely different".
This build is a about simplicity, reliability, and economy. This build is about maximizing strengths and minimizing weaknesses. But mostly, this build is about driving what ya got!
I cannot offer you the “shock and awe” of a transverse mounted LS1 V-8 conversion. Nor will I relish you with the pageantry of a 3 story, 12 person Roof Top Tent. A Wi-Fi enabled milk frother is right out!
Hopefully I can share one man’s vision of a simple adventure vehicle and perhaps a bit of entertainment along the way.
Not one to rush into something so tantalizing… Let’s begin with a little 4-play.
I have owned maybe a dozen vehicles in my lifetime , including such classics as a vintage Jeep Grand Wagoneer and a FJ60 Landcruiser. As a previous traveling road warrior, I’ve driven hundreds (perhaps thousands) of rental vehicles. I have a pretty good idea of my vehicular likes, needs, and wants. Over time my requirements regarding commuting, family, traveling, camping, mpg, and comfort, have changed. As wants and needs changed, vehicles changed. They all had a “sell by date”.
In 2006 it was time for a new daily driver, with some added capability to get beyond the tarmac. It needed to confidently handle the perpetually wet and snowy roads of the Great Pacific Northwest.
I stumbled onto a 2005 Ford Escape (4WD) at a local Ford Dealer. It had previously been a 1 year rental, but was in great condition, with an affordable sticker price. It is nimble, gets decent mpg, and was a blast to drive. It is labelled by Ford as “4WD”, but some take great offense to that.
Some say it is more like a FWD biased AWD. Info on the drivetrain says it runs FWD till it detects wheel slip (1/6 turn), then automatically shifts 1-99% of power to the rear wheels (as needed). It never felt quite like that to me. When off road or in the snow, the rear seemed to be engaged without any noticeable slipping up front. WTH?
Escape enthusiasts found the 4WD operated a bit differently. They would attach a scan gauge to the computer port to determine when power was sent to the rear. They found all 4 wheels are driven under initial acceleration. Between 35- 45mph it would transition to FWD (depending on acceleration load). It seems to be more accurately described as an AWD that becomes FWD at highway speeds. It works brilliantly.
Sporting Goodyear Fortera Triple-Tred tires, it would go wherever I pointed it on the always wet, sometimes snowy, roads of the Great Pacific Northwest. The traction was impressive. It was the perfect setup.
After relocating to sunny, drought forsaken, Southern California, It was time for a re-vamp. The endless freeways are mostly a nightmare of traffic congestion, tailgaters, and road rage. I am going to lose my mind. There must be more to this state than concrete, congestion, and a$$hats. I needed to get out!
It’s was time to explore in Death Valley, tour the Mojave Road, and throw sand roosters in the Pismo Dunes. In other words “It was time for a BUILD!!!”
Without further ado, I proudly present to you the
Ford Escape e/x (econo/expo)
Cough, cough... Without further ado, I proudly present to you the
Ford Escape e/x (econo/expo)
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