taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

I posted in this regard before. I am looking for a DD I can take moderately off road. I am not looking to do any rock climbing, but want to do more than dirt roads. Of course, Jeepster would say a FEH is not an off road vehicle (as would dealers), but a lot of Jeepsters are pretty radical off road types, rock climbing and the like. I mostly just want to get into nature.

Does anyone know, say, where a "trail rated" Jeep can go and a FEH cannot? Has anyone put skid plates on a FEH? Lifted it? Bigger tires? Thanks.

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

Yes, many 4x4ers will say you need a small wheelbase, body on frame, locking drivetrain solid axle vehicle (which these days is pretty much just describes a Jeep) to drive on a dirt surface. However, in reality technology has changed and other vehicles will do fine in moderate off road conditions.

Skid plates and lifting won't help the Escape much because it has rear (independent) suspension arms that hang down and will get stuck on really rocky terrain anyway where you need more than 8" or so of clearance. That's why even though there are over a million Escape/Mariner/Tributes on the road, you won't find commercially available lift kits and skid plates. Ford sold some accessory skid plate looking panels for the earliest models but I don't know if these would fit an FEH.

I think everyone you find here that takes their FEH in the dirt has been pleased with its performance. I know I have enjoyed it! My only "modifications" have been to install a full size spare tire and 8-ply light truck all-terrain tires, neither of which have affected the Escape's main mission as a daily driver.

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

I have taken our F/awd Chrysler T&C "off-road" several times (the Lynx Lake area, dirt, creek bed, road{??} outside Prescott AZ comes immediately to mind) but heaven help me if it should rain while I'm "in there".

You're the only real judge of what constitutes casual "off-road" vs SPORTS off-roading.

Personally I would never go off-road without a purpose, (non-sports) destination at the "far" end.

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

I have been in some rough and remote areas in my FEH ( all stock ) and have been very pleased. I've been in places I shouldn't have been, and was able to get out.

Once, I went above tree line, in April, in the Rocky Mountains, on a dirt "trail" and got into some snow. I got to a point where I needed to turn around and go back in my tracks, but so did the 4x4 F-250 behind me!

Oh... I have a 2x4! Never been stuck, in Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota Winters... Knock on wood...

Going reverse up steep or slippery you need to just punch it.
You can't ease into the throttle in reverse ( which is all electric ) because if the wheels don't move right away, the computer interprets this as a stall, and cuts power. Once you understand this, it's not a big deal. It's not a limitation, you just need to know it is there.

HTH,
-John

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

I would say the off-road ability of a FEH/MMH depends mostly on the definition of "off-road" and the ability of the driver.

I've driven a bit of off-roading with several types of vehicles. From front wheel driven station wagons to big army trucks. Only difference being the type of vehicle needed for retrieving the vehicle once it gets really stuck. =)

You don't even need 4WD to do moderate off-roading in the woods with no trail. Couple of years ago I was off-roading with a few friends in my old '88 Chevy pickup. It is a stock 4WD with only BFGoodrich A/T tires. We were deep into the woods when we hit a muddy spot where I finnally go stuck. When trying first to push my car out (too lazy to get winches unwound) someone noticed that my front wheels were not spinning at all.

Turns out I had forgotten to switch on the front axel. The truck has electric coupling to (dis)connect the front wheels from the drive shaft. Normally this is operated automatically when switching on a 4WD-mode. Only in my truck the contactor in the transfer-case is broken and someone has replaced it with a manual switch. I had my 4WD-LO on, but just forgot to flip that switch. So effectively I had been driving a rear wheel drive car all along...

So, yes you can do a fair bit of off-roading with a FEH/MMH. Specially if you have tires with a little more grip. As long as you don't brake anything and make rational choises on your course selection.

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

On my 06 FEH 4WD, i have taken it many places i think a sane person wouldn't, i currently have on it a set of General Grabber AT2 31" All Terrains and a 2" suspension lift by H&R Springs as well as a brush guard (no positive effect at all), and others. I have taken it on beaches, through our latest snow storms (DE - 21 inches of snow), through the mountain passes in PA, you name it and i've never gotten it stuck, and i've never had any issues with it what so ever and i have close to 93K on my FEH now.

You are 100% right about the dealers and others saying it isn't an off-road vehicle and if you ever happen to look inside the owners manual it says on the first few pages "this vehicle was not designed or intended for off-road use" mainly due to the hybrid drive system and battery.

Really if you just want to do some light to moderate trail riding and some nature exhibitions just slap a good set of All Terrains on and you'll be set. The General Grabber AT2's i bought have held up EXCEPTIONALLY well over 12K on them and they are still showing 100% tread depth and are reasonably cheap (362 for the set, tirerack.com)

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

One thing one hears a lot is the lack of a solid axle on a FEH and how that causes problems with articulation, power to the wheels, etc. D-mac also spoke to this, but I gather you have not found this to be an issue for moderate off road. While we are at it, how do you define moderate off road? In the mountains of PA were you on 4wd trails? Many thanks.

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

You are right. Solid axles are better suited for off-road purposes specifically because you can lock the axles in extreme situations (rock climbing and such). Independent suspension and split axles are mainly for ride quality and comfort. The only problem or complaint i have with the FEH is that reverse is VERY weak, so if you do happen to get stuck your most likely only going to get out going forward. I'm not quite sure why the FEH's drivetrain is set up like that i think reverse is primarily used in EV mode hence it's weakness. But none the less i have yet to get stuck even in mud and extreme snow.

The trails i was on that i consider "moderate" off-road were in fact 4WD only trails many with steep inclines, small shallow creek crossings, lots of loose rocks (none bigger than a baseball size), and other muddy crossings/uphill lengths. To be honest i find it fun but would never invest in the equipment some of these guys have on their jeeps and trucks, i just wanted a vehicle that was off-road capable (if needed), good on gas, and wouldn't leave me stranded broke down and 4 years and close to 100K later I'm still just as pleased with it as the day i bought it.

I'm not sure if you can get skid plates for it but if you crawl under one there's a good amount of protection for the main components. If you're going to do a lot of nature/trail driving i do encourage a brush guard they are fairly inexpensive yet provide a good amount of front end protection in those "oops" moments.

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

Maybe the manual has changed, but my '07 came with a small booklet with safety tips for driving off road. In contrast Toyota has made it pretty clear in all of their spec sheets for the Highlander Hybrid that it was not meant for off road driving.

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

Just keep in mind that if it rains or snows while you're "in there", you may need a serious level of help to get "out".

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

Just went up a 15% grade in SW Pa. last night with 4-6" of new snow on the ground. I kept it at 15 MPH and my wheels (FWD only) never broke loose once.

After parking all night, snow piled up to more like 10-12" ( deeper than the oil pan ) and my FEH pulled out of my parking space just a idle without even my foot on the gas.

Simply.... amazing....

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

A 15% grade is only 8.53 degrees which really isn't very much.

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

You haven't driven some of the 15% grades out here in our region. I84 east of Pendleton OR comes to mind.

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

I could be confused but are there different 15% grades?

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

Oh, very, VERY much so.

For roadbeds.

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

Please explain why 15% grade/slope or 8.53 degrees is somehow different depending on what? In distance, yes but it's still 15%. My driveway has a grade/slope but I don't see why the same grade/slope would be different in a different state!

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

Sorry, you'd have to drive it in the dead of winter to understand.

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

Nope! Just want to know why a 15% grade/slope is different in Oregon compared to other states?

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

My experience supports the difference in "15%" slopes.

While naturally a true 15% slope is always the same grade, but unfortunately the road signs are used very loosely. So, in one town 15% sign might be on a slope closer to 10%, in an other town it may be used for slope closer to 20%. Yes, it shouldn't be like it, but that's just life...

Also 15% for a car is quite a steep slope. And specially if it is slippery.

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

A 2% grade is "strong" for a mainline railroad. 3%, very steep, and 4% too steep for practical use.

5% to 7% is very steep for a 80,000# tractor/trailer.

15% for a regular automobile is indeed VERY steep.
I've had my FEH on a 24% dirt road, and while it wasn't, it felt like the front wheels were ready to come off the ground going uphill.

( 4,000 RPM at 10 mph by the way )

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

A 100% grade or sometimes refered to as slope equals a 45 degree angle everywhere.

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

I think the debate is, what does one particular sign refer to?

Is a sign post claiming 7% grade = the steepest 10 feet of that road?

Or the average over 1 mile of road?

Or the average from peak to valley?

There are many variables.

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

Miles L..o....n.......g grades, curves, switchback curves, side to side roadbed sloping, etc, etc.

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

You have to post a picture of that sign in Oregon!

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

Well, finally bought an FEH, 2009 4wd on Ebay. Decent price, I think, though I hardly stole it. Delivered (it will need to be shipped), about $23600 with under 14,000 miles. And I do plan to take it off road some.

1997PGT, I was wondering who you had do the lift. I have 17 inch rims, will that work for 31 inch tires.

Re: taking FEH 4x4 off road
 

The FEH can be pretty capable in an "off road" setting. Keep in mind that when they say 8" of clearence they mean the lowest spot (rear supention arms) most of the FEH sits at about 10". I have taken my 07 FEH 4WD on some pretty dicey trails in the Washintion Cascades with little trouble. It also helps to have some good all terain tires. Im running a set of Wild Country XTX (if the tred were any more agressive in would be considered a "mud terain tire") and have been very pleased with the increse in proformance. You may also be pleased to hear that switching from the stock tires to a more aggressive tred produces a negliglible decrese in fuel economy. My 07 FEH just reached 163K and I still maintain 32.5 MPG and that with 70% of my driving being highway. On a side note i recoment switching from the OEM spark plugs to those fancy Bosch quad tips.