FORD Explorer

MOUNTAIN MAN

Hammering down a rocky, dirt road at about 50 mph with the sensational Ford/JBL CD stereo drowning out the rumble and a colossal cloud of dust trailing behind, you start to appreciate what this off-road trip is all about. Flying over obstacles, skidding around the corners and having a real hoot at the wheel. There is a sense of joyous, reckless abandon that leaves you feeling all jiggly fun inside and puts the cares of the workaday world far in the rear. Sitting on top of an unbelievable beauty of a ridge, deep in the Southern California desert, the Explorer lives up to its name. Death Valley is no place for a picnic if your vehicle can't cut the mustard, but this Ford makes it a real visual buffet.

SUV's (Sport Utility Vehicles) are hot these days. I have no idea what percentage of the folks who buy 4x4s really get into the outback with em', but that's where the fun is. Ford has plenty of experience with this kind of kitty and the Explorer is one of the best. This ride can take you to places inaccessible otherwise and bring along enough civilizing gadgetry to make it comfortable.

The Explorer conveys a sense of toughness and indestructibility. It's a truck at heart and it feels like one, wiggly, jiggly, loose and disconnected on the road. You won't mistake it for a car but it works well and you get used to it fast. The high level visibility is a treat, particularly when pulling up alongside short skirted fellow commuters.. Road racing is pretty well discouraged by the insecure feel of the tall off-road tires, but the ride is very comfy. Get it off road and it starts to feel just right, soaking up the whoppers and absorbing the minor distractions before you get rattled.

The big V8 pulls well enough to make you wish for a set of air horns to blast the dweebs out of your way. Bring along that gas credit card, too. The interior is a typically American mixed bag of overdone & underdetailed. Dash was well instrumented and the front seats pretty good, but the sunroof ratted constantly and the leather covered backseat had terrible contours. The new tech pushbutton 4wd certainly was EZ to operate, but for serious off-roading I'd feel more secure with a simple, dependable lever. Everything else felt bulletproof.

The Ex took us everywhere we dared to take it and kept on ticking. When we got home a quick wash brought it back to like-new looks. No poser, this beast of burden is as comfortable and capable on road as off. If you don't mind the trucky feel and your priorities lean toward real off-roading, the Explorer is your ticket to the boonies. .

 

REXX TAYLOR