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Broktuse's picture

Garry
Nanaimo
New Member

Hello, my names is Garry. Been living on the Island about 2 years now, recently bought a '97 Ford Expedition and have already had a blast exploring some of the trails and backroads around Nanaimo. I'm sticking to easy trails, as I'm new, my truck is stock, and so far I'm heading out alone. I am a student so I can't afford to do much to my truck, but all terrain tires will at least be on my to do list. I've so far only been around the Nanaimo Lakes Rd. area (didn't get too far before finding a closed gate), and Cassidy around Timberlands Rd. The first time I went out to Nanaimo Lakes I took my GoPro to shoot a little video, I'll try to post it in the videos section here.

Really looking forward to seeing more of the Island, and hopefully meeting some members in the future.

welshy's picture

Gwyn price
Nanaimo

Hi Garry...Welcome:)
Ive yet to go on any trips with an expedition... But would be cool to see what they can do... I started last year with a stock Grand Cherokee and was amazed what a mall crawler could do!
Next time your heading out put a post up...it sucks breaking shit without a few good guys to help you out of a sticky situation!

Beer-n-Meat's picture

Beer-n-Meat
Nanaimo

Welcome Garry.

Broktuse's picture

Garry
Nanaimo

Thanks for the warm welcome. I gotta say that so far I'm pretty surprised with what my mall crawler has gone up and over, especially for being so big and having a long wheel base. It has been very dry though, and I'll definitely have a tougher time once the trails get some rain. Your Cherokee looks pretty gnarly, seems it's come quite a ways from being stock.

It would be great to meet up and hit some trails, it can be a little nerve racking going alone. I'll probably be heading out this Tuesday (22nd), I'll put up a post in the trails runs section.

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Admin

Shane
Alberni Valley

Welcome to the site Garry. I would recommend pulling off those running boards as your first 'mod' - it's free and will help immensely in the bush (at least it did with my 4Runner).

See you on the trails!

Broktuse's picture

Garry
Nanaimo

I had thought of ditching the running boards (already got hung up on some tree roots), but I don't think my vertically challenged wife would be to happy if I did, she has enough trouble climbing in even with the running birds and grab handle.

welshy's picture

Gwyn price
Nanaimo

Running boards gotta go..... Get her a stool :)

BluBox's picture

Richard
Campbell River

Electric ladders for the win!!!! ;)

Broktuse's picture

Garry
Nanaimo

Hehe well I think they're only 3 bolts per side, probably just end up removing/replacing them before and after I head out into the bush.

When I said I was gonna buy a vehicle, I said I'd get a little hatch back that was good on gas and easy for us both to drive. She's been very cool about me coming home with the polar opposite of that, so I don't want to be too much of an ass about it.

At least not right away.

BluBox's picture

Richard
Campbell River

Very smart decision...Some buttons DO NOT need to be pressed :)

IslandExploration's picture

Chris
Nanaimo

Would be interesting to watch this thing trek around in the bush... it's a little large and a little low to attempt to go the places we usually do but nonetheless it would be fun to watch.
PS. I agree - lift it and get her a stool!

Broktuse's picture

Garry
Nanaimo

Took the running boards off, does at least look a little higher. I'll have to see if that chin guard under the bumper is actually guarding anything, if not I think it will have to go too. Definitely can't afford a proper lift kit for it yet (still have a couple more years of being a student), but I might at least look into a levelling. It has air bags in the rear, and eventually I'll have to swap them out for coil overs anyways. Pretty sure one of the bags is already leaking, but the compressor can keep up with it for now.

BeRadical's picture

BeRad
duncan

Good stuff, they are agile for the size, they seem ungainly but if its a road even a very small tight road you should fit, just seer clear of susuki trails, and the trees. My sister has rocked out a stock one for five or six years only ever needed axle seals besides regular maintenance and some minor astetic shit like the drivers window coming out the hangars. And the rear wiper motor bracket breaking.
shes had it to the top of prevost and out to the swimming holes but shes got a big family and dailys it to rhe mall so lift isnt in the budget for them.

Broktuse's picture

Garry
Nanaimo

It's nice to hear about somebody else having with a stock Expo.

Last week I drove the whole length of Nanaimo Lakes Rd. Pretty fun trail going through all the water holes, and pretty easy too. It does get a little rough just past Barsby Lake, but I got through it with very little drama (and back again since all the #@%ing gates were closed on the other side). Little bit of scraping bottom, but luckily that part of the trail doesn't have many rocks so it really wasn't so bad.

Broktuse's picture

Garry
Nanaimo

Since it's a widely believed fact that black wheels give you better traction, I decided to plasti-dip mine.

Came out better than I was expecting, will just have to see how long it lasts. I suppose when it does get torn I could always just spray more of it on.
I'd like to do the bumper, grill, and mirrors (not a fan of chrome), but I'd probably have to redo it every time I go through the bush.

theshanergy's picture
Admin

Shane
Alberni Valley

That looks really good. I'm curious as to how long it will last in the bush. I actually bough 9 cans of that plasti dip originally intending to paint my old wheels and various other things, but ended up buying new rims instead. If you need any more of the stuff let me know! :)

Broktuse's picture

Garry
Nanaimo

Thanks, I may take you up on that.
I'm curious to see how it will hold up too. I've only been out once since spraying them, but was a pretty mild trail. I also haven't tried cleaning the mud off them yet either.

johnnybwild's picture

john
qualicum

New to the site

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