Territory impressions in the outback - Page 4 - Ford Forums

FordFreak · 10-10-2004, 20:31

[quote=Organza]I've had a Maverick (way back when), a Series 80 Cruiser for a while, a Courier turbo diesel, a Hilux SR5 and have done trips in a 98 Explorer, the old model Prado and even did some sand duning in a Jeep Cherokee!!

On a side point. I noticed you said that you have done trips in a 98 Explorer. Can you let me know your thoughts on the 98 Explorer. I am looking at trading in my EL Fairmont for one and any info would be fantastic.
Thanx

Organza · 10-12-2004, 05:47

[quote=FordFreak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Organza

I noticed you said that you have done trips in a 98 Explorer. Can you let me know your thoughts on the 98 Explorer. I am looking at trading in my EL Fairmont for one and any info would be fantastic.

Oh sure OK ... I'll try to remember ... it was a while ago.

The old model Explorer had a pretty narrow track and of course, leaf spring suspension so it wasn't brilliant off road ... but we never had a problem with it and we travelled from Birdsville northwards through dune country (but not the Simpson Desert crossing).

The standard tyres were a worry though. Even though it was an "ATW tyre", it was very much designed for bitumen work rather than off road stuff. Way too soft in the sidewalls we punctured two or three by not just rocks but protruding wood. I'd definitely get a decent set of ATW tyres on it.

What else?

Well, the narrow track makes the interior feel pretty small and just generally the car has a pretty basic sort of feel. It drives like a truck-like 4WD and its an electronic switchable 4WD setup .... which means you can run in on demand 4WD, full time 4WD in high ratio and full time 4WD in low ratio.

Ground clearance from memory was about 200mm (20mm more than a Territory), but you never felt you had bucketloads of clearance.

Fuel economy was OK at probably 15 litres per 100 k's.

Hope that helps. At the right price, under $20K, it'd be a solid performer without being the best available.

Territory · 10-12-2004, 06:36

Was playing around with settings re the earlier problem of pics not showing.
Found that the firewall (ZoneAlarm) blocked the images if you set Ad Blocking to 'High'.

Keep those pics coming Organza, they are great.

FordFreak · 10-12-2004, 20:24

Thanx heaps for the 98 Explorer info.
One of the main things that makes the Explorer so attractive is the price you can get one for but I haven't yet driven one so I think that will be the deciding factor.
Thanx again

new2ford · 10-12-2004, 23:16

The Ford dealer I bought the Terri from said the Explorer was not one of their happier sales/after-sales experiences and they'd rather not know about it, and I also met an owner who said the car had spent more time in service than out of it. Apart from that I can't help but personally I shy away from a US made car - I think the Aussies and others do a better job of designing and making cars.

Organza · 10-14-2004, 06:02

A couple of new pics from the trip for anyone interested.

For those bored with them before now .... I apologise in advance.

Organza · 10-14-2004, 06:05

last 10, I promise ....

johnydep · 10-14-2004, 06:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Organza

last 10, I promise ....

Your starting to sound like a politician now

Territory · 10-17-2004, 04:00

Nah I love em! Keep em coming! What's that massive vertical yellow rock?

Organza · 10-17-2004, 06:39

That's Chambers Pillar which is located about 160k's south or south east of the Alice along a reasonably formed dirt track, called the Old South Road which cuts through Maryvale Station. It takes about 3 and a half to 4 hours to get there from Alice.

The pillar is made of sandstone and sits 50 metres above the surrounding plain. Last century it was an important landscape marker for explorers incl. John MacDouall Stuart, as they headed north and to the Alice.

It's well worth the trip and is a pretty challenging drive in a T, especially the last 40 k's or so once you pass Maryvale because it includes a pretty steep jump up that tests the T's ground clearance and scrambling ability. Coming down the other side the Hill Descent Control is a useful feature to have.

If you go .... definitely spend the night there. It's a cozy little campground with maybe 10 segregated campsites with pit toilets and gas BBQ's. Getting shots of the Pillar at sunset and at dawn is a must do. Lots of Desert Oaks in the campground which, for those that have done it, are great to sleep near (but not directly under because they weep concentrated salt that they extracted from the water table, when a breeze is blowing because of the beautiful howl the thin leaves make.