Ford Escape
09-03-2018, 09:04 PM
#1
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Ford Escape
Has anyone stripped down an older Escape and used like a side x side on their farm or as a pasture vehicle? Just curious, they are dirt cheap compared to the crew SxS.
09-05-2018, 11:30 PM
#2
Senior Member
--About 30 years ago I bought a 440 Ramcharger that had been rolled, but the powertrain/running gear was fine. A buddy had a 72 Pinto wagon with a blown engine. We cut 10 inches out of the frame, shortened the rear shaft and dropped the Pinto body on top by means of some hand fabbed frame brackets. It was the ultimate ranch beater.
Last edited by PerryB; 09-05-2018 at 11:44 PM.
09-06-2018, 06:17 AM
#3
I actually traded a 2009 AWD Escape for the F150.....keeping in mind it's an "automatic" 4WD system, with good tires you couldn't get stuck unless you *really* tried lol. Good ground clearance, good power with the V6, and with the factory-optioned leaking doors and tailgate it's pre-exposed to the elements lol.
Mine left me with over 200K Km on it and while a couple of engine seals leaked a little oil it still worked flawlessly...I think it would do the side x side role well
Mine left me with over 200K Km on it and while a couple of engine seals leaked a little oil it still worked flawlessly...I think it would do the side x side role well
09-12-2018, 12:17 AM
#4
Senior Member
Mine made it to 248k MILES before the transmission gave up, with having never changed the tranny fluid since we bought it at 20k miles. Second to last year of ownership it got us through a 3600 mile trip from Ky down through Tx, then up through the Rockies for 10 days. All while loaded to 5000lbs with a Yakima Skybox and two mountain bikes on the roof, and a 48" cargo tray on the back.
The Escape was a tough vehicle that would take mild abuse in stride. Install a set of Tough Country ball joints and bushings, it will ignore most of what you can throw at it.
One window regulator, one alternator, one radiator, and one each of the spark plugs/coils. No unexpected failures, everything lasted well beyond the maintenance schedule, without most of the required maintenance. 2003 V6 4x4.
The Escape was a tough vehicle that would take mild abuse in stride. Install a set of Tough Country ball joints and bushings, it will ignore most of what you can throw at it.
One window regulator, one alternator, one radiator, and one each of the spark plugs/coils. No unexpected failures, everything lasted well beyond the maintenance schedule, without most of the required maintenance. 2003 V6 4x4.
09-12-2018, 03:50 PM
#5
I know dudes did it with their Honda CR-Vs. Some of the coilover kits for it would allow some lift.
Weld the diffs into lockers and spoof the AWD system to lockup with a switch. RAV4's had a switch to lock the center diff.
Weld the diffs into lockers and spoof the AWD system to lockup with a switch. RAV4's had a switch to lock the center diff.