Thanks for posting this. I'm just starting to build a 148 AWD and this gives helps me gauge capabilities. I've spent 7 years in an E350 with 265's that would plow over most stuff.
It’s great to know that the Ford all-wheel-drive system in the mud rep mode and in the manual mode and choosing a great line can get you through Terrain like this. Thanks for posting.
That was just the 1st leg of the Kokopelli Trail for Vans. It was a warmup. I'm uploading the 2nd leg now and it is a mind blower for what the AWD Transit can do! We scared ourselves many times but made it through.
I'm really enjoying your videos. I have a 2023 Transit Trail and I've been offroading and traveling a lot but not as extensive as you two. I'm impressed with what you've done with your Transit all-wheel-drive. Great driving good and t😅mes!
I think our 130" WB really helps out there. It would be a lot harder to get past those boulders with a 148". When we get a Van Compass lift we'll have the equivalent of a Trail, except shorter and build-out inside for off-roading. Our interior build is in our channel.
@@JimPreston Wonderful, I really need that extra 18 inches for my photography business. Glad that shorter wheelbase worked out for you. I guess I might as well forget trying those roads here on. Make sure you get a skid plate and differential plate to protect you from those rocks. I have a winch, Baja lights and bumper on mine. Also it's already lifted a little and I'm gonna lift it more. I also have 800 watts of solar with a drifter rack. Fun times.!
Yeah, one of us needs to get out and shoot the action more. I need to shoot with the drone more, if I can find places to pull over to launch and retrieve it. I wanted to launch it on the challenging Coyote Spring Road but no place to pull over. That washed out rocky road is covered in the Rim Rocker video we published yesterday. We didn't have the drone for this video though.
I drove our last two Ford vans that way for 300k miles each and they were 25 years old when we sold them for parts. This Friday this van gets a big suspension upgrade and lifted 2". Yes, still crazy, but not in this video. Did you see the one from last weekend, our 2nd leg of Kokopelli Trail? THAT trip was crazy and it is packing in the views. We think we need to do more like that.
We are doing the Kokopelli Leg 2 this weekend and it will end on bigger ledges! We'll be dropping down them and I may try jumping off the ledges instead of rolling them. Video to come next week.
I'm doing a light'ish build in a 148 mid-roof. I was planning on doing the van compass lift. Now I'm thinking of just doing 245/75R16's with some fender mods. Then adding 4 corner airbags with a compressor to lift it when I need clearance. I'll also be upgrading the shocks, moving the mounts, and adding skid plates.
If you are going to do off-roading, more than regularly graded roads, then lifting the body is important. You want all the angles of approach and departure along with break-over clearance you can get. We shot our next video last weekend and will be showing some rather big ledges and crazy gnar. I'll get that video published this week.
@@JimPreston Thanks for the reply and I look forward to the next video. I agree that ground clearance is important. It doesn't look like there is a good airlift option for the front, so I'll probably do the VC lift. I was just hoping to have a bit more adjustability.
That short wheelbase is a big help for you. I don't think our 148" would make it around some of those rocks without putting a big ole crease in the door. We have most of our trouble with approach and departure angles in the washes though. Thank God for skid plates.
Yeah, short helps. I would like to see someone in a 148" try to follow our Kokopelli for Vans route. Leg 2 was way harder and wilder. The deep wash crossing may be too much for a 148. We didn't get the VC lift until a week after we shot that video. I will try Leg 2 again this fall. I want to climb the steep ledges I did a wild traverse on in the Leg 2 video. The Trail may be able to do Leg 2 and I'm sure Leg 3 which we'll shoot this weekend.
Yeah, that is why we went medium roof. We were able to do that because at 72 years old I lost an inch in height and can stand in our van. Not everyone has the option, yet. 🙂
Not yet. Just careful driving. We've done a lot of trails in the Rockies and south Utah without even a lift except 1/2" from the tires. Ledges instead of boulders in the trail help.
Thanks for posting this. I'm just starting to build a 148 AWD and this gives helps me gauge capabilities. I've spent 7 years in an E350 with 265's that would plow over most stuff.
Great video! Maybe next year I will tow my Jeep out and follow you all on these trails. Don't think my build would enjoy the rough roads!
It’s great to know that the Ford all-wheel-drive system in the mud rep mode and in the manual mode and choosing a great line can get you through Terrain like this.
Thanks for posting.
That was just the 1st leg of the Kokopelli Trail for Vans. It was a warmup. I'm uploading the 2nd leg now and it is a mind blower for what the AWD Transit can do! We scared ourselves many times but made it through.
btw, fun to listen in on the excitement of new paths trailed in your ride.
I'm really enjoying your videos. I have a 2023 Transit Trail and I've been offroading and traveling a lot but not as extensive as you two. I'm impressed with what you've done with your Transit all-wheel-drive. Great driving good and
t😅mes!
I think our 130" WB really helps out there. It would be a lot harder to get past those boulders with a 148". When we get a Van Compass lift we'll have the equivalent of a Trail, except shorter and build-out inside for off-roading. Our interior build is in our channel.
@@JimPreston Wonderful, I really need that extra 18 inches for my photography business. Glad that shorter wheelbase worked out for you. I guess I might as well forget trying those roads here on. Make sure you get a skid plate and differential plate to protect you from those rocks. I have a winch, Baja lights and bumper on mine. Also it's already lifted a little and I'm gonna lift it more. I also have 800 watts of solar with a drifter rack. Fun times.!
Amazing what you are able to do with your van. I’d really like to see more footage from outside the van to see it in action.
Yeah, one of us needs to get out and shoot the action more. I need to shoot with the drone more, if I can find places to pull over to launch and retrieve it. I wanted to launch it on the challenging Coyote Spring Road but no place to pull over. That washed out rocky road is covered in the Rim Rocker video we published yesterday. We didn't have the drone for this video though.
Jim, you truly are crazy!! I can't wait to hear how long the van lasts. And, your wife is a saint - Boz
I drove our last two Ford vans that way for 300k miles each and they were 25 years old when we sold them for parts. This Friday this van gets a big suspension upgrade and lifted 2". Yes, still crazy, but not in this video. Did you see the one from last weekend, our 2nd leg of Kokopelli Trail? THAT trip was crazy and it is packing in the views. We think we need to do more like that.
Wow that ledge would give us a big scare! Just subscribed and fellow AWD Ford Transit Owners here!
We are doing the Kokopelli Leg 2 this weekend and it will end on bigger ledges! We'll be dropping down them and I may try jumping off the ledges instead of rolling them. Video to come next week.
Great job to you and your co pilot.
Thank you! The second leg trip is even crazier!
I'm doing a light'ish build in a 148 mid-roof. I was planning on doing the van compass lift. Now I'm thinking of just doing 245/75R16's with some fender mods. Then adding 4 corner airbags with a compressor to lift it when I need clearance. I'll also be upgrading the shocks, moving the mounts, and adding skid plates.
If you are going to do off-roading, more than regularly graded roads, then lifting the body is important. You want all the angles of approach and departure along with break-over clearance you can get. We shot our next video last weekend and will be showing some rather big ledges and crazy gnar. I'll get that video published this week.
@@JimPreston Thanks for the reply and I look forward to the next video. I agree that ground clearance is important. It doesn't look like there is a good airlift option for the front, so I'll probably do the VC lift. I was just hoping to have a bit more adjustability.
That short wheelbase is a big help for you. I don't think our 148" would make it around some of those rocks without putting a big ole crease in the door. We have most of our trouble with approach and departure angles in the washes though. Thank God for skid plates.
Yeah, short helps. I would like to see someone in a 148" try to follow our Kokopelli for Vans route. Leg 2 was way harder and wilder. The deep wash crossing may be too much for a 148. We didn't get the VC lift until a week after we shot that video. I will try Leg 2 again this fall. I want to climb the steep ledges I did a wild traverse on in the Leg 2 video. The Trail may be able to do Leg 2 and I'm sure Leg 3 which we'll shoot this weekend.
This is great. I push my van also. I have a high rood though so i get scared or tipping.
Yeah, that is why we went medium roof. We were able to do that because at 72 years old I lost an inch in height and can stand in our van. Not everyone has the option, yet. 🙂
Subbed. Enjoying your Transit videos.
Thanks! We shooting another this weekend and a 4 day trip over the 4th of July weekend. That trip has a creek crossing that should be interesting.
do you guys use any skid plate to protect the intercooler or not?
Not yet. Just careful driving. We've done a lot of trails in the Rockies and south Utah without even a lift except 1/2" from the tires. Ledges instead of boulders in the trail help.
Amazing, your doing what looks like moderate rated trails in a transit van! Perhaps easy rated trails better.
Trails rated 4/10 are rather easy. Above that is usually too much.
WTF