Off-roaded a stock FX4 Powerboost to Leavitt Lake, CA

[thudnblunder]

I'm new to offroading, and Leavitt Lake was the toughest trail I've driven yet. I went with a friend of mine, he was driving a stock LX570 (with 20" wheels, tires aired down to 18 PSI) and my '22 PowerBoost is also all stock except for Talon's skidplate and Wildpeak AT4/Ws in the stock size with a P rating aired down to 18 PSI as well.

I was very impressed with the truck. I only got one dent on my driver side running board which was 100% my fault. I didn't even remember the three panel camera view and was trying to use the front camera only and struggling to see where the tires were going. Lessons were learned.

The truck came out more or less unscathed, I didn't even lose the airdam.

After this trip, I'm thinking a 2" lift and airdam removal with a 1" front airdam shield trim and this truck will be easily able to handle any trail I personally would want to drive. 35" tires would be nice, but the stock tire size never felt like it was holding me back.

In 4L the engine seems louder (maybe it keeps a higher base rpm?) and never shuts off. It seems very loud in the videos, and there is a clinking sound (clearly heard at 2:40 from the front drivers side I need to figure out. It might just be the brake booster because I can hear some clicking from it at highway driving when braking/accelerating - most obvious with Bluecruise engaged and the truck managing its speed.

Also in 4H, electric driving on trails is a treat, you only hear the tires and minimal drivetrain noise with the windows down.

When we got to the campsite, I had sous vide steaks still in their bags in a fridge in the truck bed, and I used a cast iron skillet on a portable induction cooktop to sear them and they turned out GREAT. It had gotten windy too and it was nice to not have to deal with a flame.

Again, these are the observations of a newbie who is delighted with what the stock Powerboost with FX4 could easily do.

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[JoeRedFly]

Have you tried extended trips with the prepped sous vide steaks? I'm thinking of using them for hike in trips with the theory that they are effectively canned meat once properly prepared and should do a day or two without refrigeration. Some salty Dale's seasoning in the bag likely wouldn't hurt either.

 

[thudnblunder]

In theory that might work but I personally haven’t tried it. They’re heavy though!

 

[ReverendQ]

Thanks so much for sharing. Fabulous video and sounds like a wonderful time. I love my sous vide also finish in cast iron skillet; I assume you also used some good Irish butter. Recommendations for the induction unit? I have been contemplating one of those all-in-one units for the PB.

 

[mxwrk]

Looks like a super cool trail! Off roading is a slippery slope once you you get the bug. Coming from an Excursion on custom leaf springs and much bigger tires, my current PB feels WAY too low even with coilovers and 34.5” tires. But pick the right line and move slowly, you can get through almost anything (even if it means hand stacking rocks). Enjoy!

 

[thudnblunder]

Thanks so much for sharing. Fabulous video and sounds like a wonderful time. I love my sous vide also finish in cast iron skillet; I assume you also used some good Irish butter. Recommendations for the induction unit? I have been contemplating one of those all-in-one units for the PB.

Finishing in Irish butter helps a lot but I forgot to pack butter for this trip. Still turned out decent!

I'm using this induction unit - its portable and gets the job done. I've had it for a year. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08YJ6ZPFJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[thudnblunder]

Looks like a super cool trail! Off roading is a slippery slope once you you get the bug. Coming from an Excursion on custom leaf springs and much bigger tires, my current PB feels WAY too low even with coilovers and 34.5” tires. But pick the right line and move slowly, you can get through almost anything (even if it means hand stacking rocks). Enjoy!

Yes, you're right. Picking the right line and moving slow with a spotter helped a lot. I can only imagine how capable built up vehicles must be.

 

[RaacerX]

Thanks for posting this, it looks like a fun one to take the wife on. Solid drive from the Bay.

We got a surprise rain storm this last weekend up in the Trinity mountains as well. Made for some fun trails.

 

[Calson]

The trick is to drive where you minimize the clearance needed for the vehicle and if necessary to use the low range to have full engine power at slower speeds so the damage from any impact is much reduced (particularly when fording streams).

The USFS maps show all roads in their area and this includes old logging roads that are not going to shop up on the truck's navigation system. They can be purchased online now which is a big improvement.

 

[thudnblunder]

The trick is to drive where you minimize the clearance needed for the vehicle and if necessary to use the low range to have full engine power at slower speeds so the damage from any impact is much reduced (particularly when fording streams).

The USFS maps show all roads in their area and this includes old logging roads that are not going to shop up on the truck's navigation system. They can be purchased online now which is a big improvement.

Wait are you saying I can load USFS maps into the onboard NAV? I use GAIA and OnX but I'd love to have the maps in the truck for backup purposes in case something happens to my phone.

 

[Calson]

No - they are paper maps and each one is for a specific national forest and they are maintained and kept up to date. But they show the many dirt roads that are not going to be in a vehicle nav system database. I use them for trip planning and routing.

 

[thudnblunder]

No - they are paper maps and each one is for a specific national forest and they are maintained and kept up to date. But they show the many dirt roads that are not going to be in a vehicle nav system database. I use them for trip planning and routing.

I have them downloaded in the Avenza app too, the USFS publishes them for digital consumption on that app for free. Good to have a paper copy too though.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I'm new to offroading, and Leavitt Lake was the toughest trail I've driven yet. I went with a friend of mine, he was driving a stock LX570 (with 20" wheels, tires aired down to 18 PSI) and my '22 PowerBoost is also all stock except for Talon's skidplate and Wildpeak AT4/Ws in the stock size with a P rating aired down to 18 PSI as well.

I was very impressed with the truck. I only got one dent on my driver side running board which was 100% my fault. I didn't even remember the three panel camera view and was trying to use the front camera only and struggling to see where the tires were going. Lessons were learned.

The truck came out more or less unscathed, I didn't even lose the airdam.

After this trip, I'm thinking a 2" lift and airdam removal with a 1" front airdam shield trim and this truck will be easily able to handle any trail I personally would want to drive. 35" tires would be nice, but the stock tire size never felt like it was holding me back.

In 4L the engine seems louder (maybe it keeps a higher base rpm?) and never shuts off. It seems very loud in the videos, and there is a clinking sound (clearly heard at 2:40 from the front drivers side I need to figure out. It might just be the brake booster because I can hear some clicking from it at highway driving when braking/accelerating - most obvious with Bluecruise engaged and the truck managing its speed.

Also in 4H, electric driving on trails is a treat, you only hear the tires and minimal drivetrain noise with the windows down.

When we got to the campsite, I had sous vide steaks still in their bags in a fridge in the truck bed, and I used a cast iron skillet on a portable induction cooktop to sear them and they turned out GREAT. It had gotten windy too and it was nice to not have to deal with a flame.

Again, these are the observations of a newbie who is delighted with what the stock Powerboost with FX4 could easily do.

It was awesome seeing your truck in action! Thanks for sharing your experience!

 

[DANNER]

Hah! I was just there with my PB last weekend. I probably saw you up there @thudnblunder. I thought I'd post some pics, but then I saw this thread. I guess you beat me to it.

The trail was rougher than I expected. I have a bit of a lift, so wasn't a problem, but I wasn't sure a Stock FX4 could make it. So nice job!

 

[thudnblunder]

Hah! I was just there with my PB last weekend. I probably saw you up there @thudnblunder. I thought I'd post some pics, but then I saw this thread. I guess you beat me to it.

The trail was rougher than I expected. I have a bit of a lift, so wasn't a problem, but I wasn't sure a Stock FX4 could make it. So nice job!

Very nice!

It was a tight fit in places and made me think about getting a 2" lift/level if I'm going to be doing trails like this.

Sweet looking truck, that was a fun weekend out there!

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