Ridgeline - Tough Enough? Bad gravel roads, severe climate.

[phillyguy]

Originally Posted by IanRTL

I was going to say something to that effect. The Baja RL's were purpose-built vehicles that happened to start life as stock RL's. I believe there were also several hundred thousand dollars spent on them. The suspension systems aren't available to the public and would have to be custom-made. The time and expense alone wouldn't be worth it. I agree that rough terrain will likely cause the CV joints and other components to wear out faster, but they can be fixed. The RL is tough, but will require more suspension maintenance in those conditions.

Seriously? Several hundred thousand dollars? I had no idea. I thought they were mostly stock with a few suspension modifications. Oops on my part I guess.

[jnc2000]

From Russia with love...
(this is my old RL) -- currently in the hands of a forum member who resides in Russia

[PhotoMaster]

This is a tough call for sure. Used Ford work trucks with cranes and other fun toys on them and they faired ok. But Ford has been lax in their reliability of late. My last Ford had a programming error, that Ford acknowledged was their fault, but wouldn't fix it because they make too much money on the transmissions and throttle bodies they keep replacing. I would also stay away from the EcoBoost as it hasn't been really tested much and is an extremely risky venture in my view. I'm new to RLs, but have found them to be better built than any of the Fords I have used/owned. Whatever your choice I wish you the best and hope to hear how you make out.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using AutoGuide.Com Free App

[bluesmobile]

Howdy all...bought one today

2012 brand new Touring Edition (may be called something else in US). Leather, roof, navi - wow.

Silver with black inside (not many color choices left by time I decided on a new one)

Gonna be interesting...I did a couple of things so far I hope will extend life of the truck...Got the 3M clear protecto film applied not just on hood and front clip...but also all way down rocker panels front to back about 8-10" strip, plus the entire tailgate, plus headlights and foglights.

Also did the dealer undercoating - which will be inspected and touched up as needed in the future.

Also spray in the panels type rust protection - will probably do RustCheck or Krown starting next fall.

Also paint protection.

Weatherteck hd form fitting mats front and rear, and a BakFlip FP tonneau cover. This one has the 500 lb load rating and FRP finish (fiberglass reinforced paint or polymer or something like that) which doesn't dent like aluminum.

Am loving this truck so far...thanks for pointing me this way, all of you.

Will update with anything interesting as to how it fares in Rough and Tough service....and long term results as well. This is a 3 yr - 100,000 mile (160,000km)) minimum project for me, unless it starts to come unglued before then. And may go longer if its doing well then...

[IanRTL]

That's great! Welcome (officially) to the RL owners club. I'm sure we'd love to see some pictures of this new ride. I know I'm going to be following with great interest to see how it takes the punishment of the elements up there!

[Car Compulsive]

Wow, you went all in with a new Ridge! Congrats on becoming our official severe duty test lab.

We have our first light coating of snow on the roads this Sunday morning and my Ridge stands ready to deliver coffee to my girlfriend at work and venture to the outback (of the church parking lot).

[speedlever]

Remember to take your camera with you. We love pics of RL adventures. Video too.

[WNY PAT]

I'm excited to see how it holds up too. My guess is surprisingly well - and we will be amazed at the punishment it'll put up with and chug along. Good luck!

[haar]

Order the skid plates from here and have fun.

[msmith1965]

Originally Posted by Car Compulsive

Wow, you went all in with a new Ridge! Congrats on becoming our official severe duty test lab.

[/SIZE]

Well, I've posted a few times before but have been running my RL on my deer lease for several years. In that time I've replaced 3 CV boots, the front bumper and the underneath splash guard behind the front bumper. Now I know that this will precipitate responses of how folks drive their RL's off cliffs with no damage, but I have not had a good experience. Having been raised in rural Texas, I've been driving off-road now for 30 years.

Having owned 4 other pickups (Chevy's) and 3 SUV's (Tahoe, Sequoia, and Cayenne S), running on the same roads, the RL is simply not cut out for this without significant modification. None of the other vehicles sustained damage. I've even taken my wife's Subaru Outback a couple of times on the lease with no damage, but I believe the Outback has more ground clearance than the RL. We have 5 other hunters that drive the same roads in pickups with no issues.

This is just my experience. I find the RL a good urban vehicle that is very handy (a Swiss Army knife on wheels) but it is simply too fragile for much off-roading. In fact, it is in the shop now having a CV boot replaced from this year's time on the lease. I've modified it this year with a functional bull bar and brush guard and plan to lift it 2" to see if this helps. If not, then I've got to get something else and will park the RL for one of the kids to drive when they get their license in a year or so.