The EXBRO route this year includes some steep, rocky sections? I’m on it; or more accurately, the Tracker is on it. If it can make it up this rough and rocky incline with its new Geolander AT tires, it should be able to take on anything that Burma Road has in store.
And no; the xB wouldn’t have even had a remote shot of making it up this on its own.
Realistically, the steep section of Burma Road won’t be as steep as this gravel pit, as these remote high desert and forest roads were created at a time when there were quite few 4×4 vehicles. RWD trucks with low first gears were the norm back then, but not FWD cars without a very low first gear. If my F100 had a four speed with a granny low, I’d have been tempted to take it instead.
Although it’s not nearly as fun to drive as the very tossable xB, the Tracker does engender a much more invincible feeling. I haven’t had a proper 4×4 since I sold our 1985 Jeep Cherokee in 2000, and have had to say “no” a number of times when confronted with a section of remote “road” that was simply too steep and/or rocky for the xB. No more.
With its big new 235/75R15 Geolanders ($130 each at Walmart), its Low range and plenty of ground clearance, the Tracker is even more off-road capable than the Cherokee was.
Given what a very wet and cool endless spring we’re having this year, I’m wondering if we might still encounter some remaining snow banks in some shaded, North-facing sections at higher elevations.
A leftover can of semi-flat black paint was put to use de-chroming its overly bright beak, and another can went on the wheels. And since these pics, it’s had the rooftop cargo basket I got last year for the xB, for the recovery gear and anything else that might better belong up there than inside.
I rigged up a bed for me, and unlike in the xB, where I had to remove the front seat, all I have to do is slide it forward and tip the seatback forward.
The two pieces of foam were already cut, and are from Stephanie’s bed in the van; very handy.
Here’s how it will be underway. I need to have a passenger seat available, as my nephew Eric will be joining us. Since son Ted’s GF will not be joining us this year, the three of us will take turns driving our two vehicles.
The Tracker is not nearly as fun to drive as the xB, except of course when the going gets really tough. It’s “trucky”; not surprisingly, given that’s what it essentially is: a quite compact BOF SUV, with a solid rear axle. The bigger tires only accentuate that feeling, to a small additional degree.
The lack of a stick shift kind of sucks; it’s obviously a bit modestly powered (130 hp 2.0 L four) for today’s standards, and the four speed automatic shifts down into third at the slightest grade at highway speeds, thanks to its tall and un-aerodynamic stance and being not exactly overly-light (~2800 lbs). The xB, even with its raised suspension, winter tires and lack of a front roll bar feels like a sports car in comparison.
I know I’m going to miss driving the xB 99% of the time this year, until we hit that steep and rocky section of Burma Road. Now if only I could convert the xB to AWD. Or maybe just RWD and a granny low gear?
Update: here’s the tentative routes that we will follow, but not necessarily all of them. Some details are still TBD.
Sunday 6/19: I will drive from Eugene to Derrick Cave. That includes Forest Roads past Hwy 97. Ted and Erik will meet me there, having driven down from Portland. We will explore this lava tube cave, as it’s a Niedermeyer tradition since Ted and I first went there in 1995.
Monday 6/20: The three of us will take back roads to Green Mountain, and meet up with the other EXBROs; Randy from Eugene and CC’s dman, who will be driving up from California. This marks the official start of EXBRO6.
I’m not sure if we will be starting on the first leg on Monday, or Tuesday morning. The route is from Green Mountain to Hart National Antelope Refuge and its hot springs, more specifically. This is a long (143 mile) route; it’s possible we may chose to shortcut part of it.
The next leg would be from Hart Mountain to Alvord Desert (132 miles). Again, we may deviate to some degree or another.
The final track that was posted goes from near Alvord Desert to Burns, through the Steens Mountain area. it’s quite long, 161 miles. I believe Ted said that we may be deviating a fair bit from this, but in any case, we will be in the general area, a quite remote one.
Could you please tell us what geological features you plan to see on this route? Since I first traveled through the Great Basin as a 10 year old, I have been in love with it. I would really like to see where you are going so I can travel along in my maps and in my imagination. Your trip last year was amazing to me and I learned a lot about the layout of the terrain, conditions of the land and the high points. Many thanks!
I just added some maps to the bottom of this post that include tracks that we may do, all or in part. Or possibly deviate from to one extent or another. We will likely make those final decisions to some extent this weekend, and also on the fly. It depends on how far folks want to push the mileage each day, and other factors. The point is that it’s not about getting from Point A to Point B, but about the enjoyment of going at a pace that’s comfortable for all involved, and being spontaneous about making changes as they seem appropriate. But these should give you an idea of the general area.
As to geological features, where to start? Derrick Cave is a classic lava tube cave. I wrote up a trip there in the Promaster here:
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/auto-biography/auto-biography-derrick-cave-exploring-a-lava-tube-cave-the-promaster-vans-off-road-capabilities-and-almost-not-making-it-back-and-google-maps-vs-paper-maps/
Then there’s Crack-In-The-Ground, which is also in that post. Beyond that are the many features of the high deserts and mountains and dry lake beds and hot springs of Eastern Oregon. I will of course write it up after the event. Stay tuned.
Read about your Derrick Cave adventure. I have never been directly east of Mt. St. Helens, so what you are showing us make a lot of geological sense. I’m familiar with the lava tubes around Mt. Lassen and have explored many of them. The terrain appears similar. Thanks for posting that Derrick Cave posting.
Also very interested in the Donner and Blitzen river and area you are planning to investigate. That is quite a river and has quite an amazing history with the Mormons settlements. Back in Oldenburg I met a German exchange student who wanted to see the USA and ended up with a large Mormon family in that valley. She loved it. I spent a few hours asking her what that would be like for a teen girl from Niedersachsen suddenly dropped into remote Oregon.
As to the ride – sorry – excited about the trip.
You will be very happy with the Tracker. It isn’t as eclectic as the xB, and it might be dull in comparison, but you will appreciate the lack of worries it will bring this trip. There will be plenty of exciting things to experience without the worries the xB added.
I missed your acquisition post. That’s a clean little machine.
I still have my 2005 Ford Freestyle in my fleet. One of its pony tricks is the front passenger seat will fold down flat. That proved very useful when I owned rental property, I could put a 10′ step ladder in there (albeit with the top on the dash) and close the tailgate.
The Freestyle was an underrated car in many ways, but then again the demand for a fold flat front passenger seat isn’t very high.
I’ve never checked if the driver seat will do this, but I doubt it. If it did, it would bring back a Rambler vibe.
I must have missed the first post as well. I have always liked these Trackers and it appears to be a great fit. Looking forward to hearing about the adventure.
You need to invest in one of these. My daughter was in a dorm her first year in college, and for the beginning of a 6 figure investment in her future, they gave her a crappy mattress that wouldn’t bring a dollar a a flea market. (But, it probably did have fleas or worse).
She said this made an awesome difference, and the right size for your car would roll up nicely.
The foam is still pretty good, but if I replace it (in the van) it will be with genuine latex foam rubber. That’s all I ever buy anymore, and have used for all our beds for several decades now.
Great, not quite as cool as the EXBRO xB but putting the roof carrier on it will help with the adventurer vibe. And genuine 4WD will sure help.
I enjoy these looks at your home state. Just back from Ireland last week, I think Oregon will be on the short list for next international destination.
A small, body on frame 4X4 with good tires is going to be pretty hard to stop. I’d wager that your Tracker can get higher-farther than larger vehicles like a Jeep Wrangler.
I think automatic transmissions are great for off road. Instead of clutching and shifting, 100% of the driver’s attention goes to watching where he/she is going. You are less likely to get bogged down, too.
I can’t wait to see the pics!
I like this little Tracker more every time I see it. And I like your adjustments to the bright trim pieces on the car. I don’t normally love the black trim thing, but it works on this one.
A little black spray can paint is all it took to make the wheels look proper for the job. Glad to hear that 235/75-15 tires are still commonly available and relatively cheap. That size used to be the most common on “half ton” trucks and SUV’s.