The 2023 Shadow Black Base Experience

[GPPBronco]

Fun morning at Holly Oaks ORV with @Mattwings and the Michigan Bronco Club. Highlights:

• Stopping to pull out an ATV stuck up to its fenders in mud
• Climbing the “slick rock” of Potato Salad @ Magna Peak
• Two loops around Endurance Trail to use Crawl Control (first time) on the steeper declines
• Finally got the hang of airing down with my ARB deflator
• Using the skids on a couple gnarly break over tests
• Climbing/descending the staircases
• Experimenting with Sand Mode and 4L to maximize traction on dusty and slick packed dirt.

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[Mattwings]

Fun morning at Holly Oaks ORV with @Mattwings and the Michigan Bronco Club. Highlights:

• Stopping to pull out an ATV stuck up to its fenders in mud
• Climbing the “slick rock” of Potato Salad @ Magna Peak
• Two loops around Endurance Trail to use Crawl Control (first time) on the steeper declines
• Finally got the hang of airing down with my ARB deflator
• Using the skids on a couple gnarly break over tests
• Climbing/descending the staircases
• Experimenting with Sand Mode and 4L to maximize traction on dusty and slick packed dirt.

Fun morning at Holly Oaks ORV with @Mattwings and the Michigan Bronco Club. Highlights:

• Stopping to pull out an ATV stuck up to its fenders in mud
• Climbing the “slick rock” of Potato Salad @ Magna Peak
• Two loops around Endurance Trail to use Crawl Control (first time) on the steeper declines
• Finally got the hang of airing down with my ARB deflator
• Using the skids on a couple gnarly break over tests
• Climbing/descending the staircases
• Experimenting with Sand Mode and 4L to maximize traction on dusty and slick packed dirt.
  [ here are a couple of shorts from today. Mt Magna interior and exterior.
  
  
  
  

 

[GPPBronco]

Went back to Holly Oaks for the second weekend in a row. Pushed the Bronco a little harder today.

Ended up on some rocky climbs that I didn’t think I’d be able to ascend. In the Badger Head/Rumbles area of the park for those who might be familiar.

Climbed Mt. Magna again, this time without a spotter.

Can’t say enough how capable I’ve found the Base non-sas on 33s, aired down, and a light touch on the skinny pedal.

Here’s a pic just before a vacuum/wash on the way home.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Went back to Holly Oaks for the second weekend in a row. Pushed the Bronco a little harder today.

Ended up on some rocky climbs that I didn’t think I’d be able to ascend. In the Badger Head/Rumbles area of the park for those who might be familiar.

Climbed Mt. Magna again, this time without a spotter.

Can’t say enough how capable I’ve found the Base non-sas on 33s, aired down, and a light touch on the skinny pedal.

Here’s a pic just before a vacuum/wash on the way home.

Looks like you had a great time! We hope you enjoyed your adventure!

 

[GPPBronco]

Detroit to Marquette for the weekend. Nine hours through overlapping winter weather advisories. 4Hi and cruising at 60mph all the way up. Was concerned about the Falken Wildpeak MT on the packed snow and ice but they eat it up!

Headed out for more driving/sightseeing tomorrow. More pics coming.

 

[GPPBronco]

After the morning’s coffee and toast in Marquette, my wife opted to stay warm, order another cup and read, while I ventured out for a couple hours.

On the west side of Marquette, I headed up CR 510. A road we’ve driven before - always in summer. Road was empty, but very hard packed ice and snow. Those of you in the snow belt know what I’m talking about - roads that look like white glass.

The bronco was excellent in 4hi cruising through the winding roads. Big hills with a mix of hairpins and sweeping curves. Found and followed a few of the “truck trails” being semi-maintained in the winter.

Drove north to AAA Road and west for a few miles. I heard it’s an excellent summer route to L’Anse. Will be back for that mudventure in the spring/summer.

Considering today’s drive and Friday’s journey from Detroit in heavy snowfall - I’m going to wholly endorse the Falken Wildpeak’s as a winter-friendly M/T. It honestly doesn’t feel like a trade off, and these things aren’t new anymore (25k miles).

 

[GPPBronco]

Well, after 30k miles on the OEM steelies and Falken M/T, I’ve decided to change it up. The steelies are all rusting in the seams, and the M/T are still performing great but the road noise is well above subtle.

I’ve always liked the Black Diamond optional alloy wheels and I gotta say, they look really nice with the shadow black. This set of takeoffs have 2k miles.

The General Grabbers will get swapped over to the wife’s 4Runner. At that time I’ll add a set of 285/70r17 to the alloys.

Open to recommendations for A/T tires (prefer SL or C load) in a 285/70 size! Leaning toward a set of BFG KO3.

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