Admit it, your rig is a "mall crawler"...

[Danielsand]

A cool pic sunk in a mud pit or like one of the posters, sitting on its side in between two trees is impressive.

But whats the reality of the aftermath? I'd be curious to hear some of the "damage reports" from these anti mall crawler guys and their escapades.

I know from the wrangler side, its not pretty. Electrical issues, bad alternators, dirt water in engines, interior electronics issues.

Pretty sure the alternator on the bronco is down low on the driver's side as well. And I can assume it doesnt like to be dunked in mudwater...

This is the unspoken reality of "using your Bronco the way it's supposed to be used". "Look what I did to my Bronco" pictures with scrapped rims, bashed in doors, and the untold number of sensors and electrical components being replaced, serve as "I am successful in life, and I can afford to waste money" statement to the people on the boards like this who the poster will never meet. Why some people need to "impress" complete strangers, is a question for a psychologist which I am not, but it goes right along with women displaying Prada, Gucci, etc. items outside their circle of friends ("showing off" to complete strangers).

Purchasing a depreciating asset depletes one's net worth and then damaging that asset to the point that it needs expensive repairs, is throwing good money after bad. I'll be the first to admit that I did a LOT of foolish things in my younger years (six totaled cars and three motorcycles testify to this), but right about the age of 40, I stopped doing stupid things. That was the time I retired for the first time, after I went through four "military engagements" and after above mentioned totaled vehicles, without ever having a cast on me, or being shot. It was time to stop "challenging myself".

One's luck goes only so far.

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[ChrisD]

This is the unspoken reality of "using your Bronco the way it's supposed to be used". "Look what I did to my Bronco" pictures with scrapped rims, bashed in doors, and the untold number of sensors and electrical components being replaced, serve as "I am successful in life, and I can afford to waste money" statement to the people on the boards like this who the poster will never meet. Why some people need to "impress" complete strangers, is a question for a psychologist which I am not, but it goes right along with women displaying Prada, Gucci, etc. items outside their circle of friends ("showing off" to complete strangers).

Purchasing a depreciating asset depletes one's net worth and then damaging that asset to the point that it needs expensive repairs, is throwing good money after bad. I'll be the first to admit that I did a LOT of foolish things in my younger years (six totaled cars and three motorcycles testify to this), but right about the age of 40, I stopped doing stupid things. That was the time I retired for the first time, after I went through four "military engagements" and after above mentioned totaled vehicles, without ever having a cast on me, or being shot. It was time to stop "challenging myself".

One's luck goes only so far.

There are some assumptions in here, and I remember what my First Sergeant said about assumptions!

I'm not sure anyone here is posting photos to impress anyone else. It's more to share the joy they felt doing something meaningful to them. For me, it's all about having fun and sharing the fun. And if I think a photo is particularly good. As far as damage, I have some scrapes on the skid plates, which is what they're for, some pinstriping that buffed right out, and they replaced a plastic cover for the trailer hitch wiring after I scraped it off at Flat Iron Mesa. They replaced it under warranty, even.

Some people play pickleball. I have no idea why, can't figure it out. It's not for me.

Don't ask how much Private Pilot cost. That's just, might as well have gone back to university.

Some people like shooting. I know I do, but rebarreling a depreciating rifle after X number of rounds because the throat is out of spec due to shooting long range, well, that's just part of the game.

And some people like motorsports. They want to test their skill behind the wheel, and if they exceed their skill limitations or exceed the capability of their vehicle, carnage ensues. But for the majority of them, it just makes them happy.

Sort of like how pickleball makes some people happy, or golf. I don't get golf at all. No interest, but I have friends who buy clubs, balls, funny shoes, and chase a little ball around all day.

A good way to think about this is the standard cost-benefit analysis. Off roading is one of the things that keeps me sane. The cost is fairly minimal for me and the benefit is good. For others, not so much, they might prefer sitting around the house knitting. I have a friend who knits some amazing stuff.

My portfolio is fine and I am on track to have about the same income in retirement as I do working. I'll probably still have my same Bronco then, too. It suits me. I'm not looking to resell it, just keep it running. TBH, I'm far more concerned about getting hit by a crazy Utah driver out on I-15 than I am about trail damage. If that happens, I suspect I'll just have to get another Bronco.

And here's a couple of photos, not to impress, but because they're pretty. They were expensive to take, but I don't want the money back. I can't take it with me. Money is just a tool to get to what makes you happy. Nobody else has to understand why I did it, my wife sure doesn't, but I do, and that's what's meaningful.

First one is Snoqualmie Falls and the second is Elliott Bay, just under the Class B airspace for SeaTac and King County International.

 

[Raskew]

mine absolutely is. Mall of America

What do you use to mount your Max trax's like that?

 

[vrtical]

A cool pic sunk in a mud pit or like one of the posters, sitting on its side in between two trees is impressive.

But whats the reality of the aftermath? I'd be curious to hear some of the "damage reports" from these anti mall crawler guys and their escapades.

you mean like lose a flare?

 

[Danielsand]

There are some assumptions in here, and I remember what my First Sergeant said about assumptions!

I'm not sure anyone here is posting photos to impress anyone else. It's more to share the joy they felt doing something meaningful to them. For me, it's all about having fun and sharing the fun. And if I think a photo is particularly good. As far as damage, I have some scrapes on the skid plates, which is what they're for, some pinstriping that buffed right out, and they replaced a plastic cover for the trailer hitch wiring after I scraped it off at Flat Iron Mesa. They replaced it under warranty, even.

Some people play pickleball. I have no idea why, can't figure it out. It's not for me.

Don't ask how much Private Pilot cost. That's just, might as well have gone back to university.

Some people like shooting. I know I do, but rebarreling a depreciating rifle after X number of rounds because the throat is out of spec due to shooting long range, well, that's just part of the game.

And some people like motorsports. They want to test their skill behind the wheel, and if they exceed their skill limitations or exceed the capability of their vehicle, carnage ensues. But for the majority of them, it just makes them happy.

Sort of like how pickleball makes some people happy, or golf. I don't get golf at all. No interest, but I have friends who buy clubs, balls, funny shoes, and chase a little ball around all day.

A good way to think about this is the standard cost-benefit analysis. Off roading is one of the things that keeps me sane. The cost is fairly minimal for me and the benefit is good. For others, not so much, they might prefer sitting around the house knitting. I have a friend who knits some amazing stuff.

My portfolio is fine and I am on track to have about the same income in retirement as I do working. I'll probably still have my same Bronco then, too. It suits me. I'm not looking to resell it, just keep it running. TBH, I'm far more concerned about getting hit by a crazy Utah driver out on I-15 than I am about trail damage. If that happens, I suspect I'll just have to get another Bronco.

And here's a couple of photos, not to impress, but because they're pretty. They were expensive to take, but I don't want the money back. I can't take it with me. Money is just a tool to get to what makes you happy. Nobody else has to understand why I did it, my wife sure doesn't, but I do, and that's what's meaningful.

First one is Snoqualmie Falls and the second is Elliott Bay, just under the Class B airspace for SeaTac and King County International.

Definitely some in my post! (regarding assumptions) I am fully aware that some people genuinely enjoy off roading, but there are others (ones that need to "impress") as well. I am pretty sure that the vast majority of the "real off roaders" don't hang on the forums like this one. They are busy cleaning and prepping their gear for the next adventure. They don't have to brag about it. They just do it. Maybe I should've addressed that, but you can blame it on an old grumpy man who always looks negative at everything (born pessimist) hoping to be pleasantly surprised.

BTW........any idea who the optimists are? No such thing. All people are pessimists by nature, but the ones that don't have all the facts call themselves "optimists" (just a little joke). Like I said before, hope is the last thing that dies in a man.

 

[harpo]

I will be the first to admit it. My 24 WT is a mall crawler. Its just too damn pretty to get dirty. I wash it once a week whether it needs it or not...LOL. The underside literally looks like it came off the line yesterday. I'm not ashamed to say that I'm very hesitant to take it off roading.

Breaking that seal and getting the entire underside filthy plus the rest of the truck - makes me a bit uncomfortable. Especially considering how much this damn thing was lol. Lets hear from some more mall crawlers, let us know why you don't/wont offroad yours.

I'm lazy and didn't wake through all the responses so if this is a repeat I'm sorry.

The rig is not a mall crawler, it's the driver. Since I haven't approached the abilities of the vehicle, I, like you, am a mall crawler. Sad, but true.

 

[Darcyjs14]

What do you use to mount your Max trax's like that?

it’s an accessory for the Gobi racks. You can have side or rear mounts. Or both, i guess.

https://gobiracks.com/product/ford-bronco-max-trax-brackets/

https://gobiracks.com/product/ford-bronco-rear-mount-maxtrax-brackets/

This is a closer up photo

 

[Darcyjs14]

you mean like lose a flare?

same same but different?

i used that blow out to pull them all off and bedliner them

looking better now coated than they did all scratched AF

 

[Darcyjs14]

There are some assumptions in here, and I remember what my First Sergeant said about assumptions!

I'm not sure anyone here is posting photos to impress anyone else. It's more to share the joy they felt doing something meaningful to them. For me, it's all about having fun and sharing the fun. And if I think a photo is particularly good. As far as damage, I have some scrapes on the skid plates, which is what they're for, some pinstriping that buffed right out, and they replaced a plastic cover for the trailer hitch wiring after I scraped it off at Flat Iron Mesa. They replaced it under warranty, even.

Some people play pickleball. I have no idea why, can't figure it out. It's not for me.

Don't ask how much Private Pilot cost. That's just, might as well have gone back to university.

Some people like shooting. I know I do, but rebarreling a depreciating rifle after X number of rounds because the throat is out of spec due to shooting long range, well, that's just part of the game.

And some people like motorsports. They want to test their skill behind the wheel, and if they exceed their skill limitations or exceed the capability of their vehicle, carnage ensues. But for the majority of them, it just makes them happy.

Sort of like how pickleball makes some people happy, or golf. I don't get golf at all. No interest, but I have friends who buy clubs, balls, funny shoes, and chase a little ball around all day.

A good way to think about this is the standard cost-benefit analysis. Off roading is one of the things that keeps me sane. The cost is fairly minimal for me and the benefit is good. For others, not so much, they might prefer sitting around the house knitting. I have a friend who knits some amazing stuff.

My portfolio is fine and I am on track to have about the same income in retirement as I do working. I'll probably still have my same Bronco then, too. It suits me. I'm not looking to resell it, just keep it running. TBH, I'm far more concerned about getting hit by a crazy Utah driver out on I-15 than I am about trail damage. If that happens, I suspect I'll just have to get another Bronco.

And here's a couple of photos, not to impress, but because they're pretty. They were expensive to take, but I don't want the money back. I can't take it with me. Money is just a tool to get to what makes you happy. Nobody else has to understand why I did it, my wife sure doesn't, but I do, and that's what's meaningful.

First one is Snoqualmie Falls and the second is Elliott Bay, just under the Class B airspace for SeaTac and King County International.

i’ve done that route a few times in a Caravan out of King County International (aka Boeing Field). My private joy is watching a line of Globemasters, 10 deep, on final approach as I drive north up I5 from my home in Lakewood. Those massive grey elephants, lumbering home fills me with joy whenever I am lucky enough to see them!

 

[Bird Dog Off Road]

I bet all the people observing this were impressed. Some even shouted "attaboy".

your point?

 

[D Nico]

No “Mall Crawler”, here…but...I (sigh) did require making a stop for a haircut. While so briefly there, though; I did the dutifully irresponsible thing and “flexed” beside a Jeep "Rubicon".

 

[Mikerkelly]

I bought my Bronco to be used.
Plenty of luxury SUVs on the market designed to sit and look pretty.

 

[VoltageDrop]

This thread went a complete 180. It was meant to trigger the real off roading crowd to post pics of their adventures, and many did to prove they are not "The Mallcrawlers". Instead, "We The Mallcrawlers" came out in numbers to show that we have nothing to prove except our collective wisdom. Wisemen KNOW what their rigs can do, they KNOW what they themselves can do if the need arises, and there is no need to bash in bumpers or fenders, no need to "park" a Bronc on its roof in order to prove anything. This being the Internet, Fordified's picture shows that EVERYTHING seen or spoken about here has to be taken with a LOT of salt (not just the proverbial "grain"). I say" Mallcrawlers of America unite!" (this should be out battle cry).

Any thread which devolves into a wheeling photo album is OK by me!

No way I’ll ever be a mall crawler!

I can smell this picture.

 

[BroncoStang]

This is the unspoken reality of "using your Bronco the way it's supposed to be used". "Look what I did to my Bronco" pictures with scrapped rims, bashed in doors, and the untold number of sensors and electrical components being replaced, serve as "I am successful in life, and I can afford to waste money" statement to the people on the boards like this who the poster will never meet. Why some people need to "impress" complete strangers, is a question for a psychologist which I am not, but it goes right along with women displaying Prada, Gucci, etc. items outside their circle of friends ("showing off" to complete strangers).

Purchasing a depreciating asset depletes one's net worth and then damaging that asset to the point that it needs expensive repairs, is throwing good money after bad. I'll be the first to admit that I did a LOT of foolish things in my younger years (six totaled cars and three motorcycles testify to this), but right about the age of 40, I stopped doing stupid things. That was the time I retired for the first time, after I went through four "military engagements" and after above mentioned totaled vehicles, without ever having a cast on me, or being shot. It was time to stop "challenging myself".

One's luck goes only so far.

No one should be buying a car with anything in mind aside from money loss, 99% of the time it's going to always lose money. A lot of owners here buy not just to keep it nice and say they have a pristine Bronco but the investment is the experiences and adventures....that doesn't make them foolish because they might get damaged along the way. The flip side to that is wouldn't it be foolish to spend the money on an offroad vehicle you'll never offroad with when you can buy a Honda or something at half the cost more fuel efficient to serve the exact same purpose?

Yeah it's gonna get banged up...might be cosmetic damage you can ignore, or it might be mechanical and yeah you'll have to fix it. But there's nothing wrong with that because the experiences are worth it. You can live your life being frugal and safe, or hit the trails to play and pay a little extra for the fun.

Either way, when you're dead in a year, a couple years, five years or whenever the inevitable happens, every financial decision you made doesn't matter anymore.

 

[Danielsand]

As I said before, people that do it out of enjoyment and hobby interests I understand. Most of them are not on these boards anyway. Not everyone that drives 4x4 is an off roading "enthusiast", right? People own 4x4s for variety of reasons, one of them being living in the rural area, on the big property, in the mountains, with up to 4' of snow at times, and far away from the pavement (that would be me). There are many other reasons that don't involve Moab, or the Devil's Pass (I've done them both in my H1 when I wanted to see if I can do it). Devil's Pass is off course too narrow for the H1, and I had a hell of a time (and expense) afterwards. But I digress.

My feeling from some of the pictures on these boards (not necessarily only this one), is that some young people are too much into "social media", and do it for "likes", and "friends". Bottom line is,....people that do it as a hobby, have a reason to buy (and equip) the best possible rig they can afford in order to enjoy their pastime. People that live in inhospitable terrain need that kind of vehicle just to get around, and there are people in the cities that don't need it, don't play with it on the trails, but enjoy big rig that gives them some other satisfaction (or compensation for something else) whatever that might be. There is nothing wrong with that either. We're all different, and there is no "right" and "wrong" in this subject. Calling people "mallcrawlers" (or their rigs), "posers", and such is not OK. Everyone has a reason (whatever that might be) or a right to buy anything they want and use it the way they want.

Off roading for "likes", and "attaboys" is foolish in my mind. I tried in one of my posts to divert the attention of the participants in this thread to "fakeness" of some of these pictures, and/or statements made. Pictures can be altered to portray whatever one is trying to fake, "likes" from the people one will never interact with in person don't mean anything, and "Internet friends" ARE NOT one's real friends. I understand that making "friends" on the web is much safer than having real friends (who often disappoint or annoy you) and need to be helped and nurtured as a friend. Internet friends are easy to make, and even easier to drop........just turn the computer off.

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