2011 ford escape AWD

[racsan]

Got this the week before thanksgiving last year, my g/f has always wanted a suv, we both wanted a 3rd vehicle on hand as a backup plan since we work different shifts. After test driving a ratty ‘01 and later trying to fix a ‘03 that was going to be more trouble than it was worth I found a “not too bad” 2011 V6 AWD auto. Ive done almost all my accessories already, had to modify the tube step mounting brackets because they were too high and not useable as actual steps. I also put on a receiver hitch and a grille guard. the tube steps and grille guard are both “aries” brand name, I don’t recommend them, the hitch is a draw-tite, I still have window vent-visors to put on, its just not warm enough yet and Im not sure if the adhesive tape will work right with the cold temperatures. I also need to put the trailer tow wire harness in. For some reason its not like the normal plug n play, theres a wire that needs to run from the converter box up to the battery. I didnt like the spare under the butt so I moved it to the inside and built a easily removeable shelf.

I do love the way it drives, need to hook up a trailer and see how it does. heres a few pictures.

 

[sgtsandman]

I think that 2011 was the last year before they ruined them and went full soccer mom. The stick vent visors are ok but if you can get the in channel type, get those if you can. You can remove and reinstall those, especially the WeatherTech brand that uses clips, if needed, instead of tape.

Nice looking cross over you have there.

 

[adsm08]

I think that 2011 was the last year before they ruined them and went full soccer mom. The stick vent visors are ok but if you can get the in channel type, get those if you can. You can remove and reinstall those, especially the WeatherTech brand that uses clips, if needed, instead of tape.

Nice looking cross over you have there.

You gotta watch those in-channel ones with the one-touch up windows though. They will often be seen by the window module as an obstruction and cause a bounce-back.

Also, you can reattach the outside ones, you just need more tape.

 

[sgtsandman]

Just as sticky and as thin as the original tape? I've yet to see any in auto parts stores or hardware stores.

 

[Dirtman]

3m VHB tape is the same if not stronger than the original tape. Home depot usually has it.

 

[racsan]

Ive already got the ventvisors, they are the ones that stick to the outside of the vehicle right above the window moldings. I ordered everything at the same time, hitch was the first thing I put on, then the tube steps. after a week the tube steps came off, they stuck out so far that youd bang your legs on them and they were too high for actual use as a step ( my g/f is shorter than me, I really dont need them) I didnt have a welder at the time so they stayed off. I did find a small 120 V welder on letgo for a good price so got it, some 6013 rod and a old-school helmet ($20 vs $80 for auto darken) and proceeded to modify the brackets. chopped all 4 of them 5” from the center of the saddle where the tube step itself mounted, then a 6” piece of 1/2 angle to lower the cut off part from the rest of bracket that mounts to car, a angled brace on each bracket for support, 5/16 grade 8 hardware and a few welds. they are still a little high but couldnt make them any lower or they would be too low (the brackets themselves) between being lower and sitting 1/2 “ further inboard im not banging my leg on it now getting out. The grille guard? more show than go, it looks beefy and had rubber strips like you could push with it but I wouldn’t recommend it. the lower mounting brackets mount to the core support, yes the radiator core support, upper mounting point is undersde of bumper cover just under the grille. took me all day to do that job, pull the front tires, remove plastic covers from underneath and half of the plastic inner wheelwells, the air dam and then mount the lower brackets, each bracket has (2) 10mm nut inserts/bolts and (1) 13mm bolt. the 2-10’s you cant really tighten that good because those inserts dont hold well, doesnt help that the core support is rather thin metal. I think I started that job today about noon and was putting tools away about 6. At least it looks good, just dont think it would be much help if a deer tried to bounce off it. I think 2013 is the start of the gen 3 escape, more compact and “soccer momish”

 

[Uncle Gump]

My wife likes her Escape... it's 17... so totally different.

When you doing the lift and 33's?

 

[racsan]

im not sure you can get a lift for it, and rims for that with 33’s in a positve offset? I dont think that would work well. would definitely need fender flares. Need to work on my ranger next, once this cold weather is gone I want to drive it and park the HHR

 

[Uncle Gump]

I was just being a goof man...

You are on your way to making it look somewhat Rally Car inspired. Should be a nice family cruiser...

 

[adsm08]

My wife likes her Escape... it's 17... so totally different.

When you doing the lift and 33's?

I think I would rather walk than own a 3rd gen Escape.

 

[racsan]

I figured, but I still gave some thought to a bigger tire. I do have a 2nd set of rims I was planning on putting winter tires on. The g/f likes it. She originally wanted a equinox or traverse. Im no fan of the newer gm front drive suv’s, would of loved a ‘98 302 V8 explorer, the newer ones I just dont like the style of. This has plenty of power, not sure if its all about the engine design or if its transmission gearing. its not the final drive, thats only 3.54 or somewhere around there. the engine itelf is rated at 240 hp. kind of a bs # as that hp rating is at 6,000 rpm, 55 in overdrive is about 1600. What little snow weve had its done quite well with. Its became her daily driver and what gets driven on the weekends. I checked yesterday and weve put 3,000 miles on it already. Only issues ive had was a bad heater fan resistor when we first got it and a misfire from one of the coils, Dont remember what cyl # but was middle cyl on front side, glad it wasnt on the back, have to take alot off to get to the rear bank. Have oil & filter for a oil change, might do that next weekend. It all depends on the weather.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I think I would rather walk than own a 3rd gen Escape.

I didn't say I thought it was a fine automobile... but I will say it rolls out 30 plus miles to the gallon... it holds all the supplies she needs to supervise a 10 store market... it's hauled all kinds of pizzeria equipment. We've driven it to Michigan a couple times and it wasn't uncomfortable for me but perhaps most importantly... SHE likes it.

Being it's her car... I was given a choice between a Buick Encore... or the Escape. So maybe I did choose it rather then walk...

 

[racsan]

changed oil today and tested out the trailer hitch, pulls the ranger trailer like its not even there. Real test would be the box trailer but its kind of a storage shed right now and I took off the tires off before I drove the golf cart in there last fall so its not quite a trailer at the moment.

 

[sgtsandman]

Ah! Before they ruined them with the "Soccer Mom" remake...

 

[racsan]

heavy-duty trailering (well, for a escape) 6 x 9 box trailer, went and picked up a new-to-me mower, about 500 pounds. Trailer itself weighs 1,000 pounds but the real factor is wind resistance, its like dragging a parachute behind it, last weekend I pulled the ranger trailer full of dirt, was only about 6 miles. My round trip tow of the box trailer yesterday was about 50 miles, used 1/2 tank of gas but pulled it with no issues.