Joining The Club (Probably)

[Morganstein]

Greetings from NC!

As the subject suggests, I'm (probably) going to be joining your ranks later this year. I've ordered a 25 AWD Hybrid Lariat that I plan on modifying & I'm hoping for some thoughts & opinions. If my experience on forums has taught me anything, there's usually plenty of thoughts & opinions.

As I said, I'm ordering an AWD Hybrid & my plan is to lift it around 2", swap out the 19's for some 17's, and go up to a 30" tire. I'm also looking at adding the Prinsu roof rack. I used to do a decent amount of off-roading but now it's mostly just dirt roads & trailheads. I know that I'm going to take a hit on MPG but I should still double my current ride which will be nice since it's also my daily.

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[Hunters Edge]

Hello and welcome to MTC. Congrats on making the plunge. Hope you get your order relatively soon. Keep us updated on your order progress and hopefully some pictures after taking delivery. Best wishes on your mods but I would think heavily on those changes you mentioned. Because you even posted your only riding on dirt roads and trailheads. So why make it harder to ingress, egress load and unload the bed and take a hit on mileage and your wallet. Anyway what mods you do I would suggest posts with pic's.

 

[Duke Nukm2001]

Greetings from NC!

As the subject suggests, I'm (probably) going to be joining your ranks later this year. I've ordered a 25 AWD Hybrid Lariat that I plan on modifying & I'm hoping for some thoughts & opinions. If my experience on forums has taught me anything, there's usually plenty of thoughts & opinions.

As I said, I'm ordering an AWD Hybrid & my plan is to lift it around 2", swap out the 19's for some 17's, and go up to a 30" tire. I'm also looking at adding the Prinsu roof rack. I used to do a decent amount of off-roading but now it's mostly just dirt roads & trailheads. I know that I'm going to take a hit on MPG but I should still double my current ride which will be nice since it's also my daily.

Welcome to the Club!

 

[Scott Asheville]

OP, hi from WNC! Have you given any thought to the new Bronco Sport Sasquatch? Sounds like you plan to build a Mav version.

I have a little pull on my heart every time I pass a two door Bronco. I want a two door Bronco soooo bad. But the big Bronco prices just get stratospheric so fast.

 

[Morganstein]

OP, hi from WNC! Have you given any thought to the new Bronco Sport Sasquatch? Sounds like you plan to build a Mav version.

I haven't. What drew me to the 25 Maverick is the AWD + hybrid option. I'm not looking for a ton of off-road capability, just some extra ground clearance & enough traction to make use of it.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Greetings from NC!

As the subject suggests, I'm (probably) going to be joining your ranks later this year. I've ordered a 25 AWD Hybrid Lariat that I plan on modifying & I'm hoping for some thoughts & opinions. If my experience on forums has taught me anything, there's usually plenty of thoughts & opinions.

As I said, I'm ordering an AWD Hybrid & my plan is to lift it around 2", swap out the 19's for some 17's, and go up to a 30" tire. I'm also looking at adding the Prinsu roof rack. I used to do a decent amount of off-roading but now it's mostly just dirt roads & trailheads. I know that I'm going to take a hit on MPG but I should still double my current ride which will be nice since it's also my daily.

Welcome to the forum! It looks like your Bronco will soon be in great company.

 

[Suzukiridr14]

I don't think the Maverick was designed to do what you're thinking of doing with it. It doesn't have a frame, has weak axel shafts, eCVT transmission, and the hybrid likes flat land to ride on. But then again, I know nothing about off roading.

 

[Dslaughterbeck]

I'd definitely check out the posts on this website about lifting the maverick, there seems to be a problem with the cv joints and no aftermarket ones yet that I know of.

 

[Morganstein]

I'd definitely check out the posts on this website about lifting the maverick, there seems to be a problem with the cv joints and no aftermarket ones yet that I know of.

From what I've seen searching, it seems people are having just as many CV issues on stock height trucks as they are lifted ones.

 

[AutobahnSHO]

The Maverick is a great city truck but the hybrid wasn't designed for a lot of off-road. I personally wouldn't off-road a hybrid without adding plenty of skid protection underneath the HV battery. I'd spray the underside clean anytime after getting it muddy, who knows what kind of heat effect you'd see otherwise.

And I would be surprised if your MPG doesn't end up being close to the Bronco with those mods.

 

[Montana]

I don't think you are looking at the right vehicle either. The Mavericks unibody does not handle lifts well. No unibody vehicle does without major modifications to the driveline and spacers only go so far until the point where they stop (your PTU/Tranny) is the angle that now needs correcting. 2" is WAY too much on these trucks. There is a reason the Tremor only gets the minimal lift it does.

Tolerances are way different for on frame vehicles.

You should be looking at a Tremor that doesn't need anything done to it and compromising your off road desires in the process. Otherwise, I'd stick with an on frame vehicle for your purpose.

 

[OleFordGuy]

I would agree with Montana, based on your mod goals, change to the Tremor or a different truck. 30” tire

 

[TheShark]

I would agree with Montana, based on your mod goals, change to the Tremor or a different truck. 30” tire

I agree, the Tremor really is the better choice. If you don't need a truck then the Bronco Sport Sasquatch. I know the Hybrid is tempting but modifying for offroading really isn't it's CV.

 

[Johnny maverick]

I love my maverick for what it is but It really isn't an off road vehicle in any trim . Maybe my terminology of off roading is different than others. I would never take my maverick where I take my jeep. Although i have run it through its paces and it surprised me how capable it is. Body damage is my concern. I live in the granite state and its unforgiving to sheet metal. CV axles don't like to run a extreme angles. I remember when Toyota went independent. It was a bitch to keep an axle together lifted. They didn't last long even with a cradle drop. I keep my 06 LJ Rubicon for the off road stuff. Solid axles for me. Better articulation and way more capable. On the other hand it drives like slinky and its on road manners suck. I think you need two toys. Problem solved.

 

[Morganstein]

All of these are valid points. I looked at the Tremor but for what I'm doing, some dirt roads & trailheads but mostly DD, I think the AWD will serve me just a well but with better gas mileage.

I've had my IFS Bronco lifted 3.5" & riding on 37's for over 3 years with quite a bit of serious off-roading & no issues. Yes, I know that it's axles are stronger but the difference in angle & additional load is, at worst, comparable. I know plenty of people with lots of miles on lifted Subarus & 1 person with almost 30k miles on a lifted EcoBoost FX4 Maverick. Yes, lifting an IFS vehicle puts more stress on the CV joints but in my experience, as long as you're not abusing the vehicle, you can mitigate your chances of doing any damage. & if I do damage an axle, that's the price to play.

As for the tire size, if you search 245/65R17 you'll see a number of people on here running them. Keep in mind that the factory 225/55R19 is 29" in diameter so we're only talking a 2.7% difference

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