- Thread starter
- #1
As I've noted previously on this forum, I came from a tuned 2.3 Mustang that left me enamored with the possibilities of the Ecoboost platform ... which ended up pushing me down the road of looking into the Badlands 2.0 when I needed something with more "utility".
I'll be honest, and it very well could be that a tune would awaken this 2.0 up a bit, but its not even in the same playing field performance-wise as my Mustang. Just highlightin this because that had always left me slightly 'disappointed' in the vehicle's engine. But overall, I was always a fan.
HOWEVER ...
My fandom has now skyrocketed after I saw this bad boy perform over and back the BlueRidge Moutanins and Pisgah National Forest multiple times. My gosh, living in Miami for years and years on end, doesn't leave you much prepared for mountain driving, does it??
After staying in Asheville for a couple of nights, we made our way on the Blue Ridge Parkway on a wet, low vis day. The parkway was open, but boy was it hairy. It dind't matter to the Swamp Ape, though. Engaged slippery mode, and I could literally feel all fourpoints of contact on the road with a solid grip. Visibility was about 10-15 feet, but it didn't matter to the 30mph cruise control as the Badlands PERFORMED up and down and around hairpin turns.
Had a cabin in West Maggie Valley that was right next to the Parkway also, so it was a point to point drive just about. When we got to the cabin, we now realized why the host required that visitors have all wheel drive as the cabin was about 2.5 miles in through forked dirt roads barely wide enough for two vehicles, and up 8% switchback turns. Engaged Mud/Ruts, and not ONE slip did I ever feel.
After hardening my resolve through those first 3 days, I was better prepared to deal with cresting the Smokies on 441 en route to Cade's Cove, only to recrest the Smokies at near sunset heading in the opposite direction, so that on each hairpin turn near the top, I had the sun blasting right into my face and into the entire cabin. I don't know if any of you have experienced that, but it was harrowing. I also was not ready for it, as I had JUST put away my sunglasses, because in the valley we were coming out of, it was fairly dark, and felt I had no need for them at near 5pm. I'm positive my blood pressure was not good for those 10-15 minutes. LOL
On the long drive back home to Florida, encountered long torrential downpours with, again, low vis. Engaged slippery mode and I was able to safely navigate a treacherous and busy holiday traffic weekend. All in all, I can't thank the Badlands enough for being an extremely safe carriage for my family over some fairly formidable terrain THAT MY MUSTANG WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO.
I guess my point is, the BS now has a much more profound respect from me. I liked it before. It's family now.
Here are some pics. I'm not much of a picture taker. If I get my hands on my wifes or our friends' shots, I'll try and post.
I'll be honest, and it very well could be that a tune would awaken this 2.0 up a bit, but its not even in the same playing field performance-wise as my Mustang. Just highlightin this because that had always left me slightly 'disappointed' in the vehicle's engine. But overall, I was always a fan.
HOWEVER ...
My fandom has now skyrocketed after I saw this bad boy perform over and back the BlueRidge Moutanins and Pisgah National Forest multiple times. My gosh, living in Miami for years and years on end, doesn't leave you much prepared for mountain driving, does it??
After staying in Asheville for a couple of nights, we made our way on the Blue Ridge Parkway on a wet, low vis day. The parkway was open, but boy was it hairy. It dind't matter to the Swamp Ape, though. Engaged slippery mode, and I could literally feel all fourpoints of contact on the road with a solid grip. Visibility was about 10-15 feet, but it didn't matter to the 30mph cruise control as the Badlands PERFORMED up and down and around hairpin turns.
Had a cabin in West Maggie Valley that was right next to the Parkway also, so it was a point to point drive just about. When we got to the cabin, we now realized why the host required that visitors have all wheel drive as the cabin was about 2.5 miles in through forked dirt roads barely wide enough for two vehicles, and up 8% switchback turns. Engaged Mud/Ruts, and not ONE slip did I ever feel.
After hardening my resolve through those first 3 days, I was better prepared to deal with cresting the Smokies on 441 en route to Cade's Cove, only to recrest the Smokies at near sunset heading in the opposite direction, so that on each hairpin turn near the top, I had the sun blasting right into my face and into the entire cabin. I don't know if any of you have experienced that, but it was harrowing. I also was not ready for it, as I had JUST put away my sunglasses, because in the valley we were coming out of, it was fairly dark, and felt I had no need for them at near 5pm. I'm positive my blood pressure was not good for those 10-15 minutes. LOL
On the long drive back home to Florida, encountered long torrential downpours with, again, low vis. Engaged slippery mode and I was able to safely navigate a treacherous and busy holiday traffic weekend. All in all, I can't thank the Badlands enough for being an extremely safe carriage for my family over some fairly formidable terrain THAT MY MUSTANG WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO.
I guess my point is, the BS now has a much more profound respect from me. I liked it before. It's family now.
Here are some pics. I'm not much of a picture taker. If I get my hands on my wifes or our friends' shots, I'll try and post.
Sponsored
