4X4 Comparison Site?

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Ulysses

Guest
Anyone know of a site where I can get unbiased comparisons of the offroad
capabilities of stock Frontiers and Tacomas and Explorers and such?

I need something that can go up a dirt road with 2-3 feet of mud without
getting stuck.

Thanks.


 
"" wrote:
> Anyone know of a site where I can get unbiased comparisons of
> the offroad
> capabilities of stock Frontiers and Tacomas and Explorers and
> such?
>
> I need something that can go up a dirt road with 2-3 feet of
> mud without
> getting stuck.
>
> Thanks.

2-3 feet of mud. gonna need alot more than anything stock. a wangler
stock couldnt touch that, maybe a unimog. heres a good test: get a
yard stick, measure 3 feet up on ant 4x4 your looking at. if you run
into any electronics, air intake, or even the bumper for that matter
then it wont make it and forget about stock brakes, gearing, or
anything else that you expect to work when you get done. people may
argue the finer points of mud meets 4x4; but really if you have to ask
it wont make it. you would need something lifted, with lots of power,
oversized mud tires, etc. If your looking for your weekend camping
trip wherer the dirt road has some standing water in places, then the
difference in a fronter or tacoma isnt that great. Toyota has a good
rep behind it, so I would go with that. but 3 feet of mud is probably
up to your waist, and it takes a real beast to get through that kind
of mud.

--
Posted using the http://www.autoforumz.com interface, at author's request
Articles individually checked for conformance to usenet standards
Topic URL: http://www.autoforumz.com/4X4-Comparison-Site-ftopict134486.html
Visit Topic URL to contact author (reg. req'd). Report abuse: http://www.autoforumz.com/eform.php?p=653522
 
Maybe a hovercraft?

> I need something that can go up a dirt road with 2-3 feet of mud without
> getting stuck.
>
> Thanks.



 

"xmirage2kx" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "" wrote:
> > Anyone know of a site where I can get unbiased comparisons of
> > the offroad
> > capabilities of stock Frontiers and Tacomas and Explorers and
> > such?
> >
> > I need something that can go up a dirt road with 2-3 feet of
> > mud without
> > getting stuck.
> >
> > Thanks.
>
> 2-3 feet of mud. gonna need alot more than anything stock. a wangler
> stock couldnt touch that, maybe a unimog. heres a good test: get a
> yard stick, measure 3 feet up on ant 4x4 your looking at. if you run
> into any electronics, air intake, or even the bumper for that matter
> then it wont make it and forget about stock brakes, gearing, or
> anything else that you expect to work when you get done. people may
> argue the finer points of mud meets 4x4; but really if you have to ask
> it wont make it. you would need something lifted, with lots of power,
> oversized mud tires, etc. If your looking for your weekend camping
> trip wherer the dirt road has some standing water in places, then the
> difference in a fronter or tacoma isnt that great. Toyota has a good
> rep behind it, so I would go with that. but 3 feet of mud is probably
> up to your waist, and it takes a real beast to get through that kind
> of mud.

Well, what about 2 feet of mud then? I've made it through plenty of times
with my old '91 Explorer of what must have been easily 1 1/2 feet of mud.
Maybe I need to go measure but it was higher than the bottom of a Bronco
front bumper anyway. At some point I would have to say it was not actually
driving but planing on the skid plates. If I would have stopped I would
have sunk and not have been able to get going again (probably). More like
boating than driving a car, I guess. What about getting one of those little
propellers ya used to see on the back on SUVs in the trailer hitch? That
might help me get going again if I have stop in the mud.

My main concern is to get through the county-maintained dirt road here.
They come along in the summer and put a bunch of fill on it and I guess they
never went to kindergarten and didn't learn that dirt and water (rain) makes
mud. After enough of us back here call 'em up and scream at them they come
out and scrape off all the fill and everyone can drive in and out again.
The next summer they come back and put a bunch of fill on it....

I've always made it with my Explorer but it's getting really old (200K miles
on it) and I'm wondering if the new trucks with the active brake limited
slip traction control systems are really any better than what I have now.


>
> --
> Posted using the http://www.autoforumz.com interface, at author's request
> Articles individually checked for conformance to usenet standards
> Topic URL:
http://www.autoforumz.com/4X4-Comparison-Site-ftopict134486.html
> Visit Topic URL to contact author (reg. req'd). Report abuse:
http://www.autoforumz.com/eform.php?p=653522


 
Get what you like and get a winch. You'll get in and out 99$ of the time
with a winch. Best $800 you can spend. Get a reciever winch if you don't
want it hanging out all the time. If you get a reciever winch, be sure to
put it in and get it all hooked up and set up before you see yourself
getting stuck. It's sure a pain to carry it thru the mud.

HTH

Carl


"Ulysses" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "xmirage2kx" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > "" wrote:
> > > Anyone know of a site where I can get unbiased comparisons of
> > > the offroad
> > > capabilities of stock Frontiers and Tacomas and Explorers and
> > > such?
> > >
> > > I need something that can go up a dirt road with 2-3 feet of
> > > mud without
> > > getting stuck.
> > >
> > > Thanks.
> >
> > 2-3 feet of mud. gonna need alot more than anything stock. a wangler
> > stock couldnt touch that, maybe a unimog. heres a good test: get a
> > yard stick, measure 3 feet up on ant 4x4 your looking at. if you run
> > into any electronics, air intake, or even the bumper for that matter
> > then it wont make it and forget about stock brakes, gearing, or
> > anything else that you expect to work when you get done. people may
> > argue the finer points of mud meets 4x4; but really if you have to ask
> > it wont make it. you would need something lifted, with lots of power,
> > oversized mud tires, etc. If your looking for your weekend camping
> > trip wherer the dirt road has some standing water in places, then the
> > difference in a fronter or tacoma isnt that great. Toyota has a good
> > rep behind it, so I would go with that. but 3 feet of mud is probably
> > up to your waist, and it takes a real beast to get through that kind
> > of mud.
>
> Well, what about 2 feet of mud then? I've made it through plenty of times
> with my old '91 Explorer of what must have been easily 1 1/2 feet of mud.
> Maybe I need to go measure but it was higher than the bottom of a Bronco
> front bumper anyway. At some point I would have to say it was not
actually
> driving but planing on the skid plates. If I would have stopped I would
> have sunk and not have been able to get going again (probably). More like
> boating than driving a car, I guess. What about getting one of those
little
> propellers ya used to see on the back on SUVs in the trailer hitch? That
> might help me get going again if I have stop in the mud.
>
> My main concern is to get through the county-maintained dirt road here.
> They come along in the summer and put a bunch of fill on it and I guess
they
> never went to kindergarten and didn't learn that dirt and water (rain)
makes
> mud. After enough of us back here call 'em up and scream at them they
come
> out and scrape off all the fill and everyone can drive in and out again.
> The next summer they come back and put a bunch of fill on it....
>
> I've always made it with my Explorer but it's getting really old (200K
miles
> on it) and I'm wondering if the new trucks with the active brake limited
> slip traction control systems are really any better than what I have now.
>
>
> >
> > --
> > Posted using the http://www.autoforumz.com interface, at author's
request
> > Articles individually checked for conformance to usenet standards
> > Topic URL:
> http://www.autoforumz.com/4X4-Comparison-Site-ftopict134486.html
> > Visit Topic URL to contact author (reg. req'd). Report abuse:
> http://www.autoforumz.com/eform.php?p=653522
>
>


 

"Carl Saiyed" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Get what you like and get a winch. You'll get in and out 99$ of the time
> with a winch. Best $800 you can spend.

$800 eh? Is there a particular brand you recommend? Obviously nothing from
Harbor Fright. What kind of capacity should it have for a typical minitruck
or SUV?


Get a reciever winch if you don't
> want it hanging out all the time. If you get a reciever winch, be sure to
> put it in and get it all hooked up and set up before you see yourself
> getting stuck. It's sure a pain to carry it thru the mud.
>
> HTH
>
> Carl
>
>
> "Ulysses" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > "xmirage2kx" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > > "" wrote:
> > > > Anyone know of a site where I can get unbiased comparisons of
> > > > the offroad
> > > > capabilities of stock Frontiers and Tacomas and Explorers and
> > > > such?
> > > >
> > > > I need something that can go up a dirt road with 2-3 feet of
> > > > mud without
> > > > getting stuck.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks.
> > >
> > > 2-3 feet of mud. gonna need alot more than anything stock. a wangler
> > > stock couldnt touch that, maybe a unimog. heres a good test: get a
> > > yard stick, measure 3 feet up on ant 4x4 your looking at. if you run
> > > into any electronics, air intake, or even the bumper for that matter
> > > then it wont make it and forget about stock brakes, gearing, or
> > > anything else that you expect to work when you get done. people may
> > > argue the finer points of mud meets 4x4; but really if you have to ask
> > > it wont make it. you would need something lifted, with lots of power,
> > > oversized mud tires, etc. If your looking for your weekend camping
> > > trip wherer the dirt road has some standing water in places, then the
> > > difference in a fronter or tacoma isnt that great. Toyota has a good
> > > rep behind it, so I would go with that. but 3 feet of mud is probably
> > > up to your waist, and it takes a real beast to get through that kind
> > > of mud.
> >
> > Well, what about 2 feet of mud then? I've made it through plenty of
times
> > with my old '91 Explorer of what must have been easily 1 1/2 feet of
mud.
> > Maybe I need to go measure but it was higher than the bottom of a Bronco
> > front bumper anyway. At some point I would have to say it was not
> actually
> > driving but planing on the skid plates. If I would have stopped I would
> > have sunk and not have been able to get going again (probably). More
like
> > boating than driving a car, I guess. What about getting one of those
> little
> > propellers ya used to see on the back on SUVs in the trailer hitch?
That
> > might help me get going again if I have stop in the mud.
> >
> > My main concern is to get through the county-maintained dirt road here.
> > They come along in the summer and put a bunch of fill on it and I guess
> they
> > never went to kindergarten and didn't learn that dirt and water (rain)
> makes
> > mud. After enough of us back here call 'em up and scream at them they
> come
> > out and scrape off all the fill and everyone can drive in and out again.
> > The next summer they come back and put a bunch of fill on it....
> >
> > I've always made it with my Explorer but it's getting really old (200K
> miles
> > on it) and I'm wondering if the new trucks with the active brake limited
> > slip traction control systems are really any better than what I have
now.
> >
> >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Posted using the http://www.autoforumz.com interface, at author's
> request
> > > Articles individually checked for conformance to usenet standards
> > > Topic URL:
> > http://www.autoforumz.com/4X4-Comparison-Site-ftopict134486.html
> > > Visit Topic URL to contact author (reg. req'd). Report abuse:
> > http://www.autoforumz.com/eform.php?p=653522
> >
> >
>
>


 
MileMarkers are really nice, basic and reliable. and about $600 for a
9000lb at 4wheelparts. I always heard the general rule was to double
your gvw. as such, I went with the 12000lb Milemarker for my 5300lb
Discovery

 
If you're using a strap, the loss is about 12% of the torque for each warp
the strap makes around the drum ... so I'm thinking that's where that rule
may originate.


I always heard the general rule was to double
> your gvw. as such, I went with the 12000lb Milemarker for my 5300lb
> Discovery
>


 
Warn winches are proven. 8000# will be fine. Don't go below 8000#. Check
your local 4x4 shops, or check out www.4wheelparts.com.

Carl



"Ulysses" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Carl Saiyed" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Get what you like and get a winch. You'll get in and out 99$ of the time
> > with a winch. Best $800 you can spend.
>
> $800 eh? Is there a particular brand you recommend? Obviously nothing
from
> Harbor Fright. What kind of capacity should it have for a typical
minitruck
> or SUV?
>
>
> Get a reciever winch if you don't
> > want it hanging out all the time. If you get a reciever winch, be sure
to
> > put it in and get it all hooked up and set up before you see yourself
> > getting stuck. It's sure a pain to carry it thru the mud.
> >
> > HTH
> >
> > Carl
> >
> >
> > "Ulysses" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > >
> > > "xmirage2kx" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > > news:[email protected]...
> > > > "" wrote:
> > > > > Anyone know of a site where I can get unbiased comparisons of
> > > > > the offroad
> > > > > capabilities of stock Frontiers and Tacomas and Explorers and
> > > > > such?
> > > > >
> > > > > I need something that can go up a dirt road with 2-3 feet of
> > > > > mud without
> > > > > getting stuck.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks.
> > > >
> > > > 2-3 feet of mud. gonna need alot more than anything stock. a wangler
> > > > stock couldnt touch that, maybe a unimog. heres a good test: get a
> > > > yard stick, measure 3 feet up on ant 4x4 your looking at. if you run
> > > > into any electronics, air intake, or even the bumper for that matter
> > > > then it wont make it and forget about stock brakes, gearing, or
> > > > anything else that you expect to work when you get done. people may
> > > > argue the finer points of mud meets 4x4; but really if you have to
ask
> > > > it wont make it. you would need something lifted, with lots of
power,
> > > > oversized mud tires, etc. If your looking for your weekend camping
> > > > trip wherer the dirt road has some standing water in places, then
the
> > > > difference in a fronter or tacoma isnt that great. Toyota has a good
> > > > rep behind it, so I would go with that. but 3 feet of mud is
probably
> > > > up to your waist, and it takes a real beast to get through that kind
> > > > of mud.
> > >
> > > Well, what about 2 feet of mud then? I've made it through plenty of
> times
> > > with my old '91 Explorer of what must have been easily 1 1/2 feet of
> mud.
> > > Maybe I need to go measure but it was higher than the bottom of a
Bronco
> > > front bumper anyway. At some point I would have to say it was not
> > actually
> > > driving but planing on the skid plates. If I would have stopped I
would
> > > have sunk and not have been able to get going again (probably). More
> like
> > > boating than driving a car, I guess. What about getting one of those
> > little
> > > propellers ya used to see on the back on SUVs in the trailer hitch?
> That
> > > might help me get going again if I have stop in the mud.
> > >
> > > My main concern is to get through the county-maintained dirt road
here.
> > > They come along in the summer and put a bunch of fill on it and I
guess
> > they
> > > never went to kindergarten and didn't learn that dirt and water (rain)
> > makes
> > > mud. After enough of us back here call 'em up and scream at them they
> > come
> > > out and scrape off all the fill and everyone can drive in and out
again.
> > > The next summer they come back and put a bunch of fill on it....
> > >
> > > I've always made it with my Explorer but it's getting really old (200K
> > miles
> > > on it) and I'm wondering if the new trucks with the active brake
limited
> > > slip traction control systems are really any better than what I have
> now.
> > >
> > >
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > Posted using the http://www.autoforumz.com interface, at author's
> > request
> > > > Articles individually checked for conformance to usenet standards
> > > > Topic URL:
> > > http://www.autoforumz.com/4X4-Comparison-Site-ftopict134486.html
> > > > Visit Topic URL to contact author (reg. req'd). Report abuse:
> > > http://www.autoforumz.com/eform.php?p=653522
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>


 

"Carl Saiyed" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Warn winches are proven. 8000# will be fine. Don't go below 8000#. Check
> your local 4x4 shops, or check out www.4wheelparts.com.
>
> Carl

Thanks to all for the suggestions. I'm just having a little trouble
imagining what to connect a winch to if I should get stuck in the mud on the
road. I guess the car or truck that's stuck in front of me.... ;-)


>
>
>
> "Ulysses" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > "Carl Saiyed" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > > Get what you like and get a winch. You'll get in and out 99$ of the
time
> > > with a winch. Best $800 you can spend.
> >
> > $800 eh? Is there a particular brand you recommend? Obviously nothing
> from
> > Harbor Fright. What kind of capacity should it have for a typical
> minitruck
> > or SUV?
> >
> >
> > Get a reciever winch if you don't
> > > want it hanging out all the time. If you get a reciever winch, be sure
> to
> > > put it in and get it all hooked up and set up before you see yourself
> > > getting stuck. It's sure a pain to carry it thru the mud.
> > >
> > > HTH
> > >
> > > Carl
> > >
> > >
> > > "Ulysses" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > > news:[email protected]...
> > > >
> > > > "xmirage2kx" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > > > news:[email protected]...
> > > > > "" wrote:
> > > > > > Anyone know of a site where I can get unbiased comparisons of
> > > > > > the offroad
> > > > > > capabilities of stock Frontiers and Tacomas and Explorers and
> > > > > > such?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I need something that can go up a dirt road with 2-3 feet of
> > > > > > mud without
> > > > > > getting stuck.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Thanks.
> > > > >
> > > > > 2-3 feet of mud. gonna need alot more than anything stock. a
wangler
> > > > > stock couldnt touch that, maybe a unimog. heres a good test: get a
> > > > > yard stick, measure 3 feet up on ant 4x4 your looking at. if you
run
> > > > > into any electronics, air intake, or even the bumper for that
matter
> > > > > then it wont make it and forget about stock brakes, gearing, or
> > > > > anything else that you expect to work when you get done. people
may
> > > > > argue the finer points of mud meets 4x4; but really if you have to
> ask
> > > > > it wont make it. you would need something lifted, with lots of
> power,
> > > > > oversized mud tires, etc. If your looking for your weekend camping
> > > > > trip wherer the dirt road has some standing water in places, then
> the
> > > > > difference in a fronter or tacoma isnt that great. Toyota has a
good
> > > > > rep behind it, so I would go with that. but 3 feet of mud is
> probably
> > > > > up to your waist, and it takes a real beast to get through that
kind
> > > > > of mud.
> > > >
> > > > Well, what about 2 feet of mud then? I've made it through plenty of
> > times
> > > > with my old '91 Explorer of what must have been easily 1 1/2 feet of
> > mud.
> > > > Maybe I need to go measure but it was higher than the bottom of a
> Bronco
> > > > front bumper anyway. At some point I would have to say it was not
> > > actually
> > > > driving but planing on the skid plates. If I would have stopped I
> would
> > > > have sunk and not have been able to get going again (probably).
More
> > like
> > > > boating than driving a car, I guess. What about getting one of
those
> > > little
> > > > propellers ya used to see on the back on SUVs in the trailer hitch?
> > That
> > > > might help me get going again if I have stop in the mud.
> > > >
> > > > My main concern is to get through the county-maintained dirt road
> here.
> > > > They come along in the summer and put a bunch of fill on it and I
> guess
> > > they
> > > > never went to kindergarten and didn't learn that dirt and water
(rain)
> > > makes
> > > > mud. After enough of us back here call 'em up and scream at them
they
> > > come
> > > > out and scrape off all the fill and everyone can drive in and out
> again.
> > > > The next summer they come back and put a bunch of fill on it....
> > > >
> > > > I've always made it with my Explorer but it's getting really old
(200K
> > > miles
> > > > on it) and I'm wondering if the new trucks with the active brake
> limited
> > > > slip traction control systems are really any better than what I have
> > now.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > --
> > > > > Posted using the http://www.autoforumz.com interface, at author's
> > > request
> > > > > Articles individually checked for conformance to usenet standards
> > > > > Topic URL:
> > > > http://www.autoforumz.com/4X4-Comparison-Site-ftopict134486.html
> > > > > Visit Topic URL to contact author (reg. req'd). Report abuse:
> > > > http://www.autoforumz.com/eform.php?p=653522
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>


 
Trees, rocks, or worst case scenario, bring a good sized steel "spike",
something long, that you can put in the ground. Also make sure you have
a small sledgehammer (8lb is good). Drive the spike in at an angle away
from your vehicle, get it in solid (hence the sledge). Then hook up to
it and hope for the best. Never had to use this method but I have a
spike and sledge just incase...

 
"Corey Shuman" <[email protected]> wrote:

>Trees, rocks, or worst case scenario, bring a good sized steel "spike",
>something long, that you can put in the ground. Also make sure you have
>a small sledgehammer (8lb is good). Drive the spike in at an angle away
>from your vehicle, get it in solid (hence the sledge). Then hook up to
>it and hope for the best. Never had to use this method but I have a
>spike and sledge just incase...

This is the reason a good winch setup has a long remote cord or a wireless
control. If the spike comes out from the ground while the winch line is
under tension, it's a missle aimed right at the front of the vehicle.

http://www.expertoffroad.com/custom.aspx?id=14
--
Bill "the Roadie" Carton
 
Very true, always make sure, with a winch or a tow strap, to be well
out of the path that the line could take, Ive seen a tow strap (the
evil kind with the metal hook) break, and shoot back completely through
the grill and radiator of an 03 Tahoe...(boy was he mad... :))

 

"Corey Shuman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Very true, always make sure, with a winch or a tow strap, to be well
> out of the path that the line could take, Ive seen a tow strap (the
> evil kind with the metal hook) break, and shoot back completely through
> the grill and radiator of an 03 Tahoe...(boy was he mad... :))
>

Thanks for the tips. I didn't know tow straps with metal hooks were evil.
I've been using them to pull out stuck cars. I've had one break but it
didn't fly anywhere so I guess I was lucky. How do you connect a tow strap
without a hook? Usually when cars are stuck around here the mud is all the
way past the bumper and I have to feel around under there to find a place to
hook it to. Are you wrapping around the frame or whatever and putting it
through a loop or tying it on or what?

BTW was that Tahoe 4WD? Should I cross it off my list? What I probably
really need is a four wheel drive tractor but the gas mileage would be a
killer for commuting ;-)


 
On Fri, 26 Aug 2005 15:23:47 UTC "Corey Shuman" <[email protected]>
wrote:

> Very true, always make sure, with a winch or a tow strap, to be well
> out of the path that the line could take, Ive seen a tow strap (the
> evil kind with the metal hook) break, and shoot back completely through
> the grill and radiator of an 03 Tahoe...(boy was he mad... :))

Also, throw a heavy blanket or coat over the line/strap to dampen the
recoil if it breaks. I've even seen guys who always routed the line
through the spare wheel or carried an old tire to do the same thing.


--
Will Honea
 
I use the straps with the loops minus the hooks now. Gotta be careful
of mounting, sometimes you have to cut them off, but its cheaper to
replace the strap then a part of the truck.. .. Its was a 4wd Tahoe,
its a pretty good little machine.. I have a rover myself, I think it
gets about the same mpg as a tractor... (maybe less)

 
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