Our 4x4's stink!

[IZwack]

I doubt many people would claim a solid axle rear rides better than an independent. It may be subjective but it is not really disputed.

I think you misunderstood briwayjones, he was saying that IFS rides better but it can not outperform the solid axle in off road situations.

 

[XCAMP]

Yeah the independent suspension doesn't provide much clearance and you need to know that before you go flying through a rut or deep mud. Just look under the vehicle and it's obvious your clearance is limited because of it.

 

[4x4xbrian.com]

You could go with a used limited slip there are plenty of them available, and cheap. I just got one for my ranger for $35 at the local u-pull it. It was a snap to put in, but your irs may be a little trickier do to tight quarters.

 

[IZwack]

You could go with a used limited slip there are plenty of them available, and cheap. I just got one for my ranger for $35 at the local u-pull it. It was a snap to put in, but your irs may be a little trickier do to tight quarters.

This may have worked for you and you may have gotten lucky but you have to set up the gears when you switch carriers bucause not all carrier "decks" are at the same offset / spec. At the very least, you should have put some gear marking compound on a few of the ring gear's teeth and made sure the contact patch was proper.

 

[4x4xbrian.com]

If you knew how many times I've swapped carriers you'd cry laughing at my luck, Ive been waiting for the day I get bitten by it but no dice yet.
The first time I did a swap I measured the stock shimms and realized they were are all the same left to right carrier to carrier. The other 8-10 times same...It could be my luck, but I'm really not that lucky.

 

[IZwack]

For a trail rig sure, swap away. But IMO, for a DD or highway vehicle, I wouldn't just swap carriers w/o checking the contact pattern.

 

[4x4xbrian.com]

It never hurts to check.

but back to the thread .....your trail-ability will be day and night different + there are some mod tricks with the trac-loc ls diffs to get better performance see the following:
http://therangerstation.com/tech_library/rebuild_tractionlock.htm

 

[HahnsB2]

I wouldn't bother with a (clutch type) limited slip, it really doesn't help off-road.

Fully independent suspension + open/LS diffs = not very capable off-road.

 

[Donner]

Your truck should have made that climb... Compai, digo que la culpa es suya, y que el problema que tenia no tiene nada que ver con esa lomitita How did you have your 4x4 settings when you tried to go up the hill? Did your tires spin or slip? La proxima vez que lo haga, que ponga aqui una grabacion, por favor... I would like to see this... thank you!

 

[ld50]

I am getting back to that beach just to try that again and will make a video of this...this will not happen again...I promise...

Seriously, if you can spot a flex-friendly line and drive it up there you should be able to do it. There`s probably many ways to drive up that hill.

Oh and I was just funning around by slaggin 3rd Gens What do I know? I drive antiques!

 

[superfestiva]

Your truck should have made that climb... Compai, digo que la culpa es suya, y que el problema que tenia no tiene nada que ver con esa lomitita How did you have your 4x4 settings when you tried to go up the hill? Did your tires spin or slip? La proxima vez que lo haga, que ponga aqui una grabacion, por favor... I would like to see this... thank you!

El video vá...hay otra forma de ir y es en lancha, pero mi esposa me quiso matar por eso, pero no es verdad que no lo haré...mi ego no me lo permite... vuelvo en mayo y puedes estar seguro que lo voy a subir...estaré practicando en algunos sitios cerca de Santo Domingo para mejora mi off-roading...estoy de acuerdo que el problema es el conductor...
No es posible que un CRV viejo sin 4x4 suba y yo no...las gomas tienen algo que ver?

Subiré esa loma como me llamo Miguel...

In English and brief...my wife wanted to kill me because I said I was taking the hill instead of a boat that takes you to that beach...I don't care, my ego will not let me get a freakin' boat...next time I'll do a video and in the meantime I will practice at a nearby place...CR-V's with FWD suck, Explorer should be better...the culprit should be me...lol...

One thing...I know man, this hill is bad, but not that bad...the tires spun like crazy, lots of smoke when I hit rocks...
The 4x4 setting was in LOW and the tranny was in 1...
I need to find a way to not let the tires loose traction...

 

[superfestiva]

Seriously, if you can spot a flex-friendly line and drive it up there you should be able to do it. There`s probably many ways to drive up that hill.

Oh and I was just funning around by slaggin 3rd Gens What do I know? I drive antiques!

I agree with you dude...my last time when I went with my 2nd gen, I only got stuck for like 3 minutes...It can't be that bad...

My issue has to be getting the right line and not letting the tires loose traction...the driver should be the culprit

 

[superfestiva]

I wouldn't bother with a (clutch type) limited slip, it really doesn't help off-road.

Fully independent suspension + open/LS diffs = not very capable off-road.

Then what can I do to optimize my off-roading without lifting the truck?
I do off-roading not too often...

 

[XCAMP]

You can drop your air pressure for more traction.

+1 on picking the right line (but that is easier said than done)

 

[Thelt]

The independent rear is low to the ground at the control arms but it is higher in the center. I think the problem a lot of people have is not being aware of that fact and accounting for it.

I do not do a lot of hardcore wheeling in my X. I do some light stuff from time to time. If you want a hardcore off road machine do not buy any four door SUV get a Wrangler or something.

 

[Four0Sport]

i just re-skimmed over the thread, and maybe i missed it.. but did the original poster ever mention what kind of tires he is running on his explorer? 4x4 or no 4x4, tires make a huge difference.

 

[superfestiva]

i just re-skimmed over the thread, and maybe i missed it.. but did the original poster ever mention what kind of tires he is running on his explorer? 4x4 or no 4x4, tires make a huge difference.

I am running regular Hankook A/T tires kinda like this one
http://www.hankooktireusa.com/product/tire_detail.asp?pid=268

My truck has 4x4 (XLT)...I was running in the 1 position of the tranny and in 4x4 low...

 

[superfestiva]

The independent rear is low to the ground at the control arms but it is higher in the center. I think the problem a lot of people have is not being aware of that fact and accounting for it.

I do not do a lot of hardcore wheeling in my X. I do some light stuff from time to time. If you want a hardcore off road machine do not buy any four door SUV get a Wrangler or something.

I was thinking of getting a truck instead of an suv...problems are:
1- economy right now is not for changing your car
2- less space and less comfy

Silly questions:
What are bully spacers and wheel spacers? Can they help out?

 

[Thelt]

I was thinking of getting a truck instead of an suv...problems are:
1- economy right now is not for changing your car
2- less space and less comfy

Silly questions:
What are bully spacers and wheel spacers? Can they help out?

If you think lifting your Explorerer two or three inches is a help then yes they can help greatly.

http://roadbully-offroad.com/2.html

 

[Donner]

jaja!

El video vá...hay otra forma de ir y es en lancha, pero mi esposa me quiso matar por eso, pero no es verdad que no lo haré...mi ego no me lo permite... vuelvo en mayo y puedes estar seguro que lo voy a subir...estaré practicando en algunos sitios cerca de Santo Domingo para mejora mi off-roading...estoy de acuerdo que el problema es el conductor...
No es posible que un CRV viejo sin 4x4 suba y yo no...las gomas tienen algo que ver?

Subiré esa loma como me llamo Miguel...

In English and brief...my wife wanted to kill me because I said I was taking the hill instead of a boat that takes you to that beach...I don't care, my ego will not let me get a freakin' boat...next time I'll do a video and in the meantime I will practice at a nearby place...CR-V's with FWD suck, Explorer should be better...the culprit should be me...lol...

One thing...I know man, this hill is bad, but not that bad...the tires spun like crazy, lots of smoke when I hit rocks...
The 4x4 setting was in LOW and the tranny was in 1...
I need to find a way to not let the tires loose traction...

Las mujeres nos mandan! Pero, se trata de las llantas, no le tengo respuesta, compai... Cuidese!