Pleease.
Active Member
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2019
- Threads
- 0
- Messages
- 34
- Reaction score
- 23
- Location
- Cincinnati
- Vehicle(s)
- 2009 Mercedes CLK350, 2016 Lexus GX460, 2019 Honda Ridgeline RTL-AWD
Who would buy a FWD Ridgeline, and then why would you pick that one to quote towing capacity instead of the normal AWD 5000 lbs.? And how does the trunk smell compared to any other truck's trunk. Oh yeah, no other truck has a trunk.You shouldnt call others out for being wrong when you haven't done sufficient research.
1. I never said the RL was billed as an off-road vehicle, obviously because it doent have solid axles (has independant suspension), no transfer case, and no low 4WD (AWD only). The original poster said the RL in his opinion was the closest competitor to the JT in terms of lifestyle. IMO, it is not (speaking subjectively), as the two vehicles clearly target two different demographics. But he could have been coming from anther perspective, which is his perogative. IMO, lifestyle wise the JT is targeted to outdoor enthusiest who want an off-road capable truck, whereas you said the RL is not. So there we are in agreement.
2. The RL is not easily liftable. There are actually at least three companies that do lifts, only one approved by dealers for warranty purposes. The two you are referring to are (Traxda and TRUXX) many of those installs by lift shops have resulted in torn CV axle boots, won't properly align, camber isues, ect, many brands of 265 tires wont event fit without rubbing, so really the lift is more for appearance than functionality. Both aftermarket company kits require extensive labor to do the fronts and are not easily done, which is why both companies have to provide instructional videos to business that do lifts. Rarely anyone tries to do it themselves, and many of the ones done at shops have ended up back at the dealer. It's very common to find the Honda Dealer approved lift (JSport 1" lift) to be sold for 7k, 3k lift and 4k for the wheels.
https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com...12322-attempted-truxxx-leveling-kit-help.html
https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com...wheels-suspension/166706-traxda-lift-kit.html
https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com...98-damaged-cv-joint-after-truxxx-install.html
3. Transmission Issues. The Ridgeline does not have a transfer case, it uses i-VTM4 which basically utilizes a computer to monitor the rear E-differential and torque vectoring between wheels to adjust power between wheels to find the best traction. I will attach a TSB below.
https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com...6-judder-torque-converter-lock-up-clutch.html
https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com...800-transmission-overheated-while-towing.html
https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com...s-tsb-s/188945-transmission-not-shifting.html
https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com...tsb-s/215828-shifting-clunk-2nd-3rd-gear.html
https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com...xes-tsb-s/172290-2017-transmission-clunk.html
https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com...785-transmission-problems-2018-ridgeline.html
Brake Issues
https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com...77937-brake-fluid-looks-like-maple-syrup.html
Hood Flutter
https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com...ood-flutter-vibration-hood-jello-jigglin.html
4. Body Dents
https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com...s-tsb-s/194681-2017-ridgeline-body-dents.html
5. Cost
Pricing RTL-T AWD first trim with available Nav, APS has MSRP of $39,945 no available active safety features.
Pricing RTL-E AWD first trim with active safety features is $42,965. RL are not seing much more than a $3,500 discount off MSRP, where JLs are being sold with much heavier discounts.
FYI I have read the JL forums and am very aware of their many issues including, frame, steering, electrical, wind noise, ect. With that said, the JT is not a JL, so every issue won't be the same as they do not share the same frame and many other suspension components. We will see how the roll out goes on the JT and with two years of JL's rolling out, I am hoping some of the software programming and electrical steering issues get resolved for components they do share.
As far as overall reliability, I'd rather spend time and money fixing something that is capable, durable, and has appealing asthetics. As opposed to something that has less capability and almost zero visual appeal. I have researched every single truck and ALL manufactures are having issues. Probably the most trouble free truck at this point would be a 2018 or newer Tundra (many of the previous years have expensive cam tower leaks, $3,500 repair). But hey, the Tundra hasn't had a total redesign since 2007, so they have had 12 years to get everything ironed out.
Again we agree on the RL being a truck, I did not say it wasnt. It does have class leading ride, very comfortable, the back seat is functional, slick tailgate (when it works), and it gets good gas mileage. But IMO, It's a stretch to call it a "great" truck as It's just not very capable in its basic configuration, FWD with 3500 lbs of towing, 7" of ground clearance, no solid axles, no active safety features, and a stereo from 2010 Civic. But hey, at least it fits plywood flat on the floor and has a trunk. Although the truck stinks so bad from plastic resin that you can't put food in it.
I have a 1st generation Ridgeline. It can be locked into 4wd mode in first, second, and I believe reverse. It's no Baja basher, but it handles itself nicely in lots of nasty conditions. Wouldn't be first choice for off-roading though; agree with you on that. But as you mentioned, if really is an excellent everyday driver.
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