Why go slow off-roading?

[msujedi]

Much has been said regarding the merits of slow rolling off-road. So, I won't parrot those points.

On the other side, I spoke with an FCA exec last summer who had an opportunity to take a trip out west to do some desert running in JTRs. He said they were ripping through dessert trails just before sunset. I didn't ask him what speed, what trail, or the experience level of the driver. Nonetheless, a group of FCA execs enjoyed some 'high speed' desert running in JTRs.

In addition, I recall hearing/reading about a feature in the JTR's computer, allowing it to handle better during "high speed" off-roading. I might look that up, but I'll just post based on memory for now.

Quick look resulted in this ... https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/high-speed-off-road-calibration.8687/

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[Sunnysideup]

The worst accidents on quads or 4x4's that I have ever came across on trials all had to do with excessive speed. If you read through the accident lists within the off-roading world… speed is a huge factor. Put a branch through the radiator and into the cab, or rolled three times on a sharp turn, bent frame jumping dune, head on with another truck on the trail, broken tie rod, snapped axle shaft, tire punctured by root... Going fast carries with it a much higher chance of damage or personal injury to yourself or others. Hit a family on quads head on because you flew around the corner too fast... drive into a tree to dodge a parked car on the trail... Speed hurts.
BUT… there are trails and roads with good visability and if your suspention and skills are good enough to have a little fun... I think the truck can handle it to a small degree. You might even be able to argue that some driving conditions require speed... but forget driving like a BAJA racer unless your have a BAJA budget... Stock Springs, Shocks, Axles, and parts are not designed for crazy... you will find when your beyond your trucks ability, things break, you will loose control easier, and the aftermath will leave your truck driving like it came from a demolition derby on the highway.

 

[hjdca]

The worst accidents on quads or 4x4's that I have ever came across on trials all had to do with excessive speed. If you read through the accident lists within the off-roading world… speed is a huge factor. Put a branch through the radiator and into the cab, or rolled three times on a sharp turn, bent frame jumping dune, head on with another truck on the trail, broken tie rod, snapped axle shaft, tire punctured by root... Going fast carries with it a much higher chance of damage or personal injury to yourself or others. Hit a family on quads head on because you flew around the corner too fast... drive into a tree to dodge a parked car on the trail... Speed hurts.
BUT… there are trails and roads with good visability and if your suspention and skills are good enough to have a little fun... I think the truck can handle it to a small degree. You might even be able to argue that some driving conditions require speed... but forget driving like a BAJA racer unless your have a BAJA budget... Stock Springs, Shocks, Axles, and parts are not designed for crazy... you will find when your beyond your trucks ability, things break, you will loose control easier, and the aftermath will leave your truck driving like it came from a demolition derby on the highway.

I ride dirt bikes and 4wheel. When I come to a blind corner, I go slower and I climb up on the right side of the rode. If I am in my truck, I honk my horn. Even still, I was involved in a dirt bike accident when a guy came sliding around the corner with a dirtbike in my lane and hit the front of my dirt bike with his rear tire. We both went flying and my forks got damaged and leaked the fluid out. Luckily, nobody was hurt except for bruises and scrapes. I went to talk to the guy that hit me and he got on his bike and took off, I almost tacked him off his bike, but, I was with my young son on his small dirt bike at the time, and I did not want to get into a fist fight with him there. I could not chase the guy because my bike was tweaked. So, be aware, no matter what precautions you take, there is always a yahoo out there that can ruin your day.

 

[jurfie]

The worst accidents on quads or 4x4's that I have ever came across on trials all had to do with excessive speed. If you read through the accident lists within the off-roading world… speed is a huge factor. Put a branch through the radiator and into the cab, or rolled three times on a sharp turn, bent frame jumping dune, head on with another truck on the trail, broken tie rod, snapped axle shaft, tire punctured by root... Going fast carries with it a much higher chance of damage or personal injury to yourself or others. Hit a family on quads head on because you flew around the corner too fast... drive into a tree to dodge a parked car on the trail... Speed hurts.
BUT… there are trails and roads with good visability and if your suspention and skills are good enough to have a little fun... I think the truck can handle it to a small degree. You might even be able to argue that some driving conditions require speed... but forget driving like a BAJA racer unless your have a BAJA budget... Stock Springs, Shocks, Axles, and parts are not designed for crazy... you will find when your beyond your trucks ability, things break, you will loose control easier, and the aftermath will leave your truck driving like it came from a demolition derby on the highway.

Really well said.

 

[jurfie]

So, be aware, no matter what precautions you take, there is always a yahoo out there that can ruin your day.

And don't be that yahoo!

 

[PyrPatriot]

For my first time off roading, and the type of off-roading it was, I went slow because going fast would likely result in you going off a mountainside

 

[shrinkhead]

A mix of both fast and slow here. Along with some damage.

Seen this on YouTube the other day.

Wow this looked really good. Thanks for the link. Plus it's up here in Maine

 

[Factoid]

A mix of both fast and slow here. Along with some damage.

Seen this on YouTube the other day.

This is an awesome video!

So what did we learn?

1. Aired down big tires on 17” wheels rule on the trail.
2. Rock sliders without protruding steps are mandatory.
3. Spotters are a must.
4. Always travel with a buddy or BBG or BWG or just somebody big.
5. Trees don’t like Jeep tail lights.
6. There is a time to go fast and a time to go slow.
7. Sometimes backing up is the best way to go forward.
8. A 3 1/2” lift is not too much lift, in fact, is there such a thing as too much lift on the trail?
9. Bring the equipment and know how to use it.
10. Have fun, stay positive and be proud when you earn trail rash and pin striping.

 

[Factoid]

Oh, and number 11. No Raptor would have survived that trail.

 

[shrinkhead]

Curious how a stock Rubicon would have done. That lift was massive and looked liked 40 tires

 

[BruteForce]

As it relates to speed, I did the Pony Express trail in Utah (about 90 miles) at 65mph.. its dirt, its washboarded and its rocky.. but I was FLYING. Zero issues. Now, rock climbing and slick stuff like Hells Revenge in Moab, not so much at speed.. slow is fast..

 

[CJ_Scottie]

I suppose it just depends on terrain. I like the jeep commercials of the "jeep convoys" going through the dirt roads and fields at a rather high speed with the great 80s hair band music. It looks like fun. But I understand the others points as well and how it could be costly. But I totally understand what you mean.... fast is fun!!!

 

[WhatExit?]

Oh, and number 11. No Raptor would have survived that trail.

What's your point? Why would anyone take a Raptor on that "trail?

There's a lot going on in that video. I'll leave it at that but I will say, I'd much rather watch that trail video than drive my vehicle(s) on it.

 

[Factoid]

That was simply a nod to some of the ridiculous posts in the Gladiator vs. Raptor thread. The point is they are very different vehicles for different purposes.

I do agree totally that none of my vehicles would be driven on that trail.

 

[ACAD_Cowboy]

So I’ve been lurking this thread for a bit and have some views to share.

your bring up the commercials and yes they do show what these vehicles are capable of doing but there are a few things they aren’t telling you namely that while they can tear ass them around they don’t have to drive them home and commercials wouldn’t be as engaging if they showed them easing through a mud hole or down some rock ledges.

there are times and places where shoveling on the coal is great but this is governed by where in the country you are; where I go wheeling the terrain limits how fast you can go with rocks and trees and elevation or direction changes, 30 is whipping it and very short lived. Out west the land is flatter and the spaces bigger so bombing around is easier. your area will govern how you wheel.

If you want to go fast that’s fine, time to build to it as a design goal. Greater suspension travel, taller tire sidewall and increased engine power and throttle response are now the name of the game. For reference your typical trophy truck is 2wd and can have 3 feet of suspension travel and big power output. They however would suck wind on a nice New England mountain trail just like a stock rubicon would struggle to be even remotely competitive in the Baja 1000 or PAris-Dakar.

think of these things like a leather man tool, it does nothing well compared to a dedicated tool but can be surprisingly capable when used within its parameters. Jeep built the JK, JL and JT to do probably the most grueling off-roader task possible; daily driving. Remember all the crazy shit they can do in stock form the next time you are a helping along in traffic going to work.

but back to your point, going fast or going slow it makes no difference, you should identify what and how you want to wheel and build to it. Get a taste of various builds and honestly and realistically decide what works best for you and where you want to go. It will hurt a lot to build a speed buggy and then beat it to death on technical climbing trails just as it will hurt to build a truck for mostly rock environments and always seem to be running mud holes.

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