4x4 / Off-Road TechThis section contains all discussion related to taking the FJ Cruiser in Off-Road situations, 4x4 applications and any armor modifications.
Look at WWII jeeps and their tire sizes. Why so skinny for 4X4? And why dont the WWII jeeps I see have the big lifts?
**Is there anything to be said about this? (i.e., are they better than big fat tires for off-roading?)
I am not yet into 4X4'ing and was just wondering why I see so many trucks/4X4's with such large tire sizes and such a high suspension?
Is this really practical in off roading?
I mean they look cool, but how do they perform against a light 4X4 with maybe smaller and/or skinny tires like that of a WWII jeep?
I am not trying to start any kind of argument, I would just like to know the benifits of a skinny and light 4X4/truck VS. all these TALL, LOUD, BIG WHEELED FORD and CHEVY trucks I see? (in terms of off-road capability)
I would just like to know the benifits of a skinny and light 4X4/truck VS. all these TALL, LOUD, BIG WHEELED FORD and CHEVY trucks I see? (in terms of off-road capability)
Those guys are of course NOT offroaders and kept me out of offroad for a long time because I thought they represented the breed.
Once you get out there on the trails, you won't see them again. Until your next Hooter's visit.
To me it just seems that all those jacked up ford and chevy trucks (usually F-150's, F-250's, and Tahoes are more for looks and some intimidation factor.
?
I find it interesting if we go back in history and look at WWII vehicles the tires are thin and the vehicles seem fairly light and kind of small, and yet they seem to do pretty good off-road.
Thanks, technoreid
Quote:
Air2air previously said:
Those guys are of course NOT offroaders and kept me out of offroad for a long time because I thought they represented the breed.
Once you get out there on the trails, you won't see them again. Until your next Hooter's visit.
in thick mud/snow with a hard surface underneath, pizza cutters are advantageuos. everywhere else they fall the less contact patch and flotation (in bogging/sand).
As for the skinny tires, I've wheeled with skinny tires.
The 33 X12.5's I had were WAY better than the 33 X10.50's.
And I take it out and play with it. In many different terrains. I can honestly say that the skinny brings the suck. This isn't a "my brothers counsins other sister said..." Its what I said.
Skinny sucks, end of story.
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Quote:
FJ Tex previously said:
oh and i think i may be wrong about the physics, i think Stephen Hawking may have TSL Thornbirds on his chair.
I am going to check it out! Thanks for the link! I find this whole thing pretty interesting.
I used to have a suzuki samarai (I am laughing right now just thinking about it because I was like 18 and though I was cool in the suzuki) a long time ago (and I did not go much off road at all) -- but from what I did do - that vehicle was very light, very manuverable, lacked power, but very fun. I just felt like I could do anything in that thing due to it's lightness, tires, ect....
techno
Quote:
mir207 previously said:
This thread started as a result of a PM I sent to Valkyrie. Lots of chat about why thin tires are the way to go.
I am going to check it out! Thanks for the link! I find this whole thing pretty interesting.
I used to have a suzuki samarai (I am laughing right now just thinking about it because I was like 18 and though I was cool in the suzuki) a long time ago (and I did not go much off road at all) -- but from what I did do - that vehicle was very light, very manuverable, lacked power, but very fun. I just felt like I could do anything in that thing due to it's lightness, tires, ect....
techno
those sami's make great wheelers with the right components.
I don't know that much about the thin versus fat tires, but the WWII jeeps were small and very light. My guess is because they are so light they don't need a huge patch for flotation. Probably don't even need a high lift jack, couple of solid guys could probably lift a corner. As far as bigass trucks, the bigger the truck the worse offroad performance. The less weight you have to float or pull up a hill or rocks, the better. Don't worry about a dinky little 4 cyl 50 hp like those old jeeps. It's all in the gearing. If you gear it right you'll be just fine and you'll enjoy the light weight. You'll really tread lightly.
I don't know that much about the thin versus fat tires, but the WWII jeeps were small and very light. My guess is because they are so light they don't need a huge patch for flotation. Probably don't even need a high lift jack, couple of solid guys could probably lift a corner. As far as bigass trucks, the bigger the truck the worse offroad performance. The less weight you have to float or pull up a hill or rocks, the better. Don't worry about a dinky little 4 cyl 50 hp like those old jeeps. It's all in the gearing. If you gear it right you'll be just fine and you'll enjoy the light weight. You'll really tread lightly.
yea, my heep is a 2.5L, but has enough gearing to crawl anything. as far as the trucks, the most functional half ton i have ever driven/been in is a for F150 supercrew with a 4" lift and 33"s.
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