What factors make Off Road Ability?

SVX has been showing the ABS light since shortly after I found it had a split brake line. I replaced all the lines and bled the brakes and it's been on ever since. Mind you, abs might still be working because I can't make it skid and it stops pretty quick. I was pretty much standing on the brake pedal last time I tested it.
 
Ben Up North said:
SVX has been showing the ABS light since shortly after I found it had a split brake line. I replaced all the lines and bled the brakes and it's been on ever since. Mind you, abs might still be working because I can't make it skid and it stops pretty quick. I was pretty much standing on the brake pedal last time I tested it.
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maybe you just need to delete error then. or disconnect batery reset system.
 
@MiddleAgeSubie put street tires on a pickup truck with 4wd and you don't have a terribly good off-roader either. Trucks often come stock with mild AT tires. So stock for stock, they're more capable. The drive system is obviously a factor. But it's really hard to compare capability without the same tires on every car
 
@Veganpotter , it's a time honoured tradition with humans - failing to make sensible or even rational comparisons.

Obviously, my gone to god 1968 Landcruiser would do things my Impreza or Forester can only dream about, even stock standard. It was also primitive, and tough, like old boots.

At my age, with the frailties that accompany it, I would be sore and exhausted after driving the Landcruiser about 50 kms. I can drive the Forester for 12-14 hours (with a fair few photography breaks ... ;) ).

It's also nothing to do with the tyres!

It always comes down to horses for courses.
 
@Ratbag many times...but as you probably know, it's not hard to get a horse to a place where others think horses don't belong😉🙃. A Jeep Trackhawk is still a fairly capable offroader with the right tires. But you're not going to get far with the tires that are on it...a good horse with bad shoes
 
And as a youngish person, I wish I could get a new Jimny here in the US. I'd be willing to get battered in it for now😂. But I'd also like a high travel, super soft crawler...because toys are fun
 
If someone thinks forester seat are amazing for long travels then outback ones are even better. It was just pleasure for me to drive when i did 5500km euro trip in 2 weeks. I just wanted to drive car everyday from one place to another.
Yes some cars can be very capable for short off road trips but they wouldnt be good for longer travels maybe like going to there and back larger distance. So it depends is it your weekend warior for like 20 km trip to forest only or is it 200km trip car. Are tou just wanna go into mud without reason just to get stuck or are you have like destination point that you need to get and while going to destination just do some off road. Thats what i need from car. Not local off road.
 
scalman said:
If someone thinks forester seat are amazing for long travels then outback ones are even better.
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You should sit in an SVX... :)

I'm starting to look at the suspension on mine, Getting ready for stage 3. Stage 1 was getting it on the road, stage 2 making it more comfortable, stage 3 where I'm at now (making it even more comfortable). who knows what stage 4 will be, probably gearbox tweaking/replacement
 
:D
I want to be able to have it maybe 1/2" lower for street, then be able to crank it up 1 1/2" (or 2") for the dirt.
Ultimately I'd like some sort of hydraulic lifting system, but that ain't gonna happen unless I win the lotto. Which ain't gonna happen unless I increase my odds a fraction by entering it. The improvement in the odds doesn't make it worth the additional investment.

Edit: If I do my intended suspension, stage 4 will be body protection: Engine & transmission guards, Rhino/Raptor llining on the grey (bottom of the tri-colour)
 
Ben Up North said:
You should sit in an SVX... :)
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Mate, it's the getting in and out that's the problem!

Ten years ago, our Impreza and Camry were starting to get difficult for me.

Our Forester seats are just about exactly at bum height. Brilliant!
 
And about seats in those old 4x4 i would just put modern seats from newer car same maker. Like those 79 land cruiser seats even now they put some crappy ones in them, just put some prado other newer toyota seats there.
 
^ but ...

No room for the fuel tank, and #1 auxiliary tank under the passenger seat with modern seats.
 
scalman said:
How they evolve to this? If they would put there some older obk with just auto and old vdc style it would at least try raise revs, Spin wheels ,
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Fuel consumption, @scalman. Manufacturers are squeezing their engineering to get the least L/100km possible in their new vehicles. That includes putting in the problematic direct injection and the most efficient gearboxes possible.

Also, our resources are getting more and more limited and manufacturers/businesses still want to get the most profit they can. There are compromises somewhere in between.

Ratbag said:
At my age, with the frailties that accompany it, I would be sore and exhausted after driving the Landcruiser about 50 kms. I can drive the Forester for 12-14 hours (with a fair few photography breaks ... ;) ).
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There is something about the balance of Subarus is hard to explain. I, too, do not get fatigued when driving or riding Subarus. There is good enough comfort for both the driver and passengers.

scalman said:
Like those 79 land cruiser seats even now they put some crappy ones in them, just put some prado other newer toyota seats there.
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Better seats won't help with the FJ40. The suspension is really rough plus the wheelbase is too short. It's good for mountain goating when off-roading but on the road, it's just an aggressive see-saw. There are upgrades from ARB and Old Man Emu but they can only do so much.

The best comfort upgrade that I have seen for the FJ40 is the installation of the floater seats from Isuzu trucks. They have their own springs in the seats and can actually reduce driver fatigue.
 
Other cars had good fuel consumption as well but they can still drive in harder situation, subaru engine mildly to say arw not most fuel and power efficient out there and i accept that its fine.
We just need to buy old subarus i guess. Well until its possible. It wont be for long though.
 
deep snow still somehwere in russia areas, not here anymore so enjoying still what they have, so very deep snow, not winter tires just extreme mud tires but aired down to extreme levels, like that first lada niva has beadlocks so it was aired down to like 0.1 bar. its no other way to move there, you couldnt move there with more air in tires there. 2 nivas with defender with merc G wagon there.
2 nivas very light cars compare to those heavy wieght def and G wagon and that means there a lot , its not about power there at all. nivas has like 70 hp maybe.

at 30:45 they broke heavy strenght axle on that niva with lockers. so it was like special axles there stronger and they broke still.
 
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Kevin said:
That's why the SVX needs a lift!
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👍
Surprisingly easy to get into at it's current height. not so easy to get out of. :o

I don't think lifting it 2" would make much difference. :unsure:;)
 
Ratbag said:
Mate, it's the getting in and out that's the problem!

Ten years ago, our Impreza and Camry were starting to get difficult for me.

Our Forester seats are just about exactly at bum height. Brilliant!
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I know exactly what you mean about Forester seat height Ratbag.
We downsized from a Honda CRV to HRV, the HRV is a couple of mm lower than the CRV and it tells on my back.
It's not until our bodies have aged that we really appreciate the height of seats when getting in & out of vehicles. (y):)
 
for some people who still think they dont need AT or MT tires and air them down, just looks at this.
and good point about bullbar , yes for kangaroos or other animals on road , its not for off road so much more for driving there and back i guess.
though its funny how he calls Hilux with rear locker stock ,yh stock by it standard. i mean what else you need there , put some better tires and go.
 
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