Lightweight Expedition Options (Element, RAV4, Suzuki)
- Thread starter Scott Brady
- Start date
paulj
Expedition Leader
expeditionswest said:
The Element's suspension has the same geometry as the CRV and Civic, but with stiffer and larger components to handle the greater weight and height. That includes fairly stiff anti-sway bars to reduce body roll. In a crude sense, I think of it as a box on a sports car suspension.
When I put one front wheel up on a curb, the body tilts. The opposite rear suspension is compressed more than the one on the curb. I think this is because the front sway bar is stiffer.
paulj
UncleChris
Adventurer
Rav4 at Dakar
For some reason, I think it has been modified(just a little)
This might be a good candidate for expedition use
http://www.ad-sport.be/dakar/
paulj
Expedition Leader
I saw some pictures of the Dakar RAV4 back when I was hanging around the rav4world.com forum. As I recall, the modifications were considerably more than 'a little'.
The RAV4 has been the competition car for the Fulda Challenge for past several years
http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/040305-4.htm 2004
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/ly/fulda.htm 2003
http://www.trisportnews.com/articles/2005/02/000109.html
http://www.fulda-challenge.com/
This is an annual winter driving competition sponsored by Fulda (a European tire brand), held in the Yukon (at least the final stage is). It gets a lot press in Europe but almost none in North America (except for these bits from Canadian Driver). 2006 is running right now.
paulj
The RAV4 has been the competition car for the Fulda Challenge for past several years
http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/040305-4.htm 2004
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/ly/fulda.htm 2003
http://www.trisportnews.com/articles/2005/02/000109.html
http://www.fulda-challenge.com/
This is an annual winter driving competition sponsored by Fulda (a European tire brand), held in the Yukon (at least the final stage is). It gets a lot press in Europe but almost none in North America (except for these bits from Canadian Driver). 2006 is running right now.
paulj
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Scott Brady
Founder
paulj said:
An interesting modification could be to install the CRV front swaybar in the Element (after checking to make sure they would work). That would help balance the suspension off-road and improve articulation. With open differentials, keeping the tires in contact with the ground is key.
cshontz
Supporting Sponsor
I'm curious as to what our Subaru Forester is capable of off-pavement. It has impressed me for the most part on the beaches of North Carolina, but since it is our "keep nice" car that we'd like to trade in, I choose not to use it to explore more technical terrain.
The vehicle does seem to have a following of off-road enthusiasts. While I don't think the Forester is necessarily the most popular choice for off-pavement recreation, it is interesting to see people doing this and making the most of these remarkably versatile vehicles.
http://offroadsubarus.com/
Back on the topic of reliability, this Forester represents my first long-term departure from Jeep vehicles, and this thing has had an expensive head gasket failure, electrical gremlins, and a check engine light that won't go away. I've never had a vehicle that keeps hitting us with problems like this. Otherwise, it is a very nice car.
The vehicle does seem to have a following of off-road enthusiasts. While I don't think the Forester is necessarily the most popular choice for off-pavement recreation, it is interesting to see people doing this and making the most of these remarkably versatile vehicles.
http://offroadsubarus.com/
Back on the topic of reliability, this Forester represents my first long-term departure from Jeep vehicles, and this thing has had an expensive head gasket failure, electrical gremlins, and a check engine light that won't go away. I've never had a vehicle that keeps hitting us with problems like this. Otherwise, it is a very nice car.
paulj
Expedition Leader
Here's a thread that describes an actual attempt to add some lift to an Element - by putting spacers between the tops of the struts and their mounts. In his latest post, OZified wrote that he was able fit the spacers/extensions on the front struts, but couldn't fit them on the rear ones.
http://www.hondaelement.org/showthread.php?threadid=7005&perpage=15&pagenumber=3
The relevant rear parts diagrams are
http://www.slhondaparts.com/images/PCI/14SCV0/009/2.jpg
http://www.slhondaparts.com/images/PCI/14SCV0/009/1.jpg
I suspect that it is the movement of the rear trailing arm, parts 16,17 that limits the lift. It's a compact design that allows for a low, wide flat floor, and good directional stability, but doesn't allow for a lot of articulation.
paulj
http://www.hondaelement.org/showthread.php?threadid=7005&perpage=15&pagenumber=3
The relevant rear parts diagrams are
http://www.slhondaparts.com/images/PCI/14SCV0/009/2.jpg
http://www.slhondaparts.com/images/PCI/14SCV0/009/1.jpg
I suspect that it is the movement of the rear trailing arm, parts 16,17 that limits the lift. It's a compact design that allows for a low, wide flat floor, and good directional stability, but doesn't allow for a lot of articulation.
paulj
chet
island Explorer
I guess I should chime in! My selection is an older 4 door suzuki sidekick. It will be getting the 1.6L Turbo diesel swap very soon. I am currently getting 20 mpg with 30" tires and stock gearing and a roof basket. But the power sucks! With the diesel I am hoping for close to 30 mpg (which shouldn't be a problem) bigger tires and more power.
I have taken my sidekick places it shouldn't go. This last weekend we were wheelin in 2 feet of wet sloppy snow and other than a lack of low end power I had no problems. I did air down to 6 psi though!
You don't get them in the US but my choice for a new small SUV would be the Nissan X-trail. It has a larger 4 cylinder rather than the current trend to v6's with other brands. It has been around in other parts of the world for a few years for aftermarket is out there. OME makes a lift for it! :chowtime:
I test drove one and almost bought one but couldn't get over the fact that I would wreck it on our tight bushy trails up here. Plus it didn't have a Low range.
My next option would be a couple of year old suzuki XL7 more than enough room and sep. frame and solid rear axle.:bowdown:
This is from the 5th. I was pushing snow with the white cross member later in the day!
I have taken my sidekick places it shouldn't go. This last weekend we were wheelin in 2 feet of wet sloppy snow and other than a lack of low end power I had no problems. I did air down to 6 psi though!
You don't get them in the US but my choice for a new small SUV would be the Nissan X-trail. It has a larger 4 cylinder rather than the current trend to v6's with other brands. It has been around in other parts of the world for a few years for aftermarket is out there. OME makes a lift for it! :chowtime:
I test drove one and almost bought one but couldn't get over the fact that I would wreck it on our tight bushy trails up here. Plus it didn't have a Low range.
My next option would be a couple of year old suzuki XL7 more than enough room and sep. frame and solid rear axle.:bowdown:
This is from the 5th. I was pushing snow with the white cross member later in the day!
paulj
Expedition Leader
From what I've personally seen in British Columbia, and read on trail reports at http://www.bc4x4.com/tr/ the little Suzukis (and the GM Tracker) do seem to be a popular choice in Canada, both for road use, and off road. And I have driven some over grown forest service roads where a narrow car has distinct advantages.
I've attached a photo a Suzuki (and my Element) stopped at the Gray Ck general store on Kootenay Lake. I'd just spent 3 hrs crossing Gray Ck Pass (see the other photos).
paulj
I've attached a photo a Suzuki (and my Element) stopped at the Gray Ck general store on Kootenay Lake. I'd just spent 3 hrs crossing Gray Ck Pass (see the other photos).
paulj
Attachments
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flyingwil
Supporting Sponsor - Sierra Expeditions
What a great thread! I have always been a fan of the RAV since they came out, and have come across a few highly capable RAV's. They would be an excellent choice for light expedition travel.
This one is on 245/70R 16
I have always been a fan of smaller vehicles, and off the wall designing... if it looks like it just landed from the moon it is cool in my book! This brings me to the next vehicle we are all overlooking, the Isuzu Vehicross. Scott has pics of Shan's ride up on his site.
I am at a loss as to what the purpose of the duct tape is for, (I think it adds HP). But with a set up similar to GT's Rubi, it could be a good foundation too.
This one is on 245/70R 16
I have always been a fan of smaller vehicles, and off the wall designing... if it looks like it just landed from the moon it is cool in my book! This brings me to the next vehicle we are all overlooking, the Isuzu Vehicross. Scott has pics of Shan's ride up on his site.
I am at a loss as to what the purpose of the duct tape is for, (I think it adds HP). But with a set up similar to GT's Rubi, it could be a good foundation too.
Scott Brady
Founder
The duct tape held on the custom cutout magnetic panels. It is a burgundy VX. 
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