Range Rover Classic Capabilities for Moab Trails

[getlost4x4]

So,I'm taking a friend with me to Moab at the end of March. He just bought a stock 1989 Range Rover Classic, with 80,000 miles on it. Its on 225/75/16 Load Range E's Michelin Tires, 3 spoke alloys. No lift. Some sort of roof rack, and steel running boards. I think they are some aftermarket thing.

It does not have as much clearance as my P38.

I have a set of OME HD- OME 751 front springs i was going to give him. Do you think the front shocks would be long enough, or should we thrown new shocks on as well. I was leaning toward Medium Duty in the rear since he won't be caring to much. Just about 2" of lift.

Will the drive-lines be long enough.

Anyway, what trails do you think I should take him on? He is sort of a newbie. He hasn't done much 4 wheeling since about 2000 in a Ford Exploder.

I've checked the truck out from top to bottom. The only leaks are from the valve cover (very minor weeping) and the power steering box (very minor). I'm going to give it a tune up: cap, rotor, wires, plugs, and air filter. It seems to be in great shape other then a nonfunctioning sun-roof and no AC.

I'm dying to go to Poison Spider and Gold Bar again, but I don't think his will make it.

Cheers

 

[ZG]

Never underestimate a Range Rover classic! Besides approach/departure/breakover(LWB) angles I wouldn't worry about poison spider in a Classic. You may have to stack rocks in a couple places but other than that it's very doable.

 

[getlost4x4]

Well, I have a winch and tow strap. I can always pull him along. :smiley_drive:

 

[roverrocks]

Both doable for the Classic with some rock stacking in places or help from your truck in a spot or two such as this ledge down and up (can't remember the ledge's name) on Gold Bar Rim. These are a couple of pictures I found on the internet.

 

[Blueboy]

Rover probably more capable than the owner.

 

[roverandom]

I would loose the running boards, roof rack and forget the lift unless he wanted to use a larger tyre?
Taking my Classic Rangie to Moab for the first time this fall and I'm excited as hell. My RRC is not exactly stock anymore though.


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[roverrocks]

I would take him on Fins & Things too as that is a very fun trail with a bit of everything and great stunning scenery in all directions. If he has never been out on the stunningly beautiful but easy Chicken Corners Trail I would take him there too with the very scenic Jackson Hole Loop Trail off of the Chicken Corners Trail as a potential add-on if time. There is just so much in the Moab area.

 

[David Harris]

I agree the Classic can make it just fine, even without a lift. If you do the lift you'll have no driveline problems with only 2 inches. The stock length shocks will work since OME shocks are stock length too. You'll just lose some down travel.

 

[pugslyyy]

biggest potential issue is that this was the first year with the viscous center diff (vs. mechanical locking) and by now many of them no longer lock at all. The classic could effectively be a one wheel drive vehicle.

Make sure you have a functioning center diff lock and have at it.

As others have said, lose the running boards

 

[getlost4x4]

center diff works fine. we have tried it out. everything seems to work fine

 

[pugslyyy]

center diff works fine. we have tried it out. everything seems to work fine

Good to know. I actually was wheeling in Moab with a group that included a RRC and it's viscous center diff was completely worn out (so it functioned like an open diff) - they had a really tough time because whenever they were on a climb all the power would be transferred 100% to the front axle.

poison spider / gold bar is a classic moab trail that you guys should be able to do just fine.

I'm curious, how did you try it out?

 

[getlost4x4]

very carefully
:smiley_drive:

Good to know. I actually was wheeling in Moab with a group that included a RRC and it's viscous center diff was completely worn out (so it functioned like an open diff) - they had a really tough time because whenever they were on a climb all the power would be transferred 100% to the front axle.

poison spider / gold bar is a classic moab trail that you guys should be able to do just fine.

I'm curious, how did you try it out?

 

[Mack73]

Unless I'm remembering things wrong - I thought when the viscous center dies it goes to 100% full lock? That's why they recommend driving circles in a parking lot so you can hear the tires squeal as the diff is locked

 

[David Harris]

Unless I'm remembering things wrong - I thought when the viscous center dies it goes to 100% full lock? That's why they recommend driving circles in a parking lot so you can hear the tires squeal as the diff is locked

It usually does lock up, but sometimes it's the other way.

 

[ZG]

Unless I'm remembering things wrong - I thought when the viscous center dies it goes to 100% full lock? That's why they recommend driving circles in a parking lot so you can hear the tires squeal as the diff is locked

^This.


Generally when you see a bad viscous coupler it's "seized" and won't come unlocked. I haven't seen one stuck open, but then again I haven't seen them all