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Wheeling and off-roading in a G VS something else?
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Posted 8/13/2016 9:26 PM
imjustdave
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Date registered: Feb 2012
Location: Bonney Lake Washington USA
Vehicle(s): 2004 G500, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2006 Ram 3500.
Posts: 77
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Wheeling and off-roading in a G VS something else?

So I used to own a Unimog and enjoyed wheeling in it but living in the Seattle area AKA trees it became really hard to enjoy it as trails just aren't big enough, so it move on to its new owner.

So I have the itch again to wheel and enjoy the trials, outdoors and otherwise get dirty exploring and wheeling.

Been thinking about a G for a few years now as the Jeep scene just seems so cookie cutter and everybody seems to have one, There are so many I5 4x4 around its crazy as they just never see dirt past maybe a gravel driveway.

But i'm starting to wonder if the G will be capable enough for me, offroad. You see so many upgrade options for so many other vehicals its mind numbing but with the G there is only a small handful.

So I want to know how people really feel the G is off road in extram situations ETC. Can you keep up with Wranglers off road? Where does a G compare with in a comparable X auto.

My goal is not to bash the G I love them but I really want to know where these stand against the competition and how they really perform in the dirt, which is the most important part overall.

Thinking old to maybe newest of 2004 G


Edited by imjustdave 8/13/2016 9:26 PM
#233396
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Posted 8/13/2016 11:40 PM
MudMonkey
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Date registered: Jun 2013
Location: CO
Vehicle(s): '03 G500
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Re: Wheeling and off-roading in a G VS something else?

What kind of trails are you looking to run?
#233397 - in reply to #233396
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Posted 8/14/2016 12:43 AM
Otiswesty
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Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
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RE: Wheeling and off-roading in a G VS something else?

Prior Baja trip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1t0Xlj55i-c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZypBexOaaeE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB9pcnFv35Y





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#233398 - in reply to #233396
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Posted 8/14/2016 9:29 PM
imjustdave
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Date registered: Feb 2012
Location: Bonney Lake Washington USA
Vehicle(s): 2004 G500, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2006 Ram 3500.
Posts: 77
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Re: Wheeling and off-roading in a G VS something else?

Trail wise.. I guess anything you might find in the forest or desert. Washington Oregon is my playground there is a few places close around the house but most places are a good drive away. So pack up and go to the site and wheel, lots of my jeep friends do that I just really want to be a bit different and not drive a jeep. Not that jeeps are bad, just dime a dozen.

I know I won't be able to follow a Unimog but I should be able to out run one and can go most places they go, and once in the forest go a lot of places they can't fit.

As long as I'm not being put to shame by stock jeeps I wont have an issue.
#233413 - in reply to #233397
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Posted 8/15/2016 7:01 AM
DUTCH
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Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
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Re: Wheeling and off-roading in a G VS something else?

imjustdave - 8/14/2016 9:29 PM

As long as I'm not being put to shame by stock jeeps I wont have an issue.


You won''t be, as long as your off-road driving ability is equal to or greater than theirs.
#233414 - in reply to #233413
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Posted 8/15/2016 2:30 PM
koly
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Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
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RE: Wheeling and off-roading in a G VS something else?

The G will keep up with moderately modified Jeeps without breaking a sweat, and, as Dutch noted, the rest is up to the driver.

Pros:
You don't see many off road (not cookie-cutter)
More comfortable (IMO)
More cargo area
G seems to hold its value better for the vintage you're considering
Ready to go out of the box
Factory lockers (moot vs Rubicon I guess)

Cons (vs modified Wrangler):
worse approach/departure/breakover angles
less suspension travel
fewer aftermarket accessories (but, as noted, you don't need much as it's ready to go just the way it is).
parts/repair/maintenance costs & availability
#233415 - in reply to #233396
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Posted 8/16/2016 12:14 AM
Bruce
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Date registered: May 2006
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Re: Wheeling and off-roading in a G VS something else?

The only knock I've ever had with my 460 is that the crawl ratio is not as low as I would like when in things like the big rocks in the earlier pics. Mine is a manual with the common 4.90 axles and just cant get slow enough sometimes without slipping the clutch. The Jeeps with 4:1 low range xfer cases are SO nice in this regard. I guess a G with automatic would be somewhat better too. Even with that, I would not trade the old 85 G for a Jeep Rubicon.
#233420 - in reply to #233396
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Posted 8/16/2016 1:40 AM
4x4abc



Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: La Paz, Baja California, Mexico
Vehicle(s): 02 G500
5000
Re: Wheeling and off-roading in a G VS something else?

in terms of capability the G is par or better than a stock Jeep Rubicon.
What will keep you from going where they go are the front and rear bumpers
the (lack of) rocker panel clearance on the G will get you stuck where the Jeeps are still bouncing along

there is not really any remedy to improve the clearances aside from larger tires and a lift
but the lack of lower gears will keep you from putting on 35's or 37's
and even with 35's your rocker clearance sucks

without mods the largest tire will be a 295/75R16 (computer can be dialed in to accept that size)

below are G500 with 295's, FJ with 35's, TJ with 35's
measure yourself

for just plain trail fun get a modified JK 4 door (37's)




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#233421 - in reply to #233420
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Posted 8/16/2016 8:32 AM
Inkblotz
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Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Georgia
Vehicle(s): 90 300GD "Thundering Turtle II", w/ 603A turbo
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RE: Wheeling and off-roading in a G VS something else?

You could find/purchase a SWB (2 door G) to close the playing field a bit. And yes you would loose side steps but keep Karls sliders.

Edited by Inkblotz 8/16/2016 8:37 AM




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#233423 - in reply to #233396
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Posted 8/16/2016 1:18 PM
ILIAN
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Date registered: Sep 2014
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Re: Wheeling and off-roading in a G VS something else?

The G weighs almost twice as much as a Jeep so it will be better at some things but worse at others. Don't expect a jeep to be able to pull you out if you get stuck in mud up to the frame but you can pull them out easily.
#233432 - in reply to #233423
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Posted 8/18/2016 7:31 PM
kotton
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Date registered: Sep 2014
Location: California, Orange County
Vehicle(s): 2006 G-500
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Re: Wheeling and off-roading in a G VS something else?

4x4abc - 8/16/2016 10:40 PM

in terms of capability the G is par or better than a stock Jeep Rubicon.



That right where I would put it as well. Its basically a heavier rubicon with more towing capacity and storage room, but less upgrade options and support.
#233496 - in reply to #233421
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Posted 8/19/2016 2:47 PM
techmogogy
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Date registered: Feb 2015
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Vehicle(s): 72 Haflinger, 75 710M Pinzgauer, 96 350GDT
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Re: Wheeling and off-roading in a G VS something else?

I owned a 404 and other than the portals the G is a solid performer.
Mog had stiffer springs and even if I could get some frame flex the articulation is similar.
Then I moved camps and went Puch
#233504 - in reply to #233396
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Posted 8/19/2016 2:54 PM
techmogogy
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Date registered: Feb 2015
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Vehicle(s): 72 Haflinger, 75 710M Pinzgauer, 96 350GDT
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Re: Wheeling and off-roading in a G VS something else?

4x4abc - 8/16/2016 1:40 AM
SNIP


Boy I like those black Atik rims!!
I think I am going to copy, whose truck is that?
Thanks,
Dan



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#233505 - in reply to #233421
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Posted 8/19/2016 6:32 PM
diehardg
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RE: Wheeling and off-roading in a G VS something else?

I have both G and Mog(404). I used to go wheeling in both a lot. I also used to participate in local offroad competition with G. Others in the competition have TJ, JK, XJ, WJ, Landcruisers. You can keep up with them or do far better than them if you are capable driver and most importantly not afraid of making scratches.
As Harald mentioned, G's limitations are the both the bumper and side rocker. They are too low and easy to damage. If you can build a solid bumper and rocker protection, then G will be really capable offload rig with comfort as long as you are happy with 35inch tires.
You can't fit anything larger than 35 inch tires without limiting suspension compression which you really don't want to do.



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#233506 - in reply to #233396
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Posted 8/19/2016 7:08 PM
MudMonkey
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Date registered: Jun 2013
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Re: Wheeling and off-roading in a G VS something else?

DiehardG, I notice you have Yokohama Geolandar MT mud tires on your G, in the competition photo --- how do you like those Yokohama MT's?
#233507 - in reply to #233396
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Posted 8/19/2016 7:37 PM
diehardg
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Date registered: May 2006
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Re: Wheeling and off-roading in a G VS something else?

MudMonkey - 8/20/2016 8:08 AM

DiehardG, I notice you have Yokohama Geolandar MT mud tires on your G, in the competition photo --- how do you like those Yokohama MT's?


MudMonky,

Excellent on Freeway/Highway but loud(if you care the noise). Also, you can feel each lug at very low speed on pavement.
I'm so used to more aggressive tires, so I never cared about the noise and lug.
On the pavement grip, best MT tires I've ever had.

In mud, these become round mud donut so quickly.
On wet rock, good tire with nice soft compound but thin sidewall would stop me for going into such area.
In general, Yoko MT does very well in off-road.

I now don't go off road very often with my G.
I settled for BFGATKO2 and happy with them.



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#233508 - in reply to #233507
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Posted 8/25/2016 2:42 PM
kotton
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Date registered: Sep 2014
Location: California, Orange County
Vehicle(s): 2006 G-500
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RE: Wheeling and off-roading in a G VS something else?

diehardg - 8/20/2016 3:32 PM

I have both G and Mog(404). I used to go wheeling in both a lot. I also used to participate in local offroad competition with G. Others in the competition have TJ, JK, XJ, WJ, Landcruisers. You can keep up with them or do far better than them if you are capable driver and most importantly not afraid of making scratches.
As Harald mentioned, G's limitations are the both the bumper and side rocker. They are too low and easy to damage. If you can build a solid bumper and rocker protection, then G will be really capable offload rig with comfort as long as you are happy with 35inch tires.
You can't fit anything larger than 35 inch tires without limiting suspension compression which you really don't want to do.


Does Warn make that bumper for the G, or did you retrofit that from a jeep bumper?
#233603 - in reply to #233506
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Posted 8/26/2016 12:52 PM
diehardg
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Date registered: May 2006
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Vehicle(s): 2000G500L, 2015 G350BT, 2016G63(now), 1968 S404
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RE: Wheeling and off-roading in a G VS something else?

This is TJ bumper cut and pasted over stock G bumper.
#233619 - in reply to #233603
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Posted 8/31/2016 12:25 PM
emlmcb
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Date registered: Dec 2006
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Vehicle(s): 1986 LWB 300GD / 1998 E320 / 1996 LWB G300TD
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RE: Wheeling and off-roading in a G VS something else?

My first G (a 300GD) was my 10th FWD.
Over the years I owned and drove Land Rover Defender, Ford Bronco, Mitsubishi Montero, Chevy S10 Blazer, Nissan Patrol, Jeep Cherokee and Wrangler, Suzuky Jimny and Isuzu 4wd pickup.
I drove some friends Toyotas as well.

All of them needed some kind of aftermarket improvements in different degrees to be really capable.

The G was almost right just from the beginning.

Living in Eastern Argentina and having my usual playground up in the Andes, some 1000 miles from home and always over 8.000 feet high, its most notable drawback was the lack of road speed and of a turbo in the engine, which made it really underpowered in altitude.

That is why when I had the chance I bought my present G300TD (not too many of them down here), which, in my opinión, is just the greatest thing you can drive as it is.

Good climbing power, good cruise speed, reasonable interior confort. It is, so far the only vehicle that I had, that I did not feel the need to improve in any way. Just removed those useless side steps and that was it.

It will, probably, be surprising that I rate second most capable, my little Jimny.

Of course, it had to be modified: Homemade turbo kit for the engine, air springs in the rear, homemade lift kit in front, ARB lockers in both axles.
With this and 31 inch tires (that look huge in the little car) it will take you anywhere.

Back to the G, I think that comparing a vehicle just as it comes with modified ones is unfair and misleading and in OEM form, I still believe that in all around performance is the best money can get.
#233706 - in reply to #233396
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