Hiking vehicles

[rally_toad]

What kind of vehicles do you guys all drive when your going hiking? Im thinking about investing in a 4wd high clearance Jeep or something of the sort so I could get to some places where I definitely couldnt get to with what Im driving now (73 mustang):) I saw a Jeep Grand Cherokee today for $2600 and I was thinking about checking it out. What "hiking vehicle" is easiest to drive and which gets the best gas mileage (even though I know most wouldnt be too fuel efficient.)

[SuperstitionGuy]

I am reminded of the speeding teenager who was told by the policeman that stopped him that he the policeman had been waiting for him all day. The teenager responded by saying "Well I got here as fast as I could!"

[Jim]

So, I drove along with a dealer Rep yesterday to confirm the vibration is there. It is, and he said it does feel like it originated in the rear, whether or not it is still the tires.

Also, I asked about 2 other issues; constant engine knocking despite buying the recommended fuel octane (>87, and 89 and 90 at a few times), and the sound of rattling gravel coming from underneath the car. I was told they know about the knocking, but don't know why it happens or what to do about it, and I was told they know about the rattling sound, it is the engine sparkers, and they are working on a programming fix, which would be covered under warrantee. Now, I haven't had a really junky car, but my parents had 1 in the 1980s, and this is still running, so it isn't truly a junker, but I can't understand Subaru's reputation. Nothing huge and major has happened in my car's 16,000 miles, but there have been so many little things, it just isn't a car or brand I would ever go buy again.

Now, those Falken tires, those I would buy again!

[outdoor_lover]

Well, I just ordered and paid for Yokohama Geolander ATS...They get put on Monday....Not really a "Full" All Terrain Tire, but they won't affect my MPG much and they are going to be a helluva lot better than what was on there before...And for the first time, I have Road Hazard Insurance so there's even more peace of mind there...The Warranty is 50,000 Miles on them so hopefully I'll get a little more Mileage out of them then I did these Michelin Street Tires (At 41,000 they are pretty done) I got them at Discount and for 4 Tires it's really hurt the Wallet, but I'm hoping they're worth it...

[Barrett]

But BF Goodrich all terrain tires I feel don't do very well. I just don't think they wear well.

My BF Goodrich AT's have over 55K, with chunks of rubber missing all over from sharp rocks. The only flat I've ever experienced came from a huge chunk of metal on the 101. The compound is fairly hard, which makes them a little slippery on wet pavement, but they are chosen by racers in the Baja 1000 more than all other competitors combined, so they both perform and take a beating. In addition, they have a huge market share, so they are also fairly cheap.
For hard core off road/snow/etc., there are certainly better tires ($$$), but for an everyday ride, I'm sold.

[Bradshaws]

@Barrett
Like I said in another post, the BF Goodrich A/T is a good tire and they have a HUMONGOUS following ;) I ran them on my truck for years but that truck saw much more off-road time. Now that my vehicle only see 1-2 miles of off-road to the 10-15 miles of paved, it's hard for me to justify the aggressive tread.

Aggressive treaded tires are great for when you need them, not so great when you don't. They may keep you from getting stuck out in the wilderness but I would rather they stop my vehicle when someone pulls in front of me on pavement.

[desert_boonie]

but they are chosen by racers in the Baja 1000 more than all other competitors combined, so they both perform and take a beating. In addition, they have a huge market share, so they are also fairly cheap.

Too bad they don't use the KO's you have on your truck, but rather the specifically designed Baja tires that nobody would ever use unless they were sponsored.

[Barrett]

I would rather they stop my vehicle when someone pulls in front of me on pavement.

That is a rather good point.
I just might look into stopping distances before I replace my old AT's.

[Barrett]

@desert-boonie

I checked and you're right - the BF Goodrich site makes the AT Baja claim, but there's a tiny footnote that I missed about "race spec". Annoying marketing.
My allegiance to my AT's is wavering.

[desert_boonie]

@Barrett

But an AT Tire makes the vehicle look so much better.

[Jim]

Subaru replaced all 4 tires again. This time with 4 Goodyear Assurances. Seems good.

[The_Eagle]

@Jim_H
I guess it does pay to itch with a B

[neilends]

I got myself a new Wrangler as many know from a recent triplog. I decided to test it out by running through my neighbors' backyards, ramming a couple of wooden and metal fences, slamming through a police spike strip, going the wrong way on a freeway, diving into a forest, and finally after about 17 minutes stopping to go for a nice jog. Turns out a helicopter was video recording my whole trip!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=yguwZjcMl4I

[Al_HikesAZ]

@neilends
Did you ever find the trailhead and did you sign the trail register?
Drive it like you stole it

[te_wa]

if you're like me, most driving is on asphalt. when taking things to a higher level, like wet concrete or snow or mud, the tire that came out on top on a few off-road editor's tests was the Cooper A/T3
quiet, great in mud and dirt, got the best score on the inclined wet concrete test, and i got them in 265/75 for $120 each. made in Ohio, unlike BFG, japan. iirc, they scored best out of 6 on ice.. which is an area where at's absolutely blow.
i think the combo of little pitch/roll and great traction is nice for the road, and the silica blended rubber eats up rocky roads. i will prolly buy them again, if i have an suv in a similar class. because, 'Murica.

btw, shmbo is driving my suv while i am on a job that requires a long commute, so i am borrowing her prius. shmbo doesnt really like the truck too much, and im looking to replace it with a more economical light truck. that is to say, it may be going on the market soon.
it's a '01 montero sport with all the needed maintenance done for you. PM if interested ($4600)

[desert_boonie]

@neilends

You know I think we could have set up a better Jeep trip to break her in.

[garyc57]

I chatted with my mechanic the other day, and told him I was looking for a short wheelbase, high ground clearance, 6 cylinder, 4x4 vehicle in the $3K-$5K range, to drive to trailheads, and he recommended an older model Jeep Cherokee - like pre-2002. Not a Grand Cherokee, just the plain, "Sport" model.

He said they are solid cars, great room for backpacks, poles, etc.

What are your thoughts and opinions?

Gary

P.S. yeah, I know - asking a mechanic what vehicle to buy can be dangerous, but, hey! You have to trust somebody.

[CannondaleKid]

he recommended an older model Jeep Cherokee - like pre-2002. Not a Grand Cherokee, just the plain, "Sport" model.

This is one time you CAN listen to your mechanic! I went through the same thing 3 years ago when I checked out everything foreign & domestic and the Cherokee fit the bill just right.

I wholeheartedly recommend a 1997-2000 Cherokee Sport... of course I have a '99 Cherokee Sport so you could say I just may be biased.
;)

[te_wa]

...I know - asking a mechanic what vehicle to buy can be dangerous, but, hey! You have to trust somebody.

good business for him, of course he recommended a Heep. he'll be able to make a fortune!

[desert_boonie]

Just Empty Every Pocket

But well worth it, once you have one you'll want to do more and go places you never thought you would go.

[Bradshaws]

@garyc57
I've been a "mechanic" for.... Well .. My whole life :roll:

Take it from me, NEVER, EVER trust a mechanic ;) We're all liers and thieves

As a mechanic that is the vehicle that I would choose and the vehicles I will be choosing. Don't think that this is the type of vehicle you can buy and drive into the sunset. This is the type of vehicle you buy, drive, off-road and fix. Then drive, off-road then fix again. The thing that make this vehicle great is, they're easy to work on, parts are cheap and there are endless aftermarket parts to choose from.

In my option it makes the perfect hiking or trailhead vehicle.