peytonWJ

my friend challenged me the other day to see who's vehicle is better at off-roading... he has a hummer h3 4x4 (not sure what year) and he's got offroad tires. i'm not sure what kind, but i'm fairly sure they're A/T's, and theyre brand new. i'm fairly certain his hummer has a six cylinder as well.

i'm running an 04 WJ 4x4 with 4.7L V8. sadly, i have street tires but they've got an extremely decent amount of tread on them.they are bf goodrich long trail T/A's. another thing i'm worriend about is approach and departure angles, which are about 9 degrees higher both on the H3.

i'm rocking the quadra drive system. all-time 4x4 with a 4lo as well

so what do you guys think? can i take him? i do have a jeep after all...

builtnotbought89'

Are you lifted with disconnecting swaybars?

peytonWJ

no both of our vehicles are stock. no lifts.

builtnotbought89'

Before you go out disconnect (unbolt) your swaybars, & give her Hell!

peytonWJ

both sway bars? or just the front? and how will that help will i just have better control? (i'm kinda new at all of this)

Destination XJ

Both and it will allow your jeep to flex more, which will give it more traction going over obstacles.

peytonWJ

ok, thanks guys. any more tips? and do you have any idea how long it would take to get both sway bars off/on? i don't want to drive on the highway w/o them... i've flipped a previous jeep of mine and i don't want to relive that experience...

builtnotbought89'

Break them loose at your house the night before (axle ends only) then tighten them back up, so when you get to the trail they won't be a pain to get off. Also when your rear tire starts to spin pull the brake up... adds traction!!!

OverEasy

I would leave them on (sway bars) and do the 'test of vehicles' the way they are. If he is STOCK, you roll stock. That's the way to do it.

Someone sounds like they think a dreaded Hummer H3 might out do them... LMAO!


Trying to get a upper hand or advantage by disconnecting a front sway bar is dangerous enough in a XJ. I wouldn't think about doing it in a WJ.

40xj

This is what disconnecting the front sway bars does.
Lets the axel drop with out the vehicle going with it. Driving with them like that feels like riding in a boat cause the body rolls on hard roads and corners.

peytonWJ

I like overeasy's idea... stock vehicle challenge. my buddy might notice what i'm doing and follow suit. thanks for all the help! this really is a great forum. how does the e-brake add traction? it sends more power to the rear wheels?

XJs-R-us

The E-brake adds traction by using its opposite reaction technique.

OverEasy

Just thought if it were a friendly challenge keep it that way! Both are stock, let the vehicles and driver capability settle it.

Pulling the E-brake slightly is a old trick that can be used to trick the axles into thinking they are getting traction. It always doesn't work so don't rely on it. The same thing can be done with the brake on the floor (one beside the gas pedal) just slightly apply the brake and it can send a false sense of traction to the axles. Pretty good trick when it works. If not, take another line. The key is slight pressure.

FLETCH

Air down before the trip.

peytonWJ

i thought about taking some air out, but we won't be doing much of any big rock climbing i wouldn't think. the spot we are heading to is a small creek with a few mud holes here and there is what i've heard. you sure know your way around four-wheeling overeasy! thanks for the advice everyone!