Why not just use a Range Rover? My '91 is way better than my XJ and safer than most cars. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
-----Original Message----- From: Tyler <casi...@usermail.com> Date: Sun, 10 May 2009 11:29:45 To: Mercedes Discussion List<mercedes@okiebenz.com> Subject: Re: [MBZ] XJs I realize the XJ is better offroad than a Volvo wagon, I just think the difference is a lot more subtle than it ought to be for a vehicle advertised for heavy duty offroad use. Considering that the Volvo wagon also has excellent handling and performance on the street, and is quiet and stable on the freeway. Regarding ground clearance- The jeep has 28.4" diameter tires stock, so the center of the axles will be 14.2" from the ground. A volvo 245 has 25.5" tires stock so the rear axle center will be 12.75" high - a total 1.45" difference in ground clearance at the rear differential. The Volvo 245 probably has more clearance elsewhere because it has indepndent suspension in the front with a flat crossmember and a significant amount of droop from the control arms, and the rest of the undercarriage is pretty flat and has the important parts tucked up and protected. Personally I think stability is more important than ground clearance- I'd rather have my vehicle scrape, and even get stuck than have it flip so the reduced height is an advantage to the type of offroading I do with Volvo wagons (in the sandy deserts of Baja and Socal). The Volvo wagon has slightly less ground clearance but has a much lower center of gravity. Sincerely, Tyler On May 10, 2009, at 7:24 AM, Curt Raymond wrote: > I used to enjoy reading "FourWheeler" until I realized that like > most other 4x4 mags its got a total west coast bias. Not much talk > of the sort of mud and snow we experience here in the north east. > > For running washboard gravel roads I've no doubt that Tyler is right > and the Volvo is superior, its suspension will be much more pliable. > For that matter I'd actually prefer an MB 123 wagon... For more > serious fourwheeling I'd give the nod to the Jeep, ground clearance > is everything... Of course if we're talking bone stock no-lockers > I'd give the nod to my '88 GMC S15... ;) > > -Curt _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
