Ride of Off Road Vs. Non Off road

Pugsly · 10-05-2004, 02:34 PM

I drove one with the off road package. all the ones on the dealer lot had the off road package with 4x4. How does the irde compare between the off road vs non-off road? I plan on doing 90% on road and live in Chicag area so mountain driving is zilch.

do the 17 tires vs the 18 inche have a impact on the ride.

who has driven both and could you descibe the differance in drive between them.

I will have the big tow package on mine so take that into consideration as i will be towing a trailer occassionally.

TriKKy · 10-05-2004, 03:51 PM

OR is by nature a firmer ride, and the 17" tires are a little louder. Bumps will be felt a little more with the OR vs. the non-OR.

I have the 4x4 with BT but no OR and I quite like the ride.

The only differences are radiator skid, shocks, wheels/tires, elocker vs. VDC.

As far as I am concerned you can create your own OR package, with better shocks etc for cheaper than what it is going for...that is IF you ever want to add it. I think that for 90% on road I would stick without the OR...which is why I have what I have.

There should be absolutely no difference towing.

GETSOMZ28 · 10-05-2004, 04:15 PM

When I drove the OR 4x4, I kind of thought it felt a little soft in the corners. Maybe it was because it was the first truck I test drove after driving in the Z for a while. Overall, I like my 4x4 without OR.

Tony · 10-05-2004, 06:37 PM

If you live in the snow belt, the OR tires should serve you well. They did me last winter.
I tend to be quite susceptable to air/car/sea-sickness. The shocks on the OR pkg is just enough to eliminate the queezy feeling I had driving the non-OR model. As TriKKy noted, aftermarket shocks could have done the trick. But then I'd be looking for snow tires and switching them in spring. I'm done with that annoyance.

TriKKy · 10-05-2004, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony

If you live in the snow belt, the OR tires should serve you well. They did me last winter.
I tend to be quite susceptable to air/car/sea-sickness. The shocks on the OR pkg is just enough to eliminate the queezy feeling I had driving the non-OR model. As TriKKy noted, aftermarket shocks could have done the trick. But then I'd be looking for snow tires and switching them in spring. I'm done with that annoyance.

Honestly, I get 15' + of snow/year and I've never required more than regular all-seasons on a 4x4. FWD is another matter entirely. Snow is a lot more about knowing how to drive in it than it is the car or the tires...granted there are some situations where you NEED 4x4 and such, but not usually.

Tony · 10-05-2004, 08:40 PM

If the OR tires will help stop that heavy machine better in the snow than the other tires available from the factory, I know my preference.
With all the torque this beast generates at low RPMs, aggressive tread tires that are self cleaning can't be bad in the white stuff no matter how good a driver.
Last winter in a snow storm with 6" of very slick snow in an unpaved driveway I was able to maneuver a 5,000 pound boat backward and forward over fairly irregular terrain without ever slipping one wheel. I learned then to value whatever benefit the OR tire pattern provides not to mention the merits 4WD.

BiXLL · 10-06-2004, 04:46 AM

Just by the tread design of the off road tires, your going to create much more noise, and harsher ride when on road. The 17" tire is not going to give as good a ride as 18" either. That is a big reason I did not get it.

*joekrz* · 10-06-2004, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriKKy

Honestly, I get 15' + of snow/year and I've never required more than regular all-seasons on a 4x4. FWD is another matter entirely. Snow is a lot more about knowing how to drive in it than it is the car or the tires...granted there are some situations where you NEED 4x4 and such, but not usually.

Hmmm... Growing up in the U.P. of Michigan I am going to have to disagree. Cars and bad tires suck in the snow!!!

TriKKy · 10-06-2004, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joekrz

Hmmm... Growing up in the U.P. of Michigan I am going to have to disagree. Cars and bad tires suck in the snow!!!

We aren't saying anything different. I was merely stating that 4x4 is more important that OR for snow purposes and that there are few instances where the extra traction OR provides will come in as valuable.

I am NOT saying that the OR tires will perform worse...obviously they will do better. What I AM saying is that once you go to 4x4 even with all-season tires, you are going to be fine in almost ANY situation.

As far as cars go...last year I had a set of Blizzaks on my Accord...I didn't get stuck once...EVER..phenomenal tires, so it's not that I'm against the concept of snow tires.

Getting back to this poor guys first post, I don't consider winter snow a good enough reason to get OR tires when you will be doing mainly on-road driving as long as you have the 4x4. THAT is my take-home message.

Pugsly · 10-06-2004, 07:44 AM

thanks for the info guys..... went to my dealer and he found me a Black LE CC 4x4 with BT and no OR. It's schedualed to be delivered to him OCT 22 from the factory!!!!

Can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

16 days to go.........

TheRealJimbo · 10-07-2004, 07:26 AM

I can't speak to the ride of the On Road 'cause I bought the TruckChick's Off Road specifically for the elocker. We got rid of her Passat '4Motion' {awd} which I am sure was better going down the road in snow. For most times here in NY during the winter, you can't beat good tires on a front wheel drive car for getting around well. But find yourself going up a steep grade, unplowed surface and come upon stopped traffic for someone trying to "spin" their way to the top

and you'll appreciate the 4WD when you try to start climbing again from a dead stop. The worst part is the glares you get from the other drivers when ya pass um

Obviously, this all assumes ya understand the effects snow has on traction and drive accordingly. Anyone seen a Southerner' in a snow storm??

JerseyDirt · 10-07-2004, 07:53 AM

Guys, dont forget that during snow driving 4X4 only helps you with half the problem which is getting going. The second, and more important (safety wise), part of the problem is slowing down and coming to a stop. For the latter you will need good snow tires, period. All vehicles have 4 wheel braking, not just 4X4 trucks. I think sometimes people who drive 4X4s forget this and think they can stop quicker and thats why when it snows I see so many SUVs with ignorant drivers running off the road or slammed into some poor saps trunk at a red light. Please don't underestimate the importance of good snow tires for winter driving.
Also, regarding the ride of 17" vs 18" tires, the 17" tire provides more sidewall and will therefore provide a SOFTER ride than the 18", contrary to some other opinions above. If the the titans with OR PKG feel firmer then its because of the shocks, not the tires.

JD

Pugsly · 10-07-2004, 08:46 AM

15 days till arrival!!!!

GETSOMZ28 · 10-07-2004, 09:29 AM

JD, that is probably what I was feeling when I test drove a 4x4 OR vs my 4x4 no OR. The OR seemed a little softer/mushier in the corners than mine.

SupraTitan · 10-07-2004, 09:36 AM

The off road pkg rides much firmer than the non off rd. Even with the bigger sidewall tires it seems to corner better with less roll, as long as the tire pres. is correct. Biggest thing though is the difference in tires between the two pkgs. Nobody seems to have anything good to say about the good years on the non off rd, also that tread pattern has no buisness on a 4x4.