Sorry to get into this thread so late. Missed it earlier.
Brian S is right in some ways re. SUV's. However, the importers &
manufacturers classify both their truck-based & cross-over (built on car
chassis) SUV's as trucks. If you read the trade publications like
Automotive News you will see that. Reason SUV's are classified as trucks by
mfgrs/importers is so they didn't have to meet federal regulations for
emissions, safety & fuel consumption. That is SLOWLY changing.
As for the Explorer - it IS a truck in all ways. Built as a truck on a
truck chassis. Classified as a truck. Take a look at the tires & wheels on
one. On one or both, you'll find truck designations.
And, they ride like trucks. I rode in a friend's new Chevy SUV last night &
it rides like my MGB setup for racing with the h.d. shock valves & springs.
But, unlike the MGB, you sit ON the seats instead of IN the seats. They are
hard & overstuffed. Why do manufacturers do that? And, why to buyers
tolerate that?
Are they good in the snow? With the truck tires that come as standard
eqpt., they are decent for accelerating in deep snow if they have 4WD. But,
for cornering & stopping - not really. Their truck tires are harder than
car tires to allow decent tire mileage. And, the tire engineering for
traction is not as advanced as for car tires.
And, even for accelerating on plowed roads, my MGB can be better. Did I
ever tell you about the 4WD SUV who was stopped in front of me at a light on
a hill? When the light went green, he started throwing slush & snow from
all 4 tires. Not wanting my MGB to get buried, I drove around him. Yes, I
do run snow tires on the rear. And no, I don't have a limited slip diff.
And, with a center of gravity about 2 feet lower than that of a truck-based
SUV, the MGB corners & stops much better. And, if it does slide off the
road, it is so low, it won't "trip" & flip as high-center-of-gravity SUV's
will. Simple physics involved here folks.
As for the argument that I can't haul a trailer with my MGB - true. But, I
can and do haul lumber (including 4 x 8 sheets of plywood), small boats,
engines, landscape materials including trees & shrubs, large packages, etc.
The lumber & boats get balanced on the roll bar & steadied by the windshield
frame, the latter go in the passenger compartment after I remove the
passenger seat. And yes, this IS the same MGB that I race & drive on a
daily year-round basis.
Our LBC's are APV's (All Purpose Vehicles). Enjoy them as such!
Norm Sippel
'66 MGB
'59 Turner
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