Stock 4x4 comparison

[Wisha Haddan H3]

Thanks for your feedback. Yeah, it's been fun and I've learned a lot.

For the record, this isn't about which SUV is the best. I'm trying to write a software application that will evaluate vehicle performance offroad, based on your own measured specs. The factory specs on HP, torque, wheel size, and such were just a place to start.

The software would display the benefits (or problems) of new gearing, extra weight or bigger tires and compare it to your original vehicle before you actually cut, weld or spend a dime. You can evaluate mods you've already made and compare them to stock specs. Or you can build completely custom rigs "virtually" and evaluate the specs before you pull the trigger.

I'll post some of my evaluation criteria at lunch.

[HummBebe]

What is the H3 Advent 3700 and H3 Advent 3500???

[Wisha Haddan H3]

Originally Posted by HummBebe

What is the H3 Advent 3700 and H3 Advent 3500???

oh yeah, it's the H3 Adventure package with 3.5L or 3.7L engine.

[HummBebe]

That's what I thought, Thanks

[Wisha Haddan H3]

I'm tracking 3 kinds of data - Power, Agility and Utility.

'Power' contains max HP@rpm, max torque@rpm, curb weight, GVWR, 1st gear ratio, xfer case ratio, axle ratio, and tire diameter as the raw data.

To account for weight and gearing in each SUV, I calculated geared crawl rates (ft/s or s/ft) and worked out the formulas to compare their ability to climb different grades in 1st gear-low, based on the vehicle's weight and a standard weight for crew and cargo.

'Agility' includes ground clearance, approach/breakover/departure angles, turn diameter (curb to curb), size, wheelbase and track width. I also included full-time AWD, locking diff(s), traction control, stability control, hill start assist, and descent control.

'Utility' lists fuel economy, fuel capacity, payload, cargo volume, and tow capacity. It can also calculate towing acceleration based on a given tow weight (plus curb weight + ?? lbs crew and cargo) to compare vehicle acceleration on a boat ramp and from a stop.

[Wisha Haddan H3]

Then I created 5 profiles - Rock Crawling, Offroad Trips, Highway Trips, People Mover and Towing - that contain the data points that seem to apply. These profiles (I'm hoping) will show the suitability of the specific vehicles to an intended purpose.

The best scoring method I found was to take a % of the highest data value. For example, the highest ground clearance on my list is 16" (2006 H1 Alpha). The lowest value is 6.7" (2003 Ford Explorer Sport). I divide each data value by the highest in the list and get 1.00 for the H1 and .42 for the Explorer.

For a final score in each profile, I add up the % scores for each data category and divide by the highest value (H1 - 18.1 points). For example, in Rock Crawling, the H3 3.7L (manual) scored 18.17 points and the H3 3.5L (manual) got 17.88. Dividing by the highest value (H1 - 18.1 points), this means a final score of H3 3.7 - .95 and H3 3.5 - .92.
__________

Anyway I wanted to validate my data points and calculations before I start building the software. I've learned a lot from this forum and I appreciate your expertise and feedback.

ok

[PARAGON]

is any specific category weighted over the other. Does categories cross, as in, does a category, such as traction control cross on another vehicle when it is called or labeled something else, etc. etc on an on until your little spreadsheet looks like a 2 year old's dirty diaper.

Do you say "look ma! no brain" when you try something like this?

[Wisha Haddan H3]

Originally Posted by sfox

First off, what in the hell does fuel economy have to do with off-road performance?

Absolutely nothing. Fuel economy is not in the Rock Crawling profile. It's part of Road Trips and People Mover.

Originally Posted by sfox

Secondly, I think you are missing a whole lot of information in your "equations". Off-roading is generally about a situation, not every vehicle is going to perform well in every situation. I have seen bits of trail that a Hummer simply couldn't get on because it was too tight a squeeze between two huge rocks, I have also seen hills that the length and width of a Hummer made a huge difference. Can you seriously say that a a Jeep Liberty is more capable than an H2??

My software will eventually let you specify the strengths you want offroad, like hill climbing and boulder-hopping, but it's not there yet. Creating profiles is my first attempt at comparing vehicles by situation. When I designed Rock Crawling, it contained factors that favor small vehicles like tight turns (which is something I may change). I absolutely did not mean that the Liberty is better than the H1 in all respects. If there's enough room for it, the H1 would always kick its ass.

Originally Posted by sfox

Seriously, you need to learn more about off-roading before writing these assumptions.

I'm making no assumptions about which vehicle is better. But I know many of my initial criteria are off. I just want to validate and improve my early results. Thank you all for your feedback.