I need to replace my aging Trooper, and there is a Honda near me that looks like it might be a useful ride for me (and my dog). I really don't know
much about them, so I am looking for an opinion from someone who has at least second hand knowledge about their performance.
I really don't need a "rock crawler", but off-road performance is more important than highway matters. It will also need to work hauling tools and
materials when I am home.
[Edited on 11-2-2023 by AKgringo]chippy - 11-2-2023 at 10:35 AM
Personally I would shy away from an awd vehicle without a proper transfer case.
YouTube it.There are lots of videos/comparisons
[Edited on 11-2-2023 by chippy]pacificobob - 11-2-2023 at 11:57 AM
I love the Ridgeline. I once drove a friend's from San Diego to cabo san lucas.
Super comfortable with in my opinion unmatched ergonomics.
Plenty of power. Not to mention the very inconspicuous storage in a compartment under the bed floor. I think the year model was +/- 2009David K - 11-2-2023 at 05:11 PM
How is a Honda Ridgeline (truck bed) comparable to an Isuzu Trooper (Wagon/SUV)?
They are both great Japanese brands but different types of rigs.
As mentioned above, it is an AWD not 4WD, is it not?
AWD may not (usually do not) have a low range. Check and see. Low range is so valuable in worse-case off road situations. It makes the vehicle
'stronger' so it can pull or climb when needed... It also give great downgrade 'engine' braking.
Do you now need a truck bed? Having a wagon/SUV sure keeps your gear dust-free.
The Ridgeline is uni-body (like the Subaru BRAT or Baja and Hyundai Santa Cruz, etc.) and not a true truck. This matters when you need to carry a
heavy load.
Finally, seriously look for a Toyota product. The Amigos de Baja (before there was a Baja Nomad) heavily pushed me to a Tacoma, when I was truck
shopping, in 2000. Neal Johns was the strongest advocate and so were many others who had Tacomas (jeans, bajaboy, Mexitron, etc. etc.) and none were
unhappy. They saved me from getting a Ford Ranger! Even Doug 'Baja Nomad' has a Tacoma!
The build quality and 4WD system is just super strong with great resale value. That's why they cost more to buy, because they will cost you less to
own!
I have now had three Tacomas, each with over 100,000 miles (the first two Tacomas in less than five years). The third Tacoma is my last vehicle, a
2010 with only 136,000 miles. Once I retired, I was no longer driving 100+ miles a day running my business and sadly not going to Baja as often,
except for my Baja Bound Road Guide mapping and research trips (2017 & 2018).Ateo - 11-2-2023 at 07:38 PM
I say go for it!mtgoat666 - 11-3-2023 at 06:26 AM
Honda ridgeline should be fine for typical unpaved roads, beaches, etc. the AWDs usually have a feature where you can turn off traction control, turn
off TC when stuck, trying to extricate yourself from sand, etc. Russ - 11-3-2023 at 07:22 AM
Think tow hooks front and rear. Also I don't think they recommend towing in any all wheel drive rigs. I just bought a 2021 Rav4 and there are no tow
points. Seems dumb to have an off road rig with out tow hookup. Good luck with your car hunt. It can try you. Youtube is a good place to find out
info.David K - 11-3-2023 at 07:54 AM
Russ, the RAV4 won't get stuck 😉, thus no tow hooks! They are handy to pull others out. The Tacoma has them for that reason.
Traction control helps prevent stucks by limiting tire spin, which only digs you in. Power is kept on tires that have traction where you need it.
Now, in mud or snow, spinning tires can help you get through and that is when traction control turned off can help. Not sure what systems the RAV4
have, but the Off Road TRD Tacoma 4x4 has several options and can crawl up, through, and over almost anything. I have yet to get stuck, and I have
tried! I have pulled stuck 2WD Tacomas!
[Edited on 11-3-2023 by David K]mtgoat666 - 11-3-2023 at 08:05 AM
In doing mild offroading I have never gotten stuck. You have to be pretty stupid to get stuck. if it looks bad, stop and walk. easy decision.
the few times i have been stuck in snow, a few people helping push has done the trick to break free.
tow hooks are so rarely needed, really should be the last thing you worry about on a car.
edit: thinking back, i have been stuck a few times in sand. got myself out on my own by turning off traction control, throwing chit under the tire,
getting friends to push..., no need for tow hook!
[Edited on 11-3-2023 by mtgoat666]
Thanks for the feedback!
AKgringo - 11-3-2023 at 09:21 AM
I don't know anyone who has even ridden in a Ridgeline, so your input helps.
I love my Trooper, it is the best compromise I have found between comfort, utility, and off-road capability. I am sure I would love a Tacoma or
4runner, but my Trooper was half the price with half the miles on it when I bought it. I would keep it if it wasn't for the fact that Isuzu does not
support replacement parts for the transmission.
I will probably continue to abuse my Trooper locally, but from a reliability, and fuel economy standpoint, the Honda would probably be a better
choice.
[Edited on 11-6-2023 by AKgringo]msteve1014 - 11-3-2023 at 07:01 PM
I think that a ridge-line would be a good choice for you. the way you explain your use. it has a great v6. plenty to pull your trailer, and its a
Honda. every bit as good as a rav4, with a better engine.KurtG - 11-4-2023 at 04:50 PM
The Ridgeline is an excellent vehicle if you don't need better off road performance. The question is pretty simple: How often in your Baja travels
have you used low range in your current and past vehicles? If you needed it then you will need it now.AKgringo - 11-4-2023 at 05:55 PM
I use low range quite often, and not just in Baja. I wonder if the dealer in Reno would let take their Honda out in the desert for a test drive?
I was shopping for a mid-size, short-bed, extended cab truck when I spotted the Ridgeback. I am sure I would enjoy the ride, but it might not do what
I want off-road.David K - 11-5-2023 at 09:30 AM
See if the Ridgeline* has a traction system like Subaru, that will let just one tire get power while braking up to three others that don't have
traction. This is what Toyota's A-TRAC and MTS does, but Subaru is AWD and thus, no low range.
*thank to Chippy for the correction! LOL
[Edited on 11-5-2023 by David K]chippy - 11-5-2023 at 11:03 AM
See if the Ridgeback has a traction system like Subaru, that will let just one tire get power while braking up to three others that don't have
traction. This is what Toyota's A-TRAC and MTS does, but Subaru is AWD and thus, no low range.
Ridgeback0 IDavid K - 11-5-2023 at 12:13 PM
Good one, I am not a Honda expert and that was an easy to make slip-up, Ridgeback/ Ridgeline! Are they not the same topographic feature?
Thanks!AKgringo - 11-5-2023 at 01:46 PM
My dog identifies as a Ridgeback! (a cross between the Great Dane and African wild dogs)
[Edited on 11-5-2023 by AKgringo]Maderita - 11-5-2023 at 03:08 PM
Though I know little about the Ridgeline, there are appear to be some serious drawbacks for use in Baja. There are few Ridgelines in Baja, new or used
parts won't be readily available and few mechanics will have the knowledge or special tools. AWD should not be confused with more capable 4WD. Unibody
construction (vs body-on-frame) and the transverse mounted engine is a minus in my opinion. The Ridgeline was designed primarily for highway manners
and comfort and all-weather/snow road conditions.
Sounds like a Toyota Tacoma is what you really need. But, I get it, they are ridiculously expensive, and used Tacomas seem to have high miles.
Have you considered a Ford Ranger extended cab or a Sport Trac (4 door)? 4WD, body-on-frame, enough of power with the 4.0L V6, comfortable on
highway, enough headroom if you are tall. Ubiquitous in Baja with new or used parts available, incl. tires and wheel lug pattern. Any local mechanic
should be able to work on it and locate parts.
Used, about half the price of a Tacoma. I got a Sport Trac with 65k miles for $5K. The bed is shorter than a Tacoma, but tailgate-down, it is no
problem to haul sheets of plywood or a dirtbike or quad. Fuel economy isn't great by today's standards, but that's partly my fault as I'm heavy on the
throttle. Ground clearance is fair, so it is not a rock crawler.
I changed out the OEM body-to-frame bushings for aftermarket urethane and added Bilstein shocks. Turned the front torsions up just a little and
installed an ad-a-leaf to the rear. The Ford 8.8" rear differential is strong; available with a limited slip rear diff. For $5K and another $500 in
parts, it does the job nicely for my lighter/faster trips and dirt roads when I don't want to take my heavy gas hog 4x4 E350 van. AKgringo - 11-5-2023 at 04:07 PM
Quote "Have you considered a Ford Ranger extended cab or a Sport Trac (4 door)?"
I have considered both of those Fords. The older Ranger is a bit too cramped inside for my needs. I checked out a Sport Trac and think it would be a
fun rig, but the one I found near me had 240k miles on it, and I did not like the way the transmission felt.
One advantage of Unibody construction is that they usually have a lower overall weight, which sometimes matters.Don Pisto - 11-6-2023 at 12:19 PM
