Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

Hi Guys

This is a technical question.
I have been looking at the following youtube ckip of epic Jeep rollovers.

Quite entertaining.
I know a movie does not always do justice to angles and inclines, but can't help to think that SWBs rollover more easily.

Can you list the pros and cons of SWB vs LWB?
1) LWB has a poorer turning circle
2)...

SWB roll over easily!

During the Bridgstone Fundi Challenge the only vechiles that rolled over were SWB's.

Landrover 90, Jeeps and Gelandewagens.

But it is also the drivers problem

Got less space for people and. Stuff

Cons:

SWB - Far less stable on very steep inclines and declines - more prone to fail because the front/rear tends to unload and lift.(flip back over front, or visa versa)
SWB -Less stable on side cambers it seems. (roll overs)
SWB - Bouncy - not as comfortable
SWB- More prone to vibration through drive train , particularly when lifted.
SWB - Poor loading space
SWB - Bad Towing


Pros:

SWB - Better for tight manoeuvrability.
SWB - Better in Town Traffic (CT streets parking!)
SWB - Possibly better fuel consumption due to lighter GVM ?
SWB - Looks Cool

Its definitely clear that a mid wheel base in-between the SWB and LWB is best for serious offroading (Ie: Comp Trucks etc).

If you have a lot of money buy o SWB for. Trails and a long weel base for the rest
I prever A long weel for my alroed 4x4

Interesting discussions. I have both and yes there are pro and cons. The space is a problem, but what I do is to drop the back seats and load up to the front seats. We just recently did a trip to the Kruger Park and we loaded the Terrano to the roof, and it was great. On tracks the turning circle is great, the other thing that is nice is that the holes that are dug by other 4x4s are all done by longweel base vehicles, so the short one does not fall into these holes. If the Terrano had difflock it would be ausum, but I would not clime the rock at Mogatle with it as I believe it will tip over, or backwards or sideways.

The only real advantages of a SWB vehicle are:
1) Shorter turning circle
2) They can negotiate a sherper ridge without hanging up.
3) They usually do not need quite as much articulation, because the wheels are closer together.
4) They would probably get better fuel consumtion in town, but in long distance driving, they are probably about the same because the major factor under these conditions is wind resistance?

However, I would like to point out that there are also many other factors influencing how easily a vehicle rolls over or cartwheels.
Suspension flexibility and balance is a major factor here. To understand what I mean, go to obstacle three (the uphill axle twister) at De Wildt, and watch a few different vehicles go both up and down this obstacle. Vehicles with independent suspension (and particularly semi-soft-roader types) often look like they are about to roll down the hill when going down, because their front axle articulation is so poor. These vehicles often have 70-80% of their articulation at the back, but when coming down the hill, all the weight is on the front wheels and the back end doesn't flex.
Oh and if you think this looks bad, watch a VW Touareg!

When you have thoroughly scared yourself doing this, drive you Patrol up and down and be amazed.

But as Kobus said, driving style is also important.

I do not alwways realise how easy the Patrol makes things.
With Obstacle 3, I just went up and down, forward and in reverse (rear locker on though) - the same applies to the dongas.
The car just goes, retains traction and nevers feels unsafe.
So that has me spoiled.

Alex, that's why we love them!

Credit to ou BOEZMA as well - he also reversed up the trappies at De Wildt -- and the down NEVR got that angle as on the pict
BUT with the Terrano [even teh 5-door LWB] with it's much more restricted articulation .. eisjj, daai ding het my paar keer laat sweet ..