Anyone Know About Honda Ridgeline?

[jcizzle]

Looking for a 4wd to hunt in. Never thought of one of these before today but saw one of these and they look pretty cool. Interior seems layed out handy and still had a small bed for bags of wet decoys and blinds. Who can argue with a built in ice chest.

They don't seem to have much ground clearance though. Can you have one lifted? Main thing I'm wondering though is about the AWD. Is the AWD on this as handy as 4wd for driving through pastures and muddy roads etc during hunting season? Provided it was lifted a few inches to provide more clearance.

I'd like to hear from some of you who've owned one or know someone who does and how they feel about it.

 

[jcizzle]

thinking of getting one for hunting. Anybody on here have experience with them to review or give their thoughts on them?

 

[3inSlugger]

With an awd, power will be sent to the wheel or wheels with less resistance. So you'll get less traction without a diff lock. I wouldn't expect 4wd performance. You could prob get a 4x4 Tacoma with a short bed for a similar price.

 

[68mustang]

Way better options for a hunting vehicle for cheaper than a honda.

 

[TwoForFlinching]

I once saw a jetski become the executioner for a Ridgeline once... Death by drowning lol

 

[jcizzle]

Ouch! Not so great I see.

 

[Chief Sapulpa]

The Ridgeline is built on the Accord car chassis/unibody...not what I would consider robust enough for off-roading.

 

[Profreedomokie]

Ground clearence isn't good on these. A friend's wife has one. He uses his Chevy PU for hunting. After owning four Land Rovers,it's nothing else for me.

 

[Shoot Summ]

No experience with them, there is a good thread on the garage journal about them:

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=163866&highlight=ridgeline

The "real truck guys" like to hate on them, but those that have them really seem to like them.

 

[inactive]

Some of these guys are sharing the anecdotes but not much info. The Ridgeline is a unibody cousin of the Accord, but that doesn't mean it won't work for what you are needing. Also, AWD systems can vary and not all work like a open differential (that is, move power to the slipping wheel); I believe the Ridgeline has a locking feature in the center differential (like a LandCruiser or a Select-Trac Jeep) so that the drive shafts turn at the same rate, thus functioning like a regular 4x transfer case.


There are people that take these and wheel 'em on all kind of trails:

www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/44004-Ridgeline-as-ExPo-vehicle?
www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/51499-My-Ridgeline-Expo-hauler-build
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2f3B3B_Ls3Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUwnZjy4Ps0&feature=fvwrel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0yr1OA74Os&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNQbTg1QX-c&feature=related


Hell, you get anywhere outside the US, and people are taking old Toyota and Datsun sedans and beating on them like a travelling business man does a Thai hooker (to borrow RidgeHunter's expression). I've seen drunk and determined rednecks right here in NE OK take a Dodge Neon around the Illinois River Bottom places it should never see.



I know one person who owned one, and it's been their favorite vehicle they have ever owned. But then again, they don't hammer it off road that much; just the of the more basic trails in places like Lexington WMA. I know for me personally, a Ridgeline would make a great vehicle for my needs (reliable daily driver, AWD for nasty weather, decent enough off road). I doubt it would hold up for the leases that are a mile off the nearest dirt county road some people in Sequoyah county go to hunt. It all depends on what you'll be doing with it. Rock crawling? Nope. Sticking over-sized 35" tires on it? Not without finding a way to beef up axles and CVs. Worried about some natural pin-striping or a superficial dent in you rocker panel? Maybe better to buy something older and taller. But if you assess your needs and it fits, no need to shy away from it.