HONDA CR-V 4WD EX (on Two-Track + Daily Drive Roads) RD1 in South New Jersey

[TSO_NJ]

I purchased a 2001 Honda CR-V RealTime 4WD EX in 2017 for $2000. Amazed about how many times this compact recreational vehicle has driven through the first day of heavy snow (yes, it is an anomaly - I live in New Jersey), and the sand roads with intermittent "duck ponds" in New Jersey Wharton State Forest.

I'll be keeping it "stock" as much as possible.

Following are recent photos along with the results of searched information on the internet:

Link: 1st Gen Honda CR-V RealTime 4WD Compilation


View attachment 214456
Front corner view.


View attachment 214457
Inside view.


View attachment 208679
Ground clearance measured.


View attachment 208683
2001 Honda CR-V Specifications.


Later,
Joe

 

[MuckSavage]

Great job! Those tires look like good wet/snow weather performers. (Lots of sipes). Your traction aids are nice & compact for emergency use. You're on your way. I applaud you for being practical.
Consider tying a length of orange Paracord or an orange dog training lead to your traction aids. They have a tendency to dig themselves into our sugar sand. Cordage will keep you from digging for them.

 

[MuckSavage]

Tires often get louder as they age. Rubber hardens/dries out. I think you made a great decision!

 

[MuckSavage]

Good lob! An added benefit is lower center-of-gravity & less aerodynamic drag! (from someone who gets 12-16 mpg, I applaud keeping stuff off the roof). Plus, it's a low-key way of doing things instead of the "Look at me, I'm an Overlander" way.

 

[DevilDodge]

Awesome. I agree with @MuckSavage the leas you look like an overlander...the easy enjoying the rig you got will be.

Your vehicle is capable of getting to 99 percent of the legal places in the area. A much better overall experience when you blend in vs stand out...my opinion.

Your setup looks great and will bring many happy nights in the wilderness.

Keep the updates coming.

 

[izzywolf]

I'm researching now for a good rig and was debating whether to get a unibody SUV, then I saw this thread. I'm thinking "wow, this is relevant!"
Can you share some advice about using a unibody SUV for Off-roading and what to consider when getting one?

Hiking in Jersey might be boring (yeah, I have high expectations. I'm from Ohio), but it's gotta be awesome to go Off-roading. I get so jealous when I see those guys with their Jeeps and FJs zooming through Wharton.

Are there any trails where they let you off-road (in NJ in general)? I always see these threatening looking signs.

 

[izzywolf]

@izzywolf : basic overlanding

Primarily dirt, sand, gravel, and stone surfaces.

Hence:

To head in a specified direction …

… at a position above …

… the solid ground of …

… the land surface of the world.

View attachment 212735

View attachment 212736

View attachment 212737

View attachment 212738

I've watched enough YouTube videos to know that! What are you getting at?

 

[izzywolf]

@izzywolf : vehicles are permitted on the roads shown in yellow.

View attachment 212742

Aha... So those TJs and FJs were driving legally. Good to know, I'll probably be heading here first once I get that rig!

 

[izzywolf]

I owned a 1978 Ford F-150 4X4 in the 80s. The chassis from bumper to bumper is ideal for rugged areas. The F-150’s parts have large material mass allowing it to be durable for extreme (being far beyond the norm) surfaces and heavy loads.

Photo of a 1978 Ford F-150 4X4 (not mine but it is the same color of the one I owned)

View attachment 212820

My 1st Generation Honda CR-V 4WD ($2000) will NEVER be driven on ALL of the same surfaces the F-150 was driven on. The parts have small material mass so it is engineered for soft surfaces (dirt, sand, gravel, and stones) and light loads.

Once you have an idea of where to drive off road (extreme or soft) then that should help to narrow the rig selection.

Realistically, I'm probably going down muddy "horse-trails" (full of ruts but not that many rocks) when I'm not in Jersey.

At this point in time I have my eyes on a Suzuki XL7 (pre-2006). I was into the Lexus GX470 but the premium gas and timing belt were unappealing.