New MG '11 LE

[OneEyedHito]

Hello Again, long time no see:

I know I know, no pics no proof...oh well I will post some up tomorrow / saturday.

A couple of things to note:
Coming from an '08 FJ that I modded pretty well from stock, that came from an '04 SR5 with V8 (OOOOMPH!) so here goes for a mini review and what is in process or completed.

I agree with the comparion to the Soccer Moms CUV's that I have read here, but I wanted a predominately road machine that is more comfortable to take to the appalachians alot in the summer to bike and to take customers out for lunches and so forth in and this will fit the bill. The Plasticiness (eye know not a word) is in full effect, kinda a bummer but on par with all other $40+ vehicles of this size I have been in, I kinda like the tahoe/rover plastic better more of a rubberized feel than the 4R.

The power of the engine is nothing like my '04 I had or the FJ (I put a KN CAI and and Magnaflow SS exhaust on that) and I am interested to see how it handles the mountains with a full load of bike gear, 4 adults and 4 Downhill bikes on the rear.......we shall see.

I had the front windows matched to the rears as I usually do and I swapped out the Dueler HT's for Nitto Terra's in the 275/55r20 today and wowzers I like em, I have 295/75 Trail Grapplers on my FJ and have wanted to try the Terra's for a few years so now I get too :

Ordered the Mango Stubby today also. I will put some sliders on it (more for climbing in and out as well as to stand on to reach rack that for Rocks, don't care for the side steps) soon and color match the chrome trim and change the top and bottom grill to the black mesh I found via the search feature here :

Now to figure out the best way to mount an iPad and I can just drive for a while on the concrete highway instead internet highway!

Thanks for pointers so far and as mentioned pics to come this weekend (going to Berea KY to ride tomorrow maybe I will get a pic or two of her muddy) and a more thorough report after I put some miles on these Terra Grapplers, also I am considering putting a wider rim on it, but I am getting a little older (nearing 40) and while I like to live young since this is a company truck for me I am not sure which ones to get, I like the Ultra Gauntlets a few of you have, but the black might be a little too much for the MG truck, we will see!

Thanks,
Joe

 

[texasrunner2011]

Welcome! I have the exact same 2011 MG LE and am looking to do the same with the tires. Look forward to the pictures! :hatsoff:

 

[thebwlife]

I agree with the comparion to the Soccer Moms CUV....

I don't really see that. If you look at the specs (HxWxL) + (weight, cargo space, capacities) + ( and departure are different but good too) it's almost the exact same as a FJ. So if your FJ prior to mods was a soccer moms car, then I guess so.

 

[Qjake]

Welcome back! I too have an 11' MGM Limited with Nitto's but went with the crossteks instead of the grapplers, nice tire! Enjoy your new ride.

 

[Stoff96367]

See this for iPad mount
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/97583-ipad-navigation-tunes-5th-gen.html

 

[ralphpolo88]

Mountain Driving

The power of the engine is nothing like my '04 I had or the FJ (I put a KN CAI and and Magnaflow SS exhaust on that) and I am interested to see how it handles the mountains with a full load of bike gear, 4 adults and 4 Downhill bikes on the rear.......we shall see.



A couple of weeks ago I took a road trip to Durango, CO from KCMO, going through Colo. Springs and Alamosa, and drove through some mountain passes in CO. Had the 4runner loaded up with 5 guys and snowboarding gear and and enough stuff for 4 or 5 days. Going through the mountains, the 4runner lacked guts uphill, there were times that I was almost completely floored and was only going about 40-45 mph max - it was definitely sucking wind. I've never driven through the mountains before, so I don't know what it's like with an empty car or one with a V8 or one with a 4-banger for that matter, so I can't compare the 4runner to any other car.

However, having said that, I got the best mpg ever in the 4runner driving in CO and through the mountains - 23 mpg - and that's with a 4x4 SR5 stock.

That's just my experience though, YMMV.

 

[ClockWork]

I've never driven through CO, what are some of the grades like that it can't even maintain 60?

 

[jhawk]

There are some killer grades, even on the highways depending on where you're at. Heck I-70 has a long 7% grade - since the elevation is so high, it feels like 15%!
Everything has less power at elevation, forced induction and high displacement helps a bit, but there is still a significant loss.

 

[Mtn.Rush]

Nitto Terra's in the 275/55r20
I would love to see pics of these. No rubbing and they are mounted on stock LE rims???

 

[OneEyedHito]

Nitto Terra's in the 275/55r20
I would love to see pics of these. No rubbing and they are mounted on stock LE rims???

- There is a 1/4"-1/2" of space between front left tire and wheel well at full left turn.

Thanks for all the 'Welcome Backs' nice to be Welcome!!!!

Here it is today a few feet outside of the Daniel Boone National Forest in McKey, KY. Nitto's mounted up! I think the tint shop might have gotten me a tad to dark up front, unless it is just a little darker due to it setting in on the window, he said he would just match it up and that the rears were 20%, but um it's a hair darker.

As for the Motor had 2 bikes on two LARGE gear bags with 3 guys today and honestly it was OK, the mountains of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Upstate NY will be the real test though, also, only took 5" bikes today the 10" bikes weigh a bit more.

Thanks for the iPad link, and found a cool feature today, I originally linked the iPhone up 1st, then my iPad, we watched some videos on the way down and when my phone rang the iPad would automatically pause the video and the headunit transfered the connection signal directly to the iPhone so I could take the call via Hands Free, then went right back to the Video after I ended the call.....A really nice feature, less things to touch, more attention on the road.....The videos were for passengers :naughty:

As a side note the Terra Grapplers are HANDS DOWN better than the Dueler H/T on the road, felt really good at 80 on highway and at 55 on backroads. There is a tad more brake dive with this than the FJ but the FJ has the Icon Dynamics coilovers on it so not a fair comparison.
:beer:

 

[GrantK]

I've never driven through CO, what are some of the grades like that it can't even maintain 60?

While the grades in the mountains are an issue, there's also a lack of oxygen. At sea level the nominal air pressure is 14.7psi. At Denver, before you even enter the mountains, you're a mile up and have lost about 2.5psi. Once you get into the high mountains, about 10K feet, you're down to 10psi. That's almost a 30% reduction in air density compared to sea level. It makes CAI and high flow exhausts very popular mods around here.

Unless your engine is way overpowered or you have a turbo/SC, all vehicles seem under powered going through the Rockies.

 

[OneEyedHito]

Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 Mounted

So I went to best buy to pick up some Year End Tax Man Cometh Office stuff and found 2 generic multi-mount assemblies on clearance for $4.99 and figured that was cheap-enough to try for a ghetto mount and voila this might do the trick for trips.

I am not sure if I want to trust this for daily use but for the couple of times a month I might use it it will work. Currently I picked up an 8.9 Galaxy Tab because the iPad is actually a tad too large for my liking plus this thing is lighter which should be easier on the mounts. Roam via bluetooth looked and sounded great. I am more of an Apple guy based on current stuff I use daily so if Cupertino would kindly put out an 8" iPad I would greatly appreciate it!

I think I am going to get a slimline case for the tab and eposy the tabs to it that way I can just snap the tablet in and out of the case for quick head unit needs and I can leave the swivel attachments tightened down....

FYI the mount is by: IQ Smart Solutions, they also make a bolt on permanent style that I grabbed but I don't think I will use it now that this is rather secure. Here are a few pics of it:

 

[Mtn.Rush]

Thanks, how do they look from the rear, any bigger then the stilts we currently have?

 

[OneEyedHito]

both ends....

Thanks, how do they look from the rear, any bigger then the stilts we currently have?

.....are definitely wider. Ran into some icy roads today in the Cinci area, most highways were shut down at one time or another and I was confident I would be fine getting home, which worked out well. I am seriously happy with the new treads, 400 miles since Thursday and they are rocking.

Had a friend comment today about them and I said "yes, I already got new tires for it, day #1 actually", of course he looked at me as if I was insane, but this is the same guy that could give a **** less about what tires he runs on his DH Bike as long as they are not Schwalbes (Schwalbes are the best BTW) so, he doesn't get it. :fro:

 

[Mtn.Rush]

.....are definitely wider. Ran into some icy roads today in the Cinci area, most highways were shut down at one time or another and I was confident I would be fine getting home, which worked out well. I am seriously happy with the new treads, 400 miles since Thursday and they are rocking.

Had a friend comment today about them and I said "yes, I already got new tires for it, day #1 actually", of course he looked at me as if I was insane, but this is the same guy that could give a **** less about what tires he runs on his DH Bike as long as they are not Schwalbes (Schwalbes are the best BTW) so, he doesn't get it. :fro:

HAHAHAHA, so true thats what I run, SCHWALBES racing ralphs (tubeless of course!!) Thanks for the info.

 

[OneEyedHito]

HAHAHAHA, so true thats what I run, SCHWALBES racing ralphs (tubeless of course!!) Thanks for the info.

If you get into some mud/fluff type stuff and want to try or need to run a wider tire try the new Hans Dampf, I have been running them on my Remedy 9 and they are the best all purpose tire I have ever ridden. They aren't going to roll as fast as your Ralphs but they CLIMB Great and Rail the berms. I have been UST for a few years and will never go back to tubes. Such a better ride once I got the right width tire matched to the right width rim for all my riding.

I will post some rear tire profile and front profile pics soon.
Joe