the problem with the b2 was its propensity of the ttb design at that width and wheelbase to cause lever jacking to unload and shift weight around and rapidly so in certain conditions. it was, and is, and always will be a tumbleweed compared to the explorer. it is why the explorer was made.
i have a clear history of not liking the b2 for hiway use by just anybody. its worse then a sami. i have a healthy respect for them. i was very hesitant of letting my children drive them on the road, but all you can do is teach em whats up and why.
i have had several various models of them repeatedly for no reason, spin like a top on slick interstate and seen more then a few head to the srapper after being crumpled up like a can because of that...
i put down some serious miles most years and in the very worst of conditions at that usually in a hurry to get to work, and sometimes even on closed roads.
i am no pro race driver but i dont usually have bad shit like that happen unless i fall asleep or i am over tired. with the b2 its a total surprise in any case wide awake or not. i do think you can do your best with anything, but with a b2 and certain jeeps and similar vehicles you have a even further elevated risk over most suv's that is real.
even driving extra careful they can bite the hell out of experienced drivers.
the current b2 we have is the best winter handling b2 i have ever driven and is a total pos as well. i was shocked by that but i am glad it works like it does. but on dry pavement its not as stellar. of course its not a ttb truck either.
this is just data to help weigh the pro/con of doing shit with this things.
I've driven several vehicles over the years considered by people to be SUV's by today's standards all of which were severely overloaded up-armored HMMWV's in the military, never once had a problem with rollovers, but seem dozens of them because they put people behind the wheel that don't understand the physics behind driving an overloaded top heavy vehicle at high rates of speed while trying to maneuver around other vehicles, obstacles, potential bombs, etc.
The B2 is a short wheel base, and narrow as well, its like driving a side by side all terrain vehicle offroad, and on the road for that matter. At stock height the B2 isn't bad, after people add lifts and larger tires then that's when a lot more problems happen. I must be one of the few lucky B2 owners to have a B2 with front and rear stabilizer bars, which help considerably on the highway. I had a 96 Jeep Grand Cherokee as well and it also had the stabilizer bars on it, it handled some pretty hard curves at higher rates of speed than you would even think about doing in an SUV normally. Then I had a 94 Toyota 4Runner that I swear you never had to worry about taking corners at any speed because it was a slow pile of crap to begin with.
Its amazing the number of wrecks I see just because people think they're invincible driving their SUV, and when winter hits they think that the 4WD makes them GOD. They're also the first people I see sliding off the highway into the ditch, flipping over, all while trying to pass someone who's driving slower to avoid the same outcome.
The worst vehicle I've ever driven in bad weather conditions was a 1984 Chevy K5 Blazer (Military CUCV), they came factory equipped with front and rear detroit lockers, they do some crazy ass shit on ice and if you blink you are doing 360's in the middle of the road, and there isn't a damn thing you can do to stop it either. Don't get me wrong that damn Blazer would go anywhere you wanted to go, but just don't use the 4WD on ice without prior knowledge of what happens LOL.
The B2 is like driving a box down the road, you get a side wind and it feels like you are going to flip over sometimes. Never felt like that in any jeep I've ever been in, but then again the Jeep Cherokee's are wider and longer LOL.
The explorers weren't really that much different, look at all the rollovers in explorers LOL. Just inexperienced drivers for the biggest share of those accidents, and don't let the whole Firestone tire blow out BS be an excuse. I've had many blow outs and I've never felt the urge to flip my vehicles over because of it LOL. However I guess that would make changing the tire easier, maybe that was the logic behind the rollovers.
Anyhow, I completely understand and agree with your statements. You put the wrong person behind the wheel and these things go over onto their tops like nothing. I know when its really windy I will slow down just because of the liability of these things liking to flip over easily. Can't imagine how bad it would be trying to drive one with a lift and larger tires, the stock form is not exactly the most stable platform, but at the same time, if you treat it correctly there won't be a problem.
I like the B2, there's absolutely no electronics left in it now, its fairly easy to work on (meaning no computer crap to deal with), everything in it is manual so I don't have to worry about windows not working, door locks not working, etc. If something fails on it I can repair it myself and not have to rely on an outrageous cost of having a shop do the repairs. Its still 4WD, but its small enough to easily park and maneuver in cramped areas, where as my full size truck just isn't so cooperative. The B2 is what it is, and there are getting to be fewer and fewer of them around.
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