SWB vs LWB: Which is better?

I’m pretty sure that off-roaders have been debating LWB vs SWB since the invention of the wheel. But which is actually better? Learn more.

By Jessica Palmer 6 Min Read

I’m pretty sure that off-roaders have been debating LWB vs SWB since the invention of the wheel. Okay, maybe not quite that long, but possibly since the invention of the hub lock. Either way, there is no easy answer as basically, it boils down to what kind of adventures you plan to go on, what you can afford and how much gear you need to carry.

Let’s discuss the pros and cons of LWB vs SWB so that you can make an informed decision.

But first …

What exactly do LWB and SWB mean?

LWB stands for Long Wheel Base and includes vehicles such as the Ford Ranger, RAM 1500 and Jeep Gladiator. SWB stands for Short Wheel Base and vehicles such as the Suzuki Jimny, 2-door Jeep Wrangler and the old Diahatsu Rocky fall into this category.

Wheel base is the distance between the centre point of the front wheels and the centre point of the back wheels so an SWB has a smaller distance between the front and rear tyres compared to an LWB. It’s important to note that it does not refer to the length of the vehicle.

swb vs lwb

Short Wheel Base (SWB)

In terms of aesthetic appeal in the debate between SWB vs LWB, there is no denying that SWBs tend to be better-looking. One look and you’re dreaming of mountain tracks, secret camping spots by the beach and sunshine.

Although not without its disadvantages, an SWB has a lot of pros for 4WDing for a number of reasons vs an LWB, including break-over angle, departure angle and approach. All three of these benefits are the key to tackling off-road tracks and can mean the difference between clearing an obstacle or finding yourself hung up on it. Here, let me explain.

Break over angle

This is the angle from the lowest point of your vehicle to the bottom of either your front or rear tire. SWBs have a larger break-over angle vs LWB 4WDs, which have a smaller angle. The smaller the angle, the more chance your vehicle will make contact with any obstacle you’re attempting to clear, potentially causing damage to your important drivetrain components.

Because SWBs have a larger break-over angle, they tend not to get hung up on ground obstacles as much vs their LWB counterparts. 

Approach and departure angle

These angles are important as they affect your ground clearance and therefore your ability to keep the front and rear of the vehicle from making contact with the ground. The larger the angles, the more ground clearance your 4WD has. Basically, if it was a game of ‘’the floor is lava’’ with SWB vs LWB and the tyres were immune, SWB would most likely win.

When tackling an obstacle, the approach angle is the maximum angle a vehicle can approach it without the front copping a hit. Likewise, the departure angle is the maximum angle a vehicle can descend without the rear scraping. 

Of course, all of this is null and void if your SWB doesn’t have decent ground clearance to start with. Most 4WDers with an SWB still invest in a lift kit and larger tyres.

swb vs lwb

Pros and cons of SWB vehicles

Pros

  • Larger break-over angle
  • Larger approach and departure angle
  • Smaller turning circle and tighter handling

Cons

  • Increased chance of rollover
  • Not much space in the vehicle for gear
  • Increased sway when towing
  • Not as comfortable on the roads

Long Wheel Base (LWB)

LWBs are still great for off-roading and by nature, allow for a smoother ride vs an SWB. Why? The larger distance between wheel base means there is a longer time between the front and rear wheels hitting the bumps and dips in the road. Their larger size means you can fit more gear into them and because the length, track width and weight of the vehicle are spread over a larger area, there is less chance of a rollover while you’re offroading.

The longer wheelbase means a smaller break-over, approach and departure angle which increases your chance of getting hung up on obstacles. However, as many of you already know, this angle can be increased with a suspension lift and larger diameter tyres.

Pros and cons of LWB vehicles

Pros

  • Less chance of a rollover
  • Larger vehicle means you can fit more gear
  • Safer for towing
  • More comfortable drive

Cons

  • May need a lift kit and large tyres to increase ground clearance
  • Larger turning circle

The verdict?

So which is better in the SWB vs LWB debate? Well, it depends on you and your needs and wants and the types of adventures you plan to go on. SWB is better for tight technical rock crawling but LWB is better for camping, cruising dirt roads and towing.

Personally, I’d love an SWB but my family life dictates that I need an LWB for the extra seats and space in the back for all of our gear. Either way, there will always be room for variety on the tracks.

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