HH , HL , LL ... when do you use them ?

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at what point do you change to the other gears ? dirt roads , sand ... muck ?

im driving in usual HH , please explain to a relatively NOOB when i should change the shortie ?

thanks in advance

billy

[samo Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close samo]

hh is just for normal everyday driving tar dirtroads, hl is when you want to lock the centre diff ( turns it in to a normal 4wd ) also for sand, slippery conditions mud, ll locks the centre diff and is for thick mud, soft sand, steep hills etc. the centre diff is only there to stop the transfer case from winding up eg allow a bit of slip between the front and rear propshaft. wind up can destroy a transfer case of kill cv joints, thats why you should never drive to far on hard packed surfaces with the centre diff locked, the after effects can be very heavy on ya wallet.

[HGMonaro Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close HGMonaro]

LL for water crossings too

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thanks guys 8)

[zylaxas Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close zylaxas]

how do you over come windup and how is is identified

Regards Zylaxas

[samo Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close samo]

if you have trouble shifting from LL to HL, or HL to HH, eg lever wont move just try reversing up a few metres, this is usually a sign of a little wind up, if you still cant shift lever find a little rut/hill were you can lift a wheel, drive up it and spin the wheels for a little bit, this should allow you to shift, eg unwinding the wind up. hope this helps

[Jon Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Jon]

Suggest you join a club and learn about how to use a 4WD...

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Suggest you join a club and learn about how to use a 4WD...

Just like that ?

Did you find out everything you know from "joining a club" ?

Everyone here has joined this forum to make things easier for each other , to share information and to learn .

Statments like "join a club", "take it to the garage" or " its broken" are not helping anyone .

So thanks for your input Jon .

[Brissy4me Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Brissy4me]

Suggest you join a club and learn about how to use a 4WD...

Just like that ?

Did you find out everything you know from "joining a club" ?

Everyone here has joined this forum to make things easier for each other , to share information and to learn .

Statments like "join a club", "take it to the garage" or " its broken" are not helping anyone .

So thanks for your input Jon .

Actually Billy,

When you join a club (most of the big ones anyway) you will be required to do a 4wd training course before you are allowed to participate on any of the trips, so Jons suggestion is actually quite sensible although maybe lacking a little in the way of explanation. Seriously the courses offered by most of the bigger clubs are excellent value for money but if you dont want to join a club there a lot of businesses out there who will get you started in the right direction. Asking on a forum about what the right things to do is a bit like asking someone to send you a letter explaining how to drive a car. There is no substitute for getting behind the wheel with someone knowledgeable beside you to show you the ropes.

[matty Member Find all posts View Profile Close matty]

My biggest suggestion would be to just get out there and try different things ie use 4hi on dirt than change back to 2hi to see the difference. 4L for any slow looking stuff, 4hi for mud/sand to keep up your momentum. its a real case of suck it and see and build up your own capabilities and realise your 4wd's, then you should be able to look at what your going to drive on and decide. And if you get stuck nows your chance to try various recovery techniques.

[Snaga Wishing I was lost Find all posts View Profile Close Snaga]

I knew nothing about driving a 4by when I first got my Honda CRV and soon after upgraded to the Playdo...

The best advise I can give is get out there and give it a go now that you know the basics of when to change the little stick...
... but preferably with people with some off road experience. I went camping with a another forum (overlander) last year and the amount I learnt in that one weekend was priceless... (he runs 4wd courses ) but it wasn't all from him.

Travel with someone else where you can and get your self stuck on the beach... so you can know what it feels like to get bogged and recognise it before it happens next time. (I plan on doing this next weekend actually... never been bogged in the sand :shock: )

Have a watch of the 4WD Monthly recovery techniques DVD... it's quite good for someone starting out.

Have fun and play safe

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Hi Billy,

I can see why Jon suggested you join a 4wd club. I don't think he meant to be rude or offensive.

I am not trying to offend you I am trying to provide you with well constructed advice.

Your question is one of the fundamental principles of 4wding. It is like asking "How do you drive a car flat out around a race track". As you can see from this example there are endless posibilities such as the car, the track, the drivers ability and knowledge, the weather etc, etc..... The best answer would probably be to have instruction then have a go.

As with any piece of machinery correct instruction will give you hours of pleasurable use and reduce the likelihood of accident or damage to yourself or the equipment.

Personally, I think it is a very good idea to do a 4wd course and/or join a club. From my experience in dealing with people who are new to 4wds, I strongly believe it should be compulsory that everyone who drives a 4wd attend a 4wd course for onroad AND offroad use. Its a good idea to get your better half to learn everything aswell because if you injury yourself out in the bush you still want to be able to get home.

The other option is to get a few mates together and have a go. But with anything it depends on what quality of instruction you prefer, i.e. from someone who actually has experience in 4wd driving instructing and has a pre-selected training track or your mate that may or may not be that knowledgeable.

You must also be careful what you read on the internet because ANYONE can get on here and claim to be a 4wding Guru. Anyone can blunder their way through a tuff track in a new electonic traction controlled, auto 4wd and it may look like they know what they are doing. But are they using the best and safest technique ?

When you trackle a track that is difficult or you get stuck and you will !! the more experience person will repeatedly get you out the other side with no damage to your 4wd (or minimum depending on the vehicle and track) and with a minimum amount of damage to the track. They will also know how to recover your vehicle without further damage to it or yourself.

Vehicle recovery is as extensive as the techniqies used in 4wding. The most import aspect is thinking it through. What is the counter effect of the slope and pulling/pushing points ?

To get you started I would suggest reading up on the basics from published material i.e. good old fashioned BOOKS. There are a number of pretty good ones available that I can recommend, such as:

Gregories publish a fairly detailed book that is available in Kmart too:
http://www.themapshop.com.au/site/index ... 4FE462EC06

Vic Widman also has one:
http://www.themapshop.com.au/site/index ... 89C8C03442

Many of the larger book shops carry quite a selection of touring guides:
http://www.themapshop.com.au/site/index ... _code=1635

I have no association with this shop but I have found they always seem to carry a high quality product.

Many of the 4wd clubs have a policy allowing new members to come along for a couple of weeks to see if you fit in.

Even after attaining all the practical 4wd knowledge in the world there is still bush ettiqutte that many urban weekend warriors appear not to follow or be aware of, such as slowing down for oncoming traffic, leaving gates the way you found them, not entering tracks that are closed on public OR private property, obeying direction from property managers such as rangers, private property owners or police, getting permission to camp on private property and taking your rubbish with you.

I hope you find the enjoyment that many other who own 4wd have found. It sounds like you have just opened pandoras 4wd box !! By all means get out there and have fun !! 4wding is a great life experience but learn about basic 4wd practice and theories and your vehicles ability before getting into the really hard stuff.

[zylaxas Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close zylaxas]

I'm sorry if i'm dumb but I thought this forum was to help folks out if they are new to 4wding.

I asked about wind-up as i haven't heard of it B4 and decided to ask so i could learn about it and b informed. A little bit of knowledge goes a long way.

As to joining a club give me some time can't do everything at once, need to crawl b4 i can walk.

Thank to all who gave positive input

Regards Zylaxas

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I hope I have not offended anyone one here with my reply and I am sorry if I have, that was not my intention.

Often I run out of login time trying to answer a question as there are so many aspects involved.

I try to reply in a manner that provides a number of solutions?

I don't believe anything is a dumb question no matter how trival it many seem. Hopefully I have answered each question in a courteous manner ?

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

Mate .. I was in the same boat around Easter time ... new to the Prado ... and really new to 4Wdriving.

I managed to hook up with a group of awesome Prado owners here in Perth ... including some hugely experienced 4WD owners and operators .. who have, themselves, been members of 4WD clubs and participated in a huge number of training courses. I've done a heap of reading about driving and recovery techniques .. and been able to bounce these ideas off more experienced drivers ... and been able to practice them in a huge range of terrains and situations.

A 4WD training course is something I would love to do in the future ... but, in the meantime, the knowledge I have gained from these guys is huge ... and includes tyre placement, correct (safe) lines, knowledge of underbody protrusions, safe recovery techniques, correct gear selection, driving techniques for different surfaces, tyre pressures, safety with cargo, safe driving in a convoy, communications, navigation ... and how to have s$@tloads of fun with new friends.

I'm not suggesting that hanging out on tracks with a group of mates can replace a 4WD training course .... but if you're looking to crawl before you walk .... and want to start with tamer trails and work your way up ... this can be a good way to start IMHO.

Cheers
Chippy