First off-roading with Grand Vitara

[tsk1979]

Considering the slope and lack of slush, a 2WD can make do if the driver is experienced. AWD definitely.
The real test of off road is slush where the wheels sink in.
Other test is riverbed with round stones. Thats almost impossible even with 4WD, you definitely need diff locks.
But do not try those stunts while running in.
I think your paddy field adventure was more off road than this one.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Considering the slope and lack of slush, a 2WD can make do if the driver is experienced. AWD definitely.

The mud on the slope was soft and lightly slippery, not dry and hard. So, not sure about 2WD.

Originally Posted by tsk1979

I think your paddy field adventure was more off road than this one.

You are probably right, but this had much more thrill factor and much more scary.

[Jaggu]

samu you are on the right track with GV go for it man, run in for the 4 wheel drive under pinning is also essential you see.

you really are a lucky person to have access to the machine and the terrain. <Jealous@U>

[ex670c]

Congratulation Samurai San,

Nice SUZUKI GV.

This is the ideal terrain for introduction to 4WDs (especially SUVs).

I would like to comment on your Descent
1) You selected 4WD Lo & 1st Gear - Which is a must for all Descents
2) Not a good idea to lower the Front 2 wheels and then turn the vehicle.
i) On turning front right wheel will dive in (weight of the engine is up front compounded by the fact on a descent most of the weight is on the front)
ii) Turning slows down the vehicle and acts like the brakes have been applied and the suspension compresses and releases, causing the vehicle to roll. (very obvious in PAJEROs & SCORPIO 4WDs)

I really want to see pics of you climbing the same slope.

What about the mandatory preparations for the OTR
1) Recovery Gear ( JACK, Tow strap etc)
2) Tool Kit (special spares for the Suzuki GV)
3) Extra Food (water & Biscuits for 6-24hrs)

A few comments about 4WD and its various modes
1) Use the 4WD pre-emptively. Don't think it can be done in 2WD and try it.
4WD obviously provides more traction so why not use it

2) Wheel Base rule - if the Climb/Descent is longer than 1.5 times the length of the vehicle please donot side-slope i.e drive at an angle to the slope.

3) While climbing slopes longer than 1.5 times the length of the Wheel base use higher gears (TCase in Lo-ratio)

4) While descending there is only ONE combination 4Lo+ 1st gear engine at 1200-1500rpm.

5) The gearing has 2 effects i) Slow down the vehicle ii) Increases the torque.

6) 4WD is like smartness; takes you further and gets you stuck. (BE VERY PREPARED)

Plan each obstacle (climb/descent) into 3 phases
i) Entry
ii) Traverse
iii) Exit

Imagine how the vehicle (Engine Chassis Gearbox(including TCase) Axles (including Tyres) Suspension) will act/react at every phase.

These are some of the things we guys have read, experienced and discussed about and evolved a few SOPs.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Arka

PS - All kids must crawl, before the learn to walk.....keep moving ;-)

[gbpscars]

Originally Posted by ex670c

PS - All kids must crawl, before the learn to walk.....keep moving ;-)

That's some expert writeup than just all the drools.

You should be doing more justice to this thread too...
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...4-dummies.html

[n_aditya]

That was a wonderful travel experience Samurai.

Loved the pics immensely.

Originally Posted by Samurai

But palar challenge is something I can think of.

Thats the spirit . Not many SUV owners indulge in any kind of off roading activity and some SUV's dont even get to see the dirt track let alone experience it. Glad that you are putting your SUV to good use and managed to even enjoy the experience.

[dadu]

I enjoyed just by the pics and cant imagine the rush you would have gone through actually, must've been fun all the way.

A well written and photographed thread.

[ballkey]

Originally Posted by ex670c

Congratulation Samurai San,
1) Use the 4WD pre-emptively. Don't think it can be done in 2WD and try it.
4WD obviously provides more traction so why not use it

Arka, GV is a full-time 4WD, no possibility of switching to 2WD, if I'm not wrong.

[rangaraj]

Originally Posted by ex670c

Congratulation Samurai San,

2) Wheel Base rule - if the Climb/Descent is longer than 1.5 times the length of the vehicle please donot side-slope i.e drive at an angle to the slope.

3) While climbing slopes longer than 1.5 times the length of the Wheel base use higher gears (TCase in Lo-ratio)

Discalimer - i have not ridden a SUV off the city roads - i have however sat in one during the dune bashing off Dubai.. There are some interesting techniques used there when the terrain is loose sand ( i guess the rules of the game changes based on the substrate) - the descent is usually straight down.. the climbs are done both ways - either straight up or sideways at a certain high speed.. RPM's do go high in those land cruisers.. Tire pressure is also reduced for sand..

[govigov]

good pics, soon MUL may contact you for the pics

specially love the last pic and the one where the GV starts its descent into the hill.

great off roading samurai!!

[ex670c]

Hi Guys,

I am NOT an expert (by Qualification or Experience).

What I have posted are BASIC OTR techniques that I have used and shown to other Off-Road enthusiasts.

These are what you can call the cardinal rules of driving OTR.

The more ADVANCED or TERRAIN specific comments will just add to the confusion.

Personally I prefer to drill the newbies for the BASIC techniques (Good Habits) of OTR Driving.

They can figure out the fancy stuff themselves.

Regards,

Arka.

PS - Pics of an Introductory OTR for newbies --
TPC2007 - Pre-Event Introduction to 4WDs @ Fotopic.Net

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by ex670c

I really want to see pics of you climbing the same slope.

Next time, I'll take video.

Originally Posted by ex670c

What about the mandatory preparations for the OTR
1) Recovery Gear ( JACK, Tow strap etc)
2) Tool Kit (special spares for the Suzuki GV)
3) Extra Food (water & Biscuits for 6-24hrs)

Heh, heh. We were only half a KM from the family farm, so we had nothing of that sort.

Originally Posted by ex670c

1) Use the 4WD pre-emptively. Don't think it can be done in 2WD and try it.
4WD obviously provides more traction so why not use it

I don't have a 2WD on this car.

Originally Posted by ex670c

2) Wheel Base rule - if the Climb/Descent is longer than 1.5 times the length of the vehicle please donot side-slope i.e drive at an angle to the slope.

What if there is no room, in the above slope, I could have gone up or down only one way.

Originally Posted by ex670c

6) 4WD is like smartness; takes you further and gets you stuck. (BE VERY PREPARED)

Came pretty close to that.

Originally Posted by ex670c

Hope this helps.

Oh yeah. Big time.

Originally Posted by ballkey

Arka, GV is a full-time 4WD, no possibility of switching to 2WD, if I'm not wrong.

Yes, you are right.

[Ketan]

Awesome pics Arka,,

These two links,, it looks like he has not had a good entry point and had to climb this at an angle to the slope!!
Even if the climb / descent is less than the 1.5 times the length of the vehicle, it may topple if the angle of approach is really high...
P1011613.JPG @ Fotopic.Net

P1011614.JPG @ Fotopic.Net

what about this one?? is he trying to turn while descending??
P1011678.JPG @ Fotopic.Net

This looks much better..
P1011682.JPG @ Fotopic.Net

[ownerofazkaban]

Hi, Read somewhere in your post about your location Manipal.

Try these off roads
1)
Go to Hiryadka (manipal->parkala->hiryadka) take right and take the Patla/hirbettu road.

When you are 2 kms before Patla high school, there are breakaway roads to left. These routes are used to walk to pernankila (the Ganesh temple) and good for offroading. You may find some wild peacocks on the way too. It 's a good offroading route to reach pernankila.

2) When getting down from Manipal, Laxmindra nagar (old bioscope) if you take right beyond the colony & stuff is good offroading area.

3) How about Gokarna, OM beach... try offroading into Kudla beach.

4) Get down to Sirsi/Kumta and drive all the way to Yana.

[koolaruny]

Samurai : Great post there..Are you sure there was a temple down that road? Wow..this is really interesting !! How do you manage to track all these places down ?