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Yes stones will help, but not the small ones as they do just the opposite of what you intend to do with it. Undoubtly a 4x2 will have an open differential(though there are a few vehicles that use some kind of lockers besides being 4x2's, and one of is the Hindustan HM-RTV, which has a limited slip locker with 4x2). And since it is a 4x2, you have to take care that there is equal traction on both sides of the driven axle on the entire path where you think the vehicle might get stuck. Force applied,like lightening, will take the easiest path, so even if one side gets stuck and you put something under the wheel so gain traction, it may even start slipping the other side that normally had traction(you are on a muddy terrain, so even the other side is muddy and may end up as the surface with less traction if whatever you put under the other wheel has made it to hold more traction).
What is most ignored fact in indian offroading community is articulation. It does the job where a locker will fail. The Bolero has that advantage and therefore even though it may not have lockers it is still a better offroader than a Tempo trax with lockers. A locker is needed where one wheel leaves contact with the surface or looses traction. A stabilizer in the suspension system is a major setback to axle articulation but at the same time it is an absolute necessety in top heavy vehicles like the trax and safari.The Trax has a very stiff set of stabilizers, used both at the front and rear, so a locker is a must there, as lack of articulation always makes it lift the wheels at the frequency a dog lifts its leg after finding a pole. A bolero on the other hand, especially the front leaf spring version(4x2 or 4x4) has got a very long ,and straight set of leaf springs, which makes it more flexible than lifted springs(such as on the camper), and as for stabilizers, its got one and thats at the front only(actually thorough bred offroaders looking forward to use their bolero offroadshould invest in making a quick disconnect for the stabilizer, thereby having the onroad advantages and after disconnecting it ,the full articulation for offroad conditions).
A locked 4x2 vehicle can do 80% of the things a 4x4 does.
In the situation where the Bolero was stuck, you could use a lot of things ,rocking ,stones,etc,etc, but the best thing to do was to jack it up and slam a plank under the vehicle, as not only will it give more traction, but also will make a bridge over the surface. Some offroaders also carry air inflated bags that they use as jacks. Since mounting a jack on uneven surface is quite difficult, the bag can be thrown underneath the vehicle and inflated by mounting its inlet pipe on the silencer exhaust pipe. Air jacks can be used where even high lift jacks have difficulty.As for the wierd idea of carrying a plank and a massive bag to these places is much the same as using a 4x2 here. | 
25th September 2008, 17:21
its amazing what you get away with!
