This is almost a case of deaf leading the blind. Although I am only 8 months into offroading, I live in a place where that experience is more than most.
The only other recreational Jeeper I know around here recently confessed to me that he doesn’t have a clue about offroading. He owns 3 Jeeps (MM540, Armada & CJ340), all are 4x4s and are prepared by him. He prepares bling jeeps for students . So I asked him to drop in on a weekend for some offroading lessons. Since he had seen this thread
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-of...uers-hill.html, he was really pumped up about it.
As I drove to my office today at 5PM, I had no idea how I am going to teach him. So I figured to improvise as it goes. I have some good offroad terrain at the office campus which I planned to used for this training. I was so unclear about the agenda, I didn’t even carry the customary camera.
First I checked the health of his Jeep’s 4x4 ability. He had brought a 1992 CJ340 converted to look like a classic, but with a Force logo in the front. Hmm, don’t ask. It has Bridgestone Dueler H/T tyres, no skid plates and hanging number plate front and back. But it is a CJ340, so it should be able to hack the terrain we had.
I first started with the basic stuff like engine braking, avoidance of brake or clutch, how the steer, how to spot, etc. You know, the stuff I learnt in Arka School of Offroading last year. Since he was a Jeeper he already knew how to handle a Jeep. Then I made him drive through simple obstacles where I wouldn’t dare take the GV. And things started to get interesting, I realised I better get my backup E-500 from the office for some photographs.
This was where I stopped the Jeep as I ran for the camera.
Did some simple climbs after that on very uneven ground. Also taught him the importance of walking the trail, visualizing the drive, and trusting the spotter to lead the Jeep.
Then I decided to teach him the difference in using torque vs momentum. First I asked him to do this obstacle using 1st low, just torque.
The highway tyres spun away to glory, but couldn’t climb after repeated attempts.
Next I asked him to try the same with some momentum in 2nd low. It climbed in 1st attempt.
And out of that place.
Now it was time to learn descent control, without using brake or clutch. That was new concept for him. He has done climbed Kodachadri hills many times, but with ample use of brake/clutch/accelerator. I told him this, use clutch only for changing gears, use brake only to stop without switching off engine, for the rest use engine braking.
I gotta say this guy is a very quick learner, he got everything at first try.
Now he was eyeing the Mt. Everest of the ground, since he had seen the video on this forum, he wanted to try it. Since he had done so well so far, I decided to let him try that. My only concern was the highway tyres, but then the hill was very dry today, so with momentum it could be done. So I asked him to come fast in 2nd low and do it without touching anything other than accelerator.
With some massive wheel spinning he makes it across.
Now it was time to come down. I told him to absolutely keep away from brake, clutch or accelerator. Assume padmasan if you can I told him. I also told him it can be quite scary first time.
And the dismount.
I think I finally understood why Gurkha failed on this hill while the CJ340 did it with highway tyres in similarly dry weather. What is needed here is momentum, not just torque.
He tried the big hill couple of times just to be sure, basically he passed the course in flying colors. After the field training, there was some theory class on types of differentials, LSD, diff locks, etc. We didn't touch upon recovery, that's advance class anyway.
First Graduation Photo from Samurai School of… um… never mind that.
PS: Notice the rear license plate.