10 Dummies guide to Gurkha ~ 17000 kms done

GrayBerry · 17th November 2009, 07:06

rhandle,
Amazing write up, loved every picture and your experience with your Gurkha. Hats off to you & your Gurkha my friend.
Gurkha seems to be an ideal fit to my needs, which are as follows
1. Reliable - Usually my buys are for a life time - understand the teething issues
2. Rugged - I abuse my ride a lot, do not get me wrong - I love and take care of my vehicle like my child
3. Cruiser - Daily (to & from office) and long drives with my family
4. Off-roading - haven't done any, but will start soon
5. Road presence - I ride a Royal Enfield - u know what I mean
Said & Done, I want to take my time and decide looking at all options and YES, OM611 CRDi will make a difference.
Once again, thank you very much and keep your experience flowing

GrayBerry · 17th November 2009, 08:29

Pardon me for the repeat post -My post did not show up (guess need to clear my cashe files very)
Thank you rhandle & 4X4addict
Yes, I have read and spoke to one of tbhp member about Mahindra Thar. On paper the vehicle looks great, the weight to power ratio is unbeatable I guess. I am listing all the advantages and disadvantages of these two vehicles (Gurkha Vs Thar) - Lets see where it takes us, will post it on a new thread.
Right now am in the process of doing my homework in knowing a semi floating front axle. I am in no hurry, will take my time to choose my dream vehicle.

rhandle · 25th November 2009, 16:50

YouTube - Not able to climb with Trax Gurkha :(

Gurkha failed?
I was not able to climb this. What do you think I could have done to climb on this. Since no other person tried this, cannot comment how difficult or not difficult it was.

Few other +ve Vids:

YouTube - Gnormal.MPG

YouTube - short steep down.MPG

YouTube - Breakfast cookout at NIOC

YouTube - Sarvinder with his Jeep

4x4addict · 25th November 2009, 18:12

@rhandle?

Where you in low range? If so, it seems to be a combination of lack of low end torque and lack of traction on the dry loose mud. I see a lot of mud being kicked up by the tires.

vinod_nookala · 25th November 2009, 18:22

rhandle,
You were not able to climb because (lack of power was not the issue)-

1. uneven terrain, vehicle jumps and lost traction
2. too lower gear leading to wheel spin

Did you employ diff locks? You should have- put in 1st low, diff locks on, crawl up the slope to avoid wheel spin and accelerate as and when required gently. This way-
1. vehicle will not bounce
2. wheels will not loose traction

What do you say?

p.s Did a jeep do the same climb?

rhandle · 25th November 2009, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinod_nookala

rhandle,
You were not able to climb because (lack of power was not the issue)-

1. uneven terrain, vehicle jumps and lost traction
2. too lower gear leading to wheel spin

Did you employ diff locks? You should have- put in 1st low, diff locks on, crawl up the slope to avoid wheel spin and accelerate as and when required gently. This way-
1. vehicle will not bounce
2. wheels will not loose traction

What do you say?

p.s Did a jeep do the same climb?

@4x4: I was in 4low tried 2nd and 1st gear both, with locks as well.

No jeep did this.
I employed everything, from diff-locks to slow climb to get up to momentum. I do not know if I should create a separate thread with this video to ask Jeep gurus what can be the reason of failure.

May be next time we go over there will ask some Jeep expert to try that. in the mean time am asking all to let me know what they think can be the reason.

PS: in one of the video if you chk I was able to breeze through the side, but then the angle was not this steep.

A.P.S.Grewal · 29th November 2009, 04:41

You were bouncing to much
drop your air pressure and climb on 1st 4low with both the diffs locks on, in a very slow and sturdy pace, this way your foot wont jump on the accelerator and nither will the gurkha

very very very important tip: if you drive on high speed with all deff locks on you end up losing traction, because all four suspension start jumping at the same time even if there is a negligible bump or even a small pot hole.

headers · 29th November 2009, 09:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by A.P.S.Grewal

very very very important tip: if you drive on high speed with all deff locks on you end up losing traction, because all four suspension start jumping at the same time even if there is a negligible bump or even a small pot hole.

A +1 to that,

Apart from this, you should have tried 3 low, a great gear to build torque at the flywheel as well as momentum!

3lo is generally similar to 1 high

A.P.S.Grewal · 30th November 2009, 13:44

which place is this Sir

which route

rhandle · 30th November 2009, 14:11

@APS this place is on Guragaon faridabad road.

The first time I was going up it was with diff. locks. When I could not get through I backed up disengaged the diff. locks and then tried using momentum. What I did not use was 1st low with diff. locks.

ex670c · 30th November 2009, 14:25

Hi Rahul,

Its always the driver, not the vehicle, its attributes can help or maybe not.

A few questions/observations
1) Were you climbing diagonally, if so then the engaged Diff-Locks slow the vehicle down and tend to pull it down slope.

2) Also the gearing you were using was too Low, as a result the vehicle kept digging in, or vary the engine RPM, by tapping the throttle.

3) Try it next time by giving the throttle steady taps (a lil' longer for diesel)
This builds up momentum in the flywheel, as a result its difficult for the terrain to act up on the wheels and slow them down.

4) Deflate you tyres to 20-24psi Off-Road.

Regards,

Arka

rhandle · 8th December 2009, 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by ex670c

Hi Rahul,

Its always the driver, not the vehicle, its attributes can help or maybe not.

A few questions/observations
1) Were you climbing diagonally, if so then the engaged Diff-Locks slow the vehicle down and tend to pull it down slope.

2) Also the gearing you were using was too Low, as a result the vehicle kept digging in, or vary the engine RPM, by tapping the throttle.

3) Try it next time by giving the throttle steady taps (a lil' longer for diesel)
This builds up momentum in the flywheel, as a result its difficult for the terrain to act up on the wheels and slow them down.

4) Deflate you tyres to 20-24psi Off-Road.

Regards,

Arka

Thanks Arka, this weekend we will be again on OTR and would try with your suggestion. I was on 1st or 2nd low. Should I try it in 4 H?

rhandle · 23rd December 2009, 23:53

Recent trip to NIOC OTR!!

YouTube - vehicles trying up.MPG

Gurkha climbing up in reverse at the same place!

YouTube - Gurkha climbing in reverse .MPG

YouTube - Gurkha Pulling Jeep.MPG

YouTube - Gurkha -Down.MPG

foby.sebastian · 24th December 2009, 01:36

OMG

Awsome thread it is , I love you Gurkhaaa!!!

super snaps though.

rhandle · 24th December 2009, 15:36

Did reverse climb again on request. It just goes up!

YouTube - Gurkha does it again in reverse.MPG

17th November 2009, 07:06	#241
GrayBerry BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 174 Thanked: 22 Times	rhandle, Amazing write up, loved every picture and your experience with your Gurkha. Hats off to you & your Gurkha my friend. Gurkha seems to be an ideal fit to my needs, which are as follows 1. Reliable - Usually my buys are for a life time - understand the teething issues 2. Rugged - I abuse my ride a lot, do not get me wrong - I love and take care of my vehicle like my child 3. Cruiser - Daily (to & from office) and long drives with my family 4. Off-roading - haven't done any, but will start soon 5. Road presence - I ride a Royal Enfield - u know what I mean Said & Done, I want to take my time and decide looking at all options and YES, OM611 CRDi will make a difference. Once again, thank you very much and keep your experience flowing
	() Thanks

17th November 2009, 08:29	#242
GrayBerry BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 174 Thanked: 22 Times	Pardon me for the repeat post -My post did not show up (guess need to clear my cashe files very) Thank you rhandle & 4X4addict Yes, I have read and spoke to one of tbhp member about Mahindra Thar. On paper the vehicle looks great, the weight to power ratio is unbeatable I guess. I am listing all the advantages and disadvantages of these two vehicles (Gurkha Vs Thar) - Lets see where it takes us, will post it on a new thread. Right now am in the process of doing my homework in knowing a semi floating front axle. I am in no hurry, will take my time to choose my dream vehicle.
	() Thanks

25th November 2009, 18:12	#244
4x4addict Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,483 Thanked: 4,533 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/1 (5)	@rhandle? Where you in low range? If so, it seems to be a combination of lack of low end torque and lack of traction on the dry loose mud. I see a lot of mud being kicked up by the tires.
	() Thanks

25th November 2009, 18:22	#245
vinod_nookala Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,737 Thanked: 430 Times View My Garage	rhandle, You were not able to climb because (lack of power was not the issue)- 1. uneven terrain, vehicle jumps and lost traction 2. too lower gear leading to wheel spin Did you employ diff locks? You should have- put in 1st low, diff locks on, crawl up the slope to avoid wheel spin and accelerate as and when required gently. This way- 1. vehicle will not bounce 2. wheels will not loose traction What do you say? p.s Did a jeep do the same climb?
	() Thanks

29th November 2009, 04:41	#247
A.P.S.Grewal Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Chandigarh Posts: 21 Thanked: 8 Times	You were bouncing to much drop your air pressure and climb on 1st 4low with both the diffs locks on, in a very slow and sturdy pace, this way your foot wont jump on the accelerator and nither will the gurkha very very very important tip: if you drive on high speed with all deff locks on you end up losing traction, because all four suspension start jumping at the same time even if there is a negligible bump or even a small pot hole.
	(1) Thanks

30th November 2009, 13:44	#249
A.P.S.Grewal Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Chandigarh Posts: 21 Thanked: 8 Times	hey which place is this Sir which route
	() Thanks

30th November 2009, 14:11	#250
rhandle BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ghaziabad Posts: 549 Thanked: 117 Times	@APS this place is on Guragaon faridabad road. The first time I was going up it was with diff. locks. When I could not get through I backed up disengaged the diff. locks and then tried using momentum. What I did not use was 1st low with diff. locks.
	() Thanks

30th November 2009, 14:25	#251
ex670c Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 2,470 Thanked: 2,000 Times View My Garage	Gurkha Fail or Pass Hi Rahul, Its always the driver, not the vehicle, its attributes can help or maybe not. A few questions/observations 1) Were you climbing diagonally, if so then the engaged Diff-Locks slow the vehicle down and tend to pull it down slope. 2) Also the gearing you were using was too Low, as a result the vehicle kept digging in, or vary the engine RPM, by tapping the throttle. 3) Try it next time by giving the throttle steady taps (a lil' longer for diesel) This builds up momentum in the flywheel, as a result its difficult for the terrain to act up on the wheels and slow them down. 4) Deflate you tyres to 20-24psi Off-Road. Regards, Arka
	() Thanks

24th December 2009, 01:36	#254
foby.sebastian Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Thrissur/Kochi Posts: 2,697 Thanked: 2,840 Times View My Garage	OMG Awsome thread it is , I love you Gurkhaaa!!! super snaps though.
	() Thanks