[R_R]

A question for any of the GV gurus here: what is the safe top speed in a GV when driving in 4H Lock and 4L? And what is the highest gears you can be in when driving in 4H Lock and 4L? Any such limits?

[Samurai]

The lock mode and top speed should not be discussed in the same sentence. If you are thinking about driving fast, you better not be doing that in terrains that require diff locking. It is not safe.

Beach is the only place where I have driven fast with locks on. But even empty beaches can have hidden surprises. So you can never really drive fast safely with locks on.

[theMAG]

Did the GVs sold in India ever come with the V6 option? Almost all surviving GVs I've observed here seem to have a V6 - which would make such a light car incredibly vicious !

[Samurai]

The previous generation (1998–2005) of Grand Vitara, also known as Vitara XL-7 did have V6 in India.

[R_R]

Originally Posted by Samurai

The lock mode and top speed should not be discussed in the same sentence. If you are thinking about driving fast, you better not be doing that in terrains that require diff locking. It is not safe.

Beach is the only place where I have driven fast with locks on. But even empty beaches can have hidden surprises. So you can never really drive fast safely with locks on.

Oh, I may have given the wrong impression. I absolutely do not plan to do that, no speed-demon me . I was just asking because I do not want by mistake to drive too fast or in too high a gear when 4H lock or 4L. I am primarily concerned about what is safe for the car mechanically. Can I assume that 40-50 kms/hr in 4th gear is OK in 4H Lock and, say 30 kms/hr in 3rd gear is OK in 4L? Thanks.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by R_R

I am primarily concerned about what is safe for the car mechanically. Can I assume that 40-50 kms/hr in 4th gear is OK in 4H Lock and, say 30 kms/hr in 3rd gear is OK in 4L? Thanks.

What kind of terrain? Tar, slush, sand, snow, gravel... That information is necessary.

[R_R]

Originally Posted by Samurai

What kind of terrain? Tar, slush, sand, snow, gravel... That information is necessary.

Rough tracks, broken roads, water-crossings, maybe a bit of snow. Planning a Gurgaon-Leh-Manali-Gurgaon trip. Thanks.

[sridhar-v]

Wait for the experts to give a definitive opinion.

Based on my limited experience with off-roading & bad-roading I would say that :-
1. 4LL is good for crawling over rock obstacles and steep slippery slopes.(or crossing water bodies - which I did). I guess 10-20 kmph may be the maximum safe speed. The engine heats up a lot in 4LL though.
2. 4HL is a sort of insurance for trails where you expect to loose traction. Should be good for snow, though I have no experience.

I have done a few longish stretches of deep mud & slush. 4H was more than adequate, though the vehicle did slide around a lot.
For standard unprepared trails with small rocks and loose soil I have found 4H to be more than enough. That should also apply to majority of the roads in Leh.

In almost all situations I drive in either 4H or directly go for 4LL.

Go for good AT tyres. They play a major role in traction. Continental CrossContact AT is the choice of the Himalyan Rally chaps.

[R_R]

Thanks. Much appreciated. When you say 10-20 kms/hr on 4LL, that's on 2nd gear, correct? Or do you have to stay on 1st gear? I don't do any hardcore off-roading, so these rather basic questions. Did do Spiti road a couple of years back (Shimla-Narkanda-Kaza-Losar-Manali), but that's about the hardest I've done. And hardly had any use 4HL or 4LL there. I am on MRF Wanderer ATs, upsized to 235/70/R-16, with slightly over 20K kms on it. Looks good still. Again, thanks.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by R_R

Rough tracks, broken roads, water-crossings, maybe a bit of snow. Planning a Gurgaon-Leh-Manali-Gurgaon trip. Thanks.

For rough tracks and broken roads (good traction), you can stay in 4H-Unlocked. Only for water crossing and snow, you can switch to 4L-locked. Only if you have slushy roads, you may need 4H-locked.

[wanderernomad]

While on sand and slush you need higher momentum and therefore 2 gear is preferred, while on loose gravel and small rocky path slow and steady is the key so you would be in 1 to ensure a more stable movement.

[R_R]

Thanks for all the advice. Very useful.

[sridhar-v]

Originally Posted by R_R

Thanks. Much appreciated. When you say 10-20 kms/hr on 4LL, that's on 2nd gear, correct? Or do you have to stay on 1st gear? I don't do any hardcore off-roading, so these rather basic questions. Did do Spiti road a couple of years back (Shimla-Narkanda-Kaza-Losar-Manali), but that's about the hardest I've done. And hardly had any use 4HL or 4LL there. I am on MRF Wanderer ATs, upsized to 235/70/R-16, with slightly over 20K kms on it. Looks good still. Again, thanks.

I have an AT gearbox. This has 2 advantages:-
i) The torque convertor acts as a torque multiplier in addition to the step up of the low range.
ii) The engine does not stall as a suitable gear is automatically selected. My guess is that the gearbox keeps it in 1st. or 2nd. depending on the speed. But I can tell you that the torque is humungous.

4H should cover most of the situations. Go directly to 4LL in tricky patches and slow down suitably.

Service the transfer case selector mechanism, as lack of frequent usage sort of jams it in 4H position. A sticky lever action can create trouble in the field. A shot of WD40 will do the trick. Access to the mechanism is poor so it may be best to get it done by MASS.

Do post a travelogue. All the best.

[sudev]

Going to Leh? Unless you plan to off-road in Nubra sands you would not even need 4HL.

Oh you would need 4LL if you plan to take shortcuts at Gata loops or Tanglanla

[sridhar-v]

On a lighter note:

The wipers were due for a change and i decided to maximise the swept area. The old ones were a 17" pair.
So, with some measurements and trials. I finally went in for a combination of 22" for the driver side and 20" for the passenger side.

Have used it for a couple of trips after the change. The wiper motor is taking the load. Also clear area on the windscreen has improved dramatically.