Beginner seeks basic advice on 4x4 driving

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P

Phibius

Guest
I'm planning a drive through the easier bits of the highlands of
Iceland, for which purpose I have arranged to rent a Suzuki Jimny. I
understand there'll be fairly rough gravel roads, and some rivers to
ford, but probably no ice or snow. Now, I'm used to driving the back
roads of Ireland in an ordinary 2-wheel drive car with manual
transmission and have never driven a 4-wheel drive vehicle of any
description - how different (difficult) is the transition likely to be,
and does anyone have any advice I might find useful?

 

"Phibius" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm planning a drive through the easier bits of the highlands of
> Iceland, for which purpose I have arranged to rent a Suzuki Jimny. I
> understand there'll be fairly rough gravel roads, and some rivers to
> ford, but probably no ice or snow. Now, I'm used to driving the back
> roads of Ireland in an ordinary 2-wheel drive car with manual
> transmission and have never driven a 4-wheel drive vehicle of any
> description - how different (difficult) is the transition likely to be,
> and does anyone have any advice I might find useful?
>
Best advice is don't go alone, try to go with someone else who has a wench
or go in a group.


 
Everytime I go out with a wench all she does is scream, no help
what-so-ever.

"spr" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Phibius" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> I'm planning a drive through the easier bits of the highlands of
>> Iceland, for which purpose I have arranged to rent a Suzuki Jimny. I
>> understand there'll be fairly rough gravel roads, and some rivers to
>> ford, but probably no ice or snow. Now, I'm used to driving the back
>> roads of Ireland in an ordinary 2-wheel drive car with manual
>> transmission and have never driven a 4-wheel drive vehicle of any
>> description - how different (difficult) is the transition likely to be,
>> and does anyone have any advice I might find useful?
>>
> Best advice is don't go alone, try to go with someone else who has a wench
> or go in a group.
>


 

Phibius wrote:
> I'm planning a drive through the easier bits of the highlands of
> Iceland, for which purpose I have arranged to rent a Suzuki Jimny. I
> understand there'll be fairly rough gravel roads, and some rivers to
> ford, but probably no ice or snow. Now, I'm used to driving the back
> roads of Ireland in an ordinary 2-wheel drive car with manual
> transmission and have never driven a 4-wheel drive vehicle of any
> description - how different (difficult) is the transition likely to be,
> and does anyone have any advice I might find useful?

If you intend to drive the Kjölur route or other of the easier bits of
the highlands here then you do not need a 4 wheel drive car at all.

 
When you've completed your trip be sure to e-mail me with a report. I
have an internet Radio show about 4 Wheeling. 4 Wheeling Today can be
heard
each Tuesday at 6 pm Pacific time. Archived shows are available at
http://www.4wheelingtoday.com I'm also looking for pics of rigs to post
on the site. If any one is interested send pic to [email protected].
Also looking to trade links with clubs.

Thanks

Bob

 

[email protected] wrote:

> If you intend to drive the Kjölur route or other of the easier bits of
> the highlands here then you do not need a 4 wheel drive car at all.

Very reassuring - actually, the Kjölur route is the one I was thinking
of, but it is likely we'll be making short excursions on some other
roads / tracks.

 
rofl, that was a good one and totally unexpected! lol again!

Doug


"Greg" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:k1PJe.145717$%K2.110018@pd7tw1no...
> Everytime I go out with a wench all she does is scream, no help
> what-so-ever.
>
> "spr" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> "Phibius" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> I'm planning a drive through the easier bits of the highlands of
>>> Iceland, for which purpose I have arranged to rent a Suzuki Jimny. I
>>> understand there'll be fairly rough gravel roads, and some rivers to
>>> ford, but probably no ice or snow. Now, I'm used to driving the back
>>> roads of Ireland in an ordinary 2-wheel drive car with manual
>>> transmission and have never driven a 4-wheel drive vehicle of any
>>> description - how different (difficult) is the transition likely to be,
>>> and does anyone have any advice I might find useful?
>>>
>> Best advice is don't go alone, try to go with someone else who has a
>> wench or go in a group.
>>
>
>


 
Actually, now that I have a real Icelander to ask - what about the
Sprengisandur route, the F26?
I understand that it is more scenic than the Kjölur route, but also
more rugged. Worth doing? Or too tough for one Suzuki Jimny travelling
on its own?

 

Phibius wrote:
> Actually, now that I have a real Icelander to ask - what about the
> Sprengisandur route, the F26?
> I understand that it is more scenic than the Kjölur route, but also
> more rugged. Worth doing? Or too tough for one Suzuki Jimny travelling
> on its own?

I think it is worth doing and not too tough for the Jimny provided that
you take care in fording the unbridged rivers and preferably wait until
there is another car doing the crossing so you can see which is the
safest route etc.
There are two or three rivers on the northern half of the route that
are unbridged but they sould not be dangerous this late in the summer.
But you need to be careful, heed advice that you get and so on.

 
"Phibius" wrote:
>I’m planning a drive through the easier bits of the highlands of
>Iceland, for which purpose I have arranged to rent a Suzuki Jimny. I
>understand there’ll be fairly rough gravel roads, and some
>rivers to
>ford, but probably no ice or snow. Now, I’m used to driving the
>back
>roads of Ireland in an ordinary 2-wheel drive car with manual
>transmission and have never driven a 4-wheel drive vehicle of any
>description - how different (difficult) is the transition likely to
>be,
>and does anyone have any advice I might find useful?


The most basic rule is when in doubt about the terrain, get out and
look at it and is you are not sure do not drive through it. You should
bring a Hi Lift jack and a few tow straps too. Also if you get stuck,
do not panic and make it worse because it is a lot easier to get a
vehical out if you do not panic and bury it trying to get it out. If
it will not move, stop and access the problem, do not make it worse
even if it means waiting for help. Lots of people turn a minor stuck
into a major one when they panic and mire the vehical badly.

--
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Besides the Hi Lift jack, pack a couple of decent-sized wood
planks (at least 18" square x 2" thick) should you happen to
need additional footing for the jack on wet/soft ground. If
I remember correctly, there aren't that many trees thataway,
so if you get stuck in mud without a winch, you'll have to
wait for another vehicle (two would be better) to yank you
out with the tow straps. Good luck!

Franko

"SnoMan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Phibius" wrote:
> >I'm planning a drive through the easier bits of the
highlands of
> >Iceland, for which purpose I have arranged to rent a
Suzuki Jimny. I
> >understand there'll be fairly rough gravel roads, and
some
> >rivers to
> >ford, but probably no ice or snow. Now, I'm used to
driving the
> >back
> >roads of Ireland in an ordinary 2-wheel drive car with
manual
> >transmission and have never driven a 4-wheel drive
vehicle of any
> >description - how different (difficult) is the transition
likely to
> >be,
> >and does anyone have any advice I might find useful?
>
>
> The most basic rule is when in doubt about the terrain,
get out and
> look at it and is you are not sure do not drive through
it. You should
> bring a Hi Lift jack and a few tow straps too. Also if you
get stuck,
> do not panic and make it worse because it is a lot easier
to get a
> vehical out if you do not panic and bury it trying to get
it out. If
> it will not move, stop and access the problem, do not make
it worse
> even if it means waiting for help. Lots of people turn a
minor stuck
> into a major one when they panic and mire the vehical
badly.
>
> --
> Posted using the http://www.autoforumz.com interface, at
author's request
> Articles individually checked for conformance to usenet
standards
> Topic URL:
http://www.autoforumz.com/4X4-Beginner-seeks-basic-advice-driving-ftopict132809.html
> Visit Topic URL to contact author (reg. req'd). Report
abuse: http://www.autoforumz.com/eform.php?p=646026


 
Something that no one has mentioned that I feel is THE most important advice
for 4x4'ing is, when going thru some muck or soft stuff, keep on the gas,
don't hit your brake, in fact, if you find yourself bogging down, give it
more gas! But whatever you do, keep your momentum going! Don't creep into
stuff slowly. Now of course, if you going over boulders and the like, you
want to do that slowly.

Doug


"Phibius" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm planning a drive through the easier bits of the highlands of
> Iceland, for which purpose I have arranged to rent a Suzuki Jimny. I
> understand there'll be fairly rough gravel roads, and some rivers to
> ford, but probably no ice or snow. Now, I'm used to driving the back
> roads of Ireland in an ordinary 2-wheel drive car with manual
> transmission and have never driven a 4-wheel drive vehicle of any
> description - how different (difficult) is the transition likely to be,
> and does anyone have any advice I might find useful?
>


 
"" wrote:
> Something that no one has mentioned that I feel is THE most
> important advice
> for 4x4'ing is, when going thru some muck or soft stuff, keep
> on the gas,
> don't hit your brake, in fact, if you find yourself bogging
> down, give it
> more gas! But whatever you do, keep your momentum going!
> Don't creep into
> stuff slowly. Now of course, if you going over boulders and
> the like, you
> want to do that slowly.
>
> Doug
>
>
> "Phibius" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I'm planning a drive through the easier bits of the
> highlands of
> > Iceland, for which purpose I have arranged to rent a Suzuki
> Jimny. I
> > understand there'll be fairly rough gravel roads, and some
> rivers to
> > ford, but probably no ice or snow. Now, I'm used to driving
> the back
> > roads of Ireland in an ordinary 2-wheel drive car with
> manual
> > transmission and have never driven a 4-wheel drive vehicle
> of any
> > description - how different (difficult) is the transition
> likely to be,
> > and does anyone have any advice I might find useful?
> >

you dont wanna dig yourself in, gas isnt always the best thing. you do
wanna keep moving in mud and such; but if you lose your momentum dont
dig yourself in. I would stress going with a buddy who knows whats
what.

--
Posted using the http://www.autoforumz.com interface, at author's request
Articles individually checked for conformance to usenet standards
Topic URL: http://www.autoforumz.com/4X4-Beginner-seeks-basic-advice-driving-ftopict132809.html
Visit Topic URL to contact author (reg. req'd). Report abuse: http://www.autoforumz.com/eform.php?p=647745
 
close your eyes and step on the gas and hope for the best haha....

 
Just got back - some details & 4x4-type photos will follow - the
scenery was barren, epic in scale, weirdly beautiful, and the vehicles
the locals drive are monstrous (and they need to be, considering where
they go). Thanks to all for the advice - I did the Kjolur route, and
part of the Sprengisandur (had to turn back when the snowdrifts got too
deep). Did get a little stuck, but only twice and only slightly, once
in sand and once in snow. Rivers were forded, happily without incident
(just very, very cold when I walked through them to scout a safe path,
except for one that was actually steaming - geothermally heated by an
old lava flow).

A more detailed account, with photos, will follow...

 
As promised, some samples of Icelandic transport...

<a
href="http://phibius-log.blogspot.com/2005/09/transport-icelandic-style.html">http://phibius-log.blogspot.com/2005/09/transport-icelandic-style.html</a>

 
Your links don't work, all I get is a blank blog site....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Phibius wrote:
>
> As promised, some samples of Icelandic transport...
>
> <a
> href="http://phibius-log.blogspot.com/2005/09/transport-icelandic-style.html">http://phibius-log.blogspot.com/2005/09/transport-icelandic-style.html</a>
 
Just checked, and it is still working for me - maybe it timed out -
several photos on that page?

 
It must only work for Microcrap users. Too bad for the rest of us....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Phibius wrote:
>
> Okay, looked at further - I can see you seem to have tried a few page
> refreshs, to no avail - maybe try the main page,
> http://phibius-log.blogspot.com/. Site is really working, honest...
 
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