I did the first two days of a three-day 4wd course on the weekend, and need some advice on tackling steep, rocky climbs.
Firstly, I have a NX manual with 14Kkm, with fresh 50mm lift HD springs. The tyres are Dueler 697s (265/65, 70% tread) at 20 psi. Although I have a TJM steel bar, winch and LR tank, it is oversprung when unladen.
Many of the climbs were tight through trees and rocky - shaley, but grippy (when the wheels were on the ground....).
I found that I struggled to hold the recommended 2nd gear (LR). If I went as slow as asked, or necessary to wind between trees, the revs dropped to below 1500, when the throttle became unresponsive. When this happened, it either:
In all of these circumstances I didn't feel in control of the vehicle - I couldn't feel how much throttle had been dialled in (the throttle was unresponsive), and whether it dies or proceeded was a function of the terrain and my ability to moderate flaring revs in a way that avoided losing turbo spool but minimising wheelspin (TC seemed a little slow....).
I could easily drive up these slopes in first, but was advised that this was too dangerous as 1st had too much torque, and there was too much risk of breaking traction.
I am obviously inexperienced, and do need to learn better throttle control, but I am reasonable mechanically attuned and sensitive to engine load/control.
Any thoughts appreciated
Firstly, I have a NX manual with 14Kkm, with fresh 50mm lift HD springs. The tyres are Dueler 697s (265/65, 70% tread) at 20 psi. Although I have a TJM steel bar, winch and LR tank, it is oversprung when unladen.
Many of the climbs were tight through trees and rocky - shaley, but grippy (when the wheels were on the ground....).
I found that I struggled to hold the recommended 2nd gear (LR). If I went as slow as asked, or necessary to wind between trees, the revs dropped to below 1500, when the throttle became unresponsive. When this happened, it either:
- stalled
- the revs flared (5-700rpm) when it lifted a wheel, and if I caught it cleanly, it would proceed up,
- it chugged up without my ability to increase revs (EDIT heart in throat, waiting for stall)
In all of these circumstances I didn't feel in control of the vehicle - I couldn't feel how much throttle had been dialled in (the throttle was unresponsive), and whether it dies or proceeded was a function of the terrain and my ability to moderate flaring revs in a way that avoided losing turbo spool but minimising wheelspin (TC seemed a little slow....).
I could easily drive up these slopes in first, but was advised that this was too dangerous as 1st had too much torque, and there was too much risk of breaking traction.
I am obviously inexperienced, and do need to learn better throttle control, but I am reasonable mechanically attuned and sensitive to engine load/control.
Any thoughts appreciated
Comment