While driving a 4×4 vehicle through the mud can be as much fun as playing in the mud was back when you were in diapers, the consequences of not being prepared when mud driving goes wrong can make even grown men make a mess in their pants! There is much more than meets the eye to successful off-roading through the mud, so allow me to share some beginner’s tips on getting your 4×4 muddy. Read the full article »

Need some help installing your ARB air-locker? Use this handy wiring diagram to sort out all those electrical gremlins. Read the full article »

Automotive differentials are a unique benefit to 4×4 vehicles in terms of traction in driving situations. In general, a differential resides in the axles of vehicle wheels to distribute an equal rotational motion to all the wheels when turning and traveling forward amidst uneven road conditions. Unlocked or open differentials allow wheels to rotate at different speeds while making a turn. Locked differentials work by locking the two front or back tires and causing them to rotate at the same speeds, regardless of the existing traction. Read the full article »

While 4×4 enthusiasts and off-roaders everywhere have long since gotten used to internal combustion engines and monstrous engine roars, it may be time to reimagine the way 4×4’s of the future will be powered. With the recent popularity and environment-friendly benefits of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) is the 4×4 wheel getting ready to be reinvented? Read the full article »

One of the major things to take into account when selecting a winch for your 4×4 is the maximum static load, or line pull rating. This is the force that can be exerted by the first wrap of the cable on the drum, decreasing the torque on the winch by 12% for each successive wrap. For electric winches, the line pull, line speed, and current draw will tell how much weight can be pulled, how fast this weight can be pulled (in ft/min) and how many amps this effort will require. These figures are important when selecting a winch and should be advised by an expert in case you don’t know what’s best. Read the full article »

A vehicle jack is an essential part of a 4×4 off-road vehicle’s recovery accessories. There will always be a clear and present danger of getting stuck when traveling on unpaved road, obviously. But not as obviously is the difference between traditional vehicle jacks, and using an exhaust (air) jack to get the job done. When is an exhaust jack preferable over a regular, and vice versa? Read the full article »

The NSW RTA have released a discussion paper proposing that 4wd vehicles be forced all to carry, and if required, wear chains in snowfields across NSW. Initial re-actions to the proposal seem quiet. Perhaps a simmering fury waiting to be unleashed, or maybe they’ve cleverly slipped the paper under everyone’s guard. Read the full article »

I realized two things today, that generosity and compassion still exists, and that with a little thought, and a little passion, you can turn your hobby into something even greater.

Inspiration for this post came from these two separate initiatives. Read the full article »

This checklist has been designed to help plan what you need to take on your next camping trip. It’s a solid start but you may need to customize it to suit your own particular needs. If you’ve got any feedback on the Ultimate Camping Checklist, don’t hesitate to let me know.

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Note: Can be opened with Acrobat and Adobe Reader 5.0 and later.

Mini have finally taken the curtain off their 4X4 crossover concept. Due to hit stores in 2010 this 4 meter long mini will the number 4 in the line up.

Not a heap of data is available, as the car is still in it’s concept stage, but with sliding doors and a retracting tailgate window, there’s a bit of work to be done…

I doubt well see much mud on these things when they’re released in 2010 but the mini go-cart style handling should be a whole lotta fun…
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