Sand Driving

[slug Member Find all posts View Profile Close slug]

Hi guys,

just a driving query, not sure if this is the correct spot to ask it.
On the weekend i went out into the LIttle Desert national park. Found a bit of mud and plenty of sand, which is what i was after as ive never driven on it before. A mate with i think the original Jackeroo had to use low range as i think the old girls capapbilities may have deteriorated a little. The first section i used low range, but the second lot we found i thought id leave it in HL, which correct me im wrong is pretty much High 4? I managed fine but it has been raining here so wasnt soft at all. Is that the right thing to do, presumably when it gets tougher ill have to use low range? And using low range would i assume be less damaging to the track?
Anything you can point out would be much appreciated.

Cheers

Slug

[lc120_man Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close lc120_man]

It will take some time before you can easily decide for yourself to go hiigh or low range in specific situation... Some dunes you can only do in high range as you have to have a momentum to get over them, other sections require high torque and good speed... In Petrol Prado Low Range second seems to work the best...

High or low - just need to pick what works best for your car for specific
obstacle

[slug Member Find all posts View Profile Close slug]

Excellent, good to know there is no hard fast rule i should stick to!

Slug

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Canning stock Route, multiple Simpson crossings, Madigan Line, and Googs both up and down. Done in 120 petrol and 150 2.8 diesel, both auto. I pretty much drive in the desert in S mode and for dunes go to ist gear HIGH range and aim for about 1800rpm and after going over the top of dunes flick the lever back across to drive and let the auto choose. Back to S1 for next dune. Centre diff locked and traction and stability control OFF for whole time in the desert. Tyres at 16 to 18 psi HOT. I only use low range in the desert very rarely eg on a particularly hot and soft day while heavily loaded on Big Red and 1 or 2 rough steep Madigan Line dunes. In those cases I used low range S3 and all of the above unchanged.
All of this works for me when heavily loaded. It has the added benefit of keeping fuel consumption low(ish) in the desert and doesn't cut up the dunes like 4000 wheel spinning rpm in low range.
Low tyre pressures are the key.