Managed to get out for a little learning on the weekend, I've mentioned before I am an absolute 4wd novice.
Headed to Mt Big Ben and did Basin Track and Hoves trail.
It was only a little moist in some spots and my plan was to drive it with as few aids as possible until it couldn't and then keep making the minimum change to continue. I started out with 40psi and in high range for the Basin Track Climb and it was going OK grip wise but I just got a whiff of trans fluid smell and checked Torque to find the pan temp was reaching over 90, lower than Toyota's warning but high enough for me.
Low range from there on until we got to some rutted steep sections, had the ABS firing up front but still climbing. Opted to put the CDL on to stop the front scrabbling and continued on our way with no more ABS noises. Right near the peak there was a little loop that was quite soft and rutted that I had a play in, managed to find the height limit in a rut and just rub the front bash plate and drag the rear diff centre on the soft ground. Also drove over a log that swung up and lightly dented the top plate on the side step, won't be a big issue to remove and straighten. Otherwise no damage. The MUX had a couple clearance issues but otherwise did really well.
After morning tea, I took 5psi out of each tyre, down to 35, mostly for comfort, then we headed down Hoves Trail which was quite steep in sections, I had a go at the DAC, which I hate the noise of so went back to 1st gear, low range engine braking and lightly using the brakes. I could tell the brake fluid was getting warm as the pedal feel changed. The MUX had a go at DAC also and had smoke coming off the front brakes lol, he stopped using it after that and went back to engine/brakes.
At one point it was steep enough that with brake pressure on it pinched a wheel and slid a little sideways, I was able to catch it quickly and modulate brakes to stop the slide, MUX had the same issue. I think I like mud more than steep ascent/descent, descents in particular make me nervous.
We got to the bottom and found a gate and property boundary, not on the map, we didn't want to have to climb back up so we just cruised on quietly through and waved at the tradies building the new house there lol
Was good fun and some good learning, really enjoy being able to change throttle maps and also see what the temps are doing via Torque.
Next time out I'm going to stick to the creeks/pines and try and find a little mud to play in.
Tried out Snow+ foam in my foam cannon, did quite a good job for a simple foam + high pressure spray.
Looking like ECU will be sent off Monday for the remap so I should have it back in time for my trip North over easter.
Also doing 80k service this weekend, I think, Both diffs and transfer plus the usuals. I'll also check the brake fluid with my Hygrometer. I grabbed all my service bits from Toyota, I still can't beleive how competitively priced they are locally.
Couldn't get a clear shot but the view was lovely
Headed to Mt Big Ben and did Basin Track and Hoves trail.
It was only a little moist in some spots and my plan was to drive it with as few aids as possible until it couldn't and then keep making the minimum change to continue. I started out with 40psi and in high range for the Basin Track Climb and it was going OK grip wise but I just got a whiff of trans fluid smell and checked Torque to find the pan temp was reaching over 90, lower than Toyota's warning but high enough for me.
Low range from there on until we got to some rutted steep sections, had the ABS firing up front but still climbing. Opted to put the CDL on to stop the front scrabbling and continued on our way with no more ABS noises. Right near the peak there was a little loop that was quite soft and rutted that I had a play in, managed to find the height limit in a rut and just rub the front bash plate and drag the rear diff centre on the soft ground. Also drove over a log that swung up and lightly dented the top plate on the side step, won't be a big issue to remove and straighten. Otherwise no damage. The MUX had a couple clearance issues but otherwise did really well.
After morning tea, I took 5psi out of each tyre, down to 35, mostly for comfort, then we headed down Hoves Trail which was quite steep in sections, I had a go at the DAC, which I hate the noise of so went back to 1st gear, low range engine braking and lightly using the brakes. I could tell the brake fluid was getting warm as the pedal feel changed. The MUX had a go at DAC also and had smoke coming off the front brakes lol, he stopped using it after that and went back to engine/brakes.
At one point it was steep enough that with brake pressure on it pinched a wheel and slid a little sideways, I was able to catch it quickly and modulate brakes to stop the slide, MUX had the same issue. I think I like mud more than steep ascent/descent, descents in particular make me nervous.
We got to the bottom and found a gate and property boundary, not on the map, we didn't want to have to climb back up so we just cruised on quietly through and waved at the tradies building the new house there lol
Was good fun and some good learning, really enjoy being able to change throttle maps and also see what the temps are doing via Torque.
Next time out I'm going to stick to the creeks/pines and try and find a little mud to play in.
Tried out Snow+ foam in my foam cannon, did quite a good job for a simple foam + high pressure spray.
Looking like ECU will be sent off Monday for the remap so I should have it back in time for my trip North over easter.
Also doing 80k service this weekend, I think, Both diffs and transfer plus the usuals. I'll also check the brake fluid with my Hygrometer. I grabbed all my service bits from Toyota, I still can't beleive how competitively priced they are locally.
Couldn't get a clear shot but the view was lovely
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