Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

Howzit,

I did the Dewildt trail last Saturday with the new (to me) 4.8 to get to grips with it. Went with some mates, one with a Fortuner and one with a hilux d4d.

Ive done Dewildt a couple months before with my previous GQ Patrol, so I knew there was nothing extreme to worry about this time.

We started the trail a little differently, instead of starting in the normal direction we went to the right, and started at some very rocky obstacles. At first glance it didnt look too bad, although it was almost impossible to even walk up the rocks as they were so slippery, but still, I wasnt worried. The fortuner went up with very little fuss, then it was my turn. Man, did I make a meal of it - I realise now that I should have been a bit more patient and let the tyres down properly, but I thought I would be fine. I slipped and skidded all over the rocks, and really struggled to find any kind of throttle control - this is my first automatic 4x4, man did I struggle, I just couldn't be smooth, the throttle was either on or off, so I was lurching forward through the obstacle, and with every lurch over a rock, the towbar or bumper would smash into the rocks as the vehicle bounced through! I eventually took it out of low range to try and reduce the sensitivity of the throttle. It was serious amateur driving, and by the time I got to the top I was ready to call it a day and go home!! So on the first obstacle I had spun out about R1000 worth of new BFG tyres, ripped off the rear mud flap thing, and torn the underside of the rear bumper!
The hilux then went through with a bit of spinning, but no where near the drama of me.

After that it was plain sailing though, the mud and cross axles and everything else were as easy as anything, and in true Patrol fashion you look for the deepest ruts and axle twisters and steepest climbs for a bit of a challenge.

Gert se Klip was nothing as well, even though it was very slippery from the rain, at least I kind of redeemed myself there as the hilux and fortuner didnt get it on the first try like I did.

So ya, at the beginning of the day all I wanted was my old GQ back, and I was really not a happy chap, but by the end of the day I was happy again.
I think when I get the proper suspension on that will help alot too, the suspension in at the moment is extremely soft (and very dangerous I feel), so that should help things.
Oh, and next time I'll deflate the tyres properly too!

Heres some pics:

Very nice

We got our 4.8's around the same time. And they are both almost the same colour.

And here lies the rub of automatic gearboxes in a 4x4.

Most of the time, they are great, but on bumpy terrain, they require a new level of throttle control!

But, the good news is, it will come with practice.

Glad you enjoyed it in the end Graham. I had a go in a 4m8 once or twice, and the throttle is something to get used to.

Did you have a look at the new section of "extreme" trails that I heard of at De Wildt? Will be opening by the end of May.

Michael wrote:Glad you enjoyed it in the end Graham. I had a go in a 4m8 once or twice, and the throttle is something to get used to.

Did you have a look at the new section of "extreme" trails that I heard of at De Wildt? Will be opening by the end of May.

No, we unfortunately didn't see anything on the new trail. My one mate chatted briefly to the owner (I think it was the owner) about it, he also said by end May it will be ready. Seems to be a very clever move by Dewildt, this new trail is the talk of the town with the 4x4 guys hey!

Yes, I agree.
What they may have learned is that not all 4x4 customers want the same thing.
Some guys would rather go to At se Gat and Moegatle, rather than deWildt as they did not have a similar offering to compete (until now).

Hey Graham

To follow on to what Peter said, bumpy terrain is the hardest to drive with an Auto-Petrol. Our 4.8's have a lot of power and in low-range it's something else. I really had to get that throttle control controlled, so to speak. Were the Hilux and Fortuner both diesel?

graham1 wrote:Man, did I make a meal of it

I know the feeling - moving from a manual Hardbody to a 4.8 auto....

graham1 wrote:I realize now that I should have been a bit more patient and let the tyres down properly,

What was the pressure when you were jumping all over the place?

graham1 wrote:I think when I get the proper suspension on that will help alot too

Makes the world's difference - especially on these big boys of ours.

Rhett wrote:Hey Graham

To follow on to what Peter said, bumpy terrain is the hardest to drive with an Auto-Petrol. Our 4.8's have a lot of power and in low-range it's something else. I really had to get that throttle control controlled, so to speak. Were the Hilux and Fortuner both diesel?

Hi Rhett,

Yes, I actually remember now, years and years ago I did a 4x4 course with my old landy and there was a guy there with a Jeep wrangler auto who was having major issues with accelerator control as well, I remember the instructor told him he needs to try and wedge his foot/leg against the door or something else to try control it a bit more, I better try that next time.
The Hilux and fortuner were both diesel manuals.

George, the tyre pressures were around 2bar I think, I must double check again - but basically they were so hard I havent inflated them again since the trail.