Low Range Driving Technique ?????

[ova50]

I've had my vehicle now for about 16 months, and up until yesterday have only driven in 2wd or 4x4 high (beach).
Yesterday we headed out to do some tracks around Lithgow NSW.
For those of you that know the area, we drove to "The Lost City", down "Black Fellows Hand" and then up "Baal Bone Gap" cutting back down "Long Swamp Rd".
My previous vehicles have been Pajeros, autos and manuals and all petrol powered, and have travelled the above tracks many times with them.
Yesterday I was having a lot of trouble controlling the engine revs/power while climbing the steeper and rougher sections.
I found it difficult to keep revs and speed constant. First time it happened, my wife looked at me and said "what the "F" are you doing". She thought I was deliberately doing it to annoy her.
I am hoping that someone may be able to supply some pointers of how to overcome this. ( I dont mean my wife yelling at me)

[Winnie]

Is it because your foot is bouncing off the pedal? You won't have a hand throttle to use unfortunately, but you can jam your foot hard against the kick panel while on the pedal and it won't bounce around so much.

[Maxhead]

Do you mean your foot keeps jerking the pedal?

The CRD throttle is so sensitive they are hard to drive smoothly. Get yourself some high density foam and stick it under the pedal and if that is not enough try and wedge your knee under the dash/door which will reduce the leg movement giving you better foot control.
I've always had the foam and it its great but Nissan removed it just recently when they changed the TPS and it was terrible last trip without it.

[threedogs]

its called "Toyota lurch" as winnie says bang your leg against the kick panel then rock your foot side to side other than pointing your toe.
Keeps revs around 1800 and second low will see you conquer most stuff, you'll need to keep it on boost most of the time

[ova50]

Yes, my foot jerking on the throttle.
I had selected and held in first gear. Should I have place the lever in second or can I use the switch on the consul and set to auto.

[macca]

Oh to have so much power on tap, my old bus just wobbles along so I cant say I've experienced your problem :clapping:

[happygu]

Ova,

It is something you have to get used to with the Fly-By-Wire throttle....

I have noticed that it is more difficult to keep it smooth in 3rd Low - 1st and 2nd are good after you 'adjust' and get used to it

Mic

[firm351]

we drove to "The Lost City", down "Black Fellows Hand" and then up "Baal Bone Gap" cutting back down "Long Swap Rd".

How was the road down to the lost city mate? I used to live there and go on those tracks all the time, i went home at xmas time and my old man told me not go down the lost city track because its too hard these days so i didnt bother, maybe hes just too old these days.

Have you ever tried a track just near the lost city called bushranger bobs hill? I could never get up that one, but i was driving a land cruiser in those days;)

[growler2058]

Do you mean your foot keeps jerking the pedal?

The CRD throttle is so sensitive they are hard to drive smoothly. Get yourself some high density foam and stick it under the pedal and if that is not enough try and wedge your knee under the dash/door which will reduce the leg movement giving you better foot control.
I've always had the foam and it its great but Nissan removed it just recently when they changed the TPS and it was terrible last trip without it.

You're just a sh1t driver mate, we discussed this remember? I still got whiplash

[Maxhead]

You're just a sh1t driver mate, we discussed this remember? I still got whiplash


Maaaate, you're just too used to your old slug! The mighty CRD power hurt your neck, did it??? Bwhahahah...
I remember you telling me you want one???LOL

[Winnie]

Maaaate, you're just too used to your old slug! The mighty CRD power hurt your neck, did it??? Bwhahahah...
I remember you telling me you want one???LOL

I recall you saying "but I wish it was a 4.2"

[growler2058]

I recall you saying "but I wish it was a 4.2"

Yup and 10 others!

[ova50]

How was the road down to the lost city mate? I used to live there and go on those tracks all the time, i went home at xmas time and my old man told me not go down the lost city track because its too hard these days so i didnt bother, maybe hes just too old these days.

Have you ever tried a track just near the lost city called bushranger bobs hill? I could never get up that one, but i was driving a land cruiser in those days;)

The track to the Lost City wasn't too bad. A few years back they blocked off the last section with boulders that takes you right to the bottom. It looked like it would be a tight squeeze to get past them.

Don't know of Bushrangers Hill. Only the power line track on the left at the start of the Lost City track.
The Spanish Steps, (off Black Fellows Hand), had a locked gate fitted there a few years back, we didn't bother to check, so I don't know if it is still a no go area.
We hadn't been out there for about 18 months. The tracks are getting chewed up. Up Baal Bone is probably the worst I have seen.
What was a surprise, is that the road to Newnes from the bottom of the mountain is now tar sealed except for the last 8ks or so.

[firm351]

What was a surprise, is that the road to Newnes from the bottom of the mountain is now tar sealed except for the last 8ks or so.

All the rich bastards going down to that fancy emirates resort must have kicked up a stink about the gravel road. notice the bitumen stops just past their gate.

[threedogs]

Auto is ok for dirt roads and light 4x4ing but if climbing over
rocks and up steep hill it would be best to put the hubs on lock

[ova50]

Auto is ok for dirt roads and light 4x4ing but if climbing over
rocks and up steep hill it would be best to put the hubs on lock

Had the hubs locked in and using first gear and low range on the steep climbs.
Just think its a matter of adjusting my style and try what others have mentioned, and getting use to the vehicle.
Apart from my foot bouncing on and off the throttle, I was surprised by how stable and easy it climbed up the rougher stuff.
Low range seems lower geared than my previous vehicle.
I will just keep practising. :cheers:

[lhurley]

Had the hubs locked in and using first gear and low range on the steep climbs.
Just think its a matter of adjusting my style and try what others have mentioned, and getting use to the vehicle.
Apart from my foot bouncing on and off the throttle, I was surprised by how stable and easy it climbed up the rougher stuff.
Low range seems lower geared than my previous vehicle.
I will just keep practising. :cheers:

Try running in 2nd. Hopefully it will rev high enough to stay on boost. I usually run in 2nd in low 4, mainly cause 1st is to jerky.

[OlTroll]

I have the same problem in my NA TD42 GQ LWB. Need hand throttle to help moderate throttle overall, that way I can't let the throttle drop back too far to stall.

[ova50]

Try running in 2nd. Hopefully it will rev high enough to stay on boost. I usually run in 2nd in low 4, mainly cause 1st is to jerky.

My vehicle is auto transmission, are you referring to manual or suggesting I select 2nd.


I have the same problem in my NA TD42 GQ LWB. Need hand throttle to help moderate throttle overall, that way I can't let the throttle drop back too far to stall.

In some ways Im pleased I posted this, I was beginning to think it was me. :icon_bonk:

[lhurley]

My vehicle is auto transmission, are you referring to manual or suggesting I select 2nd.

Sorry yea I did mean lock it back in 2nd on the auto. Have a play around, might just be unfamiliar to the way the car reacts. Don't be scared to try different things. Find a play area and do a track a couple times in different gears to see what you like and how the car reacts.

[ova50]

Sorry yea I did mean lock it back in 2nd on the auto. Have a play around, might just be unfamiliar to the way the car reacts. Don't be scared to try different things. Find a play area and do a track a couple times in different gears to see what you like and how the car reacts.

I agree, about being unfamiliar with the vehicle (low range).
Hope to head out to another area in the next couple of weeks so will have a play around.:cheers: