Atif

Congratulations @Vanessa8580! You deserve it.

On 12/23/2020 at 12:17 PM, Rahimdad said:

 

Thank you @Atif bhai for sharing this interesting video, maybe someday we can go out to the sands and make our own video by trying out the certain options available in your car. It will be so much more helpful for the conditions we drive in.

The more I read and watch videos the more keen I am to try the different options of traction control and central diff lock in a ‘stuck’ situation. 
As Prado 2014, surprisingly doesn’t have a rear or front diff lock ( at least in my Prado’s model and year) I wonder if Traction Control activation helps to direct torque to the correct wheels ? Currently I switch off TRC as soon we start an off-road drive so next time I will take up your offer @Rahimdad bhai to try the various combinations of TRC and Central diff lock to get to the bottom of this.

Congratulations @Barry ! Have a happy married life.

@Frederic thanks for managing this drive. Another well-spent active weekend in the desert thanks to you for sacrificing Christmas Day that you could have spent on a personal plan on your own. Shows your commitment and passion for this desert activity.

The drive had its fair share of learning for me too as it was the first fewbie drive of the year. It helped that the number of cars and being in a sweep position provided the right amount of learning opportunities. 
Thanks to all who participated and supported each other in today’s drive.

Special thanks to @MUHAMMAD Kashif RAZZAQ for keeping me informed of places my prado had to be careful.

While viewing videos on Prado Diff-lock usage and during the subsequent discussion on Carnity forum, I came across a good video about the way traction control helps in off-road conditions and this may apply to all FJs , LCs and possibly other 4x4s. It appears that the TRC will activate even if kept Off in certain circumstances.

https://youtu.be/XpY_QDM8Fqc

18 minutes ago, Gaurav said:

https://www.toyota.co.nz/about-toyota/toyota-news/2010/2009/new-prado-conquers-on-and-off-road-terrain/

This is very useful info. It means I can use the diff lock more often off-road than I thought I could. Need to try out all combination sometime in future. 

Just now, Gaurav said:

Central diff-lock you can use it any time and take turns too (not only on straight incline) as its locking the central drive shaft for equal front and rear power split without locking any wheels.

But don't use rear diff-lock for normal driving.

10 minutes ago, Gaurav said:

Good point clarified @Rahimdad

@Atif You shouldn't use rear diff lock for any climbing or driving.

However you can safely use center diff lock for climbing or even on normal desert driving where you constantly need to negotiate hard with cross tracks, steep sudden climbs etc. for better grip and stability.

With central diff lock ON engine power is getting equally split in front and rear by 50:50 without locking any wheels, so you can also safely turn freely while central diff lock is engaged.

The Prado has a central diff lock only. I am not sure if the torque is split 50:50 as I overheard someone say it isn't but as I said I would mostly use it either in a completely stuck or as you indicated "negotiate hard with cross tracks" . 

However, if the central diff doesn't lock any wheels i.e. if front set is completely in air would the torque be available for the rear set? I am finding it hard to imagine the working of the central diff lock so need to see it in practical use sometime. I do grasp the point about rear diff lock or front diff lock though.

54 minutes ago, Gaurav said:

Central diff-lock (technically) will help in climbing tall dunes. Only in HLC (High-Locked) NOT in LO gear.

In reality the marginal (fractional) advantage might show or not depending on the same line you take with exact same speed in both attempts. Taking about faya attempts, here.

At times I do climb tiny bit higher with central diff-lock on and at times, I don't. Even when I do its by few meters only and not any substantial gain.

Both @Gaurav Bhai and @Rahimdad Bhai have good advice and if at all I try using diff-lock for climbing a high dune it would be on a second attempt and only if going up straight. I also feel it might not give too much of an advantage. 

So best is to keep the diff lock usage mostly when getting stuck.

Is it useful to have a locked differential when climbing a high dune? This was mentioned by one Carnity member when driving his Patrol up on the second attempt when he was successful using a locked one.
Prado offers only a central diff lock so how much difference is it to the Pajero’s options?

As per my understanding in a locked differential the torque would wary so as to transfer to the tyre with the maximum grip i.e resistance thus it should be more effective.Am I correct?
However, I don’t know if locking it while side sloping would be detrimental.

https://youtu.be/vAtE7qVPANw

Saw this video and my initial reaction was that the guy is a capable driver. However, where I stand in my current driving skills, I feel the risk being taken is not worth it for the adrenalin rush. The vehicle is a lifted FJ Cruiser and the precarious point in the video come 48 sec to 50 sec of the video. My points for general discussion are:

Wasn't there a little bit of fish tailing? 

When I get even a bit of fish tailing I feel like turning downwards to avoid risk of tumbling down. How does one decide on when a fish tail is too much? In this case the dune has a big dip at the beginning so turning downwards at the first sign of fishtailing would be risky too?

In addition, as the FJ is a modified ( lifted by 2 inch) isn't it to much of a risk to go over the bumps at that speed?

Caution: I am not encouraging this type of driving so please do not attempt after watching it even though it may appears tempting. Leave it to the Carnity Marshals to advise on when a dune is safe to climb based on your level and skills. 

I am impressed by Hummer EV with its crabwalk , hands-free driving and 1000 HP! Also GMC will bring its experience to back it up. 
Rivian is next although it is a plus on price compared to the Hummer and has Fords investment.

Sorry but don’t like Tesla’s shape as it is too futuristic for my liking.

Nice to hear about the background. Hope your brother remains in good health. 
The title definitely suits you based on your offroad skills!

On 12/15/2020 at 4:22 PM, Mohamed Seidam said:

@Atif actually you have a valid argument. however for our practice in sand rarely we need the max lift range for the reason you mentioned of the additional wooden blocks and not mentioning off course that we shovel under the outer side of the pop rather than lifting more. i hope this work really.

I endorse @Mohamed Seidam ‘s advice as there seems to be very little difference in the lift height so a low profile would slide in more easily under the vehicle. As he said, using the jack’s base-supporting board will anyways assist in maintaining sufficient distance. 

@Aus Alzubaidi I haven’t bought one as yet as plan to do it this weekend. The one @Mohamed Seidam chose looks good but I request advice about the lifting range. Do check that the lifting range suits your vehicle as I read somewhere that low profile is for low profile vehicles .
This states 14 inches lift .So if the vehicle ground clearance is 9 inch as in my prado then it will give a 5 inch lift. I personally am not sure if this is enough, although a solution would be to keep a 2 inch or more wooden base in the vehicle and additional extension pads (you already need a base to avoid the jack sinking in the sand).

Advice requested from other carnity seniors please about low profile jacks.
 

Very informative write-ups!

Another well spent Friday morning with Carnity! My third drive of this year was as exciting as the first two. I am fortunate enough to reconnect with my friends again and so far have had the pleasure to drive with @Frederic, @Rahimdad and @Srikumar. Looking forward to meeting the remaining legends of CARNITY this winter season. 
I have kept myself to newbie drives as there is a lot to learn at this level from the various challenges faced by the newbie drivers and how they handle their cars. Helping others is a big motivation for me as I am sure it is for most in the Carnity team and newbie drive provides a good opportunity to do that. Also it is important to ensure that one starts at this level if coming out of a long hibernation to off-road driving. 

The Carnity spirit continues to shine in all its members and hope it continues in the future too.

@Frederic did you decide on the radio frequency /channel as yet?

I seem to have tracked quite a lot of my drives from the content I posted. So basically I went to "Manage Followed Content" on the Carnity web page and scrolled to any drives that appeared where I posted a message. Of course it may not show-up if one just joins a drive without posting a message or picture.

Still it is tedious so we will wait for some sort of filter or database query option to make it convenient.

Update: Took it to a workshop who advised not to repair the oil AT pan for now as it seems a small dent. They said that when I go for the next major service ( after 40K KM) or if I notice any leaks they can then either repair or replace the pan. 

Hi Fred,

Pls add me to the WL . 
Thanks

2 hours ago, Gaurav said:

If its leaking better get it change soon, if not its completely depending on the bump size. Many car ATF sump has edge bumped, its normal. If its too big bump then its critical to change as it will reduce the ATF required quantity.

Magnetic strips or circles are loosely placed on the sump bed to hold any metal shaving that has absolutely no co-relation with bump or its size.

I don’t think its leaking as the oil in the pic is after the major service so possibly residual oil after it was drained for replacement. The dent is also small but I will get it fixed to put myself at ease. 

Yes

During the recent major service at Toyota, my Prado was diagnosed with ATM pan damage. The service agent said that there isn't a leak and it is a small dent but advise me to have it taken care off.
As the agency repair means high labor cost and will not repair but replace the pan, does anyone advise me to get the pan repaired through a dent repair mechanic? Personally speaking it doesn't seem a big dent and I feel like leaving it as it is but don’t know the internal structure of the pan i.e.if  any internal part exists that may have got damaged too and lead to future issues.

Note: The agent placed a doubt in my mind about having the dent repaired as he said there is a magnetic material at the base of the pan so they only replace the pan.

My Prado is is around 2.5 ton and comes with a bottle type jack. Do I need to have a floor type jack and does it have to be over 2 ton rating? 
I notice that the 2 ton floor jack is advertised most frequently and is also compact compared to the 3 ton one. In addition, as I don’t intend to lift the whole car but rather a portion of it, is the 2 ton one sufficient or is it unsafe?

Await good advice!