Josh S

Yes, I am aware the Rubicon is not suitable for four low which I mentioned earlier, so perhaps I should be changing my car or changing my transfer case as I am struggling to see this is a technique issue since it is related to RPM and torque. This of course contradicts all that has been previously said on this thread about for low being unnecessary, even at an expert level.

So after all this about no 4L, it may actually be that in my instance, with the rubicon gearing and style of driving, that 4L is much better than 4H…

9 months and 40 drives into the world of off-roading (and without doubt, the best hobby I’ve ever had) I thought compelled to bring the thread back from the dead with a few additional thoughts and questions!! I have recently been driving with some experienced convoys in Sweihan. It’s a different kettle of fish compared to the drives in Sharjah and has a lot of switching, higher speed crests and larger climbs. Everyone drives in 4L other than me as my Rubicon doesn’t allow for it When it comes to reaching the crest, and either riding it or switching, we tend to be travelling around 40-50km/hr which is right on the red line of 1st. It’s important to keep high RPM here but being so close to red line means there’s little room to blip the throttle if I need to. Meanwhile, if using 2nd gear at the same speed, the RPM is much lower and the torque feels substantially less than I am used to in first, and does not feel like enough, especially if the speed drops a little or the sound is very hot and slippery. As such, neither 1st or 2nd feels right. (Note, I have chosen to drive manual as I find it more enjoyable and engaging than auto). So my question is, would this be an example where 4L would provide more control leading up to, and on the crest, as the gears are shorter and I’d have much more torque to play with at the same speed, or is this down to wrong technique? I find myself thinking it’s a 4H issue as nobody else in the convoy appears to struggle with the RPM/Torque and they are all in 4L

Self declaration: I have more than 20 drives in the UAE over the last 6 months and hoping for a Fewbie promotion after this drive. (e.g. Al Badayer, Qudra, Al Faqa, Nazwa, Lisaili, Sweihan driven). Thank you.

I used 4L on my Rubicon in Sweihan the other day, I got up to about 45/50 kmh, however I am nervous to do this too much as I understand it puts a lot of stress on the car. Can the transfer case / gear ratio be changed cheaply.

Very interesting approach. I never thought about it in this “reverse” way, but understood that shifting on a climb is not ideal as you lose all your torque. Perhaps that’s when starting in first and shifting up to second as you max the RPM of first.

For those driving in 4H, how often are you in First vs Second gear?

@Zed - I was just about to start a Beadlock debate

And if I do get to a large dune that I just can’t get up in 4H, then I guess I have no choice but to engage 4L.. (for example today on a climb I almost didn’t make it in 4L - any higher I would have needed to turn down, whilst others were okay in 4L). Also, totally understand the argument for sponsored clubs and there being an incentive to damage cars, but confident this isn’t the case with those I drove with). Finally, any thoughts on additional throttle control in 4L. Being able to blip the throttle if in a drifting situation or some soft sand to help correct yourself? I find I’m usually very high up the rev range in 1st, but if I’m in second probably won’t have enough torque.

@Frederic would the Rubicon put even more stress on the car in 4L when compared to the Sport/Sahara given the ratios? Ie. More likely to damage with excessive speed.

Hi All, My brain is about to explode regarding the 4H and 4L debate. Two of the clubs I drive with (Carnity one of them) swear by 4H, and the other two swear by 4L. Specifically, the senior Marshalls (200+ drives) on these other drives state that whilst 4H is absolutely fine for junior/newbie drives, once you get onto much more challenging dunes, 4H will struggle to get up the steep soft dunes, and the 4L extra torque is really important when you need to correct yourself, as you need instant torque. Ultimately, by all means drive in 4L but you may just keep having to re attempt obstacles. As it so happens I have a wrangler rubicon where the transfer case isn’t really geared right to get any speed, however I drove in 4L today and it was absolutely fine in 4-6th gear. Why are there strong advocates for either. If one technique was right and the other one way was wrong, this argument would never exist. I’m an indecisive individual at the best of times so this really isn’t helping. Are there any Carnity drivers that swear by 4L?. Why wouldn’t you drive in 4L? It offers more torque to the wheels which is surely what you want…

@Looper - Just reviving this old thread! I note you don't mention air bag deactivation within TC Kill. Is it possible to include this so it functions identical to an actual kill switch? I want to avoid air bags deploying which although I understand to be very rare, is expensive if it happens.

I assume the air bags remain active without the kill switch, so this increases the risk of them deploying (which is an expensive repair?) Also, has anybody noticed a significant difference between fuse/kill switch and the stock button, especially on more challenging sand?

@M.Seidam. So sorry, I have to pull out of this one. I hope it allows space on the waiting list.

Thanks for all of your comments, however, I am now even more confused! To try and get a clear understanding, once and for all, why would somebody choose to use Auto instead of Part time? If Part time uses 4x4 all the time, surely there are no disadvantages to doing that, whilst there are disadvantages to Auto. ie - if you drive in auto, there may be occasions you need to move to part time, however if you drive in part time, you’ll never need to move to auto I’m getting the impression this is purely down to personal preference and different people will teach in different ways? Also @Frederic - what are the requirements to become a Carnity instructor in terms of driving experience and teaching experience? Is there a general level shared across all UAE clubs? Many thanks.