4WD Action News

Shorty and Me - 3 - Wed, 28 Jul 2010

G'day Folks

When the going gets tough, the tough strap a genie to their roof…

Come and see the desert they said, endless fluffy sand dunes they said, clear blue skies, warm days and crisp clear nights they said…what THEY didn’t mention was the single greatest rainfall figures in the Simpson for many a year. MUD is what they should have said!

Why I love camping - 3 - Fri, 16 Jul 2010

Hell west and crooked. It was a term used by the buffalo hunters of the 1930s when the herd they had been tracking suddenly went into a frightened stampeding frenzy with the knowledge that most of their lives where in danger. I have just finished reading a book of the same title, written by a bloke named Tom Cole and it reminded me of one of the reasons I love camping so much. Hell West and Crooked, the book, follows the life of Cole after he left his home in Kent, England at the age of 17 and travelled to Australia to make a life for himself as a drover or stockman.

Why I love camping - 2 - Mon, 21 Jun 2010

I have just got back into the office after spending a week camping throughout Victoria with the newest Camper Trailer Touring Journo, Dan. The week started off well, I was meant to pick him up from Melbourne Airport and then we were heading off. Biggest problem was that neither of us checked which Melbourne Airport and we both went to different ones. No worries, there is only 60km or so of peak hour Melbourne traffic between them.

Roothy's Track - Mon, 21 Jun 2010

I'm sitting out at Perth airport waiting for a plane. The Perth 4WD Murchison Offroad Expo was incredible, sort of left my head feeling like a bowl of custard. It was a terrific chance to meet thousands of people and that's what I did. I'd like to say thanks to all those people who put in the effort to come and say g'day, I know plenty of you came a long way to see what was on offer and maybe check out Milo in the rough and dirty flesh. Pretty rough up close isn't she?

Shorty and Me - Tue, 18 May 2010

G'day Folks

Compared to a Ring Tailed Lemur, I’m not a bad mechanic. OK, I’ve never actually witnessed a Lemur on the end of a spanner, but despite their large opposable thumb and prehensile tail, I still recon I could repack a wheel bearing quicker. Oh and I’m talking one on one here, not me against a pack of Lemurs, that’s a whole other ball game.

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Jeep Aholics

Crossmember pictures
Can anyone post any pictures they may have of a transmission crossmember from a cj5? I dont think i have the stock one, but cannot find any pictures online of what it should look like. It looks as though the transfer case is just resting on the crossmember i have, and at one point someone cut a hole in the crossmember for a bolt on the transfer case to fit through, so the entire case isnt resing on just this bold. aslo, if anyone can post pics of their own fabricated transmission mounting solutions, that would be great!

new tow rig
Figured it not a Jeep but it hauls one Back story is guy from Colirado drove it here to mi blew up the motor traded it in dealer (brother-in-laws wifes uncle) put in a generation 5 350 craite motor in it has a 465 muncie 4 speed and a 208 case and is 95% clean and was bone stock when my bro-in-law bought it took it to me where I put on a 6" lift H2 rims and 35" BFG MT KM2 on it. Then he wanted to buy a new semi and sold it to me.... Now here it is and its now in the garage torn down so I can paint it over the next few weeks Sorry for one pic at a time but I am posting on my phone [IMG]http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t234/scramblerman72/utf-8BSU1HMDAwNzUuanBn.jpg[/IMG]

OFF TOPIC: Excercise and trainer folk.
Got a couple questions for you that are into exercise equipment. As most of you probably know, I am a big fat guy, and disabled. Over the past year, I have noticed my disability getting worse. Much of the problem is my weight issue that is not my disability, however does complicate it much more, and may very well be the reason my disability is getting worse. Some already know, some don't, but for the record, I am a former athlete (played football for many years 11 total from High School through my Air Force days). I used to not really be a health nut, but was very much into being in shape, and strong. I was 6'5" at 250/260 lbs in my prime. I am now 6'4" because I lost an inch from my injury years ago, arthritis, and of course my gravity problem. Now, I am 6'4" at nearly 600 lbs. Ruined lower back, and severe nerve damage in my right leg. This past winter was very hard on my bones and joints, and I now see myself being totally wheel chair dependent if I don't try to do something to get some of my mobility back real soon. I am thinking, and praying that I can reverse my problem some. I will always have limitations due to the injury, but I think I can reverse at least some of my problems. I am not going to go into my entire medical history, because it is lengthy. But, no, I can not exercise like I used to, and am very limited in what I can do, which is much of the reason I have gained so much and not been able to loose much significant weight. No, it's not because I am fat and lazy. Again, I am a former very active athlete, and would trade most anything to have that ability back. I have limitations, and even my doctor took me off physical therapy, because what it was doing to my blood pressure and vitals dealing with pain the way I do. I don't, and have never shown pain, and have always have a very high pain tolerence. I just dealt with it. And that was a problem, because your body will deal with it, if you do emotionally or not. But anyway.. I am going to do something. I don't want to be totally wheelchair dependent. I don't even like the fact that I have one, and I damn sure not gonna spend the rest of my life in it. Against doctors orders, I am gonna come of the drugs dealing with it, and I am gonna suck up the pain, and do something. Over the past 6 months, I have been eating allot better than I have been the past few years. I eat a good hearty breakfast, and a good lunch (mostly healthy foods). For dinner, I only eat a small bowl of fresh fruits, and a few nuts. After 6 months of that so far, I feel like a million bucks, but still can't physically move. Now, I want to see what I can do on my own to get at least some mobility back. I can barely walk, BUT, I found a piece of equipment, that is low impact, that I think might work. It has been allot of years since my athlete days, and I really don't know allot about equipment. I used to work out with free weights, so just don't know allot about all the high tech crap that have out now, and if they are any good, or a gimmick. The one that stuck out with me though was the "BowFlex". It sort of does make sense to me. I been looking at some, but damn, they cost allot. I found a few used ones, but the cheapest I could find have been the standard machine for about $800 used. Yesterday, I found one just 11 miles from me. I thought too good to be true. It is a BowFlex Extreme, with a few upgrades on it. From doing some research, it retails for about $1300 for the machine, and the upgrades it has comes to about another $300 +/-. This guy wanted $500 for all of it. This is a depressed area that the bad economy hit very hard here in Michigan, and the guy ended up telling me if I was serious, he would bring it to me, and set it back up for $100 cheaper than he advertised. So, it cost me $400, delivered and set up at my home. Is that a pretty good deal? And am I on the right track for something I can use that is low impact, and that might be able to strengthen some of the areas that have been neglected without doing more damage to my back and leg..? Any input, or advice, would be appreciated.

High clearance, little lift..
So, i had this idea the other day. I have DIYJ sitting in my garage, waiting for me to start putting money into it. For those of you who dont know what project i'm talking about, this is my daily driver YJ build. My goal with this thing is to build a stock-ish height YJ, that will still fit in my garage. The garage has a lower that usual entry because its beneath my house, and theres a porch that overhangs the driveway. The intention is to use this jeep as a daily driver, and a mild wheeler. The sort of jeep you take hunting, fishing, and camping, while the smurf remains as my less comfortable, more functional wheeler. My first thought was to go almost bone stock, with a slight lift, and 30's or 31's. And minor improvements. But since it's been sitting (due to lack of time/money) ive been thinking more and more about how to build it. So i had this thought. I need to keep the height down, that is, the clearance at the top of the roof, down. So i cant put much lift on it, i also cant go crazy with tire size. BUT, that doesnt mean i cant do everything i can do gain some clearance under the belly and axles. So what I'm getting at is. Has anyone tried this sort of a build. Can anyone thing of possible issues with doing something like a belly-up skid, and not any sort of lift? I'm going to guess that a body lift will probably be required, but that's not really out of the question. A stock height suspension. 1-2" body lift, the minimum i can get away with. belly-up/flat skid u-bolt flips Might i end up needing an SYE for this? Any other issues i'm not seeing? belly-up skids generally require a motor mount lift, correct?

Please vote for me!! Top Truck 2010 #11
Got my issue of Four Wheeler in the mail today, and I'm in the top 50 rigs for voting for the Top Truck Challenge this year... it is very cool to see my rig in a mag... even if it is my tiny little poser shot. If i get lucky enough to get voted in, it would be the pinnacle of my wheeling career up this point. I have heard so many amazing things about the event, would be an honor to be a part of it. My rig is #11... please gimme yer vote! The shot is a super poser shot before it ever hit the trail, but it's beat a bit now... not quite a virgin anymore... Here's a couple better shots... [img]http://www.sigmamotorsports.com/ImageFolio4_files/gallery/Toy_Box/Carwash/Misc/House_Trails/P1080300.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.sigmamotorsports.com/ImageFolio4_files/gallery/Trail_Runs_-_Boat_Trips_-_Events/Offroad_Trail_Runs/2009_Trail_Runs/Jellico_Nov_27-29/jellico1126_008.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.sigmamotorsports.com/ImageFolio4_files/gallery/Trail_Runs_-_Boat_Trips_-_Events/Offroad_Trail_Runs/2009_Trail_Runs/Jellico_Nov_27-29/jellico1126_006.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.sigmamotorsports.com/ImageFolio4_files/gallery/Trail_Runs_-_Boat_Trips_-_Events/Offroad_Trail_Runs/2009_Trail_Runs/Jellico_Nov_27-29/jellico1126_011.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.sigmamotorsports.com/ImageFolio4_files/gallery/Trail_Runs_-_Boat_Trips_-_Events/Offroad_Trail_Runs/2009_Trail_Runs/Harlan_Oct._23-25/harlan04.jpg[/img] Rear steer and cromo shafts happening this week... There is no online voting. You actually have to purchase the mag, cut out the ballot and mail it in. It may be a pain in the ass, but i would greatly appreciate any votes you guys can throw my way!! I will represent very well, i promise! thanks in advance!!!

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4×4 Offroad Pakistan

Off-roading to Hingol - Fri, 19 Mar 2010
I stood there amongst the trees, the wind moving through the leaves, making a whistling sound. The entire campsite was bathed in bright moonlight, so bright that you did not need a torch to cook something. Before me, the "Hingol River":http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hingol_River flowed along lazily between the mountains, a silver serpent in a landscape that is otherwise harsh. This reads like an excerpt from a fiction novel, does it not? Well one need only travel 240 kilometres from Karachi to make this fiction a reality. That is, if you have the gumption to make it out to "Hingol National Park":http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/media-gallery/17-off+the+beaten+track-ek-01 in Balochistan. I recently had the chance to do so with the team of adventure travellers known as "Offroad Pakistan":http://www.offroadpakistan.com/trips/along_the_hingol_river.html. I refer to them as a team and not a group of individuals because that's what they are, and that's what one needs to make it through the terrain of Balochistan, which comprises bogs, jungle, mountains, and quicksand with a few wahgus (local slang for crocodiles) standing in as an audience. On this trip, the team included inventors, photojournalists, lawyers, doctors and a few lowly scribes such as myself, all with one thing in common: "the love of nature."

Expedition Poldat: The Laidback Show - Wed, 03 Mar 2010
In Eposide 17 of the Laidback Show, Dr. Awab Alvi and Faisal Kapadia head towards Hingol National Park for a three day Expedition with offroaders from OffroadPakistan to conquer a natural gorge called Poldat in the Hingol National Park.

Concordia: The world's greatest museum of shape and form - Wed, 02 Jul 2008
"The world's greatest museum of shape and form" is how Italian mountaineer/author Fosco Maraini described Concordia in his book, Karakoram. Galen Rowell called it the "Throne of the Mountain Gods". Come 2007, somehow or the other, 5 of us from Karachi ended up hiking to Concordia, and on to K2 base camp. "Click here to see the pictures of the hike along with captions":http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/k2_base_camp_hike/, and "go here to see the travelogue of the hike":http://offroadpakistan.com/travelogues/k2_base_camp_hike/.

Vehicle Preparations before and after a trip - Wed, 02 Apr 2008
Road trips don't require much preparation, but 4x4 trips off the beaten track are a different thing altogether. There is no help available off the highway, so the vehicle has to be in good shape and the driver must be well prepared to deal with any eventuality. Of course, the idea is to avoid breakdowns in the first place, so a number of things have to be looked at when setting out on a 4x4 trip out into the wild.

30 years after the Indus River Expedition - Sun, 30 Mar 2008
"!http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/indus_river_expedition_1978/scan0084-thumb.jpg!":http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/indus_river_expedition_1978/ Sir, in December 2008 it will be the 30th anniversary of the historic "Indus River Expedition". This Expedition of three people started from Amb- Darband, upstream of Tarbela Dam, and covered 1,600 miles in 30 days right up to the _"city of lights"_ - Karachi.

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ExplorOz Trek Notes

ACT - Brindabella National Park - Mon, 24 Aug 2009
Close to Canberra, this trek covers an area riddled with steep zigzagging climbs and descents accessible only by 4WD. In fine weather, it's a fairly easy drive, but in winter it becomes more challenging with rain and snow.

NSW - Abercrombie River NP - Mon, 19 Nov 2007
This trek is located in the Central Tablelands region of New South Wales and offers the visitor some moderate four-wheel driving, and picturesque camping sites beside the Abercrombie River and Silent Creek. The area is also known for its trout fishing.

NSW - Barrington Tops - Mon, 04 Jan 2010
The magnificent Barrington Tops National Park boasts superb mountain top accommodation, excellent walking trails, suitable 2WD and 4WD routes and great camping spots.

NSW - Bendethera Valley - Tue, 09 Mar 2010
This cleared yet picturesque valley, right in the heart of the Deua National Park provides excellent camping grounds right beside the crystal clear waters of the Deua River. Bendethera Valley is possibly the pick of all 4WD camping destinations in southeast NSW.

NSW - Corner Country - Mon, 26 Jul 2010
Follow the Cobb & Co and Charles Sturt routes from Broken Hill, where the bitumen gives way to dirt as it heads deeper into outback NSW. Discover old towns like Milparinka and Tibooburra, before finishing where NSW, SA and QLD join at Cameron Corner.