[Off Road Driving] Ascending

[Disco]

FIRM GROUND - STEEP

Normal tire pressure is okay.
Select low range 1st or 2nd gear.
Engage Diff lock and axle lockers (if fitted)***
Remember your approach angle in a D1 (unmodified) is 39 degrees unladen, with a climb angle of 45 degrees +.

SLIPPERY or LOOSE GROUND - STEEP

• Diff lock & axle locks engaged (if fitted)***
• Select low range 2nd.
• More momentum.

Start in 2nd low to get moving, then double clutch (manual transmissions only) into the higher gears 3rd & 4th low.
Use 2nd high when towing heavy loads.
• Attaching chains may be required. Rear wheels if only one set is carried.
• Stay in as high a gear as possible to prevent wheel spin. If this does occur, ease of the throttle. If the vehicle begins to slide backwards, immediately shift into reverse and let go of all pedals. Let the engine do the braking. Don’t use the brakes going down the hill, or static friction will be lost and the slide will begin once again.

SLIPPERY – VERY STEEP

• Diff lock and axle lockers engaged. ***
• Select low range 1st.
• Attach chains. Rear wheels if only one set is carried.

* If you are 3-4 metres (10-13 feet) from the crest of the hill (and cannot proceed under power), put the truck into 1st gear (manual transmission only), and crank the starter for 10-15 seconds. Do not touch the clutch. Give the starter 5 minutes or so to cool down and continue. Using this method should eventually get you over the top.

* If the vehicle loses traction and momentum (manual transmission only), allow it to stall, do not change gear.
• Apply the hand brake.
• Open bonnet and remove the coil lead from the distributor (to prevent engine starting)
• De-clutch and select reverse.
• Keep feet off the clutch and brake at all times.
• Let off the hand brake, turn the ignition over, keep foot off pedals and crank down the hill. This method must be used if a trailer is attached!

**There can be a problem with lockers in that a locked front end can kick the vehicle to one side or other when traveling uphill. This is because the weight is on the rear end, and the front end is light. If the locked front wheels catch the edge of a ledge, or hit a patch of loose dirt, they can kick the vehicle sideways. When using lockers to get up a difficult hill, start out with the rear lockers engaged only. Once on the hill and the front wheels are biting well, engage the front lockers.[/i]