4x4 Mag - Readers Rides

Readers Rides - July 1999

Unimog

Visitors to off-road events in the North of England over the past eight or nine years will have seen a little red machine with tall tractor tyres either clambering over obstacles where no other 4x4 goes, or towing out rows of stranded 4x4s .... the driver normally wearing a huge grin on his face during the process. That machine is a UNIMOG, powered by a 1.8 litre diesel of only 30hp ... imagine that 200bhp modified V8 Land Rover stranded and being rescued by such a humbly powered machine.

The Unimog has cross axle differential locks on both axles and combined with coil spring suspension and tractor cleated tyres obtains maximum grip in all conditions, speed is not a consideration, tenacity of grip is what matters.

Chevy Engined Jeep CJ10

It's not all mud and impossible climbs at off-road events, you can use a "tidy" 4x4 and keep it relatively clean and still gain immense enjoyment from the challenge of driving your 4x4 where others haven't been. It's all a matter of technique and considering the route. Well in places of course there is no alternative but to go through the thick of it, but as always the "look before you enter" approach should always be employed.

This very clean machine is an unusual off-roader and it is out most weekends enjoying the action.

Land Rover 110 V8

This is a wolf in sheeps clothing ... a long wheel base truck cab in coniston green, what's under the bonnet and in the axles makes the difference ! Seen below conquering a climb that defeated every other 4x4 on site, Peter's 110 has the benefit of a 165bhp V8, 7.50x16 SATS(Firestone Super All Traction) and front and rear air-locking diffs. That means a considerable amount of traction to all four wheels and plenty of torque to handle high gear ascents.

It's not often that this machine fails a hill climb, or indeed fails to get through a section. The modifications were instigated by the owner's requirement to travel through the winter over the Pennines to remote farms for milk parlour service work, and of course, he wanted to enjoy himself off-road too !

Show and Shine

Occasionally, and just occasionally you've got to give some space to none-off-road driving off-roaders ! Anyway this super looking Hilux on an incredible lift with awesome tyres is owned by a young lady who does do a lot of off roading in her other 4x4s, a Lada Niva and a modified Daihatsu.

The amount of work that goes into this kind of machine is incredible, extending shock absorbers, springs, steering arms, not to mention the modifications to the propshafts !

Roll Over Land Rover

Well the owner of this one surely wants to remain anonymous ! It's a series III SWB with a V8 fitted running on 7.50x16 SATS, and fortunately with a roll cage fitted. The occupants were wearing safety harnasses and helmets and no one came to any harm. This illustrates just how easy it is to invert a 4x4 when off-roading, but don't let it put you off, he wasn't going too fast, he wasn't a novice, he was just enjoying driving, the thrill of testing the machine to its limits.

We're not advocating rolling over, but without knowing the limits of capability how can you decide when enough is enough ?

Suzuki Wading

We imagine that this driver hadn't read our Technical Tips feature on water proofing the electrics, so instead he's getting very dirty and wet have "drowned" his SJ in a water hole. The location is a disused quarry near Leeds in Yorkshire where folk regularly go to enjoy themselves driving off-road. The picture indicates just one of many similar holes !

If you're not sure what preparations you need before wading you should visit our Technical Tips section, last month's features are archived and can be accessed from the Contents page.

"Swallowed the bird to catch the spider to catch the fly....... oh I don't know why !"

The picture above shows just what can happen when everyone helps each other. The 101 Land Rover got bogged in a very muddy section so his friend in the bobtailed Range Rover went down to help. He didn't get stuck, just broke down when trying to tow him out. A third vehicles comes to the rescue via another route, the water hole, and his engine expires just before leaving the water hole ! Everyone got out in the end, and what fun they had. A sunny but cold day in January on the Pennines.