Terrain response - capabilities of the vehicle

[morpheus]

Hello all.

I am wondering if anyone here has any suggestions of clubs or groups in Canberra that I could join, or sessions attend, to gain an appreciation of how to properly use the terrain response settings and better learn the capabilities of my D3.

I am used to Toyota 4wds on sheep/cattle stations in SA, so the simple lock hubs and low range deal, and have never attended proper training etc. However, with the D3 I would like to learn things properly. I have the Brindabellas close to me and plan to go to the Flinders Ranges at some time in the not so distant future, plus some outback touring.

I welcome any suggestions.

My D3 is an HSE TDV6 (2006) and has, currently, 265/60/18 Cooper AT3s on the stock rim, kaymar rear wheel carrier, dual batteries, LRA long range tank. I plan to put an ARB air compressor in and maybe down the track, replace the LR nudge bar with an ARB bar ( so long as the parking sensors still work). Wheels and tyres will stay, for now...

[sheerluck]

Get yourself a copy of the GOE handbook Green Oval Experience Land Rover training, Range Rover modifcation (http://www.greenovalexperience.com/#!goe-offroad-booklet/c1okv)

And maybe on one of the seminars.

[oldsalt]

Ditto....:D

[Epic pooh]

+1 for the above comments.

As an aside, I come from a background of locking hubs Toyotas (LC 45, 60 & Gen 1 4Runner) then a LR 110 V8 followed by a D1 V8 and now the D3 V8 (all manual trans except the D3).

At first the D3 was a bit of a culture shock (first auto 4wd as much as anything) but after some reading around the interwebz and hitting the trails (with some Yota and Jeep mates), I'm pretty happy now !

The main thing I'd say compared to old Yotas (and even my older LR's) is that everything is easier in the D3, grip and articulation is superior to anything I've had previously, power is awesome, the computer does overrule you a bit ("the fun police" but that is moderated by reading and use of correct mode/experimentation) ... so I'd say, get out in the Brindies with a couple of mates and get into it, they're awesome and easy to learn (sooo easy to drive offroad compared to any of my past offroaders) !!

Good luck :)

[morpheus]

Thanks for the replies. The GOE handbook looks good, thanks sheerluck. I have been reading about the GOE rods too. They look perfect for what I want to do. Does GOE do any seminars in Canberra, or just WA, Syd etc..

Yeah, I just need to find some mates with 4wds that want to go up the Brindies. I would go up by myself, but that would be too risky without knowing the tricks of the vehicle.

James

[101RRS]

What about the Landrover Club of the ACT A Club for any make - Land Rover Club of the ACT (http://www.lrc.org.au/)

They have a training team -not specifically targeted at D3 etc but general 4wd use but they are familiar with the vehicles and would be able to cover anything you need to know. Tote on this forum who has had a couple of D3s and regularly uses his offroad is part of the training team.

Training sessions are conducted regularly and one certainly could probably targetted at D3/D4.

However there is really nothing special about TR and if you have some concerns I would get GOEs book as recommended above. I might see if the LR Club will buy a copy for its library.

Cheers

Garry

[Tote]

Ive done some pretty interesting stuff with my D3 and I'm still learning, I have now had two "recoveries" of non LR club members on trips where after watching them try unsuccessfully to overcome an obstacle I've walked over and got them to select the appropriate terrain response setting and enjoyed the expression on their face when they drove out. I even had one bloke prepared to swap his 17" factory mags and muddies for my 18" General Grabbers until I convinced him that knob actually did do something... The Canberra club is running some trips and training days and I can recommend them :D
I haven't got Gordon's book but I agree it would be a good resource. See you at the May meeting Garry and I'll second your motion.

Regards,

Tote

[101RRS]

Are you back??

Maybe I will also suggest a specific training session specifically for vehicles fitted with TR - maybe down on the Shoalhaven near Braidwood where there is sand and then over to one of the forests for other stuff.

Emphasis on just TR rather than recovery as the standard training sessions cover plenty of that.

Cheers

Garry

[ytt105]

Gary, Tote seems we have a few on this site that would love a day trip to the Brindies.....when I get my engine fixed!

[101RRS]

The LR Club does a regular trip titled "Brindies for Beginners" where people new to the Club, new to Canberra or just new to 4wding go on a trip - the last one was about 4 weeks ago.

It is also a qualifying trip for new prospective members of the club before membership is approved.

Cheers

garry

[camel_landy]

The guys up at Land Rover Experience should be able to sort something out for you too...

Either that or read up, practice and as questions here. There's a lot of experienced users here. ;)

M

[ADMIRAL]

Ditto....:D
......and again.

[gghaggis]

GOE is looking for an excuse to run a course in either Canberra or Sydney, but we'd have to team up with someone with local knowledge (and probably provide a ride, unless we drive over!) - the training days are specifically for Terrain Response vehicles and how to extract the best out of TR.

Maybe later in the year. There is one scheduled for Melbourne in October.

Cheers,

Gordon

[Tote]

Are you back??

Maybe I will also suggest a specific training session specifically for vehicles fitted with TR - maybe down on the Shoalhaven near Braidwood where there is sand and then over to one of the forests for other stuff.

Emphasis on just TR rather than recovery as the standard training sessions cover plenty of that.

Cheers

Garry

I'll be back next Friday, Vegas last night, Flagstaff tonight:D

Regards,
Tote

[ytt105]

Keep us in the loop Gordon. Definitely willing to help if at all possible.

I have a 2005 TDV6 S with air suspension and terrain response, fitted with GOE rods, 17" rims and D697's.

If your talking end of the year, I'll have the engine fixed/replaced by then I'm sure.

We run 4wd tours through the Brindies so know a good days trip with a variety of terrain.

Trevor Turner

www.bushranging.com.au

[morpheus]

GOE is looking for an excuse to run a course in either Canberra or Sydney, but we'd have to team up with someone with local knowledge (and probably provide a ride, unless we drive over!) - the training days are specifically for Terrain Response vehicles and how to extract the best out of TR.

Maybe later in the year. There is one scheduled for Melbourne in October.

Cheers,

Gordon

Very keen. I will keep Melbourne in kind too.

Thanks

James