Thread: D4 3.0 is not too bad on Sand Dunes

I know the rules that I should have a photo to prove it, but SWMBO didn't want to have to walk up the dune by herself after I drove up so no photo... I just wanted to let all you know that the D4 is pretty capable on soft dunes. Specifically a couple of weeks ago, at the base of the 250m tall Callcup Dune we sat after a delightful time on a Southern Ocean Beach, near the Warren River, southern WA. This is written up in a few of the 4WD route descriptions as, "for experienced drivers with proper equipment, bla, bla".

It was a 34 deg C day. I had on MTRs with 11psi in them, sand mode, raised suspension, stability control "off", and decided to manually shift in the middle of the climb. There were a Patrol and old SWB Landcruiser being dug out at various points on the climb. Full power and aimed up in Sport Mode. Engine went to 4000 RPM and wouldn't shift up, so manually shifted up (note to self, Sport Shift Mode when in "Sand" may not work so well. "Normal Mode" works better). Kept revs at 2000-3000 and up she goes. Passed the Patrol which contained another SWMBO who looked forlorn and the driver was digging like crazy. Up on towards the SWB Cruiser, which was spinning tyres but suddenly disappeared in a cloud of black smoke and the crew pushing jumped away, and into my path. I swung around them, must have blipped the throttle when swerving over the ruts. The screen showing the rear diff lock starting flashing different colours for the next 10 seconds. Started losing lots of momentum and saw that the stability control had come back "ON". About the time I turned it back "OFF" we stopped about 20m from the top. One lurch off the MaxTracks and on she went to the top. A bunch of spectators on the top were amazed that the only vehicle to make it to the top was a D4 with 19" wheels, which went beyond Cruisers and Patrols could go.

We repeated the exercise a day later, which was hotter and windier just to see if it was a fluke. This time made it to the top with no problem, but there were no metal obstacles to drive around. Alas, there was no admiring audience either. This was after getting overheated and nearly stuck when driving on flat sandy beach at 22 psi. Lessons learned were:

1. MTRs are much better in sand than lumpy tyres are supposed to be,
2. The most important factor is very low tyre pressure. I was frankly surprised I didn't roll off the rim when dodging Cruiser flambe (turns out it had sucked shut the air intake hose and gulped a load of air cleaner oil, emitting the cloud),
3. Forget Sport Mode when in Sand unless you want to manually shift,
4. Experience helps irregardless of the vehicle used (I spent 3 years in the Middle East dune bashing whenever possible in an early Freelander),
5. Sand Mats always come in handy (used them on the Patrol and scored excellent Margaret River red in return),
6. The 3.0 diesel goes about like my old D3 V8 did, just with less thundering roar,
7. The smart rear diff lock is a fabulous piece of equipment,
8. Stability Control can go back on if the computer feels stressed, and
9. There is a good reason to bring SWMBO along on sand trecks. She is to watch if the light showing "Stability Control OFF" extinguishes when on dunes. If it does, she is to push the button ONCE

Couldn't have been a better day. Lets see more of you try it.

Hi All,

Last weekend had the pleasure of powering up the 3 stage Callcup Dune in my D4, 2.7, TDV6. 18" rims with GG AT2s at (14psi), Sand mode, DSC off and low range 3rd gear. 3rd low seemed to allowed sufficent power and speed. I tried high range auto on the Yeagurup dunes the previous day and it worked but low range manual seemed to enable far more subtle throttle control.

Well pleased am I with the vehicles performance up hill in sand - this time when there hadn't been too much traffic on the climb