Driving Instructions

[SausalitoFJ]

Driving a four wheel drive:
OK I have a new (actually used although I can’t believe someone would give this thing up) FJ.

I would like to know a couple of things; if any one has the answer to these probably dumb questions let me know:

I have an automatic. How can I find out more about how to drive it off road?
Is there a book? Is there a bay Area club of enthusiasts?

Why can manual transmission run in full time 4WD and my auto must run in 2WD until it gets muddy, icy or sandy?

When (under what sort of conditions) do I press the Atrac button?

When (under what sort of conditions) do I press the Dif Lock button?


Any help would be appreciated.


SFJ

 

[76FJ40]

How to drive off road - find a TLCA chapter in your area and go on a trail ride.

Manual tranny has a center differential while the auto does not. The center diff allows the front and rear axles to be engaged without causing a drive line bind.

Use Atrac off road when conditions vary or you really want to see where your FJ can go.

Use the diff lock off road when you need more traction.

 

[woody]

I use ATrac for crawling type situations, and where you need to hold your line better

I use the rear diff lock when I wanna "right foot" a loose hillclimb or when I need the rear to slide sideways

hook with your local TLCA club or with the Trail Teams at one of our many events.

 

[spaldam]

I use the locker and ATRAK when I get stuck. It wouldn’t' hurt to be proactive though. Just don't use them on dry pavement.

I third the "get with your local TLCA club". The best way to learn is to do it with a few experienced people helping you out.

 

[HummerHater]

Your best bet is to find a 4x4 event that has the FJC trail team in attendance. They are more than willing to help out people new to their FJC. You should also be able to drive the teams FJs with their guidance and supervision. Any TLCA event will have people more than willing to help you. Welcome to off-roading. These are a great bunch of folks!!

Best of Luck,

Bobby

 

[HummerHater]

Here are a few upcoming TLCA events.

[edited by woody, since Glitter Gluch isn't happening due to lots of irritating reasons that I won't get into...lol]

6th Annual Surf N Turf
November 2007
Pismo Beach, California
Contact: Jim Brantley, (805) 474-9265
Surf N Turf web site
Come join all makes and models of Land Cruisers and Toyota 4wd trucks - from mild to wild at Surf N Turf. Share the unique wheeling opportunities on California's Central Coast with other Land Cruiser friends. Activities include beach camping, driving on the beach and sand dunes, High Noon Poker Run, inland trails and the Pozo Saloon finale.

Best of luck,

Bobby

 

[monniepoo]

Just don't go to the dealer and ask questions. They will make you feel like an idiot and prolly have never wheeled a day in their life. Im looking forward to going on some trail rides to learn more.

 

[tntoyota]

I dont know fj system but something that really helped me was wheeling in 2hi, me with my privative 91 (R.I.P ) with the hubs locked. (you wont have that problem) Momentum is a major key in off-roading, and you must learn (*finesse*) it some how, riding around depending on you system and right foot all day will NOT do it.


I made it a game to myself not to get stuck, and if I did I just reached down and pulled the lever. And doing that will develop that little part of you brain better than anything.

However I learned in the rural flat lands (mud) of N.C. You must also know your terrain you are best judge of that and do not use the above if it will be more dangerous (rocks, cliff).


Have fun!


HOT DANG! I remembered the word! I remembered the word!!...Finesse...(webster) 2: skillful handling of a situation : adroit maneuvering

 

[woody]

IMO, pulling the lever as a "last resort" is not treading lightly, and will cause greater damage to the trails...we lost SO many now, that it's wise to keep those that remain....

we educate our drivers to put the vehicle in low range immediately upon reaching the trail head, and also keeping their FJ Cruiser in the lower gears of the transmission, especially during descents.

momentum has it's place, but it usually multiplies your body damage a great deal....

 

[NYCTRD]

Speed kills offroad & onroad (and destroys trucks)!

Tread lightly...better to get stuck then to leave a trail of parts in your wake before you hit a tree!

 

[tntoyota]

IMO, pulling the lever as a "last resort" is not treading lightly, and will cause greater damage to the trails...we lost SO many now, that it's wise to keep those that remain....

we educate our drivers to put the vehicle in low range immediately upon reaching the trail head, and also keeping their FJ Cruiser in the lower gears of the transmission, especially during descents.

momentum has it's place, but it usually multiplies your body damage a great deal....

develop yourself Vs. a traction system,

Did not imply "last resort". Getting stuck or coming to a stop is the "last resort"
also teaches you over correct

Also teaches you how to react in situations, being familiar with out of control will assure you should it happen, not taking you by surprise.

Relying on Atrac, well...yeah, rely on Atrac

Speed kills offroad & onroad (and destroys trucks)!

Tread lightly...better to get stuck then to leave a trail of parts in your wake before you hit a tree!

relying on your system will not teach you a dang thing,

Oh I miss read, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKvPENJCjCo

I tot u said off road not trail crawling


Siting there wallering the hole out is not "treading lightly".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2HnnNyrxHI




I wanna play!!

Speed kills.
Always wear a seat belt.
Don't drink and drive.
Always obey the posted speed limit.
Tread lightly.
Move over for emergency or stopped vehicle's.
Treat every fire arm as though its loaded.
Never and I mean NEVER count you chickens before there hatched.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.



It just so happens I said momentum so lets all just assume I mean flying, hauling az! Outta control!



*Edit* It just so happens I said Atrack, so lets all just assume that the first FIRST thing a FjC driver will do when they get stuck is...........(if not already ) turn the Atrac on, video is case in point...........although learning,NOTHING. ;p

Learning? 0
System 4wheeling? 1 .........

 

[woody]

develop yourself Vs. a traction system,

Did not imply "last resort". Getting stuck or coming to a stop is the "last resort"
also teaches you over correct

Also teaches you how to react in situations, being familiar with out of control will assure you should it happen, not taking you by surprise.

Relying on Atrac, well...yeah, rely on Atrac

did I say ATrac?

I did not...that's a switchable option, and one I only use when necessary. Same with the rear diff lock.

if you'd like to discuss further, start a thread in Chat and PM me the link so I can participate.

 

[GXO]

I taught a bunch of FJ drivers some basics in Atlanta last year...now they are all modded out and we wheel together. I have to spot a lot less now

If you and monnie wanna fly to ATL I can put on another class!

 

[monniepoo]

I prolly would learn allot I was always the passenger and never the driver when my hubby was alive. He would say I was a maniac behind the wheel. This may have been a teeny bit true
I needz instruction

 

[woody]

seriously monnie...ya outta hook with one of the Trail Teams at an event...even as a spectator, they'd let ya drive a Team rig around and get educumated....

Rumor has it, some biggish FJ event will be happening in the LosAngeles area yet this fall...no details avail now, but it's being rumor'd...

 

[Lemony]

http://www.espritdefour.com/dynamic/

scroll down to the bottom and they have an offroad class, and in the trip reports link they have pictures of the classes, I took my son to the Safety Clinic, September 2007. we were driving the yellow fj

 

[GXO]

seriously monnie...ya outta hook with one of the Trail Teams at an event...even as a spectator, they'd let ya drive a Team rig around and get educumated....

Rumor has it, some biggish FJ event will be happening in the LosAngeles area yet this fall...no details avail now, but it's being rumor'd...

Just make sure Woody spots you if you go monnie...he will get ya on the fun lines...Gustav is all conservative!