4x4 Earth - The 4WD, Camping, Fishing and Outdoors podcast.

Roothy has a big announcement about what he is going to be doing for Milo as he plans Milo's big last trip.

Milo is one of Australia's most recognisable 4 wheel drives, it's probably done nearly all of the iconic 4 wheel tracks throughout Australia. I have always been amazed at the queue of people at 4 wheel drive shows lining up to see Milo. Roothy has had Milo for over 20 years.

We talk about Roothy's adventure in Milo 2. Out on the tracks with the hand brake and he managed to roll Milo 2.

We discuss about how everyone needs to be vigilant – driving on the tracks can be really dangerous and if someone as experienced as Roothy can have a bit of a whoopsy whilst driving then it can happen to anyone. I tell my story about my little adventure in Talbotville and the snorkel that I needed in a creek crossing gone wrong.

We look at the difference in set up between Milo and Milo 2 and why Milo is better set up and wouldn't have rolled like Milo 2. There are some important lessons here for everyone heading offroad in setting up your 4x4 so that it is safer and more stable when on the tracks. Rollovers can happen at very low speeds and a lot of it depends on what modifications that you have done with your 4WD. Centre of Gravity is something that everyone need to understand if they want to avoid rolling over. Some great safety tips for making sure that everyone comes home safely from their trips whether a day trip or a 2 month trip to the Cape.

Join the conversation about the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum. www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month.

If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch. The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast! It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

Pete has been working as the Chief Engineer on the Jeep Gladiator. Pete has a great job, as an engineer for Jeep, working on some of the most iconic 4WDs of all time.

We talk about the history of Jeep trucks and what the reasoning was behind creating a new Jeep truck now.

Where did the Jeep Gladiator come from?

When then start to talk about the engineering process that lead to the Jeep Gladiator, looking at the issues that needed to be managed by putting the 5 foot box at the back of the truck. How do you maintain the approach and departure angles for the vehicle.

Jeep has worked to maintain offroad capacity whilst creating a great on road performance.

What engines will be available when the Gladiator comes out? How will it compare with the global trend that we are seeing in vehicle like the Nissan Patrol with less power?

We talk about the front facing camera designed specifically for drivers to be able to pick the line a lot better as they will be able to see where the wheels are going on the track.

We talk about availability and most importantly when it will be available in Australia.

With Australia's love of 4WD utes, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator is probably going to be one of the hottest new vehicles available in the Australian market.

Join the conversation about the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum. www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month.

If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch. The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast! It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

The difference between air lockers and eLockers is one of the most popular discussion points on the 4x4earth forum, so we decided to get an expert in to discuss the difference.

Heath is the General Manager at Harrop Engineering. He drives a Harrop Superado, an Holden Colorado with an upgunned V8 Harrop supercharger engine.

Harrop was started in 1955 by Len Harrop in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. His son had the Harrop Howler, a very fast quarter miler. Heath talks about how Harrop has transitioned about from supporting the Australian vehicle manufacturing industry to exporting components for vehicles like the Toyota Tundra.

We discuss what exactly an eLocker is and how it works with the diff. Heath talks about how the eLocker passes the 300,000 km durability testing. Originally developed by Eaton for the military, the eLocker is designed for reliability and durability. An electromagnet is actuated to engage the diff locking mechanism.

Harrop has developed a range of 4 pinion designs for a large range of vehicles. The gears, splines and internal housings are manufactured in Australia.

We talk about what kinds of driving conditions and tracks you would use a selectable locker for. We also talk about the difference between front and rear lockers and when you would choose either.

We discuss the next innovations for Harrop, like the PX3.

How hard is an eLocker to fit? We look at whether it is a DIY solution or if it should be fitted professionally.

A great Aussie manufacturing story with some great innovation and big export wins.

Join the conversation about the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum. www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month.

If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch. The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast! It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

We discuss with Robert Pepper the new towing laws that are being bought in. How do the GCM and GVM impact the caravan towers?

We talk about one of the things that Russell Coight did on one of his episodes. Should you use a tow ball for snatching? Russell did. What could possibly go wrong?

Should you put nitrogen in your tyres?

What about snatchblocks?

Where is the new 4WD design concepts going?

We discuss the new Mercedes Utes and the Suzuki Jimny and the Wrangler. Are the older vehicles going to become classics becasue of the way that they drive?

Join the conversation about the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum. www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month.

If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch. The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast! It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

Robert recently drove the new Ford Raptor recently and he gives us his opinion on what it is like to drive. We talk about the engine and where you could drive the Raptor. What would it be like towing? Would Robert buy one?

Jeep Wrangler Ute! This will be due out next year and looks really interesting. A ute will fix one of the big problems with the Jeep - lack of space in the cabin, so it will be very popular. I am pretty keen on checking it out.

What does Robert think about the Colorado ZR1? Is it something that is worth a look or is it a skip?

What is it that is causing the recent spate of utes that snap their chassis? Is it related to overloading?

We also discuss tyre pressure management systems. TPMS are becoming increasingly popular - are they worth the money.

Navarra D40s - is there an issue with the automatic transmission on them when you take them offroad?

Lastly, we bid farewell to Pete Brett, AKA Mr Rum, a regular around a lot of campfires around NSW, Victoria and South Australia. Mr Rum was out driving through the Victorian High Country when he went around a blind corner and there was a tree across the road. Despite traveling very slowly, the icy road meant he slid of the side of the road and down the gully. Our condolences to Jen and Steve and the rest of his family and friends.

Join the conversation about the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum. www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month.

If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch. The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast! It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

We look at the number of people who don't finish the Dakar Rally. It is a very tough course, expensive to compete in and there is some unforgiving terrain, so the failure rate is very high.

The vehicles aren't stock, so they are heavily modified to make them capable of surviving the terrain at speed, whilst trying to keep the weight as low as possible. There are some fundamental changes to the vehicle, including moving the radiator to behind the cabin. There is nothing in the car that doesn't need to be there.

Recovery is another issue. You have to be able to self recover, so vehicle design is done with recovery as a big issue.

Bruce talks about how the change in temperature in the sand dunes can make a big difference in how hard the driving is.

We talk about the mental preparation that you need to be a Dakar Rally driver. How can you prepare to do some epic Big Dune driving.

We look at the technique required to drive down Big Dunes. It is not as easy as it looks and getting the technique correct is really important.

Bruce talks about the Australian Safaris, which was a smaller version of the Rally. It no longer runs because of the cost to run the event, which is sad.

The Redex trials were a precursor to all of this and gave a big boost to the Australian 4 wheel drive industry.

The Rallies are a big bart of 4WD tourism, and in countries like Chile, hundreds of thousands of tourists go to Chile to visit some of the places that are highlighted by the Dakar Rally and the Desert Challenge.

We discuss Bruce's experience as a mechanic and the kinds of things that he learnt that helped him with his Rally driving.

We talk about some of his driving in Asian countries.

Join the conversation about the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum. www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month.

If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch. The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast! It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch. The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast! It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

We talk with Bruce Garland who has a huge amount of experience in 4WD rally driving. He has done some awesome rallies and we look at how he got started and why and what adventures he has had.

Bruce shares his experiences doing the Dakar rally. He talks about driving some of the huge dunes.

What does it talk to do a Dakar rally? What kind of driving is it? What do you have to do to be in the Dakar? How much does it cost? What is the role of the rally support team?

How do you navigate in a race where there are no roads and you are travelling at 150 km / h?

How dangerous is the Dakar rally? Dehydration and fatigue can create significant problems for drivers and navigators?

Bruce has done 5 Dakars and is one of Australia's most experienced rally drivers and has some amazing stories to share.

We talk about the accident that broke Bruce's back and how he recovered from it.

We continue our discussion with Brian, one of the 4x4earth moderators.

We discuss tyre pressures. Too many people don't deflate or they deflate enough. What is the right tyre pressure? How often should you check the tyre pressure?

What equipment do you need?

People see a lot of ads on TV about 4WDs driving along the sand at high speed with sand going everywhere. Is this realistic? Should you drive like that?

What factors contribute to rollovers?

What time of day is the best for 4 wheel driving down on the beach?

What about gears? High or Low? Second or Third? How should you be thinking about the gears as you drive through the sand?

Don't forget your sand flag!

We finish up with a discussion about the importance of trip leaders. They are fundamental in helping new owners of 4 wheel drives to help them get off road and have a great time and make sure that they go out offroad for a second time.

Also the Granites.

Have you ever driven up onto the Granites and taken a photo?

Someone had when we went there. The track marks are fresh. Could this be one of the most iconic 4 wheel drive photos that you can get with your 4 wheel drive?

Join the conversation about the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum. www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month.

We talk to Brian, one of the 4x4earth moderators about a long weekend away at Robe where 5 4WDs rolled over.

What happened? Why?

We also talk about the Granites. Have you been to the Granites? Have you driven up there? Is a 4WD up on the rock one of the most iconic 4 wheel drive selfy shots?

Brian talks about the 32 mile crossing and then on to 42 mile crossing for lunch.

On the way back there is a vehicle stuck with a tyre rolled off the rim and the vehicle was bogged well down in the sand near the water's end, forcing the convoy to take a high line around the bogged truck. Trev hits a tuft of weed and has a slow rollover. Brian talks about how they recover Trev's car and the vehicle that was originally bogged.

Why didn't they try to start the vehicle? How did they get him off the beach?

Brian talks about the recoveries and how no one gets left behind. There were 5 rollovers in 1 weekend at Robe.

Brian talks about his favourite track, around Arkaroola, which is an amazing part of Australia. I had never heard of it, it is definitely a hidden gem in Australia.

Ron talks about the High Country, Robe and South America.

Ron travelled through Brazil and Argentina.

We talk 4 wheel tourism. Which state does Ron think is doing the best in providing access?

four wheel driving touring brings in a lot of tourism dollars, and the more Councils and local businesses understand this, the more likely we are to get tracks open.

What about vehicles? Are vehicle designs changing the way that we drive and the places that we go?

How have online booking systems impacted the 4 wheel driving camping industry?