[4ePikanini]

Last minute decision we decided to rather go to the Kei bridge Eskom access road instead of the eco trail

We will probably do that next month and spend the night at Mazeppa.

Some photos and a video of Jean's Jeep Mountain. This video is of a rocky part right at the end of the trail that I didn't want to go up even though Jean said I should be fine.

ZP_LiILAtq4

I was quite happy to just be camera man and wait for him to come back down.



















Looked under the chassis for leaks as we spot some oil drips on a rock. Turns out it must have been someone before us as neither of us had leaks. My nice thick bashplate works extremely well on rocky terrain

[4ePajero]

Thanks for inviting us!

GPS track?

How did the Pajero do, compared to the Jeep?

[4ePikanini]

GPS track?

How did the Pajero do, compared to the Jeep?

That Jeep made it look easy due to ground clearance, tyres and articulation & experienced driver.

There was a few spots where I thought the paj might struggle but it just walked out the obstacles. The auto gearbox made it so easy to control.

I made the mistake at some stage to leave it in "D" and I started to wonder why the engine was working so hard - moved it to tiptronic mode and the gearbox was in 3rd gear but still it pulled up the steep slopes.

Once I left it in tiptronic to force 1st low it idled out without even getting to boost rpm.

[Gerrit Loubser]

Interesting trail, Marius. Thanks for posting.

Is that Jeep a Rubicon? It should say Rubicon on the side of the bonnet lid if it is, but this one seems to have a different decal there.

The Rubicon has front and rear diff locks, a super low low range ratio (4:1) and an in-cab anti-roll bar disconnection system. It is probably the passenger vehicle with the best off-highway mobility straight off the showroom floor that is offered today. It is only offered with the petrol engine, though, probably to protect the driveline due to that very low low range.

[4ePikanini]

No. It's a jeep mountain. Traction control. V6 petrol and rear diff lock. It hasn't got the crawler gears like the rubicon

http://sacarfan.co.za/2010/08/jeep-wran ... available/

[4ePikanini]

NOTE : It is dense bush and you will get some scratches as the route is not well maintained in terms of bush clearing. It isn't actually a route - as mentioned it is just an acees road for eskom and they don't mind scratching the vehicles that our bills pay for.

I have to spend some time with the polish to get those scratches out.

[Davidvan]

Looks very lekker, now I am just lus

4ePikanini, are you considering a change on ride height (suspension or spacers), I am looking into this, do you think this would have made you more confident on this route around knocks?

What tyre size are you on 265/75 or 265/70?

Cheers

David

[4ePikanini]

I am on 265/70R16.

A lift with spacers would be hugely beneficial in really rough terrain but in most cases I am OK. The bashplates help and careful driving helps.

I'm not into the grade 5 stuff and do the 4x4 routes for the enjoyment, tranquility, scenery and joy of the drive. If the obstacle is clearly too much for the pajero I'll choose an escape route or find another way. I'd rather give my ego a bump than my pajero.

The only real issues on clearance was the big silencer box that's a typical gen3 flaw for clearance and the tow bar - but I'd rather bump the towbar than the bumper.

I'd rather spend that suspension money on a rear diff protector and a new set of injectors. Mitsu has cleared my injectors but they are not giving the economy others are getting.

[Davidvan]

Cool,

I changed to the 265/75/16 and very happy with the extra clearance this gives albeit very little (+-2cm) it does make a noticeable difference, however does hunt quite a bit more when towing especially on uphils and even slight uphills, but still happy.

The towbar is a life saver, call mine the grader, as for the centre silencer box, I see Rexy from Aussie Forum changed his out (see below - very nice setup he has there too), mine does have a few knocks, but OK for now, still many other things on the cards.

http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/sho ... php?t=3247

This may seem like a doff question but is the rear diff not hidden away due to the independant suspension in the rear, never seen that as an issue to be honest, the rear bumper though has a few battle scars.

The Jeeps have got good ground clearance though, am a bit envious of that. The Rubicon is a real machine, but wouldn't swap my Paj for it though

[Gerrit Loubser]

No. It's a jeep mountain. Traction control. V6 petrol and rear diff lock. It hasn't got the crawler gears like the rubicon

http://sacarfan.co.za/2010/08/jeep-wran ... available/

Thanks, Marius. I had never heard of that special edition. I notice the article that you linked does not mention the rear diff lock. Is that standard or was it an after market fitment?