Offroad Driving Tips

dr k said:
somebody told me a while back to keep your thumbs next to your index fingers while driving in really rough terrain. Reason being that if your wheel hits a rock or catches a rutt and tweaks your steering wheel really hard one way your thumbs won't get caught in the steering wheel and get jacked up..I don't know? I've never had my wheels turn suddenly really fast...anyone hear of this tip? sounds like it would make sense a little..
dan
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It certainly made sense to me 45 years ago in my IIA Land Rover - that steering wheel was like a meat slicer - but I’ve never seen a wheel do this since power steering.
 
@dr k Our WWII Jeeps with full bar lug tyres all round would do that. So would my 1968 Landcruiser with full bar lugs on the front. Wrist breaking territory ... I'm not kidding!

That's why I changed to Custom Hi Milers on the front, with full bar lugs on the back. That, and hugely improved braking and steering on wet bitumen ...

Certainly not a problem I've encountered with any of our Subarus.
 
Blimey! 9 pages of tips to read. This will keep me busy!

My 5c worth. Keep it smooth. Don't do anything too fast, don't try to wrench the car around, be firm but stay smooth and be patient. Give the car time to do what you want it to do.

I well remember what was undoubtedly the hariest and most sustained bit of off-road driving I ever did. This was in the Gawler Ranges after a big downpour and the tracks were really bad. But we had to keep moving - stop anywhere in that soup and you wouldn't ever get started again. Big ruts, half of them invisible under mud, and slipery as all get-out. Water everywhere. 40 minutes of ferocious concentration and I finally reached good stony ground where we could stop and think about making camp. It was white knuckle all the way and I just focussed on keeping some momentum and staying smooth no matter what happened. Made it!

When we stopped my passenger said "Gosh, that was easy, wasnt it!" She hadn't a clue how hard it had been. I was like a wet rag. But I stayed smooth all the way and we made it. :)
 
dcoutback said:
So does the AUTO OB lose much in ability compared to the Dual Range manual?

I'd love to step up to the 3 litre but wonder what i'd lose (with the lose of Low range)
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I’ve owned a manual BH and an auto BP Outback. The BH had “low” range, but honestly; first in the 4AT is pretty much the same, so I don’t miss the manual. The auto more than compensates in slow going.

Just be aware that if you go for a 3.0l, it’ll have the 5AT, which is higher geared overall than the four-speed.
 
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