5 SIMPLE TIPS EVERY 4WDer SHOULD KNOW

[@jamesknowles4740]

I did most of these out of common sense and as you said I never even realized I do the first one, but hearing it all from somebody with more experience explained a streamlined way helps a ton.

[@donwatson3601]

I have a 97 Kia Sportage 4x4 with cable throttle. The throttle body has a "cam" system that opens the throttle body slowly for most of the pedal throw, and then all at once towards WOT. Somehow, over 25 years ago, an upcoming Korean car brand thought about fine throttle control for their first 4wd vehicle.

[@paullubcke8554]

Another tip Ronny. Always use plastic valve caps.! Alloy will fuse to the valve if you do beach driving. I broke the valve trying to undo it and the wheel was useless.

[@mammutMK2]

I have brass caps on my snow tires. Not the best to handle with cold fingers

[@XsnipxrmainX]

Good one thanks

[@dotdot2723]

I read that metal ones with plastic threaded liner are fine. I bought some cheap ones from SCA and learnt the hard way. I just thought they looked cool but didn't even think of the aftermath ☠️

[@haxboi5492]

It'll fuse no matter what. It's definitely not worth it

[@bobvedder2451]

I used to belong to the "Hanau American Four Wheelers" in Germany with my 1976 CJ 7, after wheeling in the mud, i always washed my vehicle, but i eventually had to replace all of the moving parts like starter, alternater, all brake pads, belts etc. I dont usually wallow my vehicle in deep water or mud anymore.

[@0HOON0]

Carrying a couple extra valve stem caps is an excellent tip. I've stupidly lost one before and even regular road and brake dust will eventually mess up the seals.

[@sandychoda9544]

Hey Ronny, Have you considered that you have 2 reverse gears? If you get stuck on a track you’re likely to be in low, & you’ll try reverse in low before giving up and resorting to winch.. Try switching to Hi range reverse and you might find yourself unstuck 🤔 Seen it work!

[@lag_profil]

I´ve done it. Sometimes you just need some more speed to get unstuck.

[@olenilsen4660]

Good tip. More power also means more damage if what you got stuck on is a root or something, though. Those things can find all kinds of things, even behind armor. I know from foresting. Try to think about the possibilities, and consider what kind of protection you have. I guess that was my 2 cents summarized.

[@pohtoj1]

Have you considered listening to what you watch before leaving a comment??

[@wiciuwiciu2783]

​@@pohtoj1 but he's right. Somethimes you can go through something with ease. But you'll return home without a skid plate or spring slipped out... Speed is the answer, but it can be costly :(

[@dunhillsupramk3]

OR you can just not get stuck... i find that works wayyy better!!!

[@DaniilAKein]

If someone asked me for advice (nope), I would give only one - use a manual transmission. With that you may understand what the car really wants and how to get out from any mess safely. Cheers

[@haddahgutful1876]

I have used my car wash sponge under the accelerater pedal, Worked well.

[@benmartin339]

I like to prep my 4x4 as we go camping at Fraser all the time. With a couple of cans of Inox, I spray the underside of my car, bolts, nuts etc. it’s non stick and works a treat.

[@alice20001]

#1 can confirm I started doing that without noticing at first. After a rough section we stopped, and when I went back in I noticed that I was putting my foot up against the wall and really helped a LOT.

[@davideloewen]

How do you make this work in a Left-Hand Drive?

[@chillyburger1077]

Great tips . I've been off-roading in Canada for 30+ years . I was lazy winter wheeling and did not put my caps back on . Snow and ice got in the valve stem and I could not air up .I had to thaw the stems . Now I always put the caps back on. Good day Eh

[@mikecurtis3643]

Good basic stuff, that a lot of folks(me) can forget to do.

[@Smouse168]

Great tips! I’ve always wondered about driving a hot vehicle through cold water. They say wait till your frying pans cool down before washing them in the sink. That got me thinking about this.

[@Shveet]

6:40 i just helped a bud on a motorcycle who was stranded up in Tuktoyaktuk over the weekend. His mechanic added balancing beads to his motorcycle tire, when buddy went to air down. A single bead stuck itself into the valve core from the inside of the valve and kept it open resulting in dumping all the air out. Spare valve cores, stems, and caps all around.

[@ShadowsOfTheParanormal]

These are some great tips, I'm a newbie had a Nissan xtrail 4x4 since October 2021 and had done some off road and trips.... Never thought about the valve cores I'm definitely going to buy a kit for this.

[@locker1962]

I use metal valve core caps, same price as the plastic ones but last longer and seal better. On the spare tire I may use "Fluid Film" on the cap and valve to prevent corrosion

[@rodhester2166]

Thanks for the video, the thing I see beginners with automatic transmissions is they do not know how to drive two footed, using the brake to keep them from lunging forward over rocks, stead resistance with the brakes will help smooth out the rock crawling.

[@stevegoodwin5841]

Talking about manual gear boxes another tip, leave gear five and six for highway use, they are both overdrive with your fourth being a 1:1 ratio. They (5th and 6th) are both weak gears in drive operation in your gearbox and not designed for heavy towing or off road 4x4 usage. They will work ofcourse in these conditions but the result with be detrimental to the overdrive gears themselves. Got that from the gearbox experts in Melbourne 360 Gearboxes and diffs in Bayswater.

[@TheLukaszpg]

So much wrong info here 😂

[@raywj1fan]

@@TheLukaszpg care to elaborate

[@sergiusabo]

It really varies by make and model which is the direct drive (1:1) gear, for some cars it is the 5th gear.

[@rayoflight39]

You believe this??? 😂😂😂😂😂

[@brettknighten1171]

It varies vehicle to vehicle however you are right the higher the gear the weaker the gear will be but it all goes back to using your head low range and 5th gear is going to be stronger alot of the times than high and 2nd because the transfer case is your force multiplier

[@Wilbargosh]

The old landies had a handle throttle controller on the left side of the dash. Worked a treat! Particularly if you needed to foot brake and control clutch with a crap hand brake.

[@royblackburn1163]

Had a hand throttle on my first landy, fell out once had to run after it , fun times lol.

[@TJRshots]

Great video. The cruiser looks like a monster at 0:15

[@That-Guy-79]

Another thing about driving a vehicle that hasn't been modified or maybe has open diffs is driving with a foot partially on the brake to control wheel speed. The tire with the least amount of traction will spin easier. Using the brakes a wee bit will help stop that particular wheel from spinning (ie. Lost traction) and help divert power to the other wheel with more grip. I've not heard anybody discuss this technique much. Newer vehicles like Range rovers use the computer to "aid" in traction similarly.

[@79series]

Have had to do that before aswell just a quick brake tap.

[@greensnake00]

That's a good idea gonna give it a try

[@G-force_Motorsport]

@@greensnake00 Just keep the pressure on the brake gentle, too much can overstress the driveline ...and don't ask how I know ;) The left foot can feel very clumsy on the brake pedal, if you've not done it before. Cheers

[@greensnake00]

@@G-force_Motorsport you must've been stomping on that to bust your driveline 😂. Ah yes I still remember my first time.left foot braking.... went through the wind screen

[@G-force_Motorsport]

@@greensnake00 Yes, I've leant now, it was only a driveshaft...Hope you fixed that windscreen😂 But seriously, It's kind of second nature to me now, being lucky enough to do gravel rallying in a front wheel drive-- the left foot braking I mean :)

[@DevinDeCremer]

I always apply #5. 👍 Even been complimented on how clean I keep my vehicle, especially engine.

[@donaldfuller5058]

About the water crossing you should have the vent tubes of your transmission, transfer case and axles extended to your breather box. Because it not the water is going to flow past your seals. What happens is those parts get cooled off by the water and the air contacts then when those parts are underwater they suck in water. If you don’t want to relocate them to the air box or you think it will be too much work that is your call.

[@jessemorgan6422]

Wow. I got a gear limit selector on my steering wheel, that's what it's for. Thx for the video!

[@akhileshenator]

Point No. 3 and 4, you mean mechanical empathy. Loved the video.

[@CanadianOffroad4x4]

#4! 12000000% yes yes I always do this. I thought about this for a while when i knew i was parking on the side of a mountain then waking up and going climbing again. Let my tacoma run for like 10 mins and great to have a gauge reader! Once i see certain temps I know my truck is ready!

[@GoatOffroad]

Throttle control!! I learned to drive with both feet (on an automatic) 1 foot on the gas, 1 foot on the brake- I call it “2 foot’n” 😂 Great when rock crawling 😎 Great tips Ronnie! ❤️🐞 “Bug”

[@lag_profil]

Yes! Left foot breaking is sometimes very usefull. For example reversing uphill with a trailer can be hard at full speed, but running your engine at 1500rpm and regulating the speed with the break pedal kan make it look very easy. I learned left foot breaking by driving my 1984 Audi Quattro sideways on snow.

[@OcRefrig]

Just don’t get in that habit for highway driving.

[@lag_profil]

@@OcRefrig Of course not, that is just for low speed precision driving and high speed speed sideways snow driving. 😉

[@holgermuller2987]

@@OcRefrig Why not mate?.? I am used to it since the 80‘. But that’s just me, or? Happy days Cheers

[@stever285]

@@holgermuller2987 I take it you've never seen anyone driving along with their brake lights on because they're using both feet, the lights come on well before the brakes start to engage so people who use both feet all the time can put light pressure on the pedal without noticing. You might have heard the story of the little boy who cried wolf...same problem.

[@suitinaute]

Hi Ronny, If I engage the hill descent control on my auto PX Ranger I can take my foot off the accelerator when descending (and climbing) taking out that rough/jerky ride you had in tip 1. It works a treat. Additionally, the faster/slower cruise control buttons work when the hill descent control is turned on, allowing me to give it incremental speed up or slow down commands depending on the terrain. It's really useful. I didn't know about this until I did a 4wd drive course. My instructor pointed it out. Worth the cost of the course alone. The instructor said the tech came from Land Rover when Ford owned Land Rover, so Land Rovers have the same functionality.

[@StephenFogarty2023]

Land Rover debut HDC, when they first released the Freelander model in 1997. 1997, that’s over 25 years ago… BTW, from 1994 to 2000, LR was owned by BMW. In 2000, BMW sold LR to Ford. “ Terrain Response” off road driving modes - such as Sand / Mud Ruts / Water etc ) debut on the Series 3 Discovery, back in 2005. Over 17 years ago… Your Ranger probably has this also. Electronic Air Suspension for an off road / 4WD vehicle, debut on the Range Rover in 1992. Land Rover have always been at the forefront of new technology in 4WD vehicles. Generally, other companies start putting this same technology in their vehicles, many years later, once this technology is better, more reliable, and much cheaper to fit in the vehicle.

[@roaldbrits662]

Love HDC in my Everest! Pair it with 1L and rear locker and I'm super confident going downhill. With the cruise control buttons you can set it down to literally inch over obstacles with perfect control, where the older vehicles just tumble down in 1L only

[@Looo0007]

me being a hot-hatch and track car fan, who never done any off-roading his entire life: "oooh, this might be useful." but keeping extra valve cores around is indeed a good idea.

[@Ofrd_adv]

The valve core and cover is a good idea. Adding that to my kit. Thx!

[@robsolf]

I used to use #1 as my cruise control back in the 90's.

[@xwhite2020]

Valve caps is a good one. Knuckle heads at work always leave them off.

[@mojoman2001]

I heard stickers on the inside of your roof make for a knally rhoida!

[@donaldfuller5058]

About the valve the air doesn’t go around it but though it. So the damage will happen at the bottom seal not the red seal. The red seal seals the core to the stem. Now if you hold the core by it sides and push the stem of the core in you will see the very small and delicate seal that would be destroyed by dirt.

[@bbmm4054]

I love the pedal idea… I’ll give it a try… or maybe I’ve been doing tgat all along the 50 year driving… but I’ll check and make sure… Tnx for all the vids and sharing your experience.

[@JoshuaJAD]

Great tips Ronny. Could you cover clutch control techniques next for rocky climbs or similar, as well as hillstarts etc. I've been searching for clutch control techniques for 4 wheeling but can't seem to find any videos. Cheers

[@Owhunter-ki3fn]

Hey mate I can see from your profile picture you got an n60 hilux like me and personal I recon dual transfer cases or reductions help will make it way easier for rocks

[@officialWWM]

Get an auto. Easy.

[@royblackburn1163]

Choose your course, Choose your gear and keep your foot off the pedal.

[@HartyBiker]

Yeah like the other replies sort of said, choose your gear (if you're going slowly then usually 1st or 2nd low) and keep your foot off the clutch. The clutch won't help you to be more capable and if you rely on the clutch to control your speed you'll only succeed in ruining your clutch.

[@droarum]

I'm guilty of the valve core cap issue 😆👌🏾. Thanks for the reminder !!

[@douglasvamateurradioandmore]

Good information. Number one is a little harder over here in the states, its using the transmission hump and doesn't really work that well.

[@go2douglasvamateurradioandmore]

@Shane888 Davies it's what you know and what you train with.

[@suncitybooksgeraldton335]

Low 4 wd for reversing with a trailer without slipping the clutch no need to lock the hubs unless traction is an issue. Use metal valve covers even with a damaged valve the will hold air I have never carried spare valve cores. Older land cruisers had a hand throttle I have fitted them to other vehicles they just pull the throttle pedal down.

[@stevesmith7530]

Valve caps. Never mind the dirt, the number of times I have seen a little bit of bush deflate a tyre completely by pushing and wedging the core in :) Warm up, the best way to warm an engine is gentle driving, not 20mins sat at idle. Driving is the only way to warm the drivetrain.

[@shaneorgan5066]

That throttle lag in E throttles is for off-road use to take the surge out over bumps

[@KhanmunkhPurevpuntsag]

Nice got some learning from it. Have you ever considered exploring Mongolia's vast countryside? It's breathtaking and I think your content would capture its beauty perfectly!

[@RyanYoxo]

These are the type of vids I enjoy ! Good four wheel driving tips, not just hey buy this for ya car

[@staffordshires2]

Sorry my friend, the red part in the valve core is to seal the outer part of the valve core to the inner valve stem. When you push the little stem in the middle, the bottom part of the inner valve core opens allowing air into the tire.. that is where you may get mud or crap in it so it doesn't seal when you release the air chuck..hope this helps you a bit..

[@izan1001]

Use a metal valve caps with good gasket or o-ring inside and keep a few extra in your car and then you can throw away the valve core. I have 2 valve in each wheel and one with core and the other without. One to inflate or deflate and the other only for measuring. Truly speeds up inflate prosess.

[@Deadassbruhfrfr]

Thanks for the simple, but very important tips. I just bought my first jeep wrangler. And this is great to know. :) Greetings from North Carolina!

[@relmdrifter]

LHD here: I do not know that I have my foot against the tunnel (i'll check next time out), but have not had any issue with throttle input, save for lack of it (4cyl). I plan to set up some form of cable system to have a low speed throttle lock though. Manual trans now worries, autos I use the autos like a manual when needed. I think the valve cap is a bit left for those basics you mentioned at the beginning. Tire safety is far beyond just 4wheeling Warm up, again basics. good on ya for cold water though. I do a lot of snow wheeling, crossing some time thigh deep (im 5'10") Clean up after wheeling ... "don't put it away wet" Well, I didn't learn anything, not your fault. Guess I'm just passed this class lol Gave you a like. Keep wheeling Brother

[@bobvedder2451]

I have a gladiator which has an automatic with both a manual mode and a regular drive mode. I plan on getting a " chip such as the tazer" that will allow me to use my lockers in high range.

[@thejackaroo4WDcampingchannel]

Hey Ronny, Valve cores are called Schrader Valves

[@guruscux3053]

Very good Sir Ronni - basic things but important, I think the one of the main things in keep thumbs out side of the steering wheel when off road ( broken thumbs not good)

[@jarrod1687]

I think that's a myth

[@nzAndy]

but not on a tractor

[@davidjenkins6691]

Definitely true! In some vehicles this is more important than others though. My first car (a Subaru Brumby) nearly ripped my thumbs off a number of times. I eventually learned 😂

[@West4ea]

@@jarrod1687 it’s true whilst modern vehicles with power steering and steering dampers have reduced the kick back at the wheel. It’s good practice older vehicles like an FJ40 or series Landrover will spin the wheel incredibly fast

[@Kinkkis]

Tip #1 I use always espesialy if not cruse controll.

[@brandonhalcyon6984]

Very good tips. Thanks bud

[@wiciuwiciu2783]

If you have manual parking brake, pulling it a little bit can simulate LSD. Especially on drum brakes. But don't pull it too hard!

[@Slimrusty]

3rd gear low range with the 1hz 70 is a beast low speed control and full noise sandune eater

[@seanchristie7150]

Fantastic tips and a great reminder for some of the more experienced people around

[@slamboy66]

#1 works with a Semi with air ride seats in a field . Using EXPO also works with my RC HELI.

[@karlgarnett7445]

That Foot control I do that as a lazy way to set my speed when driving long distance

[@JimmyStewpot]

Love my hand throttle in the unimogs

[@keithhaycraft3765]

Some very good advice here Ronny. I have been using the foot against the kick panel forever in vehicles which don't have cruise control. It helps with fuel economy on the highway & red7ces wear & tear on the driveline too. I used to drive trucks so, using the gears in an automatic vehicle is second nature to me, one benefit is that it reduces brake wear in hilly country, even on the highway. I also find lower gears handy for controlling my speed in School zones. Thanks again for the advice. I think the tips can have a huge number of benefits for less experienced drivers.

[@lukemagro6060]

4xOverland rules, this channel is great too. Keep up the great work, both of you.

[@commsguy71]

Great video. Clear, helpful and no nonsense. Thanks.

[@vernshein5430]

In addition to having a valve core wrench and spare valve cores, I like to keep one metal tire valve cap with a built on core wrench on one of my tires on my trucks. I usually keep it on the driver side front tire.

[@michaeldose2041]

I do that too, I'm always amazed that thieves seem to notice that. Do they make locks for those?

[@woobykal68]

Bloody good tips, never thought of them.

[@danieltommila4603]

Very Good Channel Ronny. Here in the Americas is a bit different. most Americans are driving with Automatic transmissions. I have adopted many of your skills though and found them quite useful. I am Actually German But now live in the States. I love Wheelin here in the States.

[@michaelhermans4753]

Another informative video Thanks for sharing Some very useful pointers

[@jamesolbrisch2582]

Another good tip I learned from a race cat driver is to flex your toes for minute throttle control much easier to make minor inputs into the throttle

[@matthewsalcedo593]

In the summer I wear flip flops (thongs) almost exclusively, when driving bare footed I use my toes for driving/throttle control

[@raymondclark1785]

But they wear soft soled shoes, most off road drivers wear boots

[@jamesolbrisch2582]

@Raymond Clark you can do it in boots too I've done it in work boots and combat boots it dosnt take all that much flex

[@drmarkintexas-400]

🏆🏆🏆👍🇺🇲🙏 Thank you for sharing.

[@toyotatreehugger]

Great stuff as always. Thank you, Ronny.

[@79series]

I've literally had a flat tyre due to a tiny tiny stick getting caught and snapping off and holding the valve pin in letting the air out slowly when off road in the bush due to not having a valve cap.

[@Teamjustagirl]

Thanks for your advice today. Appreciated

[@Ronny_Dahl]

No worries at all 👍😃

[@fhclappen8595]

Great tips, but I like to add one. Be sure there is not some hungry crock or some other nasty things in the water before you dip your toe in it. Best have a spotter with some kind of hardware to have your back and your life covered.

[@StephenFogarty2023]

Another great tip. Once u get off bitumen and onto off road tracks, move your drivers seat slightly forward, and higher. U then have much better visibility of the road surface ahead, and front end of your vehicle. In most 4WD videos, u c drivers pulling themselves up higher and forward, via tight grip of steering wheel, And out of their seat, so that they can see the road that’s down in front of their vehicle. They are straining upper body forward to get a better view of terrain in front of vehicle. When u do this, u r not supported by the car seat… U can’t steer easily, when u have pulled your body weight higher, via tight grip and pulling yourself up via the steering wheel…

[@ColoradoStreaming]

This is the same for autocross as well which actually has fairly similar vehicle mechanics as off-roading.

[@chevymalibu83]

I was already subbed, but I got you on the like Ronny. I love ALL of your content bro, keep going!

[@Ronny_Dahl]

I appreciate it mate

[@Defender110SLO]

Thanks for the tips Rony. Cheers. 🍻

[@davespanksalot8413]

Mud looks great on trucks, but it’s like 80 grit on any moving surfaces!

[@devishah8925]

Bro, which radio head holder is that you've mounted?

[@chrisshollinrake6826]

Good advice, thank you.

[@rjl110919581]

Thank you for your details video

[@Quarry4x4]

Great video Ronny. This content was good and valuable. Thanks

[@bquade70]

Excellent👍👍. Need to get me some spare stem valves now! Lake Havasu 🌞 Az

[@dazzashannon2589]

Imagine an air shifted transfer case like a truck ,you can go 2 nd low ,flick the switch to 2nd high and so forth

[@hadrianhaine5204]

Lots of 4x4s have electronic or vacuum actuated transfer boxes but you need to be stationery and in neutral to activate or dis activate them as they aren't meshed. Maybe it's possible double clutching but I'm not trying it on my rig

[@olenilsen4660]

2:30 I think I might prefer the first option ;) 4:10 - I would like to see more standard 4wds with separate difflockers. A lot of times I want 4wd with open diffs, mainly because locked diffs hurt my soul when they are not needed, and for lighter 4wd stuff, you definately don´t need them. When wheel travel expires or mudpuddles exist, then I want my diffs locked. But I guess serious offroaders make this mod pretty much as step 1? 7:24 - I never thought I would watch an offroad tip video that would tell me to keep tabs on my nipple covers (;))) But it´s a great tip. On steel rims, why not make a guard for the entire valve stem? We use those on heavy equipment. A small bit of bent 30*4 steel around the stem would keep it out of harms way. Are there alloy rims designed for this?

[@stevesmith3556]

Another good one Ronny!👍 I have a leak in a trailer tire and it's very slow. Think I'll change the valve and see how it goes😊

[@privateinformation8364]

I have size 17 US feet, I've been driving with my foot wedged since i was 12

[@gumboboy5446]

These are really great tips.

[@stansbruv3169]

I like those wheels Ronnie! Very nice.

[@profoundwill43]

Nice Oboz there. Good shoes. I'm on to the minimalist shoes (Xeros) now but before that I definitely enjoyed the Oboz.

[@ColoradoStreaming]

Its actually pretty remarkable how much more throttle control you get with Xero shoes. Especially in a manual car.

[@profoundwill43]

@@ColoradoStreaming hmmm never thought of that, but that's a great point

[@carrizog60]

Could use the manual accelerator on older rigs.

[@josephcarter8990]

I love your license plate! SKOL!

[@user-charlieccchong]

Ronny always always Great!

[@tommypaintingplastering2854]

hey ronny, can you teach any one double clutch, its awesome.

[@Chris-mi1uu]

Great content Ronny ya bloody legend

[@ashchaya7676]

I live 30 kays down a dirt road. Even in dry times, dust build up on the inside of your rims will throw out your wheel balance before long. I have some open-pattern rims that make it easy to blast water from the outside and hit everything on the inside (while still meeting and exceeding my required load rating), but I see a LOT of rims out there on the roads that would need to be taken off to be cleaned properly. Huge pain in the arse if you're doing it every week.

[@ClissaT]

You call your car 'old'! I have OLD. My 4x4 is HJ75 with a 1HT engine and all in almost pristine condition. Now that is 'OLD'. lol😂I love my 'old' landcruiser. Doesn't beep at me or tell me how to drive. All good!

[@AsBusiness-jm1rb]

nice tank you got there

[@tommygalatsi3237]

Great Tips there Ronny as always

[@jfloydsea]

Another great video, Ronny!

[@skylinevspec000]

Eco. I do that in my suby round town, lots more pedal resolution

[@silasfox5075]

Some really good outside of the norm tips Ronny, cheers. Also pretty cool to know that these have organically evolved as Ive become a better driver!

[@TUFFenuf4cruisin]

Wow what a Expert