[star_aqua]

when they came back after the SOS call to Viji



Rajesh


Robi


The damages


the snorkel was intact even after taking the load of the vehicle



happy Rajesh after spidey back on track

[gsferrari]

Originally Posted by ex670c

Please consider a front Traction Bar.
Arka

Is this the same as the "Torsion Bar"? If not - what is this "Traction Bar" and how does it work?

Why is Axle warp more likely in SPOA setup and how would this traction bar prevent it from happening?

[Samurai]

Torsion bar is part of the suspension. Traction bar is used to avoid axle wrap. That long red part near the rear axle.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-te...ml#post1389419

[gsferrari]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Torsion bar is part of the suspension. Traction bar is used to avoid axle wrap. That long red part near the rear axle.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-te...ml#post1389419

Awesome...understood. I think this will also affect SPUA Gypsy with shackle lift. Now I understand what Arka has been telling me about

From the URL you have provided it looks like Khan is already running a traction bar. I don't think the traction bar or lack of one would contribute to a roll-over. I can, however, see how important it would be for rock-crawling etc.

Thanks for the information!

[The Wolf]

Originally Posted by gsferrari

Awesome...understood. I think this will also affect SPUA Gypsy with shackle lift. Now I understand what Arka has been telling me about

From the URL you have provided it looks like Khan is already running a traction bar. I don't think the traction bar or lack of one would contribute to a roll-over. I can, however, see how important it would be for rock-crawling etc.

Thanks for the information!

He only has it in the rear.

[mohang_j]

Khan and Spidy,
Good to hear that both of you are fine. Take care.

[headers]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Thanks Arka now Khan is in the exclusive club And dont give him ideas, he already has too many plans running inside his head.

LOL Jaggu: He still has a record to beat - mine ,

[Jaggu]

PS: Please note picture reveal only a half and some of it quite dicey. Please use utmost caution while attempting the same Pictures were shot by someone else so coverage might be scanty.

Fall in fall in or else! @ 7 am opp Columbia asia hospital. The Lean Mean Doberman. Now on know as The D.


We move on to Kamat on a foggy morning drive. Expect similar drive for the OTR day, careful road is smooth but dotted with bus stop and crossings. Will be a good idea to drive with caution on this road, especially when the fog is up. We regroup at Kamat for breakfast.

Vehicles which participated for the recce.




We buy loads of water and some supply and move on to Aavalconda, to MP's farm. This is a good idea (stock up), carry atleast 3-4 liters per day, we took 2 liter per person which was over by 3 pm.

I take a test drive of The D. You wont believe it, but this one can crawl in 3 Low easily with just me inside.



Robi posing with his Invi



Our host MP Srinivas.



Prithvi with Star behind making an entry to the trail.



We drive to check out the lake, MP's handy man tries it for depth and we figure that it is ruled out at this point of time. Water levels are too high, hopefully it will recede in the coming days.

The D articulating.



The walk begins, Rajesh leading the way



One of the mounts and the back drop to MP's farm



So we all know what happened with Spidey, now the recovery pics. It took couple of minutes to get back on all 4. One of those times when one really appreciate a Gypsy.






And the recoverer, again one of those times when one appreciate a heavier M&M and that too with a working winch! All of you having winch, double check the working and the cables. Trust me we will need it alot. Oh and check the battery also please.



Lil one is really wondering what these old uncles are doing????



So are these two ladies who accompanied us. Am also a pet owner but ideally avoid them for this trip coz its very difficult to take care of them once we are inside the trail with a big group.



So this is a new obstacle we came across. A nice drop, one has to be careful! Picture does not reveal much BUT Take the right extreme route and slowly crawl down. If you take the center path then you have to be ready for some wheel lifting and body flexing. Or take a completely safe slow decent further to left.





Now this one took lot of time, we came to this place and first thought it will be a straight climb. Robbie took up the challenge but soon was left hanging at very precarious angle. Unanimous decision, this is not doable without damages. Already the rock slider and left rear fender of the invi had taken a good beating.

Started off trying trying to clear the alternate safe route, you can see all the shrubs that we cleared lay on the side. Actually now it is covering the huge pit from where we attempted first.

But then the growth was too thick, so it was decided we will make another attempt. With a different line, but still risky, coz if one slides (which will happen since its very slippery) then chances of topple is very high. Except Robbie none of us were sure we can do it, but then there is Robbie.






Look at The D climb, Prithvi is doing it really slow without much powering still tail slides off. This is going to be a real challenge on the day if we are doing it. Since taking 50+ vehicles is going to be really a task for everyone.

Please ensure your vehicle is mechanically in ship shape, things like gear slips are ruled out, hand brake's working and you have good roll bar and seat belts.






This is the exit, dont go too close to left. Except The D all got stuck and then only tow was an option. You will not have much choice since you will be slipping and sliding while climbing. NDMS guys air down, as low as possible PLEASE!



Another big issue at Aavalaconda. Thanks to diff guard, Invy was saved. And this is just under 1.5 kms of trail.

[fazalaliadil]

Jaggu,
Thanks for the detailed photolog. Spidey is Spidey...then Dobermann is a mean head turner and surely a performer too. Loved Robi's clean cut Invi.

I am glad I picked up two diff. guards for front and rear from Bangalore boy, Vijay, highly recommended, the deep bruise on that thick plate further endorses it.
Regards,

[starter]

Jaggu, thanks for the super report!
One question @Jaggu/Vijay: What is the crawler gears "The D" is running on? 4.16 or higher?
Cheers,
Deepak

[star_aqua]

Some more pics and a video of that challenging climb from my cam

YouTube - Robi invader

this climb is very difficult and will cause a good amount of damage to the vehicle if we are not lucky. unfortunately there is no escape route to bypass this section.
Diff guards are highly recommended for this terrain if one is not very careful while stepping on the boulders.

[Jaggu]

We move on and let me re-introduce our beloved recce vehicles. This is towards and at another part of the lake, here the ground seems to be re-assuring but depth a problem again. While we were taking turn touching the water a friendly villager from other side advices us not to, since the depth is till his shoulders









We get lost in between, the terrain we want to try is impossible, so we finally figure out something which is filled with rocks and absolutely slow but takes us back to the trail we did in Oct.

Word of caution, keep an eye out for vehicle in front and rear, once you are lost in here you are in for a very long wait. You can be the vehicle in front or rear.




Those with expensive body work and care about it, stay off coz this is what the body will be up against most of the time.



Some of you are familiar the rut, it has become dry and super slippery. Robi manages to get vehicle stuck first right in middle then try climbing. The smoke you see at the end is nothing but tyre smoke! Finally he winches himself out.





Next is Spidey who is back to his normal self.







Coming up The D, he goes in and is stuck at 3/4 of climb. Somehow not able to climb up.



Goes back in and re-appears this time in a very mean manner and just gets out like nothing happened. Later we come to know that first attempt was with handbrake completely engaged lol







We move on and its already late, everybody tired and no water supply. We decide to pack up and the ladies take a ride on the back of spidey.



We get back to camp for some head scratching. Khan goes underneath to asess the damage.



And i sit and wonder that i have to write this report soon.

[gsferrari]

Jaggu - super report there and the terrain looks...destructive! This should be a fun and frustrating trail with broken vehicles and broken hearts.

What tires are those on the "D"? Is this Gypsy running crawler ratios or a 1.6L engine? Great work by Vijay Kumar.

What is the approximate trail duration from start to finish?

[hisunil]

Nice Write up Jaggu complimented by pics, very informative.

Thanks
Sunil

[M P Sreenivasan]

trail is not destructive, it is technically challenging and one should never loose concentration or avoid spotting when you are on 4 x 4 terrain!!

Originally Posted by gsferrari

Jaggu - super report there and the terrain looks...destructive! This should be a fun and frustrating trail with broken vehicles and broken hearts.

What tires are those on the "D"? Is this Gypsy running crawler ratios or a 1.6L engine? Great work by Vijay Kumar.

What is the approximate trail duration from start to finish?