Looking after the essentials after a punishing summer
Wasn’t it great? Mud, sand, dirt, dust and more mud – what a summer. And that 4WD carried the crew through some epic adventures.
Now it’s time for payback. Taking care of the truck pays dividends and means that next trip is just as epic.
Servicing 4WDs can be more challenging than servicing standard vehicles – especially because so many of us prefer to do the work ourselves.
For starters, clean the truck from end to end, top to bottom. The trick here is if using a pressure sprayer keep the pressure low and indirect, avoiding areas like brakes and bearings.
Adventuring usually happens in groups both for companionship and for mutual safety in case recoveries are required. To get to an offroad destination there will be a convoy over gravel roads – which generally means travelling in a dust cloud for all but the lead vehicle. Think engine air filters and check the cabin air filter.
Once off-road, vehicles meet sand (usually a beach with added salt water spray) or areas of mud. In the South Island there’s usually numerous crossings of braided rivers, water covering at the least the full underbody and potentially to near the top of the bonnet - assuming the vehicle at least has a snorkel. Think diff oil, transmission oil hub bearings.
Tracks will be rough and will use full suspension travel (which may be enhanced by suspension modifications). Larger wheels and tyres are regularly fitted increasing unsprung weight and leverage on suspension components. Think bushes, bearings, shock absorbers and take a look at light metal components like exhausts and ‘cats’.
Take a close look at chassis members and welds and at suspension arms.
Another area to consider is the electrical system. The 4WD usually has extra electrical requirements to power accessories, recovery winches, extra lighting and for overnight off the grid camping. The alternator gets exposed to water, as does the starter motor.
Some time and money invested in the truck now will deliver peace of mind when it next hits the road.
