Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 17 Nov 2002
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: York, Yorkshire, UK or Cairo, Egypt
Posts: 63
Grand Cherokee...diff locks?

A query on behalf of a friend... does a Jeep Grand Cherokee (98 model) have a diff lock, or just an electronically controlled 4wd system?
__________________
Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but wheeltracks..... tread lightly.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 20 Nov 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Posts: 456
No, it doesn’t have a diff lock. It has a limited slip diff, which require and oil additive whenever you change the axle gear oil. The 4wd system is either electronic or manual depending on the option and where in the world you got it.

Hope this helps.

------------------
A.B.

OasisPhoto.com – Images from the Magical Sahara.
ShortWheelbase.com – Jeep preparations.
__________________
A.B.
OasisPhoto.com – Images from the Magical Sahara.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 20 Nov 2002
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: York, Yorkshire, UK or Cairo, Egypt
Posts: 63
Thanks AB... we were in the Gebel Qatrani escarpment the other day and the Jeep was acting like it didnt have one, but Im not familiar with Jeeps enough to have said for sure at the time.

Pity that Jeep have let their top-of-the-range vehicle fall so far short of the marque's one-time reputation.....

LRN
__________________
Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but wheeltracks..... tread lightly.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 22 Nov 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Posts: 456
Well, I somewhat disagree.. I think it can be a great 4wd with the regular modifications. Install an Old Man Emu lift kit and decent tires for example and it will pretty much go anywhere. When it comes to diff locks, there aren’t many 4wd that come with it as standard in the first place so it’s not really a disadvantage in comparison. Having said that I have to admit that they’re not as reliable as Toyotas or other Japanese 4wd. But again nothing is, not even Land Rovers. But with proper maintenance Jeeps can perform wonderfully for years.

------------------
A.B.

OasisPhoto.com – Images from the Magical Sahara.
ShortWheelbase.com – Jeep preparations.
__________________
A.B.
OasisPhoto.com – Images from the Magical Sahara.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 26 Nov 2002
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: York, Yorkshire, UK or Cairo, Egypt
Posts: 63
Well, surely you could say that of any 4wd 'with modifications'? Especially a lift kit, which, after all, removes the limitations that many vehicles (eg Vitaras, Freelanders etc) suffer....

Id suggest that any 4wd that hopes to be considered a 'serious proposition' should come with at least a centre diff lock as standard, as well as decent clearance and axle travel
__________________
Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but wheeltracks..... tread lightly.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 26 Nov 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Nottingham, UK
Posts: 180
Hmm, I think there has been a bit of a misunderstanding here. I think AB was saying that the Jeep doesn't have axle diff locks. It does, however, have a locked mode between front and rear axles. (In fact, some JC models offer 2WD, 4x4 full time (i.e. centre diff unlocked), and 4x4 part time (i.e. centre diff locked)).

What is more, some models have a limited slip diff in the rear axle.

On our recent trip to Morocco, we had 3 vehicles, an ageing 1993 Discovery, my Defender, and a Jeep Grand Cherokee. There is no doubt that the JGC is the "softest" of the three, but it performed effortlessly in the sand, and pretty capably over the boulder beds. It wasn't overloaded, but it was carrying a respectable amount of kit.

Interestingly, the suspension didn't give a more comfortable ride than either of the other two vehicles (they were all very different), but overall it was much more comfortable, given the air-con, and the plush, quiet interior. It also sealed out much of the dust, whereas both Land Rovers appeared to be fitted with the standard LR Dust Attraction Device (tm).

The JGC was a petrol automatic, with an LPG conversion. At the Defender-travelling-speed of 90km/h on motorways, the Jeep got around 13 l/100km (15 when using gas). The 200TDi Discovery got 10 l/100km, and the 300Tdi 6x6 Defender got a disappointing 15 l/100.

We had alternator problems with the Defender, and a rear hub oil seal needed changing. And the nylock nuts worked their way off two of the shock absorbers - one top one and one bottom one(!). And two punctures.

Nothing went wrong with the Jeep, apart from one puncture, though the battery tended to die very quickly overnight, even with just the interior light on. Oh, and the clunking noise from the diff, which had just been "fixed" before we left, and reappeared before we even reached Spain!

The only attention the Discovery seemd to need was the occasional fill-up with diesel!

My only real concern with the Jeep was that it was an automatic, and it's easy to cook the transmission when playing in the dunes, especially if the driver hasn't driven in deep sand before, and doesn't realise how much resistance sand provides.

In a manual vehicle, you start to realise that something is amiss when you're in first gear low range and still needing LOTS of throttle to get going. With the Jeep, all that impressive silky big six power starts overheating the fluid very quickly when the wheels are buried in the soft stuff.

Other than that (which of course is not a weakness of the Jeep specifically), the Jeep was very impressive - much more so that any of us had expected, given that it is very clearly aimed at the upper end of the "soccer mom" market.



[This message has been edited by SandyM (edited 26 November 2002).]
__________________
Michael & Sandy
http://www.expeditionoverland.com
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10 Dec 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Posts: 456
Quote:
<font face="" size="2">the standard LR Dust Attraction Device (tm).</font>
hehe.. I love that

------------------
A.B.

OasisPhoto.com – Images from the Magical Sahara.
ShortWheelbase.com – Jeep preparations.
__________________
A.B.
OasisPhoto.com – Images from the Magical Sahara.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:49.