Pete has been working as the Chief Engineer on the Jeep Gladiator.  Pete has a great job, as an engineer for Jeep, working on some of the most iconic 4WDs of all time.

We talk about the history of Jeep trucks and what the reasoning was behind creating a new Jeep truck now.

Where did the Jeep Gladiator come from?

When then start to talk about the engineering process that lead to the Jeep Gladiator, looking at the issues that needed to be managed by putting the 5 foot box at the back of the truck.  How do you maintain the approach and departure angles for the vehicle.

Jeep has worked to maintain offroad capacity whilst creating a great on road performance. 

What engines will be available when the Gladiator comes out?  How will it compare with the global trend that we are seeing in vehicle like the Nissan Patrol with less power?

We talk about the front facing camera designed specifically for drivers to be able to pick the line a lot better as they will be able to see where the wheels are going on the track. 

We talk about availability and most importantly when it will be available in Australia.

With Australia's love of 4WD utes, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator is probably going to be one of the hottest new vehicles available in the Australian market. 

Join the conversation about  the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month.

If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

The difference between air lockers and eLockers is one of the most popular discussion points on the 4x4earth forum, so we decided to get an expert in to discuss the difference.

Heath is the General Manager at Harrop Engineering.  He drives a Harrop Superado, an Holden Colorado with an upgunned V8 Harrop supercharger engine. 

Harrop was started in 1955 by Len Harrop in the northern suburbs of Melbourne.  His son had the Harrop Howler, a very fast quarter miler. Heath talks about how Harrop has transitioned about from supporting the Australian vehicle manufacturing industry to exporting components for vehicles like the Toyota Tundra.

We discuss what exactly an eLocker is and how it works with the diff.  Heath talks about how the eLocker passes the 300,000 km durability testing.  Originally developed by Eaton for the military, the eLocker is designed for reliability and durability.  An electromagnet is actuated to engage the diff locking mechanism.

Harrop has developed a range of 4 pinion designs for a large range of vehicles.  The gears, splines and internal housings are manufactured in Australia.

We talk about what kinds of driving conditions and tracks you would use a selectable locker for.  We also talk about the difference between front and rear lockers and when you would choose either. 

We discuss the next innovations for Harrop, like the PX3.

How hard is an eLocker to fit?  We look at whether it is a DIY solution or if it should be fitted professionally.

A great Aussie manufacturing story with some great innovation and big export wins.

Join the conversation about  the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month.

If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

We discuss with Robert Pepper the new towing laws that are being bought in.  How do the GCM and GVM impact the caravan towers?

We talk about one of the things that Russell Coight  did on one of his episodes.  Should you use a tow ball for snatching?  Russell did.  What could possibly go wrong?

Should you put nitrogen in your tyres?

What about snatchblocks?

Where is the new 4WD design concepts going? 

We discuss the new Mercedes Utes and the Suzuki Jimny and the Wrangler.  Are the older vehicles going to become classics becasue of the way that they drive?

Join the conversation about  the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month.

If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

Robert recently drove the new Ford Raptor recently and he gives us his opinion on what it is like to drive.  We talk about the engine and where you could drive the Raptor.  What would it be like towing?  Would Robert buy one?

Jeep Wrangler Ute!  This will be due out next year and looks really interesting.  A ute will fix one of the big problems with the Jeep - lack of space in the cabin, so it will be very popular.  I am pretty keen on checking it out.

What does Robert think about the Colorado ZR1?  Is it something that is worth a look or is it a skip?

What is it that is causing the recent spate of utes that snap their chassis?  Is it related to overloading?

We also discuss tyre pressure management systems.  TPMS are becoming increasingly popular - are they worth the money. 

Navarra D40s - is there an issue with the automatic transmission on them when you take them offroad?

Lastly, we bid farewell to Pete Brett, AKA Mr Rum, a regular around a lot of campfires around NSW, Victoria and South Australia.  Mr Rum was out driving through the Victorian High Country when he went around a blind corner and there was a tree across the road.  Despite traveling very slowly, the icy road meant he slid of the side of the road and down the gully.  Our condolences to Jen and Steve and the rest of his family and friends.

Join the conversation about  the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month.

If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

We look at the number of people who don't finish the Dakar Rally.  It is a very tough course, expensive to compete in and there is some unforgiving terrain, so the failure rate is very high.

The vehicles aren't stock, so they are heavily modified to make them capable of surviving the terrain at speed, whilst trying to keep the weight as low as possible.  There are some fundamental changes to the vehicle, including moving the radiator to behind the cabin.  There is nothing in the car that doesn't need to be there.

Recovery is another issue.  You have to be able to self recover, so vehicle design is done with recovery as a big issue.

Bruce talks about how the change in temperature in the sand dunes can make a big difference in how hard the driving is. 

We talk about the mental preparation that you need to be a Dakar Rally driver.  How can you prepare to do some epic Big Dune driving.

We look at the technique required to drive down Big Dunes.  It is not as easy as it looks and getting the technique correct is really important.

Bruce talks about the Australian Safaris, which was a smaller version of the Rally.  It no longer runs because of the cost to run the event, which is sad. 

The Redex trials were a precursor to all of this and gave a big boost to the Australian 4 wheel drive industry. 

The Rallies are a big bart of 4WD tourism, and in countries like Chile, hundreds of thousands of tourists go to Chile to visit some of the places that are highlighted by the Dakar Rally and the Desert Challenge.

We discuss Bruce's experience as a mechanic and the kinds of things that he learnt that helped him with his Rally driving.

We talk about some of his driving in Asian countries.

Join the conversation about  the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month.

If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

We talk with Bruce Garland who has a huge amount of experience in 4WD rally driving.  He has done some awesome rallies and we look at how he got started and why and what adventures he has had. 

Bruce shares his experiences doing the Dakar rally.  He talks about driving some of the huge dunes.

What does it talk to do a Dakar rally?  What kind of driving is it?  What do you have to do to be in the Dakar?  How much does it cost?  What is the role of the rally support team?  

How do you navigate in a race where there are no roads and you are travelling at 150 km / h?

How dangerous is the Dakar rally?  Dehydration and fatigue can create significant problems for drivers and navigators?

Bruce has done 5 Dakars and is one of Australia's most experienced rally drivers and has some amazing stories to share.

We talk about the accident that broke Bruce's back and how he recovered from it. 

We continue our discussion with Brian, one of the 4x4earth moderators.

We discuss tyre pressures.  Too many people don't deflate or they deflate enough.  What is the right tyre pressure?  How often should you check the tyre pressure?

What equipment do you need? 

People see a lot of ads on TV about 4WDs driving along the sand at high speed with sand going everywhere.  Is this realistic?  Should you drive like that?

What factors contribute to rollovers?

What time of day is the best for 4 wheel driving down on the beach?

What about gears?  High or Low?  Second or Third?  How should you be thinking about the gears as you drive through the sand?

Don't forget your sand flag!

We finish up with a discussion about the importance of trip leaders.  They are fundamental in helping new owners of 4 wheel drives to help them get off road and have a great time and make sure that they go out offroad for a second time.

Also the Granites. 

Have you ever driven up onto the Granites and taken a photo?

Someone had when we went there.  The track marks are fresh.  Could this be one of the most iconic 4 wheel drive photos that you can get with your 4 wheel drive?

Join the conversation about  the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month.

We talk to Brian, one of the 4x4earth moderators about a long weekend away at Robe where 5 4WDs rolled over. 

What happened?  Why?

We also talk about the Granites.  Have you been to the Granites?  Have you driven up there?  Is a 4WD up on the rock one of the most iconic 4 wheel drive selfy shots?

Brian talks about the 32 mile crossing and then on to 42 mile crossing for lunch.

On the way back there is a vehicle stuck with a tyre rolled off the rim and the vehicle was bogged well down in the sand near the water's end, forcing the convoy to take a high line around the bogged truck.  Trev hits a tuft of weed and has a slow rollover.  Brian talks about how they recover Trev's car and the vehicle that was originally bogged.

Why didn't they try to start the vehicle?  How did they get him off the beach? 

Brian talks about the recoveries and how no one gets left behind.  There were 5 rollovers in 1 weekend at Robe. 

Brian talks about his favourite track, around Arkaroola, which is an amazing part of Australia.  I had never heard of it, it is definitely a hidden gem in Australia.

Ron talks about the High Country, Robe and South America.

Ron travelled through Brazil and Argentina.

We talk 4 wheel tourism.  Which state does Ron think is doing the best in providing access?

four wheel driving touring brings in a lot of tourism dollars, and the more Councils and local businesses understand this, the more likely we are to get tracks open.

What about vehicles?  Are vehicle designs changing the way that we drive and the places that we go?

How have online booking systems impacted the 4 wheel driving camping industry?

Ron's got a couple of vehicles, and has driven the world in them.

Ron discusses his time in the Army, and how he transitioned to freelance writing, with a trip through Africa.  He talks about his time as editor of 4x4 Australia and now being the editor at large.

We discuss navigation in the days before GPS. 

Ron shares his experiences in travelling the world.  We discuss the differences between 4 wheel driving the in United States compared to Australia.  What kind of tracks do they have, what kind of driving is it and what kind of mods do they do?

How does Ron Moon rate the Victorian High Country compared to everything that he has seen?

• What sort of vehicle should you have?
• What sort of mods do you need?
• What is a medical envelope and why do you need one?
• What effect do the dunes have?
• What are some of the common mistakes people make?
• Camper Trailer - Yes or No?
• How much drinking water do you need?
• Where is fuel available?
• How often does the Canning get graded?
• What causes the Canning?
• What are the entry and exit points of the Canning?
• When is the best time to travel?
• What advice is there for first timers?
• What are the top 3 things to see on the Canning Stock Route?
• Where are the big sand dunes?
• Are there many abandoned vehicles on the track?

A massive thanks to Phil for sharing all of his great advice on the history and how to drive this amazing Australian track.

This was going to be my new Ute.  The rumours were that it was going to have a new 3.6 litre Petrol engine with a lot more power.  The Ecoboost engine was meant to have 336kW and 690Nm.  The new diesel has 147kW and 470Nm. 

We discuss with Robert Pepper, renowned 4WD journalist about -

• What has Ford done?
• Why has Ford done it?
• What is the Raptor all about?
• Should I by it?

We also look at the shocks, gearbox and the tyres.  At least with BF Goodrich tyres is a serious statement from Ford that the Raptor is meant to go offroad.

When first announced, people were putting deposits down on the Raptor without knowing the price, which is pretty amazing.  How will the reaction be once people know what the specs are going to be.

It will be interesting to see how the Baja mode works, it does sound like it will be a bit of fun to drive offroad, but the other question is where can we take one of these to really give it a good go and drive it to it's full potential.

We also talk about how some of the pressures of modern vehicle design are shaping what is possible for vehicle designers.  The smaller engine is part of a trend.  It is a bit of a surprise that it is a diesel.  We've spoken before about the death of diesel.

The reaction to the engine size has not been great, it will be interesting to see what the final price for the Raptor ends up as.  It will be more expensive than the Wildtrak, but just how much will be interesting to see.  

Robert gives an example of how the comparing engine and gearbox pairings and how the performance of the new 10 speed gearbox in the Raptor will be really important to how powerful the Raptor feels.  The bi-turbo will also assist with off the line performance. 

What is the future of big engine 4WDs and cars in general?

Between 1,500 and 2,000 a year do the Canning Stock Route.  What is there to see and what is there to do when travelling the CSR.

We talk with Canning Stock Route expert, Phil Binachi about the activities and attractions on the stock route.

The dune systems are an amazing site and an amazing driving experience. 

There is a large amount of aboriginal art some of which is incredibly old. 

There are of course, the wells and a number of graves.

We discuss the work of Track Care and how they are working to maintain the tracks. 

Phil talks about how the 4 wheel drivers are working together with conservationalists to ensure ongoing access to the tracks. 

We discuss the concept of 4WD Tourism and the effect that it has on the economy of Australia as a whole and for rural towns in particular. 

We talk about the access to the Canning Stock Route.  What parts are open and which parts are effected by the weather. 

We answer the big question - how long should you take to do the Canning Stock Route and which way should you travel the Canning?

North to South or South to North, which way should you go?  Phil talks about where you can get your repairs done, which is a bit factor in travelling the Canning.  It is 1,800kms and there is a high chance of vehicle damage, so thinking about repairs is an important part of doing the Canning.

Phil Bianchi is a historian and 4 wheel driver who has documented a lot of history of the Canning Stock Route and he has driven the route many times. 

From Wiluna to Halls Creek, it runs 1850 kms and was first surveyed in 1906.

We discuss Alfred Canning and his initial trip to survey the Canning Stock Route and the expedition to build the stock route.

The history of the Canning Stock Route is fascinating, with murders, sabotage,Beef barons and a Royal Commission. 

We talk about the initial survey and the Royal Commission that followed.  Some of the documents from these early times are still locked up in Government Departments.

In 1908, Canning started construction creating a lot of issues with the local Aboriginals. 

This is a fascinating discussion about the history of this iconic 4 wheel drive track.