I am impressed with the things you do with your work van.Before I moved out here,I spent time on sand(pre astro) and sand has no bottom(generally).Good job,sir.
I Did Some 4-Wheelin Today
I had an interesting day..
My work today took me to an off-road construction site.
The tow-lift I am pulling weighs in about 4000 lbs.
Backing the lift down into the site causes it to dig pretty deep into the soft dirt...
and it pretty much does the same thing pulling it back out
![20181217_104503.jpg]()
![20181217_112716.jpg]()
![20181217_112859.jpg]()
![20181217_113451.jpg]()
Here is a video of me pulling the 2 ton lift somewhat uphill in soft dirt using 4wd-Lo.
It's not as loosely packed at the top.
I note there is pretty good tongue weight here too, which I may address in the future...
There is no way I could have pulled this out without the low-range 4-wheel drive.
The last time I was here, the AWD failed me miserably.
The NP233 performed flawlessly as always
My work today took me to an off-road construction site.
The tow-lift I am pulling weighs in about 4000 lbs.
Backing the lift down into the site causes it to dig pretty deep into the soft dirt...
and it pretty much does the same thing pulling it back out
Here is a video of me pulling the 2 ton lift somewhat uphill in soft dirt using 4wd-Lo.
It's not as loosely packed at the top.
I note there is pretty good tongue weight here too, which I may address in the future...
There is no way I could have pulled this out without the low-range 4-wheel drive.
The last time I was here, the AWD failed me miserably.
The NP233 performed flawlessly as always
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This is what my work day looked like today...
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I washed the dirt off my tires.. I'm done for now.
Here is how I finished this work week project...
![20181219_100739.jpg]()
Until the next time...
Here is how I finished this work week project...
Until the next time...
Yesterday I went back to the same jobsite for a quick repair.
Couldn't have pulled the 4000lb load or done the job without 4x4-low!
Same spot, same load, same dirt, different video...
A few more photos (of this 2nd visit) ...
![20190114_124126.jpg]()
![20190114_124208.jpg]()
![20190114_124142.jpg]()
![20190114_125932.jpg]()
Pulling 4000lbs uphill in the soft dirt!
Here's the video...
Love my 4x4 upgrade!
Couldn't have pulled the 4000lb load or done the job without 4x4-low!
Same spot, same load, same dirt, different video...
A few more photos (of this 2nd visit) ...
Pulling 4000lbs uphill in the soft dirt!
Here's the video...
Love my 4x4 upgrade!
Agreed! I've watched them a few times.nosxjeep said:
I was kind of hoping a few others would post their 4-wheeling pictures and videos too. :mrgreen:
What's the hold up??
I just re-read all 8 pages of your build thread looking for the answer.. lol.
But it sure made for some impressive re-reading!
Bob, the tow-lift is a rental. They come is 35 and 50 feet. I just looked up specs (on the 50), and it's actually closer to 5000 lbs curb weight, another sub-model showed 6000 lbs. As far as I've seen.. the specs don't list on-board brakes, although it does have a manual parking brake lever and an emergency break-away brake. There seems to be some kind of tongue mechanism. After some more research (thanks to your question), I do see mention of a 2" hydraulic brake coupler in the on-line service manual.. so I now assume it does have on-board brakes.
If it does have some sort of hydraulic tongue brake, that might explain why I have issues pushing it backwards in the dirt. I'm also seeing now there might be a lockout for this scenario.
When I tow around town or on the highway.. I drive accordingly, cautious and careful.
Stopping does require some effort... but it's been manageable.
If it does have some sort of hydraulic tongue brake, that might explain why I have issues pushing it backwards in the dirt. I'm also seeing now there might be a lockout for this scenario.
When I tow around town or on the highway.. I drive accordingly, cautious and careful.
Stopping does require some effort... but it's been manageable.
Yes Will... I'm now realizing what I don't know! lol
Apparently they call them "surge brake activators or couplers" as I am quickly learning.
I just found out... looks like I am picking up the lift again in the morning.. so I will ask!
Going back to the same job to switch out a power supply.
I searched for a photo that shows the coupler.
I guess I should have just looked at it closer, but at the time wasn't sure what I was looking at...
![20181218_151751a.jpg]()
Now that I see it... it's starting to look pretty obvious!
I guess I thought the hydraulics were just for the emergency brake.
![20181218_151751b.jpg]()
Apparently they call them "surge brake activators or couplers" as I am quickly learning.
I just found out... looks like I am picking up the lift again in the morning.. so I will ask!
Going back to the same job to switch out a power supply.
I searched for a photo that shows the coupler.
I guess I should have just looked at it closer, but at the time wasn't sure what I was looking at...
Now that I see it... it's starting to look pretty obvious!
I guess I thought the hydraulics were just for the emergency brake.
Well, I'm not ready to spill all the beans, but a week or so ago I pulled a Dana 60 and yesterday I ordered a 233.Mmusicman said:What's the hold up??
I just re-read all 8 pages of your build thread looking for the answer.. lol.
But it sure made for some impressive re-reading!
Thanks!
After 8 pages on your build thread talking all about a 236... you order a 233?nosxjeep said:
What happened?
PS: Looking forward to the "spilled beans"... lol
So I made it back to the construction site again yesterday.
The deep ruts in the photo are mine from pushing the lift...
I was also further back at the time.
![20190116_131129a.jpg]()
I asked the counterman about tow-lift hydraulic brakes and lockout... he wasn't sure.
He was sure there was no backup lockout (he was wrong).
Here's a close-up of the coupler and hydraulic brake system...
![20190116_133119a.jpg]()
Apparently there is a backup lockout, which I used for the first time.
You pull forward, position lockout in place, then back up.
(the lockout is red lever.. not engaged in this photo)
![20190116_133140a.jpg]()
I learned something new!
At first I was wondering if I was just lucky to be previously pulling in and out like I've done, but after my 3rd time of easy pulling (including driving around and re positioning.. I wish I had gotten that on video).. I have even better confidence now. Reach down, pull a lever, and off I go! The true 4x4 system fits my needs perfectly!
Sidenote: one of our guys went here last week in his full size RWD van and got instantly stuck!
Couldn't move an inch! Just straight down! And he wasn't even towing anything!
They called me, but I was 2 counties away. A construction 4x4 truck with chain pulled him out.
I could post a third video pulling out.. but it looks just like the previous two! :mrgreen:
The deep ruts in the photo are mine from pushing the lift...
I was also further back at the time.
I asked the counterman about tow-lift hydraulic brakes and lockout... he wasn't sure.
He was sure there was no backup lockout (he was wrong).
Here's a close-up of the coupler and hydraulic brake system...
Apparently there is a backup lockout, which I used for the first time.
You pull forward, position lockout in place, then back up.
(the lockout is red lever.. not engaged in this photo)
I learned something new!
At first I was wondering if I was just lucky to be previously pulling in and out like I've done, but after my 3rd time of easy pulling (including driving around and re positioning.. I wish I had gotten that on video).. I have even better confidence now. Reach down, pull a lever, and off I go! The true 4x4 system fits my needs perfectly!
Sidenote: one of our guys went here last week in his full size RWD van and got instantly stuck!
Couldn't move an inch! Just straight down! And he wasn't even towing anything!
They called me, but I was 2 counties away. A construction 4x4 truck with chain pulled him out.
I could post a third video pulling out.. but it looks just like the previous two! :mrgreen:
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