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gz1
04-04-05, 06:09 PM
Me and a mate set off for a weekend of "soft road" driving, me in my terri and him in his landrover freelander. Oh and a bunch of kids (total 6) from 5 to 17 Yr olds.
Before we left I made it clear that this was not going to be a rough 4WD expedition since a) I was not experienced in 4WD, and b) I only had a terri which as he kept reminding me was not a "real" 4WD.
So we pack up everything and head off to Hill End, Just turn right at Bathurst and keep driving.
I haven't been there before so I just followed him.
We got past the dirt roads without any drama, lots of stops to take the view, strech the legs swap passengers etc.
First thing that became evident was that most (all?) of the passengers prefered the ride on the terri.
However the real funny bit is when we came up to a dirt hill and we needed to go over it because there was a real nice camping site just over the top.
Well he stops, and after a lot of advice and the costant reminder that the terri may not make it as it's not a real 4WD, we decide that he goes first, I'll then give it a try and if I can't make he comes back down and we camp on this side.
So he gets about half way up, lots of wheel spin, then stops and rolls back down.
I thought he was showing me what to do if I got stuck.
He gets a second run and the same thing. So I walk over to tell him I've seen the demo already, get on with it. It's real real slippery he says, you definetly won't make it.
Third go he gets over.
I decide that at the least I should try, as there are no deep potholes there at least I could see how the teri handles dirt and grass hills.
Well first go I made it to the top, no wheel spins no drama, totally efortless. The traction controll was going mad all the time so I know it was slippery but the way it handled that was totally awsome.
At first I was totally convinced that he was having a go at me but it turns out he was not, and he is now looking at a territory when his lease runs out in 11 months time .
Anyhow sorry for the long post but so impressed with this car that i had to share.

cheers

Raptor
04-04-05, 07:42 PM
LOL great story gz1

I'm glad your Terri has proved itself worthy. While I haven't tried it in mine yet the test drive Ghia went up and down slopes totally effortlessly that amazed me. It sold me on the benefit of all the electro/hydraulic assistance - who needs diff locks, they're not meant to be tractors.

Your mates got some hide saying your not in a "real" 4wd when he's driving a Freelander, even if it does wear a Landrover badge. I bet he's not so cheeky next time.

grahill
04-04-05, 07:45 PM
Have you, have you, have you, driven a Ford... lately?

Well done and hope you all enjoyed yourselves.

.

svo347
04-04-05, 07:49 PM
A good read mate.. Go the Ford.

TIKFD6
04-04-05, 07:54 PM
.
Before we left I made it clear that this was not going to be a rough 4WD expedition since a) I was not experienced in 4WD, and b) I only had a terri which as he kept reminding me was not a "real" 4WD.

And a Freelander is a real 4WD?

Nice effort mate.

TX Terrie
04-04-05, 08:02 PM
I am assuming you have an AWD, however traction control does come in RWD Territory's as well.

:gorgeous:

new2ford
04-04-05, 09:25 PM
A good read mate.. Go the Ford.

Arrrh .... the Land Rover's a Ford too! Is it go both Fords?! That Freelander owner must be kidding himself. Seriously Land Rover should preserve its integrity and stick with the tough stuff it does so well. Let the guys at Ford Australia do the soft-roaders, they can do it better.

Territory
05-04-05, 08:45 PM
Nice write up. There are some tricks & tips to using a Terri AWD system vs a mechanical 4x4. If any of you are interested I could probably post the 'tips list' ...?

paulvdb
05-04-05, 09:07 PM
And a Freelander is a real 4WD?

Nice effort mate.
Isn't the Freelander a FWD biased AWD? That will always put it at a disadvantage. If anything the only real 4WD in that outing was the Terri.

johnydep
05-04-05, 09:18 PM
Nice write up. There are some tricks & tips to using a Terri AWD system vs a mechanical 4x4. If any of you are interested I could probably post the 'tips list' ...?

That's a great idea, Territory.

Start another thread with all the tips.

gz1
05-04-05, 11:48 PM
Nice write up. There are some tricks & tips to using a Terri AWD system vs a mechanical 4x4. If any of you are interested I could probably post the 'tips list' ...?

Yes please I could certainly use all the tips I can find.
This is a Teritory Ghia AWD 7seater fitted with a towbar, roof racks, running boards mud splats and a few other bits and pieces. First AWD car I've owned hence absolutely zero off road experience, and that is one of the things that so impressed me, that the car's stability system can make a total novice like me look good :eclipsee_ .
The other thought I had, was what would coming down that hill be like with a trailer? I can only imagine it would get real hairy. (I don't have the hill descent).

P.S. Thanks to all for the posive coments ;-)

Mechan1k
06-04-05, 04:26 PM
I read in a booklet that Ford sent me that they tested them on ice inclines (steep ... immensely slippery) up in the Arctic Circle ... the Territory made it through all tests without loss of control at all. The only probs you will have with the Territory is on rough stuff where ground clearance is needed ... any other surfaces which are fairly flat/slippery ... the Territory will out-perform anything out there on/off the road.

Not sure if everyone knows the article I was talking about ... but I was sent it by Ford ... it's like a put together magazine from all the testing and production of the Territory ... a damn good read if you haven't read it already.

aswigon
06-04-05, 04:49 PM
I had a similarly pleasant experience when venturing on to the surf beach at Bribie Island. I too underestimated my Terri. Ground clearance was an issue on the track getting from the bitumen to the beach but the 4.0 litre donk more than managed to push its way through. Getting off the beach was interesting as people in "real" 4WD's had many shots and Terri just powered right out of there. Happy driving!

Raptor
06-04-05, 04:54 PM
....Not sure if everyone knows the article I was talking about ... but I was sent it by Ford ... it's like a put together magazine from all the testing and production of the Territory ... a damn good read if you haven't read it already.

Yes, I know the one you mean Mechan1k. It's a Wheels publication just on the Territory. I picked one up myself from the dealership and Ford have sent me another 2 so far.

The arctic circle testing you mention. It was done with a BA Falcon outfitted with Territory mechanicals, did you notice when it was done, late 2002 I think. So about the same time the BA Falcon was being released in Australia there was an AWD version prowling the streets (or should I say icy lanes) of far north Sweden. How Cools that! (in many ways).