The MJOC Experience

Since 1997, MJOC members have driven virtually every 4WD Jeep model available in Australia across every conceivable terrain this country offers. This extensive experience has taught us precisely how each model performs, including all its technical capabilities and unique quirks in rugged and challenging environments.

Our experienced members are eager to pass on this hard-won knowledge to you. We've collected valuable tips and tricks over the years, some of which are posted here, with more to follow.

Crucially, we urge you to seek formal 4WD training, either by joining a recognized Jeep club like ours or completing a dedicated course. This ensures you can enjoy your Jeep safely and responsibly.

Changing Your Jeep Into Low Range

 

This is a very common issue that is easily solved by reading your Jeep Owners Handbook that comes with your Jeep.

 

The correct way to change your Jeep into low range is to stop on a slight slope.

 

Put the transmission lever into neutral, take your foot off the foot brake and let the car roll slowly while your select Low Range in your vehicle.

 

This works best in all Jeeps whether manual or auto. By doing this you will avoid nasty noises coming from the gears in the transfer case and it will go in smoothly.

 

After putting the vehicle in low range put your foot on the brake and then engage your gears and drive away

What Recovery Gear Do I Need?

Recovery gear comes in a wide variety of brands, colours and types. As a starter kit it depends on if you have an electric winch on your vehicle.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that the equipment meets your requirements and it is rated to Australian Safety Standards and meets legislative regulations.
This information is mandatory and all recovery gear must have the appropriate safety tags attached.
No Safety Standards TAG Dont Use It!
Recovery straps have a use by date of 10 years.

 

No Winch Essential Equipment

Leather Gloves

Spade or Shovel

Recovery Strap / Snatch Strap Rated

Steel Shackles rated to 3.2 or 4.75 tonne

Recovery Dampner

Soft Shackles if suited to your recovery points

 

Electric Winch Fitted - Essential Equipment

All of the above plus

Winch Extension Strap Rated

Tree Trunk Protector Rated

Additional Shackles including soft shackle and steel.

Snatch Block Pulley or Soft Shackle Ring

 

You don't need any winch recovery gear if you don't have a winch.

As we always say by reputable brands and the best quality you can afford.

Why Airing Down is Essential for 4x4 Driving

 

Reducing your tire pressure (airing down) is one of the most effective ways to improve your vehicle's performance and safety on loose or rough 4x4 terrain. You should lower pressures for surfaces such as sand, mud, corrugations, snow, and rocky tracks.

Key Benefits of Lowering Tyre Pressure

 

Benefit	How it Works
Superior Traction	Creates a longer and wider footprint, maximizing the tyre's contact area with the ground.
Puncture Protection	The tyre becomes more flexible, reducing the risk of damage or pinch flats on sharp objects.
Smoother Ride	Acts as an additional shock absorber, providing a noticeably softer ride for occupants on rough tracks and corrugations.
Reduced Wheel Spin	Maintaining better traction reduces wheel spin, helping you keep momentum.
Track Preservation	Lower ground pressure causes less damage and minimizes the formation of track surface corrugations.
Rock Crawling Grip	The increased flexibility allows the tyre to better conform to rocky surfaces, improving grip.

Recommended Starting Pressures

 

The ideal pressure depends entirely on your tyres and the terrain. Here are some starting points:

Scenario	Starting Pressure Guideline
General Rough Terrain (High Range)	70% of your normal road pressure.
Technical Terrain (Low Range)	60% of your normal road pressure.
Deep Sand Driving	Start at 18 PSI. You may need to go lower depending on conditions and tyre type.

⚠️ Important Note for Low Profile Tyres: If your vehicle is fitted with 20-inch or other low-profile tyres, do not drop the pressure below 28 PSI. Going lower risks internal damage to the tyre or pinching the sidewall against the rim on sharp obstacles.

 What Are Rated Recovery Points? (And Why You Need Them)

 

For maximum safety during high-stress recovery operations, all 4WD vehicles should be equipped with Rated Recovery Points.

It is crucial to understand the difference between factory fittings:

• Tie Down or Tow Hooks: Most manufacturers install these solely for securing the vehicle during shipping or for light-duty flat towing onto a truck. These are not designed or safe for vehicle recovery.

• Rated Recovery Points: These are engineered specifically to handle the immense dynamic forces generated during a recovery.

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Key Requirements for Rated Points

 

• Manufacturer Rating: They must have a published rating from the manufacturer or have the load rating clearly labelled or stamped directly on the point itself.

• Chassis Connection: They must be bolted directly to the chassis using high-tensile bolts. Avoid welded recovery points, as welds can crack under strain.

• Bull Bars: Most aftermarket bull bars do not feature rated recovery points. Never use a hook that is welded to a bull bar or any other unrated location.

Check Your Jeep: Many newer Jeeps (like the latest Wrangler and Gladiator with red hooks) come standard with factory-rated recovery points. Always consult your owner's handbook to confirm if your specific model has rated points.

If your vehicle lacks them, rated aftermarket recovery points are available for most models and highly recommended.

Gear Selection for Steep Hill Climbs

 

Climbing a steep slope requires finding the perfect balance between momentum and controlled wheel speed. Your goal is to keep the engine in its optimal power band while minimizing wheel spin, which causes loss of traction and forces you to stop or reverse.

Always ensure you are in Low Range when climbing steep hills.

Transmission Guidelines

 

Transmission Type	Gear Strategy	Details
Manual	Highest feasible gear.	Use the highest gear (usually 2nd or 3rd) that allows you to maintain momentum without lugging or stalling the engine. Higher gears reduce wheel spin.
Older Automatic	"D" (Drive)	Drive mode generally works fine for older or simpler automatic transmissions.
Modern Automatic	Manual/Paddle Select	With multi-speed transmissions, you should manually select the gear (e.g., using the sequential selector or paddle shifters) to drive it like a manual. This prevents the transmission from hunting or upshifting at a critical moment.

Do's & Don'ts When Climbing and Descending Hills

 

Successfully navigating steep slopes requires controlled momentum and correct gear selection.

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Ascending (Climbing Up)

 

✅ DO	❌ DON'T
Use the highest feasible gear. A higher gear limits wheel spin and helps maintain momentum.	Use first gear, except when slow-crawling over large rocks or obstacles. First gear provides too little momentum and promotes wheel spin.
Drive Automatics like a manual. Use the manual/sequential mode to lock the transmission in gear and prevent unnecessary upshifts to overdrive.	Let the Automatic transmission shift freely. This can cause the vehicle to lose power or momentum at a critical moment.
Steer Straight Up the Track. Maintain a direct line of approach.	Allow the vehicle to get sideways. This increases the risk of rollover, especially on severe side slopes.
If you stop (Manual): Stall the engine in gear. Allow the drivetrain to hold the vehicle.	Push the clutch in if you stop (Manual). Gravity will quickly take over, causing uncontrolled backward rolling.
Reverse Down Safely (if necessary). If you lose momentum or need to stop, reverse straight down the hill using your mirrors and re-assess.	Try to turn around on the hill. This is extremely dangerous and significantly increases the risk of a rollover.

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Descending (Going Down)

 

✅ DO	❌ DON'T
Select Low Range First Gear (Manual mode in auto). Let the engine's compression braking control your speed, keeping your feet mostly off the brakes.	Roll down in neutral or with the clutch engaged. You lose engine braking, and the vehicle gains speed dangerously quickly, relying entirely on the friction brakes.
Keep the steering straight. Maintain a direct line of descent.	Attempt to change gears. Only change gears when the vehicle is on level ground.

Quick Tip

When loosing traction on a slipery surface try wriggling the steering wheel from left to right, backwards and forwards.

This will allow the sharp edges of your tyres to grip on the sides of ruts and gain purchase to keep the vehicle moving.

Wriggle Wriggle Wriggle...

UHF Radio Power Up

The club requires all vehicles have a UHF radio installed in your vehicle with an external antenna mounted to your vehicle.

Low powered handheld radios are not suitable for long distance communications except for the 5 watt units which cost a similar amount to the in vehicle units.

In vehicle units are able to receive and transit over greater distances.

When installing a UHF radio to your vehicle make sure that the power is connected directly to the battery rather than the accessory switch as you need the radio to be operating even when the vehicle is switched off. Direct to battery installation will not affect your cars battery overnight if left on.

The best type of in car radios now days have all the controls in the microphone unit so the compact base head unit can be easily installed under the dash or under the seat even using some Velcro.

Driving Position

Sit more upright in your seat and a little higher so you get a better view of the track ahead of you and assess the best line to drive on.
This position also gives you better access to reach everything when your seat bely locks up on a steep incline.

Keep both hands on the steering wheel at 9 & 3 position incase the air bag goes off suddenly. Keeps your hands out of danger.

Keep your thumbs out in rough terrain in case steering wheel spins.

What Tyres Should I Get?

Like most four wheel drive accessories there is a wide variation of styles, types and brands and you need to decide how much 4X4 terrain use you will be requiring when deciding. The best way to check out tyres that may be suitable is researching and the best research is talking to other club members and checking iut their opinions. Also the internet is a great source for reviews and information.

We always recommend you buy the best quality you can afford.

What is legal?

If you are changing to a larger size tyre for your car you need to be aware of the Victorian roadworthy regulations regarding increased tyre size. BHig tyres may look cool but they could attract the attention of the highway patrol.

Check out www.vicroads.gov.au and look for vehicle modification regulations or download the document here. Vicroads Vehicle Standards Information 2022

You also need to consider suspension lifts or upgrades when increasing tyre size. Every modification has a consequence and often leads to other issues like increased tyre size has an effect on the vehicles torque, speed indicator, gearing and drivability and may require other mechanical upgrades to gear ratios etc

Quick Tip

Make sure your oll and transmission dip sticks are pushed in securely so they dont pop up in rough terrain.

This will ensure no fluids come out on to a hot exhaust which can cause a fire.

Preparing For A Trip

When preparing for a trip make a list of things you need to take. This list should include the basics such as clothing for all weather, Footwear that is suitable, Food and water, snacks and drinks, etc.

 

Make a check list for Day Trips, Campimg Trips, Vehicle inspections and essential equipment such as recovery gear etc.

 

There are some extra things to pack, these are in addition to the mandatory equipment on your check lists, these include:  

• Suitable clothing and footwear for the day, be prepared for unforeseen changes in the weather.  
• A spare set of clothes, tracks can be muddy and slippery. 
• When arriving at the meeting point, you must have a full tank of fuel.
• Adequate food and water for the trip.  
• Have an emergency plan incase something goes wrong.

 

Quick Trick

Make sure you carry some plastic garbage bags in your vehicle.

A roll of them is even better.

These come in handy for putting that muddy, wet recovery gear and grubby clothes in after a day in the mud.

They are also great for taking home all that rubbish you had or found someone else had left behind for you to pick up

Recovery Basics: Essential Steps Before You Recover

 

Getting stuck is inevitable, but a safe recovery is not guaranteed. Before you touch your recovery gear, you must systematically assess the situation. These three critical questions dictate the equipment and process needed for a safe extraction.

1. Why Is The Vehicle Stuck?

 

Understanding the cause determines the solution:

• Diagnosis: Is it high-centered, bogged in sand, or simply lacking traction on a slippery slope?

• Simple Fixes First: Sometimes, the solution is minimal. Start by considering shovel work or the use of traction boards before escalating to high-stress methods like snatch straps or winches.

2. What Are The Loads Involved?

 

This is a vital assessment of the forces your gear must withstand. You must establish the vehicle's true weight and the resistance factors:

• Vehicle Weight: Determine the Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of the stuck vehicle (its maximum legal weight when fully loaded).

• Resistance Factors: Account for the environment (e.g., deep mud, uphill slope, suction, sand buildup). This resistance can drastically increase the effective weight of the vehicle.

• Gear Check: Ask yourself: Will my recovery gear and rated recovery points safely withstand the combined forces of the GVM plus the resistance factors?

Example: A Chevrolet Silverado 2500 has a GVM of $4,500$ kg. If it is bogged to the axles in deep sand, the resistance force could potentially more than double the extraction load. Because this force may already exceed the safe working load limit of many rated recovery points, a snatch recovery would be highly unsafe (leading to gear failure). A slow, constant winch recovery is the safer, more controlled option.

3. Are Other People Safe?

 

Safety is paramount. Before commencing the recovery, ensure all people are clear of the danger zone.

• Safe Distance: All passengers and observers must stand a minimum distance of 1.5 times the length of the recovery rope or strap being used.

• Safe Angle: They should be positioned 90 degrees (at right angles) to the direction of the pull.

Safe Winching

Check out the winching guide to safe winching 

Safe Winching

 

Safe Winch Hook Storage: Protect Your Rope and Your Fingers

 

While it may look neat to secure your winch hook directly to a recovery point, we strongly advise against this practice. This method poses risks to your equipment and, more importantly, your safety.

Why You Should NOT Attach the Hook to the Recovery Point

• Risk of Damage: The exposed hook can be easily damaged if another vehicle backs into it while parked. Worse, it can catch on a tow bar, potentially pulling the rope out and damaging the winch mechanism itself.

• UV Degradation: Storing the hook exposed subjects the synthetic winch rope to harmful UV rays, which will cause degradation and weaken the rope over time.

• Rope Wear: Constantly storing the rope under tension over the fairlead creates a wear point, which can compromise the integrity and strength of your rope.

• Access in Mud: If you become deeply bogged, the hook may be submerged under the vehicle, making a messy, difficult job of retrieval just when you need it most.

• Extreme Finger Hazard: This is the most serious risk. If you grab the rope near the hook, a malfunctioning switch or synthetic rope folding on itself can cause the winch to unexpectedly spool IN instead of out, crushing your fingers against the fairlead.

Serious Warning: We recently had a member suffer the partial loss of a finger due to this exact scenario. Always keep your hands clear of the winch line and use a proper line dampener and glove.

For safe storage, the hook should be secured loosely at the fairlead using a dedicated hook retainer or firmly retained against the fairlead, ensuring there is no tension or excessive exposure.

Why You Should NEVER Winch and Drive Simultaneously

 

You often see "winch and drive" techniques on videos, but combining these actions dramatically increases the risk of catastrophic equipment failure, injury, or worse.

The Danger of Dynamic Loading

 

The main reason to avoid this technique is the unstable tension it creates:

1. Sudden Slack: If your vehicle finds temporary traction, it can momentarily drive faster than the winch spools, causing the winch line to go completely slack.

2. Sudden Snap: If the vehicle then loses grip and slides backward (the most common scenario), the slack line instantly tightens with a massive dynamic shock load.

3. Catastrophic Failure: This shock load can cause the winch cable to break, the recovery point to snap, or severely damage the winch's internal gearbox.

Worse Case Scenario: When metal components like hooks or recovery points break under dynamic stress, they become dangerous shrapnel, flying around with potentially fatal force. This puts the driver and bystanders in extreme danger.

Power & Equipment Longevity

• Engine Speed: For optimal winch performance and to avoid draining your battery, the engine should run at 1,200–1,500 RPMs in neutral. This allows the alternator to power the winch. Driving often keeps the engine below this range, risking battery failure.

• Heat Management: Winches generate significant heat. They require mandatory rest periods (typically every 30 seconds) to cool down and prevent motor damage. Winching while driving makes consistent rest impossible.

The Safe Solution

 

If your winch is struggling, the solution is not to drive. Instead, use a snatch block or winch ring in a double-line pull configuration. This halves the load on the winch, dramatically increasing safety and efficiency.

We strongly recommend completing a formal 4WD training course that includes certified winching techniques or joining a 4WD club that provides comprehensive training.

New Winch App for Winching Safety
Easy calculation of recovery loads and pull force required for safe use of your electric winch. Easily calculates if your winch is up to the job and indicates when a snatch block or winch ring will be needed for heavy recoveries.

Easy input of winch capacity, vehicle weights (GVM) and terrain and angle calculations.


Check out the website or just download from the Apple Store or Google Play. Cost is $10 but well worth the investment.

Winch App

Benefits of Joining MJOC

Members enjoy a wide range and variety of trips and events as well as member driver training.

Benefits include;

• Rated 4WD Trips
• Trained Trip Leaders
• Free Driver Training
• Social gatherings
• VicRoads Club Permit Scheme
• Volunteer and community stewardship
• Monthly members meetings
• Members only Facebook group
• Affiliation benefits with Four Wheel Drive Victoria
• Public Liability & Accident Insurance

Joining Two Recovery Straps

Never join straps with a Steel Shackle or other metal objects.

Use  a stick or a bunch of twiigs, a rolled up magazine or newspaper or similar to go thrhough the knot loop as shwn in the image above.If you dont do this someone goes home with a really long strap and the other person gores home with no strap as you will never unjoin the straps.

The joining should be done with the starps looped through each other as shown. Its a bit like a monkey grip. You pass one end of a strap through the loop on the other and then it goes over the other end of the strap so through one and over the end of the second starp to form  the join shown. Your stick goes through the join sto make it easy to unjoin.

A  rated  soft shackle can be used as shown on left

MJOC Training

In today’s world of social media groups, TV shows and YouTube 'experts' who may not have completed any formal 4WD training, and who often give personal views and miss-information it is important that we learn the best methods and skills to experience our 4WD vehicles safely and get the most fun from our driving.

Not all the information you will come across in the media is the safest or correct method of driving or recovering a 4WD vehicle so we willl teach you the right way to use your Jeep. We need to do this whilst appreciating and caring for the environment  and practising responsible four wheel driving.

it is also vital that all drivers going on a on a MJOC 4WD trip have a consistent level of driving and recovery skills to suit the conditions likely to be encountered.

Have a Question About MJOC?

 

Thinking About Joining MJOC?

There are lots of reasons why you should consider joining the Melbourne Jeep Owners Club.

Extend your Jeep experience by joining the Melbourne Jeep Owners Club. We are a family friendly 4WD club that caters for all Jeep 4x4 models and all levels of driver experience. And we all drive or own Jeeps, just like yours.

Members enjoy a wide range and variety of trips and events as well as member driver training.

Benefits include;

• Rated 4WD Trips
• Trained Trip Leaders
• Free Driver Training
• Social gatherings
• VicRoads Club Permit Scheme
• Volunteer and community stewardship
• Monthly members meetings
• Members only Facebook group
• Affiliation benefits with Four Wheel Drive Victoria
• Public Liability & Accident Insurance

Check Out Our Frequently Asked Questions Page 

MJOC Frequently Asked Questions