Off-Roaders Unlimited

[jan87]

Seems tie rod is broken

[Ranger_ofthe_North]

Seems tie rod is broken

Anyway, since it was beyond my capabilities, I had to call for help.......


The mechanics inspected the thing, and said something about the 'spindle' being broken. Then they jacked up the vehicle, and started opening things up........

[Ranger_ofthe_North]

Hope I have not ruined the left tyre............

[Ranger_ofthe_North]

They managed to get a light from the battery, somehow.......
and opened up the wheel and front axle.....
Meanwhile, we requested another friend to open up his spare parts business, so that we could get some spares.......


And all this time, we were right in the middle of the road. It is a very busy road in the day time. During night though, it was quiet and we did not disturb much of traffic. A local police vehicle came during the early breakdown and requested us to remove the car to a side. However, the officer had not seen the tilted tyre. When we pointed to the tyre, he smiled and wished us luck and also offered to help us if there was a need.

[Ranger_ofthe_North]

The mechanic decided that out of 4 threaded bolts, tying the 'Spindle' to the 'Arm', two were broken, and two had loosened earlier on. The two lose bolts, one of them missing, were the culprit. When they loosened, the last two tight bolts could not hold on, and they snapped.

[veitnam]

They managed to get a light from the battery, somehow.......
and opened up the wheel and front axle.....
Meanwhile, we requested another friend to open up his spare parts business, so that we could get some spares.......
And all this time, we were right in the middle of the road. It is a very busy road in the day time. During night though, it was quiet and we did not disturb much of traffic. A local police vehicle came during the early breakdown and requested us to remove the car to a side. However, the officer had not seen the tilted tyre. When we pointed to the tyre, he smiled and wished us luck and also offered to help us if there was a need.

sir ap nah mujy kyun ni call ki recovery k lia ?

[Ranger_ofthe_North]

It was not so much a recovery task as a make-shift repair work. So, I requested Ilyas to come and put things right. Took a lot of time though. Something like 2 hours.

[Proverbial_Slang]

Oh! I'm sorry that you had to go through this ordeal. Who's fault were the missing bolts?

Sent using Curiosity's onboard communications sytem.

[Ranger_ofthe_North]

Oh! I'm sorry that you had to go through this ordeal. Who's fault were the missing bolts?

Sent using Curiosity's onboard communications sytem.

Actually, we completely overhauled the front suspension and steering around 3 years back. However, because of overconfidence in the ruggedness of the 80 series, I did not check the bolts, etc. at all later on. So, probably my fault. However, some blame has to go on Toyota, as they have not installed locks on these studes and nuts.
ha ha

[aamir567]

Happy New Year 2016

[veitnam]

[ShahFawad]

Sir, I would like to join this club. Am based in Abbottabad and have been following your exploits for the last many years. Would be great if I can be a member of your club

[Ranger_ofthe_North]

Sir, I would like to join this club. Am based in Abbottabad and have been following your exploits for the last many years. Would be great if I can be a member of your club

Shah Fawwad saheb, Salam. Would like to meet you some day. Pl indicate a suitable place, or come to my clinic, Monday to Friday, relatively latish in the evening,,,,, say after Maghrib (so that I have already examined my waiting patients....), and we shall discuss. (my clinic is at Shafique Medical Centre near Mandian) Thank you for your appreciation, by agreeing to join us.
JezakAllah

[Ranger_ofthe_North]

We sat down and decided that the regular snow-cross in Nathiagali is not adventurous enough. And yet, there was almost no snow this year.
Would have loved to join IJC on their excursion, but could not. So, we planned our own Two-Vehicle Army SNOW CROSS.
There is a beautiful track, behind the main road, passing through the Peshawar University Baragali Campus, and joining back into the main track. We decided to track this narrow, winding dirt road this year.
Proved a great success.

We started off from Abbottabad, around 9.00 am. and reached BaraGali, well in time. Bit early, may be. But the weather was absolutely stunning.

In spite of the bad weather and the early hour, we had company........

[Ranger_ofthe_North]

So, we were now fully poised, armed with two vehicles and 4 chains, to handle the most dangerous dirt road that we could handle......... in the region. (of course we were not willing to go far away for that!)
This here is the beginning of the track, with no previous tyre marks. Beautiful snow. Unlike the rest of Galliat, where snow-removing machines (for some 'unknown' reason!) are removing snow like crazy. They don't leave a speck of snow on the roads..........



In spite of being better equipped, Irshad's Austin had to follow the cruiser, because unfortunately he is the youngest of the off-roaders in age.......... (though better equipped driving experience wise.....)

[Ranger_ofthe_North]

The track is around 4 km, and is dangerous at places, because of the incline away from the mountainside.
Strangely, Irshad's mud-terrains were very unstable on the snow. As expected the Cruiser's Snow-Terrain were good and provided enough of grip to avoid the use of snow-chains. Austin had to wear two rear chains, and still, it skidded a lot more, and at places, it was only Irshad's experience that kept the Austin on the narrow track.



The slope of the track is clearly visible, in many of the pictures. A very frightening feeling, when the vehicles were shifting side-ways........

[Ranger_ofthe_North]

The University Campus was empty. Even the 'Bander Log' had shifted downwards to find something to eat. None whatsoever. The narrow track was very thrilling.............
Absolutely world class......

[Ranger_ofthe_North]

The track was mostly narrow.....................
as mentioned earlier, and we were feeling tense and were extra careful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ranger_ofthe_North]

However, we did find open spaces to play around without 'fear' or 'fever.'
We tested the Austin's limits by pitting it against nature........
Well, we lost by a narrow margin........... in some areas.......

[Ranger_ofthe_North]

It was fascinating when tree branches, laden with white snow, were bending down, and blocking our path.................. and yet would gladly shed their burden and spring upwards, when touched lightly by the two beasts....... The Cruiser and the Austin Gypsy........
We captured some moments both from inside the vehicle and from outside........
Fond memories...........