[vbrad26]

Alright so for those of you who actually do a bit of off-roading. Is there anything in particular I should be mindful of?
I realize for its time (and even today) it was a quite capable vehicle. And I'm not looking at doing anything hardcore - like rock crawling or anything of the sort.
More dirt/sand/mud with ruts and some off camber terrain here and there than anything else.
But for someone who is not even sure if their 4-lo works - is there anything I should be cautious of? The thing is old and rusty, and I'd hate to break something out in the middle of nowhere.
I have a little camping trip coming up at the end of the year and instead of taking the Bronco, I was considering taking the Range Rover - if I can trust it.
It will be about a 1.5 hour highway drive to the area, and from there mainly off pavement driving to the site, and exploring the area.
So what all that being said, any tips/tricks from the more experienced individuals who use their Rover as "intended"?
Since everyone loves a picture, here is one of the Bronco in the same area I will be heading to...

 

[pl626]

If that terrain is typical, your stock RRC should be able to handle that without issues, provided you've baselined the major systems. Just make sure your fluids are good, topped-off and no leaks. Make sure all the joints have fresh grease and zerk fittings are closed. Make sure the lo-speed works. If the low range hasn't been used in a while, make sure the shifter linkage hasn't seized.

Maybe air down the tires on the trail and pack a portable air compressor to air up the tires for the trip home.

 

[vbrad26]

If that terrain is typical, your stock RRC should be able to handle that without issues, provided you've baselined the major systems. Just make sure your fluids are good, topped-off and no leaks. Make sure all the joints have fresh grease and zerk fittings are closed. Make sure the lo-speed works. If the low range hasn't been used in a while, make sure the shifter linkage hasn't seized.

Maybe air down the tires on the trail and pack a portable air compressor to air up the tires for the trip home.

Yeah it is usually pretty tame. The only thing that can really get you are the mud holes (which I tend to avoid) and the sugar sand.
I don't even air down in the Bronco usually. But it does have front and rear lockers if I really get myself in a jam. Which I never have lol.
I've honestly been hesitant to test the 4L. But I guess I better should. I never planned on taking the thing off-road. And once it gets its eventual full rehab, it likely never will lol.
I was more concerned with potentially breaking rusty old parts. And was curious to know if there are any parts in particular that are known to be a failure point.
For example, with the Bronco, the tie rods are known to snap if you are a little too hard on them. I'm certainly not that hard on them - but some are.

 

[RRLondon]

With a reasonable approach and general care in outlook by driver, then no really notable risk to components from that to look out for.

I have had mine stop moving forward at extreme axle articulation within a narrow gully track, with one side of ground rising before the other in climbing, this for about 3 length of the vehicle. It got such that front left was about 3ft off the ground and stopped as the rear right came onto the track slope to effectively cross axle it. Diagonally those two wheels without traction meant going back down. Needed at least a rear diff lock to proceed there.

It certainly gave good view as to just how far axle articulation was available. Ultimately unsuccessful in traction terms but with nothing vulnerable or easily broken. Very impressive capability of both components and design.

A question, which transfer gearbox do you have ?

Borg Warner with viscous control on centre differential or a manual diff lock in the centre.

 

[pl626]

When I had EAS, the right rear used to be prone to slipping, but it was pretty easy to reseat that on the trail.

My 95 is mostly stock, though I have a steering guard, OME Nitrochargers and springs, OME steering stabilizer. My fuel and brakel lines were rebuilt several years ago. If yours sat for an extended period of time you may want to check for internal rot.

 

[vbrad26]

With a reasonable approach and general care in outlook by driver, then no really notable risk to components from that to look out for.

I have had mine stop moving forward at extreme axle articulation within a narrow gully track, with one side of ground rising before the other in climbing, this for about 3 length of the vehicle. It got such that front left was about 3ft off the ground and stopped as the rear right came onto the track slope to effectively cross axle it. Diagonally those two wheels without traction meant going back down. Needed at least a rear diff lock to proceed there.

It certainly gave good view as to just how far axle articulation was available. Ultimately unsuccessful in traction terms but with nothing vulnerable or easily broken. Very impressive capability of both components and design.

A question, which transfer gearbox do you have ?

Borg Warner with viscous control on centre differential or a manual diff lock in the centre.

I've stumbled across some old marketing videos (which I'm sure we've all seen) of unmodified Rovers showcasing their surprisingly decent flex on uneven terrain.
I'm not doubting their capabilities - I'm just doubting MY particular Rover's capabilities lol.
Good to know that they are decently robust, and there really is not anything I should be overly concerned about.
As for you question - I believe the BW? I don't believe I have any option to manually lock the center diff....

When I had EAS, the right rear used to be prone to slipping, but it was pretty easy to reseat that on the trail. My 95 is mostly stock, though I have a steering guard, OME Nitrochargers and springs, OME steering stabilizer. My fuel and brakel lines were rebuilt several years ago. If yours sat for an extended period of time you may want to check for internal rot.

I don't think it sat idle for too long. I know the previous owner put about 16,000 miles on it in the 4 years (2021-2025) she owned it.
And the owner before that put 30,000 miles on it during the 5 years (2016-2021) he owned it. He is the one who swapped out the air suspension for some OME shocks/springs.
Not sure if any other suspension components were replaced at that time as well.

 

[pl626]

You have a '95, correct? That will be the BW vc, no locking, as the vc design does that automatically. Unless a PO did the LT230 swap to get the manually locked tcase, you probably still have the vc. Unless you are experiencing binding when turning, or hear clicking or clunking noise when turning, or resistance to turning, your vc is probably fine. The BW vc for the RRC is NLA, but some places will rebuild. Ashcroft would be a great source, but their website says they have no stock. Most folks will just swap the LT230 rather than go through the hassle/expense of finding a good vc, but there are shops who can rebuild/supply replacements. It won't be cheap...

 

[vbrad26]

You have a '95, correct? That will be the BW vc, no locking, as the vc design does that automatically. Unless a PO did the LT230 swap to get the manually locked tcase, you probably still have the vc. Unless you are experiencing binding when turning, or hear clicking or clunking noise when turning, or resistance to turning, your vc is probably fine. The BW vc for the RRC is NLA, but some places will rebuild. Ashcroft would be a great source, but their website says they have no stock. Most folks will just swap the LT230 rather than go through the hassle/expense of finding a good vc, but there are shops who can rebuild/supply replacements. It won't be cheap...

Truck is a 94. I don't believe it is making any funny noises or binding at all on tight ((or any) turns.
Everything SEEMS to feel ok with the driveline. Though I can't really say for sure because I don't have a good baseline to be able to identify any potential issues.
They only thing I notice is a bit of a clunk in the driveline when first accelerating from a dead stop.
But my 3 year old Bronco does that too, and always has I think hah.

 

[pl626]

That clunk is normal, but I'd grease all the zerks if you haven't done that recently. Don't forget the one on the front prop shaft. Mine actually seized on me and caused the ujoint to explode. Fortunately, trans case didn't get shattered from the prop shaft.

 

[Thorst]

LT230 instead of the BW is a downgrade in my opinion, but of course (unlike P38) it is a possibility in Classic since it it not easy to find new VC.

What I have found to be the best off roading advice, is being a chicken. Any troubles I've encountered have been when I forgot that.

th.

 

[pl626]

What I have found to be the best off roading advice, is being a chicken. Any troubles I've encountered have been when I forgot that...

That's sage advice. I'd add also, don't go solo, make sure there's at least one other vehicle. That's true regardless of the vehicle you offroad.

 

[vbrad26]

Hah yeah I tend to take it easy.
Most of the time, I go alone and half of those time, I have my girls with me.
Last thing I want is to get into trouble.