Comments by "Helmuth Schultes" (@helmuthschultes9243) on "NASCAR Fan Reacts to TOP Extreme Trucks Hill CLIMB Race" video.
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@joshthomas2536 actually was 750kg gross loaded weight, 250kg load capacity. Two heavy adults could exceed it permissible load.
Real fun to throw around, so much so that several review journalists returned damaged vehicles after repeatedly purposeful spinning out thrashing through corners sliding off the road, all was such joy compared to manhandling typical 2 ton steel hulks. Bad was its narrow width, that like the Haflinger 4WD also a tiny 2 cyl Austrian vehicle, assembled in Victoria from imported kits, side rollovrrs were common.
The massive 56:1 low gear 1st reduction gave theoretical torque at each wheel exceeding max mass. Of course different prevented that, but given traction in theory could climb vertically.
I have 8mm movie of a Suzuki trying to climb up a large house sized rock. The driver only had to abandon the climb because he was standing vertical on rear wheels about to back flip.
On large boulders near Warragamba dam, that US Sydney main water storage, the Suzuki chambered along more like a mountain goat.
The short wheelbase and light weight also had disadvantages. The short nature and especially NSW tracks were often granit gravel to easily cause loss of traction and often mound and diverting gully, caused Suzuki to need to climb the steeper approach side of mound section, in climbing hills on tracks, resulting in both front and rear wheels on the steeper mound side slope before crossing the peak. Where larger 4WD would have front over the peak as rear wheels started climbing. Si Suzuki would be left scrabbling in loose gravel spinning all four wheels. Even stopped by loose gravel on hill climbing by larger tree roots, then spending time spinning and sliding back and forth against said root. Usually made it after removing loose surface gravel, and especially knowing and proper driving technique minimised that.
On the sandunes at Newcastle bight the power and speeds in gears became a limit too. With fast run up the bigger 4WDs conquered many dune faces, that little Suzi just started on and dug in, with sand even sliding down over the bonnet (hood for US). However on a saddle ridge between two tall dunes, three vehicles had to be winched out. Yet my Suzi climbed the side of that saddle ridge, from side across the top down the other side. The wheels were turning in second gear low range but like clockwork driven a TICK forward rotation then stopped as opposite wheel would do TICK forward, all four wheels progressing in tiny increments over 20 minutes making a climb across with total height near 50 ft base to top.
Another part of that dunes trip allowed under special government permit, as normally only beach access for surf fishing allowed, was fuel use. My Suzi did the weekend trip Newcastle, dunes and back on its 30 liter tank with near 15% reserve. Most larger vehicles needed jerry cans of fuel unless having secondary fuel tanks, and one Landrover burned through 120 liters fuel, needing an extra 20 L jerry can of fuel from another vehicle to make it back to a petrol station.
Long trips were awkward with around 350 to 400km range depending on how hard the terrain, and on highway how fast you pushed it. Quite normal was max speed redlined at 80kph, and that was engine screaming at around 7500 rpm. Gets tiring on near 800km or 1200 km highway run Sydney to Melbourne depending inland Hume Hwy or coastal Princes Hwy. Also bothersome on long highway hills trucks would require you to pass them or drop also to lower speeds then they roared past downhill and the flat stretches as you were stuck at 80kph max. Same for cars with caravans or boat trailers.
On ghe whole though I would like my old two stroke Suzi back if that were possible have many fond trip memories, inspite of its clear limitations on load capacity, speeds and other things.
The later evolution to four stroke engines wider track etc to the model "Stockman" version is just not the same. Though as a small second vehicle could be nice. A fully EV version might also be of interest.
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Clearly getting to see the wide range of motorsports around the world, far beyond pure circuit racing and drag strip.
These special purpose "offroad" working trucks for forestry , agriculture, military and other dedicated needs are quite capable. Other than this are the very impressive obstacle events that include steep slopes deep mud deep water, boulders, cement blocks of significant height, sharp approach & departure angle, logs , side slopes and all kinds of other hard obstacles.
On such steep slopes it is one of the big features that separate many vehicles. Much fun for 4WD vehicles where sonn it is vehicle more than raw power that determines the result. The suspension, tyres diff lock or limited slip gear ratios and even chassis flex, mass distribution all heavily determine performance.
My first ever own vehicle was one that initially got lots of laughs and ridicule by prior 4WD owners. Soon that laugh was turned to scowls amazement and from some even grudging praise.
I first ever saw Suzuki LJ20 4WD in American 4x4 magazine, showing these used in steep muddy mountain forests of Papua New Guinea. Also some articles about some sold in the region of US Rockies. Those were powered by two stroke 2 Cylinder 360 cc engines. After a couple of years I became aware of the newer LJ50 becoming available in Australia. It had a two stroke 3 cylinder 540cc engine, still separate oil injection and a 30L standard gasoline fuel tank. With that limited fuel capacity a bit limiting like many EV cars now, but still reasonable with upwards of 350km offroad 4WD range, and even over 400km on road.
First shipments to Australia were a mere 150 or 200, and largely promoted for small farm general utility vehicle. I was captivated and borrowed from bank and parents the needed $2799 value, ended up with second last unsold one in Melbourne, actually just outside Melbourne in a rural farm area from a farming supplies tractor service and stock feed dealership. I took an amazing test ride where the dealership mechanic demonstrated deep mud excellent climbing, stop, restart on water channel embankment of over 45° angle. I was so taken I signed even before my bank confirmed the loan the only actual loan in my life.
I had a Yellow softtop/canvas top and doors. Soon ran up kilters quickly going exploring 4WD forestry tracks. The limited warantee of only 10 000km and 3 months was completed on the same day. Yes that warantee put many of in early times.
I soon was in for my third service, and as the demo dealership vehicle was missing a farmer with beat-up old Landrover was there asking for a demo, getting angry made to wait. I offered to drive him round the demo I had . One part needing an access key for a paddock gate. Anyhow with farmer in the passenger seat and one of his teen sons in the rear tray did all the usual slow low gear speeds allowing walking along beside the vehicle idling along over rough power fields even walking around the vehicle rolling along, then the steep water channel embankment up/down, stop in mid slope, keep going up forward and even stop in descent and restart reversing to top. The farmer very impressed as he realised by many years of Landrover driving that would neither manage that slope nor stop and continue from stop on that slope. On the big paddock I dropped both wheels on one side into a muddy ditch that bogged progress right there. The farmer convinced we were permanently stuck. Well with a bit of low gear and jiggling steering I soon drove back out of the ditch. I then made a serious mistake .
In high grass area to half the side windiw height I saw some white pegs in small cleared patches. In manoeuvring around several, I failed to look forward, at farmer gesture I saw a large gaping hole, as I crashed my Suzuki across the hole. Front bumper imbedded and somewhat buckled on far side of the hole front wheels in the air and rear wheels on the near side of the hole. Climbing out I could walk to the other side of the hole. I admitted that looked dire, all this onto of some huge concrete lid apparently a huge drainage pipe had been layed across the paddock. Observing that really the vehicle was on its chassis rails and rear tyres with bumper really not supporting much we noted that lifting the front applied more pressure on rear tyres. With farmers son hanging off my rear mounted spare wheel, farmer supporting the front under the engine by the cross member behind bumper, I actually reversed off that hole.
I apologised but the farmer was elated by the vehicle. He actually signed for five Suzuki's that very day, for his three farms, and six sons. Sadly the defeat never gave me any reward only a thank you for the demo.
On first 4WD club trip I was advised it was not good for that Suzuki toy, the trip would need a "Proper" 4WD.. I went anyway and during the trip made every part without issue, even had to return down a steep climb as the trip leaders Toyota, even with 4 wheels fitted with tyre chains failed to get up after nearly half dozen attempts, we had to go on via alternative tracks. Anyhow the next club magazine featured a comedic sketch of the Suzuki with a very praising text like "Go Jimny " tearing through rough hill. The group learned respect for the vehicle. Within that first year many 4WD reviews had nothing but praise.
I had a shortvterm became 1 1/2 years working in Sydney where my employer arranged for me to contact the local Landrover owners club that also participated in search and rescue and fire fighting, several local district police were also members. My first trip I turned up to at nearly 150km from Sydney , I was told as parts of the trip were hard and that little 4WD Suzuki was fine around farms, not likely to be capable of some of the trip so advised me to wait for a easier weekend trip. Otherwise since the trip was in and out by same tracks I would have to remain at where ever I was not able to go on camp and I could return out when the group would come back by Sunday. I went for the trip and as I expected more than matched requirements. In fact there was on burned clutch and four broken Axel's for larger 4WDs mainly on Landrovers. I learned as previously seen in documentaries Landrovers regularly strip diffs and brake Axel's. I took the challenge by the club joker of driving a deep water crossing between sand/rock bars at a river bend putting water splashing over my engine hood (bonnet as we call it) and only climbing out of the deep water back onto the sand bar dug in and stopped with engine idling up out the water, exhaust bubbling. The joker then tried to show how good a Landrover would do the crossing. Well he made less than half the distance bogged in deep water stalled the engine with water at side windows and engine submerged. . Both had to b e winched out, the landrover needed complete oil change, at camp several got various repairs of broken Axel's. The burned out clutch vehicle finished the trip towed and winched.
I was challenged to see how far up a long steep hill I could go I refused as I believed the climb of over 100 yards, as quite possible, but at top were several large logs across the way that would require full reversing down.. continue next comment
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