Cape York Pt 8 - Frenchmans Track

Dodging obstacles is just in a days work for the guys when driving trucks through Cape York! Just got to climb out of the Wenlock and Frenchmans will be done and dusted!
Get yourself the gear the boys use by visiting Exploring Off the Grid
Proudly supported by Solar N Sat, All Terrain Warriors, Dynamic Slide Ons, Venom Terrain Vehicles, Maxtrax & Airbagman

[@allanhugh2044]

As soon as the driver in the first truck climbing out of the Wenlock changed into second gear, I thought this will be interesting. I agreed with the second truck driver, 1st gear low range and crawl up. First gear low range is lower than reverse in the NPS, it's really low, so low that the power of the engine is reduced by the electronics so you don't rip things apart.
Assuming they are manual transmissions, I would have used Hill Start to get the first truck moving again; works a lot easier than using the handbrake. The best hill start for that kind of situation is the fast release. Regardless, some very good photography in this release, extremely good night stuff from the drone showing the driving lights of the various vehicles was the icing on the cake.

[@freakyaussy]

Yeah I agree . While these blokes have the time and money it doesn't make them experts lol . Slow and steady is the way to go . Low range didn't sound like low to me , sounded more like first gear high

[@allanhugh2044]

@@freakyaussy I've got the same size super singles as these trucks on my NPS, the difference is approximately 14% slower engine revs for a given speed in top gear, with the rest the same. I have driven (idled) alongside another NPS with bog standard wheels (council truck) in low range first gear, with super singles fitted we just pulled away. That could be why it looks fast in the cabin, I'm pretty certain that was in low range.
Second gear is very good, but once momentum is lost, you have 6 tonnes swinging backwards or stopping for a fraction of a second and in second gear it bogs the engine down which then stalls if you haven't managed to throw the clutch quickly enough; been there done that. First gear low range should literally idle up that slope with feathering of the throttle here and there as there was pretty good traction and if the front axle had an ATB (Automatic Torque Bias) differential fitted, it would pull the front up like nothing else can. Still, it makes for interesting viewing!
The design limit of these Isuzu's is 7500kg, running at 6000kg they are at 80% of the design limit for tarmac use, which I believe is approximately the maximum for serious dirt stuff. We run ours at just under 6000kg and using almost all fuel from two tanks and all of our water, we drop 460kg to 480kg in total weight. When this happens in serious stuff like shown here, ours really comes alive with its new lightweight capability.

[@80serieslandcruiser]

Those trucks look sick in the video but look so much better in real life! Great video fellas!

[@exploringoffthegrid]

Cheers mate

[@jorrumtucker7876]

weapons very good photographs vids great editing 😁🙃 👍

[@exploringoffthegrid]

Thanks

[@yusufsayed1583]

Epic content 👌 thanks for sharing 👍 Greetings and cheers 🍻 from south africa 🇿🇦

[@exploringoffthegrid]

thanks mate

[@brentmcd12]

wow! cool! great video! congrats on your trip! 🏞️🛻📹🤙😎

[@exploringoffthegrid]

Thanks for watching

[@Kakydanou]

G'day guys, basically I enjoy your way of travel! Yours trucks are amazing rigs.
Some of the tracks you did, just brings me good memories: back in 1995-1996 we toured OZ with our trusty L300 MK1 4x4.
One thing that I find annoying if I may, is your background music; it is too loud and covers your voices.
Other than that, I really enjoy it. Can't wait next season!
Cheers from 🇨🇭

[@exploringoffthegrid]

Thanks for your feedback mate, we are on to it!

[@joelmartinezmartinezalovar1077]

Congratulations very nice ❤🇭🇳

[@exploringoffthegrid]

Thank you! 😃

[@woopwoopadventures6789]

Guys I absolutely love the show if I have a small request reduce the music volume to 50%

[@exploringoffthegrid]

Thanks mate and noted 👍

[@SaintKimbo]

Agreed, reduce the music volume to zero, that quasi metal/pop drosh is ear pollution, doesn't add anything to the video but irritation.
I assume it's added to 'pump up' the drama, but that just makes it more cringe.

[@marvelz6355]

Hi guys. Thanks for the video.
Some feedback: Can’t decide if I am watching overland show or a rock concert 😂. Struggling to hear what you are saying.

[@exploringoffthegrid]

Noted!

[@guerd87]

Doing cape next year in my Fuso - Do you have lockers in these trucks?

[@markslowen1411]

So you don’t carry any dynamite for those stubborn rocks then ?

[@exploringoffthegrid]

I will not confirm or deny!

[@doh7887]

I actually rate the Frenchmans Track over the Telegraph Track.

[@exploringoffthegrid]

Yes Frenchman’s is awesome

[@scottcochrane638]

Guys looks too the music, it’s to loud and to rocky. But great show.

[@exploringoffthegrid]

👍