Chris Cole and Bob Crow are Certified Instructors with the
International 4 Wheel Drive Trainers' Association.
Excellence in 4WD Training
We offer very extensive and detailed courses on a wide range of 4WD and Expedition topics. Our courses are tailored to meet your needs whether you are a beginner or advanced. Courses we offer include:
1) Introduction to 4 Wheel Drive
2) Four Wheel Drive Systems
3) Vehicle Maintenance
4) Vehicle Outfitting
5) Environmental Awareness
6) Traction Aids
7) Vehicle Recovery
8) Recovery Resistance Calculations
9) Trailer Towing
10) Navigation
11) Driving Skills
Introduction to
Purpose: To enable an individual interested in 4WD to be educated sufficiently so that they are able to go and make an informed purchase of a suitable 4WD vehicle.
Course Outline
1) Two wheel drive
a. Front wheel drive
i. Independent front suspension [IFS]
b. Rear wheel drive
i. Solid axel
ii. Independent rear suspension [IRS]
c. Differential
i. Gear ratio
2) Four wheel drive [4WD]
a. High range
b. Low range
3) Transfer Case
a. Full time
i. Differential lock [center]
b. Part time
4) Axel differential lock
a. Always engaged
i. Spool
b. Selectable differential lock
c. Limited slip
5) Free wheeling hubs
6) Differential gear ratio
a. Crawl ratio
7) Semi floating vs. full floating rear axel
8) Ground clearance
a. Axles
b. Chassis – suspension
i. Wheel Travel
ii. Articulation
c. Body
9) Traction
a. Tire choice
i. Black-top
ii. Dirt
iii. Sand
iv. Mud
v. Snow
vi. Ice
b. Tire inflation
10) Vehicle choice
a. Budget
b. Occupant carrying capacity
c. Equipment carrying capacity
d. Automatic vs. manual
e. Fuel type/consumption
f. General use vs. purpose built
g. Aftermarket accessories
i. Suspension systems
ii. Tires and wheels
iii. Differential gears
iv. Bumpers
1. Front
a. Winch mount
b. Lights mount
2. Rear
a. Spare wheel mount
b. Equipment mount [high-lift jack, fuel container(s)]
v. Protection
1. Skid plates
a. Engine oil pan
b. Drive-train
i. Transmission
ii. Transfer case
iii. Differentials
c. Fuel tank
d. Steering gear box
2. Nerf bars
h. Approach angle
i. Departure angle
j. Breakover angle
k. Fording depth
l. Towing capacity
© 2010 Expedition Guru
