Essential Motoring 101

It has been my dream to try offroading into the jungles since my early teenage years. Being in the outdoor, camping, nature walking and jungle trekking has always been in me for some unknown reason. When my manager at my workplace offered me a chance to test drive the new Ford Ranger, I didnt expect it to be the ULTIMATE test drive - taking the Ranger into the jungle and out! I grabbed at the chance and was highly anticipated for that day.

Last weekend had a blast in the jungle with the citizens of Lanun Darat, a group of offroaders specifically for all Ford 4×4 vehicle owners. Seriously, I don’t know how to put into words the experience during that 1-day trip to a jungle in Karak, about almost 2 hours drive from the Ford showroom, alongside the federal highway in PJ. I will try my best to describe how I felt but here are some pictures to share, to make my wording efforts much easier :

The Ranger TDCi with VGT, ABS, EBD, and lots of testosterones. :))

In my truck, there were 2 more passengers - Jaswir from CBT and Lindsay from Ford. I felt a little pressured of taking the wheels when Lindsay told me to drive instead. He was completely assured that I could handle the vehicle probably because it was a Ford, I guess. Ultimately, he was right, based on the rest of this posting below..

Proudly posing with the Ranger

The truck handles like a car. My vehicle was on automatic transmission (AT) so I could’nt complain. My impression of AT vehicles are that they are under-powered, fuel guzzler and high maintenance. Not sure about the maintenance part of this vehicles but from what I heard, the gearbox oil is changed at 200,000 km, according to a satisfied customer that took part in this event. What I’m sure is the AT comes with a 5-speed transmission and it was effortless while overtaking road-hoggers on the Bentong. Of course, nothing beats the manual transmission but this machine show no sign of engine stressing at all even while negotiating through the (extremely) tough terrains (for a first-timer like me) .

A car, you guess? Guess again!

Switching from 2-wheel drive to full-time 4×4 wheel drive does’nt even hurt a muscle with its dial-like switch that you can engage even while driving. When Lindsay announced, “You’re on 4 wheels now”, I couldn’t comprehend. It takes a very, very sensitive vibration detector to feel it. I mean, there was no clunking of sounds and no abrasion between pieces of metal as I would expect but it was merely the clicking sound of a relay inside the dashboard that actually ‘indicated’ that the 4-wheel drive has been activated, besides the lighted display on the meter panel.

The rest of the offroaders getting ready for the cameras.

We reached the starting point of the rough terrain about 1 hour drive from Karak town. Barely prepared, I just do what was needed, applying the basics of careful and attentive driving with the Ranger. Thinking back on the paths in the jungle that we had to endure gives me a chilling sensation. I never imagined I could actually manage to pass through preliminary terrains, with zero offroading experience.

One happy offroad family for the picture.

We had to go through narrow paths, in between fallen chopped trees, tight curves, muddy lands and slippery slopes. The jungle was filled with sounds of not the turbo-charged diesel engine, but the whirring of the 4-wheel drive shafts. The gear was engaged in 4L, the lowest gear with lots of power and grip to offer for the truck. It wasn’t loud at all. I would expect the engine to roar but it didn’t even when the truck got stuck in between crevices during the uphill climbs, a little tap on the accelerator was already enough to get the truck back up, effortlessly. At times the terrain was too slippery (due to a downpour) that had the truck slipped and fell into holes, it managed to get out of it with just little taps on the paddle. As mentioned earlier, one doesn’t require years of experience to go offroading with this new truck. What is needed is some basic driving while the rest is up to the truck ;).

We had KFC for lunch at our destination. The land of the site was surrounded by a stream. Not much of a scenery there but it was flat enough for the Lanun Darat organisers to pitch up two big tents to shelter us from the rain that came abruptly as we were gorging down the tasty fried chicken. Food always seem to taste better in the outdoors whenever I go into the great outdoors. That moment had me reminisce the good ‘ol times back when I was in my teens, where I used to go camping with my peers about 4 times in a year.

Crashing through the mud by yours truly.

It wasn’t too exhaustive for me to manoeuvre the terrains using the Ranger. It was truly comfort all the way! The suspensions of this machine practically leveled up all the holes and humps along the path! What else could you ask for this truck that churns out 330Nm of torque, the highest in its range, that is also gentle to our bums, man. Based on the ‘test-drive’ so far, I am more than convinced to own this truck on one fine day. .

It was still drizzling when we were left with a few more pieces of fried chicken to go. It was time to leave when the sky grew darker. All of the drivers got on to their trucks to be ready for the deadly ascent at the entrance where arrived from. As they fight the war against the rough, sloping surface, I could see their trucks bouncing vigorously, punching their way to the top! It was an eye-popping, nail-biting sight to see! For a minute there I couldnt feel my legs anymore. My knees was no different than a vegetable, weak and stunned upon what me and my crew in this truck will have to expect! Mind you, it was still drizzling that time!

Do this and you get instant stardom.

The voice in the walkie announced that truck number 19 is next to climb, it was MY turn! Oh God help me! I didnt dare to think too much so I charged the truck towards the terrain, trying to build the right momentum by leaving no energy unused. With a deep breath I kept my foot on the pedal and steadily maintain a constant speed while initiating the hard ascent. At times I had to accelerate a bit more but the engine didn’t show any signs of lag or strain at all. With a firm but flexible grip on the steering wheel, I managed to get my passengers through the ‘path to hell’ without much hard bumping incurred. I was amazed once again on the abilities of this truck so mighty. It was all over. All of a sudden I have already reached ‘heaven’ instead! Even after the deadly ascent, the truck didnt produce any sound at all except the ever-present, muffled whirring of the 4×4 drive shafts.

No regrets at all taking on the offroad-ready Ranger.

It wasnt the end of it. We had quite a network of unbelievably tough terrains to travel, thanks to the rain. Not to brag but it was as if I am a natural in offroading. I was able to handle the vehicle well on such terrains, bear in mind that I was the new kid on the offroading block, you see. Of course, my co-drivers, Jaswir and Lindsay were a great help during times that I couldn’t make quick judgments on tight angles. I owe them alot for being very supportive in my driving. Thanks to both of them for ‘kicking in’ the spirit of offroading into me.

Overall, I have nothing to ask for such a powerful machine the Ranger has. With a body frame so tough and yet agile, it is all of the good that any owners of this vehicle would expect to have. I am truly ‘enlightened’ with what the Ranger has in store and am really looking forward to own one myself, hopefully, the next year while collecting enough dough for the downpayment.

Truly a memorable ‘test-drive’ I had