One of the main factors a 4-wheeler needs when going off pavement is traction. Whether you have a heavily modified rig or a stock unit, traction is what makes an offroad trip a success or a failure. You’d need full traction to get to your destination, or if you believe in the saying “the journey is the destination,” well, need I say more?

Going through various topics on the 4×4 Philippines forum and around the internet regarding different traction aids, a new user might be a little bit overwhelmed at the amount of available options out there, ranging from tried-and-tested aftermarket products like the ARB Air Locker to individual offroad modification shop techniques, and even backyard engineering of Do-It-Yourselfers.

After running my 1997 Suzuki Vitara for years without any additional traction aids, subscribing to the mantra of building your rig slowly from stock to know it better, I decided it was high time I get myself something new. As I mentioned above there are a lot of choices out there, like the very basic tire chains (cumbersome to install, and requires manual removal when going back to the pavement) to LSD’s and differential lockers.

Choosing the right traction aid

I didn’t want to permanently weld my differentials to lock it full-time. LSD’s, based on my research, would wear out components on my SUV — not a good option for me as this is also my daily driver. Besides, some have shared their experiences about LSD’s and it didn’t work as expected. Blame it on too high expectations, but I need my expectations to be high so I can get back home after going out on the trails — not to mention get out of the trails with my vehicle.

Last option for me are lockers. As many of you know the best lockers are the ones that let you drive your vehicle in the city like you don’t have ANY lockers at all, but when off-highway and you need maximum traction you get what you need while sitting comfortably in the driver’s seat.

The most trusted name in this category is the original ARB Air Locker, and to my surprise (well, not really) there is the Chinese imitation. No contest, I balked at the idea of using an imitation of something as important as what I need. If you’re not convinced of my decision you might want to watch a comparison between the original ARB Air Locker and the Chinese imitation. Check the video below:

Putting it to the test

Now that I have mine installed it’s time to try it out. Perfect timing, one of clubs I’m a member of, the Suzuki Off-Roaders, Inc. (SORI), just informed me we’ll be having a club trail day.

First obstacle we encountered was an eroded section of a bridge due to Typhoon Pedring (international name Nesat). Upon first looking at it it was a huge gap that would swallow the front end of a vehicle easily. As I inspected it I knew this would be a simple test for my new ARB Air Locker. I need it to “push” the vehicle out of the ditch.

Before I put my SUV into first gear I flipped two switches. One for the air compressor, the next for the rear locking differential. Without moving my rear end off my seat my rear differential is now locked, ready to take on the first obstacle on its maiden voyage. Let’s do this.

Slowly and gently, as instructed and spotted by Joey, a good friend of mine, I start the entry into the ditch in front of me. Adding a little bit of power for the front of the vehicle to get out and bring the rear in and down the ditch. Now that my front end is up and out next goal is to get the rear out and clear the obstacle.

“Give a bit more power than usual,” Joey instructed. I normally would follow his directions, but I wanted to see if I can get out without exerting too much unnecessary throttling. I started feathering the gas and releasing the clutch, depending on the ARB Air Locker to get me out of this hole.

And it did, perfectly. Sure, it wasn’t that deep but I wanted to see how little power I need to give for it to be able to push me out. It passed with flying colors. Looking back I believe I was the one who gave it as little power as needed. I patted the locker on the back, in my mind. Heh.

Next up was a 35-degree deeply rutted, uphill climb, with fist- to head-sized rocks along the trail. I smiled. Now this is a better test, I thought to myself. And a better test, indeed.

After a few attempts of the one in front and opting to winch up the climb, the trail was clear for me. Joey’s 4xForce off-road crew got into position, in anticipation of more spotting and guiding. Again I flicked the switches to engage the ARB Air Locker and waited for the go signal.

As soon as the signal was given off I went, down and across the stream, then I started the climb. For additional testing purposes I decided to feather the accelerator again, only using the necessary amount of power and not relying too much on momentum to get me up this fairly steep climb.

I can hear my guides and my spotters shouting at me, “Power! Power! Power!” telling me to stomp on the gas pedal, to give my rig more juice to get me up, but I was playing with my new ARB lockers, so I didn’t give in.

Whenever I felt the vehicle start to slow down I’d tap on the gas pedal only a bit and smile as I felt the tires bite. Traction, yes sir, no unnecessary tire slippage.

I believe I can proudly say that day, at this specific section of the whole trip, I was the one who was able to climb without a single problem — I didn’t need to stop midway and try to use more power and momentum to finish the climb, I didn’t need to have someone pull me up or winch me out, I didn’t need to be pushed up by the crew to get me over this section. This is one of the perfect examples of a comparison between a 4-wheel-drive with open diffs and one with an ARB Air Locker installed.

The last test for this trip was unintentional: drive through a mud pit on 2-wheel-drive. You see, at this point of the trip I already have a broken front axle.

Approaching the mud pit I spotted Suzuki LJ with a broken crossjoint (also running on 2-wheel-drive now), two vehicles in front of me, stopped in the middle of the curving mud pit. Preparing to be pulled out.

As soon as Coach Rod in a Samurai, the one directly in front of me, was done crossing I decided I won’t wait for the go signal. I can always call on them if I get stuck in the middle, I thought.

Air Locker switch on, check. Mud pit clear of vehicles and people, check. First gear, check. Then I released the clutch. This time I needed to depend on proper momentum to get me through. Will the lockers pass this test?

I kept the rev high enough to keep forward momentum. In a way I felt the mud trying to stop my vehicle from moving forward, I felt the front tires not helping me in any way except to steer me in the direction I wanted to go. I put more pressure on the gas pedal, making sure I don’t lose the forward motion. My engine howled with the high rev, both my rear tires spun simultaneously, digging in the mud, throwing it back out of the way.

The people in Coach Rod’s pickup-type Samurai kept their eyes on my SUV, pumping their fists at me, telling me to go faster, to give it more power, egging me on.

Then I felt the rear tires bite the trail harder, the vehicle lurching forward suddenly, and I knew I was on safer ground. I made it. The ARB Air Locker helping me out, whether 4-wheel-drive or 2-wheel-drive due to a broken front axle — naturally, the latter has some limitations but compare it to the very same conditions but with an open differential. Worlds apart.

Now we set off to lunch by the river.

It’s a short article on my journey from being a naive non-biker (my initial impressions, how I got started) to a mountain biking addict.

Here’s an excerpt from the article:

It was a totally different experience from what I wrongly thought mountain biking was! The rush of the single track trails! Oh, the trails! The fear of falling in almost knee-deep muddy ruts! Oh, the ruts! My heart beating wildly as I try my hardest not to crash, as I try my hardest to keep pedaling even when I felt I didn’t have anything more to give, as I try my hardest not to slow the whole group down.

In my journey I was able to answer that question. Get your copy of the 2nd issue to read the whole article. Or if you’re patient enough I have a few copies to be given away as What The Heck?! contest prizes. Still trying to come up with something for round 3, though.

A change in Darna (my bike). From a used-and-abused front end to a more indestructible weapon. View video here:

Rock Shox Reba Team installation at Velocipede (Nov. 22, 2010) from Francis Arellano on Vimeo.

That’s one of the main problems bike commuters in the Philippines have. Ours being a third world country it’s no surprise our streets are suddenly being populated by bike commuters from all walks of life – from people who only have a beat up and wiggling bike as their main and only form of transportation to those who are members of 2-car (at least) families.

Bike parking is a problem as only bike shops, and, lately, a bike rider-conscious owner of a gas station are the only ones I am aware of that provide semi-safe bike parking. Sure, there may be other establishments but my point is they may only comprise of 1%, give or take. Not included government institutions who I think should set a good example. But then, when did the Philippine government ever be a good example overall?

That’s why I admire the Firefly Brigade’s initiative of talking to local governments and malls and convincing them of providing simple and cost-effective bike racks for public bike parking. I don’t remember where I read it but I’m pretty sure I landed on the page while reading about this project by the Firefly Brigade, if I remember correctly it’s their recommendations on public bike rack designs.

Main point being the structure should support the whole bike (mainly, the frame, unlike Nuvali’s bike parking) plus the structure should enable the biker to secure the bike’s frame and both tires using 1 long bike lock. It should also be sturdy and secure enough that it won’t be easy to lift the whole structure off the ground, along with the bike(s), and load it onto a small truck or closed van. That scenario is possible!

With some simple Googling I found some examples and options of what public bike park structures should look like.

Fine, I’ll stop ranting now.

Anyway, why am I concerned with this bike parking problem? Simple things, really, but I have also learned it has a great impact on a lot of important points, like my health, the environment, convenience, etc.

Simple errands which would be too far to walk to, too near to bring a car (and the perpetual traffic on the main road due to the stupid strategy our local municipality’s traffic enforcers employ; no other way but to pass here), too impractical to ride the public transportation… and, of course, the chance to put in some saddle time.

Not only that. The Alabang Town Center is just a 14-km ride from home. If I need to go there for some reason or other what stops me, as with the case when I need to do those simple errands I mentioned before, is the complete lack of secure bike parking.

My eldest son can also benefit from school bike racks. A few months ago he already asked me if he can just bike to school. Sure, I’m all for this idea, especially the school is fairly close to home and there’s a safer route he can take without having to pass through the main road I mentioned above. This would lessen the monthly expenses for my kids’ school service, it will help him develop his stamina and endurance, help him get comfortable on a bike — part-training for when we go to the trails, since late last summer I’ve already starting bringing him on some of the shorter and easier rides. What made me decide not to let him bike to school is the lack of safe school bike racks; unlike in Japan as shown in The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift.

Supporting and encouraging the use of bicycles for simple reasons like the examples I just shared would go a long way in easing the infamous Philippine traffic, promote a healthy and clean lifestyle, and gently push us into doing our part to save Mother Earth. Simple solutions, significant impact.

It was a Thursday night. The clock read 10:58 P.M.

With some prodding and negotiating I was able to secure a riding visa (from my wife) for the next day. Expiration is 10 A.M.

As it was late I sent a text message to a friend who I know would most likely be available to ride on a weekday, Keelo of Philmofo. Him confirming will also guarantee another rider to the group, Kurt. I told him our meet-up time should be at 7 A.M. Enough time to give me some sleep and do a quick ride around the Malipay trails.

In my message I informed him of my visa expiration. I needed to be home by 10 A.M.

After preparing my stuff for the ride I went to sleep.

Then I was awaken from my slumber by the bed moving. My woke up and wife got out of bed then proceeded to the computer, continuing to do some work.

I decided to check on my cellphone, Keelo should already have replied. He did.

In his message he told me he could only ride until 9:30 A.M. That would be enough time, I thought to myself. I responded saying we’d be finished long before that and he would be home with more than 30 minutes to deadline. I checked my watch. It read 2:37 A.M. Yes! More sleep!

I returned my phone and covered my head with the blanket. Then sleep came back.

5:30 A.M. my phone’s alarm went off. I reached out, turned it off, and got off the bed. I slowly started getting ready since I still had enough time before the 7 A.M. meet-up. Then I thought of double-checking Keelo’s message just to make sure about his 9:30 A.M. visa expiration.

I got my phone, opened the inbox, and didn’t see his message. WTF, I thought. I NEVER delete messages like that right away. I exited then went back to my phone’s inbox. Still no message from Keelo. I started to panic.

Did I just dream of reading his message? Did I just dream of replying to his text? What the hell…?!

I started texting him. The 7 A.M. meet-up is fast approaching. I didn’t know whether to start preparing for the ride or not.

Still no reply from him. It’s possible they’re pedaling to the police outpost in Daang Hari, our usual meeting place. I call his phone. No answer. They could be in transit now, I thought. I decided to call a few more times, hoping he’ll sense some kind of urgency in the non-stop attempts at calling him. Still no luck. Not even a reply to one of my text messages asking him if I only had the dream of him confirming of the morning ride.

This sucks. My panic is starting to subside. I felt tired. I felt hot, but I also felt cold. I started sweating… from my body cooling down from excitement, to bewilderment, to disappointment, to surrender… I still can’t believe, can’t grasp, the “reality” of dreaming this…

A little past 9 A.M. my phone beeped. I just received a text message. Were they waiting for me? I checked immediately. It was Keelo.

Pre ngayn k lng nabasa mga txt m. Aga k kse nakatulog kagabi. (Text-speak removed: Pare ngayon ko lang nabasa mga text mo. Aga ko kasi nakatulog kagabi; Translation: Dude I just read your messages now. I fell asleep early last night.)

Sweet dream turned sour. LOL!

Do you have similar experiences? Please share it with us and we’ll all laugh at ourselves!

I keep pedaling on the slight uphill road of Daang Hari with Rod. Suddenly I feel Darna, my Fuji Outland Pro bike, sway from side to side.

Am I that tired, I thought. Is this the start of bonking out? I didn’t think so. I looked straight ahead expecting my vision to blur. It didn’t.

I stop pedaling. I freewheel. I look down, I look at the rear tire. It wasn’t wiggling too much. Everything seemed normal.

I continue pedaling as Rod and I talk. Then I feel the sway once again. This confirmed it, this isn’t normal.

I had no choice, I continued pedaling as the sun was out and we were riding along Daang Hari. When Rod went straight towards the Molino-Daang Hari intersection and I turned right to enter Meadows I stopped a few feet after passing the gate. I checked if my rear wheel needs truing. It doesn’t. Not knowing what the problem was kinda scared me, not to mention it’s quite frustrating.

I mounted back on and continued pedaling home. Taking it slow, taking it easy. Pedaling light.

Once in a while I check the rear tire while I roll. I couldn’t figure out what’s causing the sway. I stop once more and check the rear wheel’s spokes. Nothing was broken. I continue on.

In another private subdivision I pass through there are less vehicles on the road. This gave me the chance of trying out different possible causes of why I felt the bike swaying. As I continued to pedal I heard what sounded like my rear tire brushing up against my chainstay protector. I looked down and confirmed the sound. Shit, that much rear tire wiggle isn’t normal.

I stop pedaling. I freewheel. I look down, I look at the rear tire. Everything was normal. What the hell…?

I pedaled with more force than normal. I felt the sway. I look down again, at the rear tire. It was rubbing against the chainstay protector.

I ease off. I freewheel as much as I can. I pedal light.

When I got home I sent a text message to Tom of Gran Trail Cycles describing what I found out and asking what the possible problem could be. He responded saying I may have lost a pivot bolt.

I went straight to Darna and checked all pivot points. A bolt was missing in the link just right beside the dropout. What the feck?! I texted Tom about it and he suggested I bring Darna to the Mad Scientist a.k.a. Bong the Mechanic.

Visiting the doctor

Monday was the only time I was able to bring Darna to be checked up on. I first passed by Gran Trail since it was nearer. Tom found out Fuji used mated bolts, which they don’t have on stock. They’d have to order it from Fuji. He again suggested Bong. So off I went, but not before asking Tom to have all bolts on Darna tightened.

So I steer Ate V, my 4×4 Suzuki Vitara, towards Bong’s shop/home. Tantan was there having his Yeti 575 laminated.

After a quick checkup Bong removed the bolts to be used as a sample as he digs in his bolts bin. Not finding what he was looking for he produced a different bolt of the same diameter then went out back to his table vice, with an electric drill locked in its jaw. I stare. So did Tantan.

“What the hell are you doing?” Tantan asks.

Bong chuckles.

He inserted the bolt in the drill, tests it, adjusts, tests again. Once the bolt was spinning straight he got a saw. I continue to stare and grin.

After a while, since my wife was waiting for me at the Alabang Town Center, I asked if it’s going to take long. Bong said it would be better for me to just come back for Darna so he won’t have to rush fixing her up.

Ready to rock, ready to roll!

Having done all the errands with my wife we go back to the Mad Scientist’s lab. It was already dark. 3 cars were parked outside. As I reach the gate I saw Eugene. I enter and went straight to the work area. It looked like half a recipe for a bikers’ party as I saw Daniel, Francis, and Borj. With Darna outside the work area standing proud.

She’s ready for the next day’s trip, from Q.C. to Cavite.

Different factors are preventing me from going out 4-wheeling. It has been quite a while since I last ‘wheeled.

That’s the main reason this site has been stagnant. If I haven’t been ‘wheeling, there’s nothing to post, nothing to share, nothing to review.

For this I apologize — but it’s really unavoidable.

Lately, though, the ‘wheeling and trailing I’ve been doing is on 2 wheels, and not the motorized kind. Check out my mountain bike site/blog for now, as that’s what I’ve been updating since I try to go out riding almost every day. It’s called The MTB Junkie @ www.TheMTBJunkie.com

Thanks and happy trails! Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter!

Of course, I was curious. With that kind of topic title there’s no doubt we’re looking at a locally-assembled vehicle that would either be worthy of praise (very rare) or a cause of a good laugh (with what crazy people do to customize their rigs, design-sense going down the drain).

What greeted me was a, well, what looked like a 40 Series Willy’s Jeep with slight modifications. But judging from the grill, the hood, and the fenders it looked too real to be a locally-assembled unit. At first I thought they chopped up a real Mitsubishi Willy’s high-hood jeep and used up the front then fabricated the rear/cab part of the vehicle. I was close to tears for fear of finding out if what