Shifting into 4WD: The SUV Owner's 4WD Handbook (Outdoor and Nature) (Paperback)

~ Harry Lewellyn (Author) "This is the warm up charter..." (more)
Key Phrases: Mother Nature, Tech Stuff, Professor Coyote (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

...it's definitely a Handbook...you will find at least one great tip that you haven't tried before. -- Jim Walczak, About, Inc., 4-Wheel Drive/SUVs, February 28, 2002

From basics to advanced, this 4WD handbook provides a witty, informative look at leaving the pavement for a backcountry experience. -- Rick Russell, Sidekick Off Road, December 2001

This book contains all the basic things you really should know before going four wheeling, and then some. -- Jimmy Nylund, FOUR WHEELER magazine, December 2001

Product Description

This handbook is designed to be a constant trailside companion regardless of your experience level. It presents field-tested, experience-based methods and techniques for using your 4WD SUV, truck or Jeep off highway. With safety in mind, and Mother Nature never forgotten, SHIFTING INTO 4WD covers how 4WD works, driving different terrain, making field repairs and getting unstuck. It offers numerous lists and, with an incredible index that conforms to your style of thinking, it steers you to the exact concept you're looking for. And if all else fails, it offers basic survival hints that will help you enjoy waiting for help to arrive.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 342 pages
• Publisher: Gem Guides Book Company (January 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0944781020
• ISBN-13: 978-0944781029
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #294,035 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Missing Large Sections, December 11, 2002

By	"lazywench" (Sterling, VA United States) - See all my reviews

The book says it's for beginner to advanced, but I felt it was more beginner to intermediate. He does not cover using a winch at all, just tow hooks and straps/chains- sort of. If I got stuck in the back country and this book was the only reference I had, I might stay stuck. The author expects me to shell out an additional twenty-five dollars for Volume II which contains the recovery section along with more advanced techniques. I felt like an someone was telling me the first half of a set of directions. That's not helpful if the directions run out long before the job is done.

The book contains some tips that an advanced 4wheeler might use, but perhaps not enough of them to justify the cost of Volume I for an advanced user. Beginners might also become frustrated at the lack of sketches of some pieces of equipment that are listed as necessary. I got bogged down with the chatty, disordered style of information sharing. I had to take notes to sort out the decision trees, because I couldn't track them otherwise.

If you want a good description with lots of clear diagrams on how differentials and transfer cases work, this is a good book. If you want excellent information on airing down your tires for improved traction, this is the book to get. Other references quote this author on tire pressure.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good Information, April 20, 2002

By	"ronaldwf" (Newtown, CT USA) - See all my reviews

This book contains a lot of good commonsense information for the new or experienced 4X4'er. The author covers many aspects of driving off-road in all kinds of terrain. There's also advice on emergency repairs and getting "unstuck."
However, once you start reading through the book,the author keeps referring to a mysterious "Volume 2" of this work for more detailed information. Volume 2 seems to be available only directly from the publisher for another $[money].
This seemed to be an unfair catch to an otherwise excellent book.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Belongs in the Center Console of Your SUV!, May 12, 2002

By	Mark Sedenquist (Las Vegas, NV United States) - See all my reviews

Harry Lewellyn's handbook will get you home (or at least back to the pavement) the next time you try one too many stream crossings while exploring the back country. The book is loaded with hundreds of practical tips and suggestions for safely operating a SUV off pavement. His wry sense of humor enables a sense of fun and the confidence to hit the road as soon as possible.

Lewellyn also presents an eloquent case for environmentally responsible behavior and trail etiquette for all users of off-highway roads and trails.

This is the best book I have ever read on the subject of driving vehicles off-road. Buy it. Try the excercises. If you do, you will be ready to leave the pavement with confidence.