In today’s world of social media groups, TV shows and YouTube 'experts' who may not have completed any formal 4WD training, and who often give personal views and miss-information it is important that we learn the best methods and skills to experience our 4WD vehicles safely and get the most fun from our driving.

Not all the information you will come accross in the media is the safest or correct method of driving or recovering a 4WD vehicle so we willl teach you the right way to use your Jeep. We need to do this whilst appreciating and caring for the environment and practising responsible four wheel driving. it is also vital that all drivers going on a on a MJOC 4WD trip have a consistent level of driving and recovery skills to suit the conditions likely to be encountered.

The MJOC Training Program

The MJOC Driver Training Program is designed to not only teach you the techniques necessary to develop a proficient level of skill and experience, but you’ll also learn how to drive off-road without causing damage or undue stress to your vehicle and get home safely.

Our MJOC 4WD Proficiency Course follows the Four Wheel Drive Victoria training program and is a great way to learn how to drive your 4WD under controlled and realistic conditions. Under the guidance of our experienced instructors, you’ll learn about your Jeep 4WD system and many other facets of 4 Wheeling including:

Club rules and guidelines
The environment
Understanding Jeep technology
Your vehicle capabilities
Jeep 4WD Systems
Trip preparation
Driving in varied types of 4WD terrain including water crossings
Driving techniques (hill climbs, descents, gear selection, etc)
Recovery techniques and safety precautions.

Training and Trips

Our more challenging trips are rated Medium, Difficult or Very Difficult. Once you have completed your training your membership will be upgraded so you then have access to the more challenging trip bookings.

Our MJOC 4WD Profficiency course ensures all drivers on our trips have adequate skills and abilities to ensure the utmost of safety on our rated trips. Even those who may have lots of experience or done other training will benefit from the experienced trainers who are involved in our training team.

On completion of your training you will be able to book on the clubs trips and events as desired and will also recieve your 4WD Profficiency Certificate from Four Wheel Drive Victoria.

Our Training Program

The Melbourne Jeep Owners Club offers a number of different training courses. These can include;

MJOC 4WD Proficiency Training
Our MJOC 4WD Proficiency Training course teaches you the basic skills of driving, recovery and club procedures that will enable you to get the most out of your MJOC experience. The course is based on the Four Wheel Drive Victoria (FWDV) Proficiency 4WD course with a specific focus on Jeep Technology and FWD systems. Through each stage of the training, you’ll have the opportunity to reach a level of proficiency in the basic skills of driving in a variety of four wheel drive terrain at a specific driver training location.

Winch Training Day
This course focuses on the safety protocols and operation of an electric winch. It includes an evening theory presentation and a full day in the bush practicing winching techniques.

Advanced Driver Training
This course includes an evening of theory and 2 days of training in the bush that includes a camp out with other members. Advanced driving skills and recovery are included encompassing a full day of winching and other recovery skills.

Trip Leader Training
This is a 2 day adventure in the bush with each participant learning all about convoys, communication, managing recoveries and all sorts of other scenarios resulting in being able to run MJOC trips. A Mentoring program exists for new Trip Leaders.
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Four Wheel Drive Victoria (FWDV) Accredited Courses😄
Club members receive a substantial discount on accredited courses through our affiliate FWDV and these include Nationally Accredited FWD Courses, Chain Saw Courses and First Aid Courses.

MJOC Tips and Tricks

Check out our Tips and Tricks Page for information that may assist you in your Jeep experience.

Come along to a MJOC Monthly Members meeting and have a chat to members who drive a Jeep just like yours. Have a technical question the club has a members FAQ/Technicla page with a wealth of information about all models of Jeep.

Check out the Tips and Tricks page here MJOC Tips and Tricks

NEW MEMBER INFORMATION

Trips

New members are welcome to join any Easy rated trips or events but are required to complete our MJOC 4WD Proficiency Driver Training to be able to participate in our more challenging rated 4WD trips.

Vehicle Set Up and Equipment

You do not need to have a modified vehicle to participate in the training or trips but there is some mandatory equipment that you will require before you do.

Your vehicle will need to be fitted with the the right gear including suitable recovery points. To complete training you dont need to buy anything special so wait tuntill you talk to our trainers and members on your training session and find out what you may look at getting for your vehicle.

Our training team will cover recovery hooks, tyres and other gear in the training, just ask us if you have a question. Check out the article on Jeep recovery hooks below

Once you have completed the Membership process you will have access to the New Members page which has a heap of more information

Not A Member Yet? JOIN HERE

Advanced Training Video

Check out our recent Advanced Training Video (opposite)
This video covers our most recent couple of advanced training weekends and has som great footage of the action.
Make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel when you are there too!

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Jeep Requirments For 4WD Activities

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Jeep KL Cherokee Recovery Hooks

KL Cherokee Recovery Hooks

The 2013 – current KL Cherokee model does not have recovery hooks fitted unless it is the Trailhawk version which has twin recovery hooks.

All other models are not fitted with a recovery hook. Only the Diesel Cherokee Limited has low range 4WD but does not have a recovery hook and at this time there does not appear to be a solution for this model.

All vehicles attending 4WD trips must be able to be recovered safely and will not be able to attend any MJOC club trips unless suitable recovery hooks are fitted. The screw in tow hook supplied by Jeep is not rated for recovery usage and can not be used for heavy recovery. It is mandatory that a suitable recovery hook is fitted prior to going on a club trip. Owners of non Trailhawk models must research options for a solution and have a rated recovery hook fitted to the front, a tow bar is suitable for rear end recovery when used with correct equipment.

Our understanding is that major modification to the front of non Trailhawk models is required to mount a recovery hook.

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Jeep Patriot and Compass Models

Compass and Patriots (and other non low range equipped SUV's)

Most of the compact SUV vehicles such as the Jeep Patriot and Compass (Non Trailhawk) model do not have recovery hooks suitable for recovery. These vehicles are only suited to Easy rated trips because of their low clearance and no Low Range gearing. We do have a modified Patriot in the club which has had the US Specification front bumper, skid plates and recovery hooks specially imported and this vehicle has been doing Medium rated trips. So if you wish to go down this pathway contact our DTU team and we can discuss further.

However the Trailhawk version of the current Compass is equiped for some serious four wheel drive terrain. These are siuited for our Medium rated trips.

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Prepare Your Jeep for Training

Prepare your Jeep for Training

You do not need to have a modified vehicle to participate in the training but there is a few items you will need to check before the training.

The club has all the recovery gear that will be used during training so no need to race out and buy anything , yet! This information applies to non-Jeeps participating also.

Before attending training you will need to check a few things as shown below;

Suitable or rated recovery points front and rear. (most Jeeps have a factory recovery hook on the rear passenger side)
If you have a tow bar reciever remove the tow ball but leave the holding pin in the receiver. This can be used for recovery at the rear.
Check your tyre condition and ensure you have reasonable tread depth for wet conditions.
We also have hand held UHF radios and if you dont have one you can discuss what you need with our trainers before going and purchasing something.
Check the operation of your 4WD system and Low range operation. Check your owners handbook for instructions on this procedure
If you car has a low fascia panel at the front such as the WK2 Grand Cherokee you will need to remove the lower section. This is removable. Instructions are in your handbook.
Any low side steps should alsoo be removed for four wheel drive terrain as they are easily damaged. Rock Sliders are ok.

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Jeep WK2 Grand Cherokee Recovery Hooks

Owners Of WK Grand Cherokee 2012 – current.

Most WK Grand Cherokee models do not come from the Jeep factory with suitable front recovery hooks for 4×4 activities and recovery.

The earlier 2011 MY models and 2012 MY Trailhawk models were fitted with twin (red) recovery hooks. All others do not have a front recovery hook. It is required by the club that all vehicles that go on club trips must be able to be recovered without damage to humans or vehicles and these vehicles must have a suitable rated recovery hook mounted to the front. The screw in tow hook supplied by Jeep is not rated for recovery usage. It is mandatory that a suitable recovery hook is fitted prior to going on a club trip.

Options available are-

Genuine Mopar Rated (4,800 KG) Recovery Hook that is fitted to the passenger side behind the small plastic panel in lower fascia and is available from your local Jeep Dealer
Aftermarket Recovery Hooks are available from
Off Road Animal
Chief Products
Uneek 4X4

Fit a Bull Bar or Nudge Bar with front pre-runner protection that have recovery hooks as part of the kit. These are available through

ARB 4X4 Accessories
Off Road Animal
Ironman
TJM
Uneek 4x4
Chief Products

Many of these retailers will give you a Club Member discount on request.

Recovery Bridles

Use of a recovery bridle is not recommended by our training team and we will explain why when you complete your MJOC Training. Some manufactures will try and recommend that one be used for recovery strap use. This is not required for any structural reason, in fact the Mopar recovery hook is a single hook mounted to the chassis and Jeep obviously believe that 2 recovery points are not needed.

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What Are Rated Recovery Points

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Rated Recovery Points

What is a Rated Recovery Point?

Rated Recovery Points or Hooks are manufactured to withstand the forces involved in the safe recovery of a 4WD vehicle. The weight of a bogged 4WD can exceed 8000 kg with the angle of slope and terrain type having a large impact on the total pull force required to recover the bogged vehicle.

Many people have been severe injured or killed when recovery goes wrong and this is usually equipment failure/breakage or equipment not suitable for the particular recovery.

Rated recovery points are generally aftermarket supplied and manufactured from high strength steel and are tested to a Maximum Breaking Strength (MBS). The must be attached to the chassis of the vehicle with high tensile bolts and nuts.

Majority of vehicles regardless of brand are not fitted with rated recovery points of hooks. The OEM hooks on vehicles are usually tow eyes or tie down points for securing the vehicle onboard a transport ship or flat bed tow truck. Many factory hooks are welded and are made from cheap low strength steel. They do not have a rating suitable for vehicle recovery and should not be used.

Jeep are one of the few manufacturers to offer rated recovery hooks (JL Wrangler Rubicon and JT Gladiator Rubicon) and KL Cherokee Trailhawk, WK Grand Cherokee Trailhawk and early WK models to 2012MY) Jeep do offer Mopar Rated recovery hooks for WK Grand Cherokee as an accessory.

Majority of Bull Bars do not have rated recovery points either. The exception behing AEV Wrangler Bar.

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Where can I purchase Rated Recovery Points?

Where Can I Purchase Rated Recovery Points?

It depends on which model Jeep or 4WD you have.

You need to be aware there are many tow hooks on the market that do not have a published MBS or breaking point. Make siure you do your research and ensure the Recovery Hooks you install have a suitabe rating published by the manufacturer.

WK2 Grand Cherokee

Brand Weblink Rating

Mopar Local Jeep Dealer 4,800 kg

Cheif Products Cheif Products 4,500 kg

Uneek UNEEK 4X4 3,000 kg

Off Road Animal Off Road Animal 4,000 kg

JL Wrangler

Brand Weblink Rating

Mopar Quadratec USA 4,500 kg

Warn Quadratec USA 3,500 kg

AEV Bull Bar AEV USA

JT Gladiator

Brand Weblink Rating

Mopar Quadratec USA 4,500 kg

Warn Quadratec USA 3,500 kg

JK Wrangler

Brand Weblink Rating

Mopar Quadratec USA 4,500 kg

Warn Quadratec USA 3,500 kg

AEV Bull Bar AEV USA