I have used the 4wd on and off, so it's functional, but a check before Saturday is a good idea. Where can I pick up a strap? What kind should I get, with what hardware, and how much $ is it? If it's relatively inexpensive, shouldn't be a problem grabbing one. I'm on the central/northern peninsula.

As far as letting her drive? No chance. Not because I wouldn't, but because she'll have nothing to do with it. The whole idea scares her, and even when doing what little "off-roading" I have (which was nothing more than Old Coast Road at Big Sur) she was almost eyes-closed freaked-out. I've tried the "let her drive" thing in the past (I'm a car nut - I do open track events etc., and have a 500hp Mustang and an Audi S4), but have realized that getting her to even be present is about as much as I can hope for . Oh well...

Thanks for the info!