Wife is Argentinian, I’m Tunisian, so we know about 3rd world…however, never been to sub-saharan Africa, and we want to be in SA in August 2007, for 15 days. We travel a lot through South America with a Jeep and a map, getting one B&B at a time and very little planning… Is it reccomendable to do the same in SA?

I live in Rochester NY and am looking for Jeep or 4×4 gatherings, rides, off road challenges, etc. in the general area. I am willing to travel to the surrounding states to attend. If you know of any please let me know. Or if you know of websites that post this kind of information that would be great also.
Any help is greatly appreciated!!

I drive an 03 Jeep Wrangler TJ 5 spd with 31" by 12.5" tires and stock gearing, and I go over a mountain twice every day to get to work and back home.
A sign on the road (mountain) tells me that it has a 8% grade. I asume that that is the steepest it gets.
I travel up one side in 3rd gear at 55mph at about 3000rpm for probably a little over 5 minutes, and then coming back the same thing but for almost 10 minutes.
Is this bad?
I do it because 4th cant take it and it slows going up.
I put it in 5th at the top all the way down.

have replaced water pump, idle pulley, new belt!