Beginner tackling the little tracks

[catch-22]

Took my '03 TD5 disco for a burl on the old Bells Line of Road yesterday and what a buzz. Took the road to the glow worm farm and did some exploring. My first 4wd, albeit, mild, trip. After whacking the tow bar a couple of times, I decided it would be best if I took it off :D

I was completely unprepared and have a whole list of items to take with me next time, like food and water......and a map :D and my smokey Joe and some steak.....haha

I want to do another mild run somewhere as I feel there is plenty to learn - so if anyone has anything planned, I would love to hear about it....or if you have any suggestions for the Sydney/Mountains area, pass them on. I do think these things a best done with a few trucks for obvious reasons.

I run Michelin street tyres and don't want to punish the truck. Standard everything and that’s how’s she staying (I guess that’s what they all say, right).

Cheers
Caine

[kaa45]

It's addictive and you'll want more and MORE. :p

[waynep]

Yeah you got the bug get the credit card out ......:o:D

[mrapocalypse]

the Pine forests on the way to the glow worm tunnel are Ok up there. once you have passed the Bungleboori campsite about 3-4 k down the road you turn right and head Eastish! There's a few good tracks in there....

If you can find the guide book "Canyons near Sydney" there's an awesome dry canyon around there called Deep pass! Mild 4x4 (4x2) trip into it. Great for kids. Solid walk in and out but worth it!

[Bush65]

Took my '03 TD5 disco for a burl on the old Bells Line of Road yesterday and what a buzz. Took the road to the glow worm farm and did some exploring. My first 4wd, albeit, mild, trip. After whacking the tow bar a couple of times, I decided it would be best if I took it off :D

I was completely unprepared and have a whole list of items to take with me next time, like food and water......and a map :D and my smokey Joe and some steak.....haha

I want to do another mild run somewhere as I feel there is plenty to learn - so if anyone has anything planned, I would love to hear about it....or if you have any suggestions for the Sydney/Mountains area, pass them on. I do think these things a best done with a few trucks for obvious reasons.

I run Michelin street tyres and don't want to punish the truck. Standard everything and that’s how’s she staying (I guess that’s what they all say, right).

Cheers
Caine
I can understand why you want to leave it standard. But with highway tyres a beginner can always get stuck, especially if it has rained.

I always recommend having adequate recovery points (front and rear) and learning the correct methods to recover an offroad vehicle. Otherwise it can be expensive and dangerous.

[HangOver]

I run Michelin street tyres and don't want to punish the truck. Standard everything and that’s how’s she staying (I guess that’s what they all say, right).

I would put money on you:
installing recovery points
then at least AT tyres,

then you will need a hight lift jack and a snatch strap
then slightly higher springs
then longer shocks
then a roo bar
then other recovery essentials, oh and then the UHF then ............
Just wait it will come :D:D

[Ken]

Its always good to tag along with the more experienced crew you will pick up so much from those whom have already done the hard yards
Never be afraid to ask a dumb question as it might not only save you embaressment but also money even worse your car or the unmentionable
4 Wheel Driving is great fun when done right but can become a nightmare if done wrong carry the essentials
Water
Food
Communications
Front and Rear Recovery Points(Essential)
First Aid Kit (Not a 20 dollar 1 either)make sure its good and you know how too use it
Recovery gear
(At least 1 Snatch Strap 2 Bow shackles
Shovel
Hi Lift Jack )

That should see you right until you get more serious about it

(It always pays to go with another 4x4

[catch-22]

Yep some excellent advice from all. Thanks.

I will certainly be getting a lot of the essential gear mentioned above and certainly want to tag along when more experienced drivers go for a hop....

Spur of the moment adventures seldom work......planning is essential.

Cheers

[waynep]

Its always good to tag along with the more experienced crew you will pick up so much from those whom have already done the hard yards
Never be afraid to ask a dumb question as it might not only save you embaressment but also money even worse your car or the unmentionable
4 Wheel Driving is great fun when done right but can become a nightmare if done wrong carry the essentials
Water
Food
Communications
Front and Rear Recovery Points(Essential)
First Aid Kit (Not a 20 dollar 1 either)make sure its good and you know how too use it
Recovery gear
(At least 1 Snatch Strap 2 Bow shackles
Shovel
Hi Lift Jack )

That should see you right until you get more serious about it

(It always pays to go with another 4x4

I dunno about a hi lift - i know it can be used as a makeshift winch but on a stock D2 there are not many places you can use it to lift with.
If he's going by himself the better option would be to go the extra cuppla hundred bucks and get a Hand Winch or an air jack.
Or go out with someone else.

[Ricey]

Caine, I did my first run the day before, same area in a Disco diesel '01 unmodified. I grabbed some gear from ARB in penrith along the way, not knowing what I was in for on the zigzag drive, but it was all easy and had a nice drive. I'm keen to tag along on some other drives, take in the landscape & have a good lunch along the way!

[LandyAndy]

Hi Caine
Bog stock they are very capable.
Tyres a CDl and 2" susp they are extremely capable.
And its not a TRACTOR for the ride there and back.
Here we go,the Disco owners getting 1 back on them silly Defender pilots:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
Andrew

[Zute]

Things to buy in order.
Snatch strap( I hate wearing mine out recovering other people)
2 bow shackles
Small air compressor(as above+cheap ones OK, just take longer)
Map (Im sick of people asking to look at mine:mad:)
Shovel ( everyones got to crap sometime:angel:)
Tow strap(for towing Toyotas home, feels good)
Bull bag/lift bag ( because you own a stock D2: Practise at home first on flat hard surface.)

Dont need to buy all at once, but makes a good start.

I take a madic instead of a shovel, you can do so much more with it.

[mcrover]

Comunications is essential, a decent hand held UHF is fine with scan function so that when you need to get help when on your own you can scan to find someone but you also need them for car to car comms when traveling in a group as mobile phones rarely work in the bush and with a hand held, you dont need to wire anything in so your car stays standard.

As everyone else has said, recovery points are essential, D2 tie down points are not strong enough and you have to get after market ones for any recovery.

Ebay is great for recovery gear, as long as you get a decent brand you can pick things up at a resonable price.

The only things I would add to your kit would be:

1. A bog roll for the times you need to shovel
2. an axe
3. some tools, There are some good tool lists on here and you can normally pick up half decent tools at Super crap auto but dont buy the cheapest ones in the plastic blow mould boxes.
4. A torch, $10 bunnings spot light style torch is good as if you get stuck at night and you can see lights, they should then be able to see you.

I keep all my essentials in one big plastic box in the back so that when driving around town, I can just lift it out and leave it at home but when I go play, it is all in one place and I dont have to spend ages packing and unpacking everything.

My box contains

1. Recovery bag, Snatchy, Bow shackels, gloves and winch controler.
2. Engine oil, Trans juice and coolant,
3. compressor, its a bushman which I find great but as said before, the cheaper ones are just slower.
4. WD spray, Aerogard Rope etc

Have fun

[Tank]

Caine, I did my first run the day before, same area in a Disco diesel '01 unmodified. I grabbed some gear from ARB in penrith along the way, not knowing what I was in for on the zigzag drive, but it was all easy and had a nice drive. I'm keen to tag along on some other drives, take in the landscape & have a good lunch along the way!
I do fairly regular trips and camping into the high country behind Moruya and Narooma on the south coast, you and anyone else is quite welcome to tag-along, plenty of great trails and camping areas, Regards Frank.

[scrambler]

I like your list, McRover. My swap would be - leave the axe at home and take a bush saw (like an oversized hacksaw with a ripping blade). Faster if you need to cut trees/branches and less likely to cause injuries, plus lighter and more compact. That said, I often carry an axe as well :angel: but then I have a clamp for one on my bonnet, don't I :D

[adm333]

.... or get in touch with the Land Rover Owners Club.

They will have trips lined up of varying difficulty and it is a great way to learn the ropes with other Landy owners.

Try www.lroc.com.au (http://www.lroc.com.au)

Dave

[matti4556]

I take a mate with lockers front and rear. (and supply my own snatch strap)
This costs me one good dinner the night before ("pay-ola") and everyone is happy.
He doesn't mind recovery work with a full belly - and it is still proving to be a cost Vs benefit positive exercise. :)
p.s. - He is a great mate and one of those who loves to show off his recovery ability.

[Ricey]

I do fairly regular trips and camping into the high country behind Moruya and Narooma on the south coast, you and anyone else is quite welcome to tag-along, plenty of great trails and camping areas, Regards Frank.
Thanks Frank, might hold you to that. I've been busy getting kitted out and keen to get a weekend trying out the camping gear, not so much interested in using the recovery stuff although I've tested the magnum winch in the backyard with the car up a hill. Thought it wise to try it before I really need to. Every one is taliking about recovery points front & rear but with a stock bumper I'm told the front can't be done, is this true?

[Tank]

Thanks Frank, might hold you to that. I've been busy getting kitted out and keen to get a weekend trying out the camping gear, not so much interested in using the recovery stuff although I've tested the magnum winch in the backyard with the car up a hill. Thought it wise to try it before I really need to. Every one is taliking about recovery points front & rear but with a stock bumper I'm told the front can't be done, is this true?
There is someone on this forum that makes bolt on recovery points, do a search and see what you come up with, it is very unlikely that you would need to be towed out of a difficult situation, there are not many obstacles that you cant get a Disco through with good planning and good driving, anytime you get the urge PM me and we can organise a trip, Regards Frank.