Beginner in Tauranga

[surf93]

Hi I went 4wd for the first time in the weekend and loved it in Keriotahi. I live in the Tauranga and are looking for a good beginners track if anyone can point me in the right direction that would be great!

[tgaguy1]

Welcome.
Te Aroha side of Thompson's track would be a good beginners track this time of year. It has a few play areas part of the way up that allow you to try things a little bit beyond easy.

Cheers

Jase.

[surf93]

Cheers mate thanks for that.

[Mudde1]

what ever you do, do not go over past the highest point of the track. becomes very difficult after that and has trapped lots of new drivers in the past.

[surf93]

What tips can you guys give me for improvement to my surf?

[Dannz71]

15x8 rims or 15x10s (if you have flares)
set of mudd terrain tyres
and a $650 lockrite for the rear diff.

youl be very surprised where itl go with those few mods,
good place to start anyway while your stil learning

and video your 4x4ing, youll learn a lot from seeing your mistakes on a screen.
have fun..

[shity old hilux]

Hey there. Im also from tauranga. I go up thompsons track quite often. Only track i know of around here. Could b keen for a trip one day.

[suzolla]

Hi,

and a $650 lockrite for the rear diff.

Don't need to pay that much for one.
See
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=25797
or
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=33013
Cheers
Tim

[surf93]

Which one would suit a 93 surf? What would be the best option?

[tgaguy1]

Which one would suit a 93 surf? What would be the best option?

This is just my opinion for what it is worth...
It is better to learn to drive the truck and develop driving skills before getting lockers. If it was me I would be sticking a decent set of mud tyres on the truck, fitting rated recovery hooks, get some recovery gear and start driving it. You will find your ability will grow with the mod state of your truck. Get a winch before you get lockers too.
Over the years I have seen many people neglect to learn good driving skills by either buying a fully modified truck or building a modified truck with the traction aids making them lazy drivers rather than develop good driving technique and then getting the traction aids to help with the good technique.

Cheers

Jase.

[surf93]

Cheers jase. 31's or 33's ?

[shortylux]

Which one would suit a 93 surf? What would be the best option?

This is just my opinion for what it is worth...
It is better to learn to drive the truck and develop driving skills before getting lockers. If it was me I would be sticking a decent set of mud tyres on the truck, fitting rated recovery hooks, get some recovery gear and start driving it. You will find your ability will grow with the mod state of your truck. Get a winch before you get lockers too.
Over the years I have seen many people neglect to learn good driving skills by either buying a fully modified truck or building a modified truck with the traction aids making them lazy drivers rather than develop good driving technique and then getting the traction aids to help with the good technique.

Cheers

Jase.

That is some solid advice (coming form someone who probably had lockers before skill).
Go for some good tyres (8 inch rims is heaps) and recovery points, then a winch. If you are self sufficient (or at least trying to be) then others are more inclined to help when you do get out of your depth.

As for your tyre size, depends what interests you. If you want to do the more hardcore stuff 33's would be worth while. Be aware though that they are harder on your truck (diff's/cv's) and require more power to spin well.
If you are more into lighter stuff then 31's will still take you a long way. Probably the best idea would be join a club, go on a few runs and see what others who are doing what you enjoy are running.

Arron.

[surf93]

Does anyone have any cheap muddies for sale?

[3VILC]

Usually keen to go for a wheel around the local area too.. once I've got the brakes on my trailer sorted so I can load the hilux onto it.
You will indeed be suprised where a truck with few mods can go.
Any other Tga guys feel free to send a message, always looking to meet more local members from here, help fix shit, make shit better, have a beer, etc

[callum007]

Since we have no idea what you feel is cheap.. give an idea of your budget.
I personally think in standard form, either go with 31's or a slightly taller 235/85/16 mud tyre, about ~31.7" tall and nice and narrow. for some strange reason people are obsessed with 12" wide tyres..

[shortylux]

or run two sets and have these for off road.
http://www.4wdbits.co.nz/ProductDetails ... uctID=1032
Maybe a little excessive, but very awesome!

[3VILC]

^-- thats what I want to put on my old hilux, its got Hankook Dynapro MTs on it at the moment in the same size which have been really good as an on-road mud, but the trucks de-reg and sitting on a trailer now so might as well get some better feet Still undecided weather to stick with the 31s which work well, or go bigger which I'm at it which will require a bit of suspension mods to shift the diff forwards, will see how I feel at the time haha

[shortylux]

On a dereg hilux go the 33s at least. Redrill your spring perch to move the axle forward 20mm and maybe a little fire wall massage with your BFH. Might even get 35's on with use of the BFH. (I am assuming it solid axle?)

[surf93]

Its allgood got a great deal on some so thankyou.

[shortylux]

So what did you end up getting?

[surf93]

Achilles desert hawk 31x10.5xR15

[ol_smokey.]

Anyone keen on a trip tomorrow? TA side of thomsons or manawahae area? or any other suggestions??