Offroad-Express

Hi, im another beginner to 4wd'ing and any info would be great. I have a bog-standard Suzuki Escudo 95 3dr. Never been off-road before, other than in quarries and forest tracks in a breakdown van anyway.
I took the mrs and lad down a local river a week or two back just to play around---now we're hooked!!
We had a great time and stayed down there til dark! What we'd like to know is where other people go so we can join in, as we would like to learn how to do it properly and meet a few like-minded people.
Also, what mods can anyone suggest so the Suzuki doesnt get wrecked, as I need to use it daily.
Finally, I lost the use of my left arm in a crash last year, would this affect clubs wanting me to 'tag along'? I passed an advanced driving assessment for newly disabled people and got a clean sheet, no mods required etc. Although driving a manual is a pain in the gearstick!
Sorry for all the questions but we really dont know where to start???
Cheers
Steve

Morning Steve, first of all it would be great to know where in the world you are.
I am sure the zuki owners will have plenty of info for you.
Don't worry about the arm, it is just one less thing to worry about when off-road. I am sure that it won't be a problem

Hey Curly12,
Im in Napier, forgot to add it to my profile, its done now.
Cheers

welcome mate, for most club trips rated hooks are required so start eyeing up places to mount them there is alot of discussion on hear about them. im not sure about your area but alot of our trips are in and around water down here (chch) so a snorkel is high on the list as well. But as said depends on your area some don't need them. next is probably a small spring or body lift or both.. and some mud tyres.. and pretty much the list goes on and on depending how far you want to take it. there are alot of zuk owners on here and some cool mods and ideas have a look around ask lots of questions and get out there and do it.

Hi and welcome good to see another Suzuki owner onboard. I have recently bought a Zuk (use to have a hilux surf) and the tow hooks are going on this weekend - will let you know how I get on as they are crucial to have. As mentioned no worries about your arm - I know a guy who competes in 4wd events with just the one arm,, so im sure its not a problem.

cheers, Tom.

My wife and I started out in a soft top one of these, they are a great way to get started.
We fitted manual hubs, a must as the auto ones will break, mud tyres and a snorkel sure make things better in winter, and around water. A 2" lift helps too, we got some spacers made for the top of the springs, fitted 2" longer rear shocks, and under the advice of a Suzi entusiast from Palmy, we took the tower for the front struts off and turned them over. That way you get the extra travel you need in the front, but no enough drop for the CV's to get wrecked.
The hooks are a must, just get some good advice/help on mounting them.
A bashplate under the fuel tank at the rear and another at the front to protect the front cross memeber are also advisable. We didn't fit the rear one, but I have been told it is a good idea, as the fuel tank is vulnerable. The front one we found out the hard way, by folding the front crossmemeber in half via a tree root
Thats about all we did to get going. I am sure there are plenty of people in your neck of the woods who will be only too happy to help.

Hi everyone who replied already!!
Cheers for the tips, il start surfing TM and such for some hooks. Hey, im glad to hear about another guy with just the one arm going for it, gives me a nice bit of inspiration.
Whats the difference between a body lift or a suspension lift, other than to fit bigger treads? im asking cuz calmini suspension lifts are a fair bit more expensive.

Body lift is just that, it only lifts the body. A suspension lift will lift the whole truck, giving you more clearance and give you more travel.
There are cheaper options to the Calmini kit, such as I listed above. The Calmini kit would need to be certified too.
Supercheap and Repco have the hooks.

Yur tow hooks are the cheapest from 4wd bits .co.nz and I think he is a forum member.. Support the locals and all that stuff

A really good book to get is one called "The New Zealand 4 Wheel Drive Handbook" by ken sibly. I got it when I started offroading, its a really usefull practical book that covers almost everything about 4wding, which I still refer to from time to time.

I think there is an ORE training course in Rotorua soon if that isn't too far away, theres a thread on here about it

Got some hooks on order (10,000kg rated), i hope thats enough?? I was going to get a strop at the same time, but there are so many different lengths, makes and weight ratings i held off. 6 meter with 8000kg snatch rating for $60. How does that sound? Cant believe I used to have one of these for recovering trucks, I used to use it for lifting crane engines out as well, then I gave it away. Ah well!!
Any one going to Tongoio on Sat for the trials? I'll be there, so if you see a guy with his arm strapped up looking under your truck please dont kick me!!!

sorry, hooks are 10,00lb rated not kgs. i thought they sounded a bit too stong!!

Weemsy wrote:sorry, hooks are 10,00lb rated not kgs. i thought they sounded a bit too stong!!

look up Reece out at hastings. "De-ranged" on the forums.

Gifted engineer, get HIM to sort your kooks and to give you advice as to setting up your truck.

He did mine, and they have had Wopass's FJ40 yank me out of trouble far too many times!!!

hi moriaty,
cheers for that, ive sent him a pm.
if you have any trouble with the driveline on your korando, engine, gearbox etc let me know. im a merc diesel tech for the last 13 years. ive got loads of training manuals, exploded diagrams, everything you might need and have access to the merc technical network.
you might not need to, but the offer is there.....
cheers

Weemsy wrote:hi moriaty,
cheers for that, ive sent him a pm.
if you have any trouble with the driveline on your korando, engine, gearbox etc let me know. im a merc diesel tech for the last 13 years. ive got loads of training manuals, exploded diagrams, everything you might need and have access to the merc technical network.
you might not need to, but the offer is there.....
cheers

the way he try's to keep up with wopass, he'll problably need help fixing it
We had a good chat today, we've sorted out a couple of nice shinny runs for him after he's all good from the op... good luck by the way might even get a chance to play in the lada to
Oh and Bill thanks that truck is just about as interesting to attatch hooks to as yours

hey reece, great to talk to you today. went straight down to guppy when i left you. haha caught the bug i reckon.....
bellied it twice too, good job i listened to steve and kept the gas on!! will have to keep an eye on that x-member.
should be back from the op by saturday if all goes right, then il be in touch as soon as.
i can get a set of escudo springs for a 5 door for the right money, apparently they will give it a bit of a lift, and turning the strut tops upside-down at the front gives it a nudge skywards too??
cant do a great deal till im back on my feet anyway, but if you think them springs might be a good idea let me know and il get 'em. otherwise a 3.2ltr straight 6 merc engine might be the way to go, with toyota axles..... oh shit, im thinking like you now!!!haha speak to you soon buddy, thanks again.
weemsy

Weemsy wrote:hi moriaty,
cheers for that, ive sent him a pm.
if you have any trouble with the driveline on your korando, engine, gearbox etc let me know. im a merc diesel tech for the last 13 years. ive got loads of training manuals, exploded diagrams, everything you might need and have access to the merc technical network.
you might not need to, but the offer is there.....
cheers

yer offer is vastly appreciated.
If I need help, be sure that you are definitely on the 'call for help" list. Right up top!