Offroad-Express

Hi all,

I have been scoping out the forums for a wee while now, but thought it was time to introduce myself!

Im pretty new to 4x4ing, and a couple of months back picked myself up a standard-ish 88 Surf (front IFS). Im based in Wellington, so anyone nearby, make yourself known, Im always keen to head out in the truck.

I have a lot to learn about offroading, and Im very keen to learn... any help is much appreciated. Also, anyone with experience with my era Surf, let me know what to mod next (as money allows) or what I can do to keep the old girl going as long as possible.

Cheers,
Si

Righto, first thing is to look in my sig for all the toys you'll ever need for your Surf!
then save up for a rear locker....

PS, Welcome to ORE

Welcome.

First mod, Rated tow hooks. Then drive the thing. Your mods will depend on what type of offroading you enjoy. You won't know which is you until you try it. Don't fall into the trap "because this guy has it or modified it like this then that is what I need too". If you are smart and think about the mods you want and consider any future mods before you mod something then you will get better use of your money. Ask everyone lots and lots of questions of why they did this or that. There is a lot of experience in wellington so use it.

As I say, get out and use it first.

Thanks very much for the replys guys.

Sorry - I should have mentioned in my initial post that I have essentially got the truck ready to join the local club; eg fire extinguisher, rated and professionally fitted hooks, necessary recovery equipment etc etc. I have taken it out several times already, and found it to be pretty capable (for what it is), and I think it will prove to be a good rig to improve my confidence and abilities with, as I build it up.

Mods short term (as money allows), Im thinking:
- Snorkel
- 2.5" exhaust (to expel heat away from the easy-to-crack head)
- Body lift (to clear the 33's a bit better)
- Suspension mods (to better articulation - any recommendations please?)

This is my only (4 wheeled) vehicle, so I dont want to go too hardcore... though having read the 35 pages of Bulletproofs amazing Lux thread, there is a itch... haha.

Cheers again.

check out this thread all people in welly who you need to know
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13189

Hi there welcome aboard ore Give taz01 a pm he was a surf man but he's gone to the dark side now I think there is a working bee coming up so if your keen........ Cheers abbo

abbo wrote:Hi there welcome aboard ore Give taz01 a pm he was a surf man but he's gone to the dark side now I think there is a working bee coming up so if your keen........ Cheers abbo

The rated hooks is the most important thing cause they will get you anywhere,Dont matter then if you get stuck, cause we will know you and trust you and your truck and recover you, We will not be so keen to retrive you if we are placeing ourseleves and others in danger. Rated tow hooks are $20. Welcome aboard you dont have to be mad to be part of the welly crew, but by fark it helps P.S Ignore anything thing that abbo says . I hope you like a beer as we have our own brew in rallywoods its drink on site only as we cant brew it fast enough b4 we drink it

gazza wrote:The rated hooks is the most important thing cause they will get you anywhere,Dont matter then if you get stuck, cause we will know you and trust you and your truck and recover you, We will not be so keen to retrive you if we are placeing ourseleves and others in danger. Rated tow hooks are $20. Welcome aboard you dont have to be mad to be part of the welly crew, but by fark it helps P.S Ignore anything thing that abbo says . I hope you like a beer as we have our own brew in rallywoods its drink on site only as we cant brew it fast enough b4 we drink it

Yep, rated tow hooks on there already, and they're hanging out for me to find a nice big muddy bog to get stuck in! Some would some Im quite mad indeed... and Im a big fan of beer... so sounds good! Haha

Thanks again for all your help.

Si

Si Lux wrote:
This is my only (4 wheeled) vehicle, so I dont want to go too hardcore... though having read the 35 pages of Bulletproofs amazing Lux thread, there is a itch... haha.

Cheers again.

Hi Si
Welcome to the site. Listen to the comments above and just go out on different types of trips and see what appeals to you.

You dont have to modify your truck to enjoy most 4 wheeling.

My mods have been done over the 13 years I have owned the hilux and they have been done gradually as I observed videos of my and other trucks and looked at all the pros and cons. You dont need these mods to enjoy 4 wheeling. I get just as much enjoyment out of trying new ideas as 4 wheeling .

My truck is also just used for 4 wheeling so it doesn't matter what happens to it.

Cheers Richard

Hi Richard,

Thank you for your welcome. I look forward to getting out there with some local guys and seeing what the Wellington (and nearby) region has to offer!

Your Lux is extremely impressive - I have keenly watched your videos and taken in as much of your advice as I can. I do hope to hold on my Surf and slowly build it to where I would like it to be (as you have done).

Cheers,
Si

PS: Keep the videos coming on your Bulletproof thread please!