Offroad-Express

Hi all i live in Napier and have a older 4x4 3y hilux single cab I'm new to 4wding and am i little pretentious to hit the deep mud pools we have around the rivers atm because I'm not sure if the ole girl is up to it.It has Maxxis buck shot mudders on it, does anyone have any experience with the older hiluxs capabilities for this type of terrain

Hi There and Welcome hilux's are renound for being a cabable vehicle but you will find any water will let your petrol motor down, i found the best thing to do is head down with a bunch of mates and approiate recovery gear (snatch strap and tow hooks) and give it a go, you will soon find put how capable your hilux is and what mods if any you will want to do. Well thats how i got hooked anyway.

To help with deep water you should A: fit a snorkel, as this will stop water going in the air intake and wrecking ya motor. B: fill up electrical connections in engine bay with dielectric grease (available from most auto electricians) this will stop water getting in and shorting them out. Another trick is to cable tie a rubber glove over the distributor with the leads going through the fingers.

Have a look at the local clubs as well
http://nz4wd.co.nz/4wd-clubs

Oh and when you're driving in/around rivers if you stop moving resist the urge to bury the right foot as you will probably only get more stuck.

local scene is pretty limited if you don't belong to a club. basically you get the rivers and bottemless bogs that will damage your truck if you get it wrong. dont do the rivers on your own as you will get stuck and will need a tow. there is a bunch of kids on face book that play in the rivers called "hawkes bay 4wd group". they may help you play at the level you are interested in. however if you are interested getting out further afield and seeing more of the rural hawkesbay and learning how to enjoy your truck properly and safely the clubs are the place to do that. Im a club captain in the main one so if interested give me a text. Your hilux is a good base to start with and will get you out having fun with the right guidance.
Clive 0210606695

I've played around the Tukituki a couple of times and found those wet pebbles covered in papa mud the most difficult crap to drive in out of any thing else i've ever been stuck in,try it with a friend.