Hi everyone

[Martin K]

Had a great holiday in the Northern Cape Southern Namibia and am full of enthusiasm for my bakkie after getting back. Thing is I don't know a whole lot and am stuck for advice. I drive a 2003 2.7i SC that has been slightly modified. ARB bumper and built in compressor, dual battery, ome shocks and Warne winch, Safari snorkel.

Would like to make some changes but do not know where to start or where to go. Look forward to learning lots on the forum and helping in the limited areas that I can.

Thank you
Martin

[CasKru]

Welcome on board Martin.

It seems you have a pretty neat package already. Do you only have OME shocks or the complete suspension upgrade? And did the 2003 come standard with a diff lock at the back?

[Martin K]

Standard with rear locker.

I am no sure about the ome and what is all available but I do have more than just shocks. Yep it is a pretty good bakkie but I battled a little in some areas this past holiday. I would like to put 32 inch in place of the current 30 inch Goodriches but am unsure that they would not perhaps foul. Perhaps a small body lift would also help. Would also like a front locker and a lower first gear, especialy if I go to larger diameter tyres. Rock sliders would be great. I could go on!!

[CasKru]

I was going to say a lift would be an excellent idea. As you can see on my signature I like it higher as well. Doing that and already having the rearl locker and winch, you'd basically be able to go about anywhere.

On my bakkie I've got the Ironman suspension and rear locker and I've yet to get stuck :). You'd probably say that havent tried hard enough yet but I've never used an escape route to date. I also want to fit a front locker to be almost unstopable.

[ToyX4]

Welcome Martin

You already have a nice list of accesories.

The 32" tyres you want is a good start, I think.

Enjoy

[ThysdJ]

Hiya Martin... Welcome to the forum and I hope you enjoy your stay.

Lekker groot tyres and a front locker ... mmmmmmm but for 32"s you will need a lift of some kind... :) :) After you fitted that, play a little more and see what else is required... :D

[Martin K]

Thanks Guys. Seems I am on the right track. I did a route I think is called the "road to hell" on my holiday and it was real tough. Managed to not damage anything but traction was a problem for me. Thats why I am looking to change stuff. I will try to upload a image of a friend winching off my Hilux

[Andrew]

Hi Martin, Welcome

Don't feel out of place not knowing a whole lot, I am in the same situation... I am sure the fundies on this form will sort us out.
Anyway, enjoy your stay....

[ThysdJ]

Also remember that tyre pressure is also very important when it comes to traction.

[CasKru]

Also remember that tyre pressure is also very important when it comes to traction.

Can't agree more. Type of tyre also makes a big difference (tread pattern)

[Martin K]

I went down to 1.3 in front and 1.4 at the back. Perhaps I could have gone lower. I was nervous of damage and did take some chunks out of the tyres anyway. I am happy so far with the Goodriches but feel the mud terrain would also have given me more traction. This sure is not a cheap hobby is it?

Thanks for the welcome and the encouragement everyone.

[ThysdJ]

I dont know what type of terrain you were on and what kind of loads you were carrying, but I am sure you could have dropped a little more. The big thing is that you try different pressures on different terrains and see what works for you. That way you get to know your vehicle better and you get more experience. It is easy to throw money at it and put on all the fancies and funnies but there is no substitute for experience. :o :) :D

[CasKru]

That is about the same pressure I run at. The only time I'll go lower than that is in an emergency or when driving on deep loose sand (dunes etc) because the you're running the risk de-beading the tyre

[ThysdJ]

This sure is not a cheap hobby is it?

Yeah that's a fact, but its cheaper than drugs.... and the scenery is to die for!!! 8) 8)

[CasKru]

It is easy to throw money at it and put on all the fancies and funnies but there is no substitute for experience.

:!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!:

It is also much more satisfying to beat an obstacle with driving skills than with equipent (lockers etc)

Yeah that's a fact, but its cheaper than drugs....

As adictive though

[Martin K]

Yeah that's a fact, but its cheaper than drugs.... and the scenery is to die for!!! 8) 8)

With scenery like we get to see and fun like we have who on earth would need drugs?

[CasKru]

I think a Hilux must be a schedule 7 (S7) drug because just one taste and you're hooked for life! Gauranteed!

[ThysdJ]

I think a Hilux must be a schedule 7 (S7) drug because just one taste and you're hooked for life! Gauranteed!

It is also much more satisfying to beat an obstacle with driving skills than with equipent (lockers etc)

That's no maybe!!!

[CasKru]

There is one problem having the rear locker. Nobody wants to believe you if you didn't use the locker and did it purely by skill

[Martin K]

I skillfully bought a bakkie with a locker and when I lost all traction on a steep piece of road with a scary drop off to my left , with tremendous skill and dexterity, I pressed the button and engaged the locker and sped off into the sunset

[CasKru]

with tremendous skill and dexterity, I pressed the button and engaged the locker

:) :) :)

Skill makes a huge difference but there is no medicine for stupidity (except for quick slim). Some obstacle you just know you're going to have to caress that button

[Niel]

Hi Martin, welcome to the forum and enjoy. Read abought the road to hell trip in I think sa 4x4 or Wegry. Sounds like a challange :D

[wombat]

There is also an epic story and lots of pics of the Road to Hell at

http://reports.overland.co.za/Roland_Be ... _Hell.html

[Dadz Toy BFI]

Martin

Welcome to the Forum :!:

Sounds like you jumped right in at the deep end - now that's more like it :!:

Great recovery picture, please please tell me that the end of that winch rope was NOT attached to a Landy :roll:

Would love to see some more picies

Cheers :)

Rich 8)

[ToyX4]

There is also an epic story and lots of pics of the Road to Hell at

http://reports.overland.co.za/Roland_Be ... _Hell.html

Thanks for this link.
Most interesting story.

Niel, how about we go do this Road to hell when you visit us???
Anyone going along?

[Niel]

Riaan, I think it is closer to Cape Town than from Ottosdal (might be wrong).Will do a trip like that with a SFA and not IFS. I don't think the bosses will be keen on that bumpy road. Have thought abought it already.

[ToyX4]

Oops, didn't check that. You're right, much closer

[ThysdJ]

I saw that Road to Hell report a while ago... that must be an AWESOME trip to do... I am in, if anybody would want to do that sometime closer to the end of this year...

[Martin K]

The Road To Hell was great fun but it was tough, well I found it tough. We had a few incidents including winching off a large rock that then rolled into the road in front of the last vehicle (we were 3 vehicles on the trip). We obviously had to clear the road and make it safe for the next people down. Took an epic 6 hours for about 3 KM. Only damage I did was a ripped off mud flap thank goodness. The road is just so loose. As to the question about what the Cruiser was winching off; it was not a landy, it was my Hilux. No landies on the trip. Two cruisers and my Hilux.

I think I did jump in the deep end but I was careful. We kept everyone clear when recovering, did a lot of walking to plan lines, helped each other, kept calm and had a great but exhausting day. Would have liked more traction and a front locker non the less. If that is 4X4 driving I can see that things could go badly pear shaped and would like more of a safety margin.

[BenHur]

Hi Martin

Welcome to the forum. Here is my 2c

You already drive a vehicle more capable then many of us do. First learn your vehicle more and get to know here limitations thoroughly and sharp up on your own skills first before you modify any more. The only thing I would still recommend is decent sliders since sliders can really help to prevent damage.

I have recently seen driving Bulldog on a trail that I became lazy with driving the Pajero with a rear locker and I do not always follow the best possible line. Now back behind a SFA's wheel I realised that you have to take lines more carefully with an open diff vehicle to geting detained (not stuck) at cross axle situations. With a locker you can take a bad line and still drive over the obstacle but with an open diff you need to ensure at least 3 wheels has good traction at all times otherwise you are going nowhere.

I have also seen more then one guy getting rid of the vehicles which they made very capable by continues upgrades only to get a lesser vehicle again that is a challenge to drive since there is no fun in simply driving any obstacle as if it was a flat piece of tarmac. Those close-shave situations is what gets the adrenalin rushing (and some of the older guys' pacemakers working a for a change. )

[ThysdJ]

Those close-shave situations is what gets the adrenalin rushing (and some of the older guys' pacemakers working a for a Change. )

Spot ON Bennie... and thats exactly why I do this 4x4 thing...

[Martin K]

Well Guys you are of course correct. Get to know the vehicle and become a better driver. Cannot argue with that. I will of course do my best to learn more and would like to do a recovery course and more driving courses. I will slowly keep upgrading the vehicle because that is also part of the fun. I make the last payment n the bakkie next month. How happy does that make me. Paid for with only 87 000 km on the clock.

I don't do much trail driving, actually I have never done one and perhaps I should for practice. I go away fairly often, sometimes on my own, and really like to have a healthy safety margin. I always do my best to get over obstacles with open diffs as I agree with the sentiments expressed regarding driving skills. My plan is bigger tyres and a small body lift to accommodate them. Front locker can wait till I am a better driver and till I plan another trip like the one down Road To Hell. I hear Baboons in Lesotho is fun.

I have loads of questions pending and will take this to the modifications section to ask them.

I can see I will learn loads here and have ordered my Hilux4X4forum sticker.

[BenHur]

Spot ON Bennie... and thats exactly why I do this 4x4 thing...

What to recharge the old pacemaker :? :?

[iHilux]

Hi Martin,

If I were in your shoes, I would.....

1) Rocksliders - protection is everything.
2) 4x4
3) Offroad
4) some more 4x4
5) some more offroad.........

Regarding the tyres...... I would advise against 32", they are an unpopular size. 31" or 33".

At your next change, you can go with 31" without any other mods. This is a nice alround size, and is freely available anyway! It will also not affect you gearing substantially.

33", a bit of an overkill. Also you will need a lift and your gearing will be horribly affected.

You will be amazed - shocked -stunned by where that vehicle of yours can already take you ....... give her the oppertunity.

[ThysdJ]

What to recharge the old pacemaker :? :?

ja beslis... 8)

[Martin K]

Thanks Wade. I am for sure going to take the general advice on this forum and do what you suggest. 31 inch tyres and a mud tread for Lesotho. Rock sliders and additional protection all round. I want to add a larger tank as I hate using jerries. It is more important that the wife is comfortable with the whole thing so I will focus more on drawers, awning, shower and so on. I am anyway in no rush and have been working slowly on the bakkie for 5 years. It has only 87 000km on the clock so there is time and I prefer to add one thing at a time. Tyres next and then sliders.

[spearo]

Julle moet kyk in die Wegry van Feb-Mrt 2009/#11, op bladsy 11. Daar is 'n kort artikel, "Waar op aarde was ons?", oor die "Road to Hell". Wil nog self daar 'n draai gaan maak.
Groete