Any Surfers near Oxford? Off road advice?

[Pablito]

Hello Guys and gals.. as above.. are there any hardcore surfers in the Oxford/Reading area? Or anywhere nearish? I am in Didcot and would like to meet anyone locally who knows these cars, and who is willing to impart some pearls of wisdom.

Ideally I am hoping to use my truck for a bit of of roading and would love to pick the brains of anyone with more knowledge than me... (which is all of you )

My car currently has Old Man Emu suspension of some kind, (meant to be a 2" suspension lift, but I'm not sure) however I would like more clearance.. Currently running 33s and I have just ordered a body lift kit too... Rock sliders are on the way.

She's got a winch bumper and a snorkel so i reckon I'm not too far away, but some advice from anyone would be appreciated.

Thanks

[shokenore]

Diff breathers.Diff breathers.Diff breathers.v
Good (matching) tyres
Make sure all your fluids are good and the vehicle is in good working order.
Full tank of fuel.
Map of intended area.
Mobile charged or with charger.
Tow rope.
Onward recovery(from road).
Food and drink.
Basic tool kit and a jack plus some means of spreading the weight.
Don't go off roading alone.

I'm over in Wiltshire if nobody else steps up.

[12callum]

I'm also in Wiltshire, just finishing of the final bits and bobs then she'll be ready to go exploring!

I'm running 33s with a 2" body and suspension lift, I also have slight fouling on the front bumper on full lock, but some of the guys have cut down the front valance which really helps and look good to!

What snorkel do you have as I'm on the lookout? I also need to do my diff/tranny breathers to.

Got any photos of your truck? We love photos on this forum.

Good luck.

[andyverran]

Hiya, I'm in Reading (and surfless), but if you need help fixing stuff or passing the time of day talking surf over a cuppa....

[Pablito]

Thanks for the replies guys.. some handy tips there I have a few mates who are right into the off roading scene and I have been a few times with them, but they all have Landys so not that helpful with the Surf.

Shokanore... I know i need to sort the tyres out and trust me I will be looking to go with 33s all round or even 35s I am currently bidding on some 30mm spacers so i am hoping that this would help with the rubbing.. that and teh fact that i have the winch bumper.. so i'm thinking that clearance would be ok?

What's the craic with diff breathers? big job to upgrade etc? (i guess i should just do a forum search eh!)

Wiltshire is obviously the place to be eh? Seems i'm all lonely in leafy old Oxfordshire

And Andy, i would love to pop over and see you some time for a cuppa and a load of Surf chat.. In fact I have just ordered a 2" xpajun body lift kit and would be very grateful if you wanted to hold my hand and walk me through the job? There would obviously be a few beer tokens in it for you if your up for it?

I am already in love with my Surf.. and was wondering if I should fit the landcruiser rear springs too.. The Old Man Emu Suspension is meant to be a 2" lift, so the shocks should be able to cope right?

[andyverran]

What's the craic with diff breathers? big job to upgrade etc? (i guess i should just do a forum search eh!)

Wiltshire is obviously the place to be eh? Seems i'm all lonely in leafy old Oxfordshire

And Andy, i would love to pop over and see you some time for a cuppa and a load of Surf chat.. In fact I have just ordered a 2" xpajun body lift kit and would be very grateful if you wanted to hold my hand and walk me through the job? There would obviously be a few beer tokens in it for you if your up for it?

I'm game, I may have a few pics of the lift kit I took off mine, may help fitting yours...
Also got one high level breather for the rear diff kicking around the garage I think..easy to fit, a spanner an a few cable tie and job done.

Ping me an email on andyverran@yahoo.com and I can give you my number.

[shokenore]

Wiltshire does indeed seem to have its fair share of Surfs.
The OME kit you mention, is it just the shocks that you have ?
Body lift will give more clearance for suspension travel.
You may find that with the body lift that you won't get as much rubbing.
The 30mm spacers I assume are wheel spacers?
Before you attempt the body lift it would be beneficial to give all the bolts a wire brushing and a liberal dosing of WD40.
The bumper might need nodding to suit the lift or you will be left with a gap..
I am waiting for the time/opportunity to do my lift but my bolts are now rust free and well lubed.

[Pablito]

I'm not sure about the OME suspension.. it definitely has OME shocks (yellow bottom and top rather than the ones with a black top half) I'll have to get under her with a torch to see if the springs are OME too... however there is no rear sagging.. so i'm assuming (hoping) that the springs are OME too.

The 30mm spacers are indeed wheel spacers as i'd like her to have a slightly wider stance and was assuming that by bringing the wheel out slightly that it would help if there was any rubbing (of which i haven't noticed any so far)

You're not the first to mention cleaning up the bolts so when i'm under there looking at the springs, I'll give them a brush and a good soaking.

Andy, I have just sent you an email mate and added you on facebook

[Shadyadie]

For off roading the best thing you can spend your money on is good tyres.

my old offroader had a 2" lift, but the body was dropped 2" as too much lift can make you unstable. (top heavy), it worked as well as it won the BADLRC mod 2 championship, against motors that had 4-5 times more money spent on them.

most times people get stuck is due to loss of traction.

[andyverran]

For off roading the best thing you can spend your money on is good tyres.

most times people get stuck is due to loss of traction.

+1 on that. I once saw a Discovery in the snow being towed out by a Volvo 850 because he had the right rubber on...