Question

[PaulF]

I have a 3.0TD manual 4runner and if I get a little spare time now would love to start getting it off-road and build up the adventures, experience and kit for potentially a big trip in the future. It's not modified in anyway yet but would you expert off-roaders suggest for a) first trip off road and b) initial modifications ? I'm in Dorking, Surrey by the way and thought Wolvens Lane would be quite a simple jolly.

[biosurf]

Hi Paul
and welcome to the forum
I'm over in Epsom so not a million miles away from you.
To begin with the main thing to help off road is a set of all terrain tyres. there are lots (and I mean lots) of mods you can do as you'll find by doing a few searches on this site but a set of decent tyres and a knowledge of how to select four wheel drive and what gear to use will get you through most things.
I have done a number of greenlanes and some pay and play sites with this set up and its fine, road tyres will get you through most greenlanes though.

Main other priorities to my mind are to stick some diff breathers on (cost about £20 to do yourself) and to turn the tube for the air intake around so it sucks in air at the top of the engine bay rather than from behind the head light (poor mans excuse for a snorkel). These are only necessary if you plan to go through water but being as you may end up in deep puddles etc and they cost near to nothing its nice to do so you don't end up with a knackered engine.

Woolvens Lane is a great starter, it was my first lane. Its always advisable to go in pairs wherever you go just in case though woolvens is pretty easy. You can always tag along with me sometime soon if you like?

You could join http://www.fourwheeldriveclub.com

Its a free club for all makes of 4x4, most of their members are in Surrey and there is a greenlaning outing to Salisbury Plain next weekend which you could sign up for if there's places left. If you feel your road tyres wont be up to it I could bring you a set of wheels with A/T's on to borrow if you like (as long as iits not a 3rd gen Surf)

[biosurf]

just checked theres 3 places free for the Pewsey and the Plain outing!

Can't see it being as action-packed as Salisbury Plain outings led by our very own Biohazard but should be good anyhow!

[captain_chaos]

I've done a few lanes around Surrey, Wolverns is a good lane to start at. When you get to the pub at coldharbour, turn up the hill towards the cricket club then take the track that goes to the left of it and takes you to the foot of coldharbour tower, bit twisty and rutted. There's a tight hairpin turn and good climb down the hill to the road. It's great fun going back up. Easily do-able with off road tyres. I've got a list of byways in surrey, it was up to date as of Dec 07. I'll e-mail them over of you like. Hoping to arrange another trip out around there before end of the year, but first got few things to work on my truck.

[biosurf]

Captain, you forgot the most important bit:

Take a bit of change with you as on the road very near to the start of wolvens there is a table outside a house on the right that has cake and chutney and jam for sale. Just stick your money in the pot.

Female passengers often seem to find this section of the excursion more exciting than the offroading bit!

[stormforce]

If you want a good weekend away camping ,off roading and some scenic lanes then join us on the rtts weekend in september.Its a chance to meet 24 other members and families and you'll see some good modded trucks also to give you some ideas.People are coming from all over the place so there's no excuses...........

[captain_chaos]

Captain, you forgot the most important bit:

Take a bit of change with you as on the road very near to the start of wolvens there is a table outside a house on the right that has cake and chutney and jam for sale. Just stick your money in the pot.

Female passengers often seem to find this section of the excursion more exciting than the offroading bit!

he he, have been past that table a few times and thought about getting something.