4WD Newbie

[aussievr4]

Just picked up a 98 dual cab diesel Hilux on the weekend which is in decent condition but needs a few little TLC items. I plan to clean it up a bit and get some bits and pieces required for off roading.

To start with I think I will just get some new tyres, recovery points, recovery kit, tyre deflator, air compressor, first aid kit and probably just a tool kit.

I'm not planning to do anything too hardcore but if anyone has some suggestions on some good starter tracks or beaches preferably SOR and closeish to Perth that would be great.

[Marti]

wouldn't mind doing a small expedition sor as im keen to test my Datsun out aswell

[protecon]

Powerlines.

[mr_mike]

Just picked up a 98 dual cab diesel Hilux on the weekend which is in decent condition but needs a few little TLC items. I plan to clean it up a bit and get some bits and pieces required for off roading.

To start with I think I will just get some new tyres, recovery points, recovery kit, tyre deflator, air compressor, first aid kit and probably just a tool kit.

I'm not planning to do anything too hardcore but if anyone has some suggestions on some good starter tracks or beaches preferably SOR and closeish to Perth that would be great.

Get an offroad GPS and go exploring there is so many tracks in the Perth hills its unbelievable, we drove from Lakes road house up past mundaring to Roleystone a couple weeks back taking bush tracks and fire trails all the way. Beaches south you have Tims Thicket and White Hills. Keep going south and you have Preston, Myalup, Binningup can all be driven along.

[skinkis]

If SOR, there's always Water works in Armadale which is decent for a quick splat.
Or Kwinana Offroad. Also decent for a quickie.

[mr_mike]

also join Perth 4x4 Recovery group on facebook, then if you do get stuck somewhere local chuck a message up and there is usually a rush of people willing to go do a recovery. Just make sure you have your own recovery gear and rated recovery points

[Chivalry]

Avoid sand/beaches until you are familiar with the car or you can go out with a group or some mates who are confident/experienced with sand. Trails are much better for entry 4WDing than soft sand anyway and you will have a blast on trails with a few mates.

That's my suggestion...

[DanWA]

keen to show collie if your down this way, my gq is showing its age but still loves it

[S85FI]

If SOR, there's always Water works in Armadale which is decent for a quick splat.
Or Kwinana Offroad. Also decent for a quickie.

Wow Kwinana off road still open? Good spot to learn climbs.

[Marti]

where are the water works in armdale?, wouldnt mind going down there this weekend ?

[Evoboycorey]

Directly off armadale road, just before tonkin highway on the left if heading towards freo. is a back entry too off forrest road.

[Joe]

I'm new to this too, and the advice I was given was:

First, buy everything to keep yourself capable and safe within the capabilities of your stock vehicle. This includes UHF, recovery gear, tyre deflators, compressor, etc.

Then, buy gear to keep your vehicle safe. Bash plates, barwork, etc.

Then, buy gear to make you vehicle more capable.. lift, tyres, etc. you don't need to do this until you've reached the limits of your stock vehicle, which as a beginner, will take you a while.

[HotAe92]

If you're up for a day out on a Sunday, the Julimar Conservation Park is not a bad spot to have a tinker around. Nothing hardcore, but good scenery, mix of high and low range spots, and during this time of year - a bit of mud and water around too.

http://www.4-wheeling-in-western-australia.com/julimar-state-forest.html

Shoot me a PM when you're heading out, I know the place quite well and don't dirty up the Paj nearly as often as I should.

[aussievr4]

wouldn't mind doing a small expedition sor as im keen to test my Datsun out aswell

Let us know how you go with the Armadale track if you end up going. I wouldnt be ready this weekend as I'm getting some new tyres fitted and I still need to get some recovery gear but would be keen in the future.


Powerlines.

I heard that the powerlines can be quite difficult and not recommended for beginners?


Get an offroad GPS and go exploring there is so many tracks in the Perth hills its unbelievable, we drove from Lakes road house up past mundaring to Roleystone a couple weeks back taking bush tracks and fire trails all the way. Beaches south you have Tims Thicket and White Hills. Keep going south and you have Preston, Myalup, Binningup can all be driven along.

Cheers.. the hills would actually be pretty fun to explore but I'm guessing there would be a few private properties up there?


keen to show collie if your down this way, my gq is showing its age but still loves it

My Dad's got a GQ they are a great truck, I was considering one of them but felt the tray back would come in handy. Collie sounds like a good trip maybe could get a few of us down there.


Wow Kwinana off road still open? Good spot to learn climbs.

I've read that 4WD's cant use that anymore or is that incorrect?



If you're up for a day out on a Sunday, the Julimar Conservation Park is not a bad spot to have a tinker around. Nothing hardcore, but good scenery, mix of high and low range spots, and during this time of year - a bit of mud and water around too.

http://www.4-wheeling-in-western-australia.com/julimar-state-forest.html

Shoot me a PM when you're heading out, I know the place quite well and don't dirty up the Paj nearly as often as I should.

Thanks for the offer looks like a good track. I might just do that once I get everything sorted with it.


I'm new to this too, and the advice I was given was:

First, buy everything to keep yourself capable and safe within the capabilities of your stock vehicle. This includes UHF, recovery gear, tyre deflators, compressor, etc.

Then, buy gear to keep your vehicle safe. Bash plates, barwork, etc.

Then, buy gear to make you vehicle more capable.. lift, tyres, etc. you don't need to do this until you've reached the limits of your stock vehicle, which as a beginner, will take you a while.

Good advice cant see myself doing too many major mods to it anytime soon however a turbo might sneak its way on down the track.

[XsQuiZiT]

Beaches south you have Tims Thicket and White Hills. Keep going south and you have Preston, Myalup, Binningup can all be driven along.

If you're new I'd enter the beach from White Hills road and head south. If you enter from Tims Thicket you need to drive around the headlands which is pretty daunting when new and also impossible at high tide leaving you with only ~2km of beach to drive.

Something handy is to check the tide conditions before you head out. We forgot to check a couple of weeks ago up Two Rocks way and almost lost a bogged car due to the tide coming in.

[Uber XR]

Go out with mates to a sandy spot. Get it bogged to the axles on purpose. Then practice getting out of it. winching, snatching, whatever. So If/When there is an emergency situation. IE; puddle was a bit deeper than you thought and now your car is sinking. You will have had plenty of practice on getting out.

And please make sure your shackles are approved. I have seen one fly straight through a 60 series cruiser back door (The metal part not the window) and wedge its self into the back of the seat.

[Joe]

Not only approved shackles, but never attach a strap to another strap with a shackle.. Also never recover from a tow ball.

Also best to use a recovery damper, they are cheap and could save someone's life. We didn't have one on my last recovery but we had a blanket draped over the strap (and the subsequent winch rope when the snatch didn't work) instead. A proper damper works better because it's weighted.

[South]

Joe is on the money, although I would say that 90% of people will never outdrive the ability of their 4WD, modified or not. My highly modified 80 will go anywhere, except I won't drive it just anywhere as I'm not a unit. On the other hand my PX Wildtrak with 34s and a 2" lift would also go a lot further than I wish to punt a very expensive dual cab ute. Damage to drive a track is plain stupid...

With that said, I drive hard tracks that units belt up and smash shit, except I do it at idle and with ease because of my choice of modifications. So modifications for me are essential, the Wildtrak was lifted and tyres on the second week from delivery... so don't try and find the limits of a stock 4by as it'll take you pretty much everywhere, whilst a few choice modifications will take you the same place, just it will be easier on the truck and the driver.

I would disagree with soft sand driving, go and do a shit load of that first, it will help you gain throttle control and experience with tyre pressures. In the space of a few hundred meters you could drive on sand needing 25psi to sand needing 8psi to get through. Rocks you can pretty much just air down to 16psi and leave it there all day long, although rocks will also give you a good understanding of throttle control... the one thing you need to know is throttle is not king, if in doubt power out is not the method. Idle and crawl ever so slowly will get you much much further.

[MrSparkle]

I think sand and the beach is a great place to start out.

Get a few guys together and go for a run through Wilbinga (North) or Preston beach (South). A standard hilux will be just fine for this stuff and you don't need to spend thousands of dollars to do the basic tracks which is usually enough for most people. (Your planned kit should be fine just + a shovel) I'm not sure if you care or not but I know both of these places I mentioned you are legally allowed to drive through. In the past I used to go wherever but now I try to do the right thing. I'm not sure if that kwinana place is all good or not.

[S85FI]

All this 4x4 talk is making me keen to lock the hubs and find some tracks.

[Marti]

ok I know the armadale entrance but theres a gate there ?

[tinto]

I went to a weekend of this when I had my Prado - I'd do it again as you're there with all noobs.
http://www.eureka4wd.com.au/

[S85FI]

ok I know the armadale entrance but theres a gate there ?
Gate = winch with $2 buck bunnings padlock. Nothing sus here...

[Buckas]

I was out at the powerlines a couple of weeks ago when we had that silly amount of rain. cars ranged from my Prado, which is just my daily with a 2 inch lift that I have no intention of modifying for offroad use, to a mates TD GU ute with 35's, lockers, 28psi etc etc. There's a track there for everyone and there's always a cheat way out. Plenty of people to pull you out as well. We pulled out a Mt Helena Firey who had swamped his V8 cruiser ute and the guys got all the water out of the engine and started it up on the side of the tracks. Plenty of help around.

If anyone is keen in Collie for the Sunday after Supercruise, my mate and I will be down there in his 80 series and we're pretty keen to explore some tracks down there. Not sure if I plan to attend the other track day on the Sunday or not yet but will play it by ear for now depending on interest. Also as long as I can leave the Corolla and trailer somewhere secure

[mr_mike]

#1 tip?

Always let you tyres down when off road, even if you dont think you need to still do it. It makes for a smoother ride, in sand you will use less fuel as engine isnt working so hard to keep you moving and the biggest one is it helps to reduce track damage

[S85FI]

#1 tip?

Always let you tyres down when off road, even if you dont think you need to still do it. It makes for a smoother ride, in sand you will use less fuel as engine isnt working so hard to keep you moving and the biggest one is it helps to reduce track damage

This only for soft stuff. Shale and sharp rocks will slice flat side walls. I go with skinny tyres and 60 psi for sharp rocky stuff.

[mr_mike]

even on rock etc i will drop my tyres to mid 20's. A set of 8 or 10 ply tyres are not gonna cut on rock easily, specially if the tyre has some give in it ie: low pressure. you drive over a rock with 60psi the tyre has no give so whats the rock gonna do? go straight into the rubber.

[DRKWRX]

This only for soft stuff. Shale and sharp rocks will slice flat side walls. I go with skinny tyres and 60 psi for sharp rocky stuff.

disagree strongly! can see where you are coming from with the sidewalls but if you have really good tires with Kevlar sidewalls you will be alright, low tire pressure will let your tires stretch around rocks so to speak, if you are going over a sharp rock with rock hard tires all the pressure is going to be on a small area of the tire = more chance of puncture.

[S85FI]

Driven days at a time on shale with 60psi. No problems.
Did same route with low pressure and did 2 tyres in 20km.
Just my experience. :)

[scottiedoesntn0]

I was out at the powerlines a couple of weeks ago when we had that silly amount of rain. cars ranged from my Prado, which is just my daily with a 2 inch lift that I have no intention of modifying for offroad use, to a mates TD GU ute with 35's, lockers, 28psi etc etc. There's a track there for everyone and there's always a cheat way out. Plenty of people to pull you out as well. We pulled out a Mt Helena Firey who had swamped his V8 cruiser ute and the guys got all the water out of the engine and started it up on the side of the tracks. Plenty of help around.


If the 80 series owner is Adrian then it seems Perth is definately smallsville hahah!
I was there with your lot as well until we got to the fire truck then we went off ahead (wanted to try some mud before the guys with 35 muddies pulped it like everything else earlier on hahaha).
I was in the older ifs hilux with David in the even older hilux for his first real 4x4 after his first encounter last year in Jurien (sandy cape has some awesome unmolested dunes fyi)



I heard that the powerlines can be quite difficult and not recommended for beginners?
= craptalk (look for the terios at the 9 min mark).
It's just packed full of idiots :p.

Not worth the full watch but considering I stayed on 25psi, it was wet as hell and 2wd'd most of it at the start,
any rookie can find their way around the bitch tracks up there hahah
I had the new test camera up to capture my mates first time 4x4
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Dmo0_Yq-dI0?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Also
+ 1-ing Souths Post,
90% of people will never outdrive the ability of their 4WD, modified or not
Most 4x4s are more than capable, it's generally the driving that is the cause of those experiences but the only way to learn is to do it.

Find where your most comfortable then slowly push the limits and keep a 6 er or $$$ around for that one off rescue your going to need someday hahahahah

[Buckas]

If the 80 series owner is Adrian then it seems Perth is definately smallsville hahah!

oh hey man. Adrian is the guy with the big white 100 series (was, he sold it a couple of days ago). The 80 series guy I'll be down at Collie with is Harry in the burgandy 80 series Sahara. The old TD pulls the car trailer and corolla a bit better than the prado haha. Keen to come down to Supercruise and explore some tracks down there?

[Marti]

we need to organize another antilag 4wd day, power lines would be good for a mix of tough and easy trails

[MrSparkle]

If this happens I will come for a look. I never use the little 4wd lever anymore!

[aussievr4]

Tried the Captain Fawcett track in Dwelingup last weekend but managed to lose the track somehow after about 12kms . Anyone else tried this one? Was pretty good fun up until then and the GF only shat herself a couple of times.

[Marti]

I did visit Armadale water works on the weekend. good it of track. heaps of mud there, watched a cruiser go doors deep. well worth a look if your learning

[mr_mike]

Tried the Captain Fawcett track in Dwelingup last weekend but managed to lose the track somehow after about 12kms . Anyone else tried this one? Was pretty good fun up until then and the GF only shat herself a couple of times.

How did u find the track conditions? I done it a couple years ago and it was pretty much a 2wd cruise down an unsealed road. But have heard that since then its gotten pretty gnarly with some huge puddles and ruts.

[Passage GT]

I went there the week we got the patrol along with Clayton in his 200, was still dry so really easy, took the difficult side at one stage which required low range and the locker but apart from that it was easy, I did note that it would be a lot more interesting after a decent rain though, I'm also keen on a day out on the tracks, apart from the bullbar and winch I'm still rocking a stocker though, have recovery gear though

[aussievr4]

I did visit Armadale water works on the weekend. good it of track. heaps of mud there, watched a cruiser go doors deep. well worth a look if your learning
Cool sounds good will have to check it out. How long is the track out of interest?


How did u find the track conditions? I done it a couple years ago and it was pretty much a 2wd cruise down an unsealed road. But have heard that since then its gotten pretty gnarly with some huge puddles and ruts.

We only managed to do about 12kms before losing the track and giving up which on the way out the lady at the gate said was rather common as there was a part that wasnt really signed well. It had been raining the day before so the track was still wet, the first 6kms or so it was all easy 2wd stuff and just a matter of avoiding all the pot holes and bumps. The next 6 kms there was a decent rocky patch which was a bit nerve racking being a first timer but just put it in low range and took it slow.

Only came across 1 spot that was really muddy and had a couple of deep ruts which I managed to slip the car into but still managed to make it through alright.

Was good fun and would be keen to go back and finish it off as it was really pretty down there. Looked like there were some nice camping spots too.

[mr_mike]

Cool sounds good will have to check it out. How long is the track out of interest?


there is no track its just where local bogans in their Unit and Bossen stickered trucks go to drive through puddles then woop and cheer about what awesome 4wd-ers they are and how their 7" lifted 4wd is unstoppable.



We only managed to do about 12kms before losing the track and giving up which on the way out the lady at the gate said was rather common as there was a part that wasnt really signed well. It had been raining the day before so the track was still wet, the first 6kms or so it was all easy 2wd stuff and just a matter of avoiding all the pot holes and bumps. The next 6 kms there was a decent rocky patch which was a bit nerve racking being a first timer but just put it in low range and took it slow.

Only came across 1 spot that was really muddy and had a couple of deep ruts which I managed to slip the car into but still managed to make it through alright.

Was good fun and would be keen to go back and finish it off as it was really pretty down there. Looked like there were some nice camping spots too.

yeah from what i have heard the track is easy to loose, if you go the wrong way you just end up at the back of Nanga Mills campsite. By the sounds of what you have described i think i must of only done the first section as well. Found some awesome campsites tho, most of them were at the bottom of steep hills down to the river.

[Marti]

yeah pretty much what mike said, I went through some sand and further back just to go for a drive, there are a few inclines, undulations and a lot of mud. not a very big track. good to learn on as there are always people there, I may head out for a look again o Saturday

[rodent]

Here's the Capt Fawcett track map for next time

http://4wding-with-calimero.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/captain-fawcett-memorial-4x4-track.html

[Brett_J]

Keen to get out these days, poor car sits there doing nothing since getting the work ute.
Might go for a putt around Kwinana offroad area today, it rained hard here on friday, will be well muddy and the mudpits there, then just cruise around.

[Marti]

I wouldn't mind doing some light off road work, need to run my new motor in

[kurbn]

this is where I go, pretty much caters for all types. LOTS AND LOTS of interconnecting tracks

Red area - limestone hills with lots of different lines to get up the top, some pretty hard and nasty, some not too bad.
Black area - a heap of fun interconnecting tracks that runs through sand/rock and forresty muddy parts.
Blue - When it rains. Some very angry mud holes, slippery clay and black shit. A lot of trenches full of water and thick mud, saw a hilux being pulled
out of one with a 6 wheeler army truck. However there are many lines you can take so you dont have to take the ones you will no doubt get stuck in.

Easy to spend a whole day out there and when you get bored of the mud you go back over to the rocks. I went through last night and holy shit is it muddy.

http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx164/bangnrb25/track_zpsd4e266ee.jpg

[Brett_J]

Been hitting the Kwinana offroad area up for 20 years now, has changed so much, the big limestone hill near the entry used to be so much bigger, erosion and flat brim unit wearing fucktards with 35" muddies tearing it up, same with the mud pits down there.

Case in point
https://www.dropbox.com/sc/tk9hzu5sdktibze/AACZv81YIICAPiMYPp5z6khEa

[mr_mike]

^^ seems pretty standard, see posts every weekend on Perth 4x4 Recovery of people stuck down Kwinanna. Last saturday there was something like 5 cars stuck from 10pm to 5am and a heap of other people down there watching and trying to recover them.
What really annoys me is the dumb pingpingpingpings that post on there they are stuck need help got no recovery gear.

[Brett_J]

Recovery gear is so cheap these days, I get going for a spin by yourself, but have some manners, hook up your snatch strap to the front of your car, or back ready for someone to yank you out.
It'll be closed down again down there soon.

What disgusted me was the muddies off Thomas road near Bombay rd, it's seriously like a rubbish dump down there.

[kurbn]

truth.. and down near patterson road in the flats. Pretty much anywhere accessible by car off the main road people have been using as a dumping ground. I counted 5 cars ditched out there on the weekend.

If I go out on my own, I don't go through anything I know I cant get out of. I don't like relying on other people for my stupidity. That hilux the other day beached in mud amazed me, two kids on their p's on road tyres trying to cross something I wouldn't attempt in a highly modded fourbie.

then there is the ones that want you to dig them out.. no mate.. heres a shovel. Your car.