First time pay & play advice

[walshie]

Hi all, well after owning my t2 for 5 years I'm determined that this year I will finally make it to a pay and play site to have some fun with the truck, I have 3 questions:

1. Can anyone recommend a good novice pay and play site? I live in high wycombe Buckinghamshire so nearby would be good, though I have friends in Birmingham that may be interested in joining me so could go round that area too.

2. I have a set of mud terrains on a spare set of old frontera alloys which I've tested on the truck and they fit fine, question is, 2 of the tyres have approx 8mm tread, 2 have approx 4mm, so am I better putting the ones with more grip on the front or back? Instinct says the back, because of the LSD, but what is the ratio front to back when in 4wd? Would I be better putting the better grip on the front for steering?

3. I have a tow bar on the back, would I be better off leaving it on as protection for the back bumper and sacrifice some departure angle, or take it off and tie up the electrics to maximise my angles? What have other members done?

Sorry for the essay, all advice gratefully received! :bow

Matt

 

[solarman216]

Do not know any sites in your area, try Google? but check it is still open before going as there are many still listed but closed years ago, as for tyres in 4 wheel fronts rotate same speed as rear, difference in tread depth will not matter as to be in 4 wheel you will be on slippy stuff, tow bar is a pain so is the fuel tank but I guess you will not be going so severe and on a road motor it will afford some protection, I would not be going on my own with a road motor and your mate ought to have a winch, but most sites have marshals with winch motors, have fun, Rick

 

[R1cho]

theres desert off road in mansfield dont know what sort of track it is though but i'd imagine they have different areas for of track for different styles/types of driver

 

[walshie]

Cheers guys, so am I right in saying its a 50:50 power split front to rear when in 4wd?
You're right, this is our family car so I think best to leave tow bar on for protection, not going to be doing anything too extreme!

I've got 3 mates that may be interested in joining me, all Unmodified 4x4s so which you guys reckon is going to be most capable?
1. 1999 shogun lwb 3.0 v6
2. 2005 L200 2.5td
3. 2008 navara double cab 2.5dci
Me: 2003 terrano 2 lwb 3.0di

Maybe I should set this up as a poll and post the rests when and if any of them join me when I go? Lol

 

[solarman216]

it is not "split" as there is no centre diff, its sort of 100% front/rear, but one wheel slipping on front = no drive and limited slip on rear with one slipping = part drive to the other wheel, the % will vary depending on the state of your oil, Rick

 

[rustic]

I've got 3 mates that may be interested in joining me, all Unmodified 4x4s so which you guys reckon is going to be most capable?
1. 1999 shogun lwb 3.0 v6
2. 2005 L200 2.5td
3. 2008 navara double cab 2.5dci
Me: 2003 terrano 2 lwb 3.0di

Sounds like you have the opportunity to tell us which is best.:nenau

Some will be better on certain stages than the others, and you need to look at the overall performance.

Maybe work out a points system then at the end see who did best.:clap

 

[stinka]

Out of all them in stock form id put my money on the l200

Cracking ground clearance and rear diff lock

 

[solarman216]

Out of all them in stock form id put my money on the l200

Cracking ground clearance and rear diff lock

yep the rear diff lock scores as does good ground clearance, Rick

 

[walshie]

Yep I was leaning towards the 2 mitsubishis because of the diff locks, but there's another factor to throw in and that's tyres, navara and l200 are on road tyres, shogun on AT's and terrano on (slightly worn) MT's. it'll be interesting, just gotta convince them all to do it now!

 

[stinka]

I'd drop your rear arb off, takes about 20mins