Offroading 101

[max2me]

Hello,


I finally picked up my LCLC and last Sunday went on a quick trip here in Western WA. Most of it was highway, but we also took a detour for a few miles of FS roads. It was a pretty hot day, so my tire pressure was around 37 psi, and driving on forest service roads was a bit bumpy (I was going 10-20 mph depending on conditions).

Anyway, I came back home and started digging a bit more. I learned that some folks air down to 20-25 psi for forest service roads to get better comfort and reduce the risk of tire damage. This made me wonder... what else am I missing? Are there any books, videos, or online courses I could take to learn more about proper off-roading? I'd love to learn from other people's experience.

I know there's an Overland Expo coming up in OR, but I won't be able to go there to take classes this year.

PS: Do you all pick out little pebbles stuck in tires after driving on FS roads? Even after driving home for 50 miles on the highway, there were still a bunch left.

 

[EOD Guy]

Welcome to the Jungle!

To answer your question, well sort of, there are just too many things to consider when off roading. Ie.... I don't air down on FS roads unless it starts getting pretty steep and rocky (basketball sized rocks).

My advice is to try and join a local 4X4 club.

 

[JaredM]

I never pick out stones from my tires because that shit is a dead giveaway you are a rook/city slicker. The best way to learn is by doing. Make mistakes. Get stuck. FFS learn how to change a tire. But most importantly, don’t feel like you need to throw the parts accessories catalog at your car to be able to off-road. Watch a few YouTube videos and maybe join a local meetup of folks that wheel a bit. Don’t forget to have fun!

 

[dubel]

Some things I've learned from a few trails in my limited ownership:

You probably won't ever need to lock the rear differential or disconnect the sway bar. You can, you just won't need to. The MTS and/or crawl control modes work really well.

A lot of trails have different routes you can take that are not obvious; definitely map out your route ahead of time referencing online guides or books. I downloaded OnX OffRoad but I don't recommend it so far. OnX does not do a good job of routing you through proper trails - several times it routed me from one trail to another via a cliff. It's so bad it's probably user error at this point but I've spent a couple hours with it and can't figure it out.

In the desert I quickly got into trails with a lot of pin striping brush and sometimes it's difficult to turn around. I'll probably start bringing a hedge trimmer with me! Best to go in the middle of week for popular trails if you want to avoid SXS/ATVs.

I would recommend getting some soft shackles, some type of recovery strap and a tow hitch recovery point, in case you need someone to bail you out of sand or something slippery. I got a Factor 55 Hitchlink Pro 2.0 but there's plenty of options. If you are on sand/muddy areas some traction boards are good security. Other good accessories include WeatherTech floor mats, an air compressor, and a tire repair kit.

Your side steps are mounted to the body and not the frame, so keep them free from boulders! Also the instrument cluster is ridiculously easy to scratch. When you inevitably get dust on the display when off-roading, do NOT touch it to wipe or clean it until you get home and can blow most of it off and use some super delicate cloth to gentle encourage the dust away!

I find that the LC250's strong points are the articulation and 4WD system with MTS/crawl control. The weaker points are problem the limited ground clearance (though IMO the articulation mostly makes up for it) and limited fuel capacity. That said the Land Cruiser handles the trails really well and I do really enjoy "cruising" around in it!

Enjoy your LC!

 

[boisematt]

I took our stock (even tires) LCLC on a long road trip this weekend. It was 100+ miles of dirt forest service roads of varying quality. LOTS of washboard. Our LC (El Si) had four humans and a dog in the back and was pulling a "SPACE" trailer full of camping gear. The truck was amazing. I aired the tires down to 25 which really helped with the washboards and it did an amazing job on one rather steep climb that I think we got super lucky on (it was a single lane with no turnarounds for about 5 miles - meeting another truck there would have been complicated to say the least - lesson learned and won't be taking the truck on that road again while towing a trailer). I'm looking forward to more appropriate tires in the future, but I'm enjoying the ride now and having fun tinkering with all the tools, seeing what works, what doesn't, and when. Can't wait to get out again!

 

[Mtn40]

Experiment with airing down your tires and you'll find what you like and when it's worth the hassle and when it's not.
Even going from 37 to 30 will make a noticeable difference on roads like you described, and then you're not so low that you can't get back on the pavement for a bit if you're ok driving home slightly slower.
I've been using my own tire pressure rules-of-thumb forever, but I recently heard a good one from Outdoor Auto on youtube. Limit your speed to double what you aired down to if you don't want to air up to get home before getting back on the pavement. Aired down to 25psi, stay under 50mph, 20psi=40mph, etc.. Not super scientific, but it works pretty well.

Do you have the sway-bar disconnect? It gets said a lot that you'll never need it unless you get hard core, but try it on any of the dirt roads you go down. It makes a big difference in comfort if the trail is bumpy at all. I just wish it would stay disconnected past 20mph. 30mph would be awesome, even 25 would be great.

 

[Evergreen Daydreams]

Hey neighbor! Thanks for posting this, I’m eager to learn as well

 

[RideWithYanu]

Totally agree on the disconnectable sway bar. I disconnect it every time I’m off road; it’s a far better ride even when I don’t need the increased articulation.

 

[max2me]

Folks, thank you for the incredible responses!

I don't have SDM. Part of me wishes I would have gotten it but then I'd have to wait much longer for the vehicle so.. it is what it is.

 

[RideWithYanu]

I wouldn’t stress not having the SDM. It’s great to have but definitely not critical, and there will be aftermarket options in future if you ever feel a strong desire to add one.

Hit me up if you’re ever down in Portland area for some off-roading!

 

[NoMe cruiser]

Just after a road gets graded is the worst (or best) time to get flats. About 25% of my mileage is on logging roads. Spinning the tires is also a great way to get flats FYI.

 

[EOD Guy]

Parts of this thread is good information..........

what to carry in Land Cruiser

For the last 30 years I have pickup trucks with toppers on them, so I had lots of room to carry stuff. I carried 3 lawn chairs, 2 shovels, 2 hand saws, tow rope, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, sleeping bag, blankets and extra clothes. With the LC I don't have enough room to pack everything...

www.landcruiserforum.com

 

[MSINAL]

When in doubt, get out and check the obstacle if youre not following someone experienced. There are many surprises you cant identify from behind the wheel.

Get comfortable going in and out of 4 lo, center diff lock, and rear diff lock before you need them and also be aware that these features can severely limit your turning radius and require rolling to disengage some of them.
I struggled to disengage center and rear diff (in 4Lo) previously and i felt like an idiot blocking the trail for 5 minutes because i couldnt execute 9 point turn (rear diff wouldnt unlock because i couldnt roll far enough to disengage it). If you dont know, sharp turns cant happen with rear diff and center lock engaged while on rocks

 

[surfishjoe]

Seat time in the dirt.
Join a local land cruiser club - ih8mud forum
Get out and wheel your rig stock to get a good baseline for what you want to do- makes the mods more fun and as you mod test it out. This is my experience wheeling a 1st gen Tacoma for the last 20 years.

Also check out TLCA I am a member they host many Offroad meet ups around the country and have a cool magazine- my local chapter I wheel with was featured in it last year- see blues cruise in PA that’s my silver Tacoma in the article.

 

[GC3]

So is the tire pressure consensus recommendation for washboard is 25 psi but stay under 50 mph?

For reference this is with aftermarket Falken Wildpeak AT4 tires.

 

[BlueCruiser]

Even the most capable 4x4s are surprisingly easy to get stuck or break when offroading. It is not always possible, but try to use the features to create more and better options for route selection. When you are truly out in the boonies protect and preserve your vehicle and remember an obstacle avoided is an obstacle overcome.

 

[T_1000]

I wouldn’t stress not having the SDM. It’s great to have but definitely not critical, and there will be aftermarket options in future if you ever feel a strong desire to add one.

Hit me up if you’re ever down in Portland area for some off-roading!

I’d be down! I’m out west off 26. Still trying to get to all the trails that OnX shows. Any good recommendations always appreciated.