I've been inspired by ERIK95LC's "Dunes" thread, and all the excellent suggestions therein, to post my own N00b thread and ask some advice. I got my 93 FZJ80 (no-lockers) about a month ago, and honestly I'm a bit embarrassed that I still haven't gotten it dirty yet. I'm new to Cruisers, but not so new to 4-wheeling.
I've got Thursday off work to go do a shakedown run. I'm thinking of hitting up Hungry Valley for the first time in over a decade. Rowher Flats is were I used to take the my old Heep XJ to test things out, but there isn't much there other than the 3 main trails. I'm looking for someplace to flex it out, test its limits, not break or damage anything too expensive, and come home safe. This isn't about pushing the limits: I'll be alone in an unfamiliar car. Think of this as an off-road test drive, what would you check in a controlled environment? I'd rather learn at Hungry Valley with a thousand rednecks there to help you out than on a hard trail in a remote location.
The question is, what should I look out for on a first-run? I plan on finding a nice ramp or rock to test my articulation and check for binding. I'll be testing out my low-range for the first time since the test drive, make sure the CDL engages properly in low. Anything else I should check? Any tests you would recommend while I'm out? Anything I should avoid (other than crashing)?
I've got Thursday off work to go do a shakedown run. I'm thinking of hitting up Hungry Valley for the first time in over a decade. Rowher Flats is were I used to take the my old Heep XJ to test things out, but there isn't much there other than the 3 main trails. I'm looking for someplace to flex it out, test its limits, not break or damage anything too expensive, and come home safe. This isn't about pushing the limits: I'll be alone in an unfamiliar car. Think of this as an off-road test drive, what would you check in a controlled environment? I'd rather learn at Hungry Valley with a thousand rednecks there to help you out than on a hard trail in a remote location.
The question is, what should I look out for on a first-run? I plan on finding a nice ramp or rock to test my articulation and check for binding. I'll be testing out my low-range for the first time since the test drive, make sure the CDL engages properly in low. Anything else I should check? Any tests you would recommend while I'm out? Anything I should avoid (other than crashing)?