First time off roading... any suggestions? On Vancouver Isl

[Ursula]

Proud new delica owner here...
Just two weeks since we've been introduced the the joys of driving these things.
Just had some pretty extensive work done by cc auto.
But still haven't popped it into four wheel drive. :(
So, some advice is needed...
Just to make sure i got it right: on gravel, stop, pop it into Neutral, then over to (4L or H?) then, to go back to 2... Neural, switch, then reverse for a few meters?
I'll be bringing a shovel, cell phone, and....
Any other suggestions, tips?
I live near duncan, on Vancouver Island. Can anyone suggest some good Beginner, but still exciting trails?
Thanks so much!

[jessef]

There's a million delica's in your vacinity.

I'd suggest going with at least a 2nd vehicle/Delica to be safe.

Going solo is not the best way to learn/begin offroading.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Wow! That's the spirit!
First thing you do is notify someone whom you know and who is responsible: Where and when you are going. Ideally it would be good to go with other experienced Delica drivers ~ in case you have any questions about the machine itself, I found that very useful. These vehicles are very capable machines but driver experience is very important, especially when it comes to common sense.
Forgive me if I am coming across as a little condescending, but I don't really know what your experience is, so I will presume novice.

Firstly: Do not depend on your celphone. If you are out of view of a cellular tower you will be off line. Take it along, by all means, you may well be in cellular range ~ just don't depend on it. Shovel is a good thing to take with you, to be sure.

Here is a list of some of the things that I like to take with me:

• Collapsible shovel.
• Chainsaw, with spare chain, oil, gas, &c.
• Tool kit (I got one from Cdn Tire, not the best, not the worst).
• Diesel jerry can (20ltr) full of diesel.
• An axe.
• Lump Hammer & Rock Chisel.
• Crowbar.
• Bolt cutters can be handy.
• Duct tape & Zap straps.
• A really good knife that you can count on.
• A change of clothing and a good blanket or two ~ just in case.
• Some rations like trail mix, water... just in case.
• Make sure you have a spare, with air. Good to have a compressor with you in the event you require it.
• Is your jack on board?
• A full tank of diesel. If you are going deep into the wilderness: Every time you see diesel ~ top up, even if you have 3/4 of a tank already ~ it could make a difference.
• Towing straps; Hand winch with a sling & a block that can handle at least two tonnes.

When I go out into the toolies ~ I go quite deep and would take a lot more stuff than you might need this time. The important thing to remember to take is a clear state of mind with a positive attitude.

I would recommend that you go somewhere near home where there is a gravel road but well kept where you can practice with your transfer case (2H;4H;4L) before hunting out deactivated roads. Always read the signs. If you are on a road and you see a plywood sign with numbers and letters on it like: VHF 136-174MHZ then you are likely on an active logging road which means that there will be BIG trucks that will not give way to you. Beware.

Get a good, up to date map book of the area that you are going to. It is also good to have an out of date map book, too ~ because it will tell you a bit about the history of the area and may bring some baring on the road you are on. Also good for finding free camping spots that everyone else has forgotten.

**If you are using GPS: Be careful. GPS is based on the map datum: WGS84. Which means "World Geodetic System ~ 1984". What this means to your GPS is the co-ordinates of the land are based on the year 1984. So if you programme in a direct route from point A to point B it may pick a road that was deactivated in 1985. That road could be very dangerous. Remember, Common Sense.

Know how big your van is. How wide is your van? What is the track (width from tyre to tyre)? What is the overall width from mirror to mirror" What is the overall length? How high is your van? Here's a good one: What is the clearance of your van (from lowest part underneath to the ground)? Have your torsion bars been readjusted?

Do research on this website regarding member's trips in either "Member's Trips" or "Events". Also, read books from places like North Shore Off Road about other peoples off-roading experiences. I have one somewhere and I am trying to think of the name.... really good read...... My place is a mess and I can't find it, sorry. Perhaps I can post it later.

Just to make sure i got it right: on gravel, stop, pop it into Neutral, then over to (4L or H?) then, to go back to 2... Neural, switch, then reverse for a few meters?

Shift the transmission into P or N. Shift the Transfer Shift Lever from 2H to 4H. Your green 4WD Display Lamp should light up on your instrument cluster. Roll forward and another green light saying "Wheel Lock" should come on. Do this all on loose surface terrain. When shifting from 4H to 4L; Shift your tranny into P or N; shift your transfer lever from 4H to 4L. You are now in low gears. To get out of 4WD shift your tranny into P or N. Shift transfer lever into 2H. Shift tranny into R and reverse two or three metres. You should hear a clunk and/or the "Wheel Lock" light should go out on your instrument cluster. Put into D and roll forward to be sure. Learn your wagon's idiosyncrasies, she is your friend so look after her.

Got to go, I got a mate waiting for me outside. Ask as many questions as you want, no matter how stupid they may first appear. I hope this helps you out... .

Falco.

**P.S.: I was in a rush when I wrote this post. There has been some controversy over this Paragraph: What I meant in this paragraph is that when WGS84 was introduced the standard two dimensional grid datums, like NAD27 were no longer practical when it came to the new Global Positioning System. So they had to make new maps to fit the new datum. Since then the maps get up dated generally by people who use this system. If a road is deactivated it may not be reported as such and your map will have it as a "road". Yet when you get there it may be little more than a track and could have many hazards. For more information regarding this:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Geodetic_System
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_ ... ate_system

Another source might be your GPS provider.

Falco.

[Ursula]

Thanks so much for your tips and quick tutorial on the shifting...
Power went out today for about 10 hours. we got bored, so decided we'd explore the road out to kinsol tressle. found some random roads to nowhere to get a feel for the van and have a lot of fun! That 90 year old rail bridge is absolutely beautiful... I hope they fund raise enough to repair it, and we can hike over it soon... their goal is 20 000 bucks at witch point the government will match it.
We thought ahead enough to bring 20 L extra gas, a shovel, axe, and water, but some of the other things you mentioned will be in our kit next time we head out.
I've looked into installing a winch, there's a delica that parks at my work in victoria with a winch mounted to the front where i have fog lights. is this a custom mod or is there a stock attachment, something like that?
I listened for that clunk I've been told about, while switching. Couldn't really hear anything. The green 4x4 light went on, but i didn't notice any wheel lock light... I'l watch for it next time.
Very Novice at this, also very eager, which i understand can be dangerous in any fun activity.
So research research research, your advice regarding delica specific stuff, and healthy attitude will hopefully help me out.
I'll post some pictures when we get the film developed. (don't like digital, or gps for that matter...)
Meeting up with some local cowichan valley delicas sounds like fun! I'm sure there are a tonne of amazing roads to be discovered in the area! I saw one in mill bay today, he waved, but i didn't see him in time to wave back... Awfully friendly folk these delica people.
Long weekend- logging roads- beer and camping... Woo!

[konadog]

No clunk nor wheel lock lamp.... Hummmmm perhaps you have full time locked flanges... Do your wheels look like this?: I LOVE that old trestle! glad you had fun!

[FalcoColumbarius]

Glad you had a good time, Ursula!

Just so you know, I consider myself no more than "intermediate".

As far as winches and mounting them on the bambie bars are concerned ~ a few points I would like to make:

• The bambie bars are held onto the frame by six 14mm bolts, not sure if you could hang a two tonne Delica with that.
• What if you need the winch at your aft end?

The best thing that I can afford right now that fulfils my parameters is a two tonne hand winch as I can use it at either end of my wagon as is demonstrated by this Russian fellow and his Delica in the video link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eprmfvQfEDs

There has been some talk about hooking a winch system to the transfer case via a PTO (Power Take Off) system. The idea being two spools, fore & aft, connected to strong parts of the frame and shifted between with a clutch system. The German Delica crew have used the PTO idea and there have been Pajeros with a similar system but over here we are still very new to the idea.

You said that you brought 20ltrs of gas.... are you not running a diesel?

What about those pictures you are developing*? Let's see your machine... smiles.

Falco.

*By the way, what are you using?

[konadog]

I'd suggest a come-along is a better option than a winch. For the amount one is likely to use it, it's a WAY cheaper option and more versatile in some ways. I've carried one for years and used it a few times. Glad I have it, but I wouldn't trade it for a winch.

[FalcoColumbarius]

I think I'm pretty much on board with you, Doggy ~ it ain't busted ~ why improve on perfection, as it were.

Having said that there is this little boy inside of me that is constantly considering the meccano aspects of doing the PTO. It wouldn't be the most practical but it could be a lot of fun and an excellent diversion at any mini-meet .

Falco.

[Ursula]

here's some pix of us on the logging road...
Yeah, it's a diesel. not gas. i know. old habit's die hard.
the wheels say "auto free hub"? I don't really know what it means for 4wd.
That old tressle sure is pretty.

[Ursula]

haven't figured out how this whole posting pictures thing works yet, sorry that they're so small...
I'll figure it out.

[mararmeisto]

If it says "Auto Free Hub" then you don't have all-the-time-shift-on-the-fly. And if your hubs aren't "clunking" when you shift into 4WD, then that's good too. There shouldn't be a clunk, otherwise you're not doing it right or there's a bit of a problem with your ride. And your wheel lock light might be burned out or the wires are damaged on the front differential (or you might have another unique Delica - there are a couple, trust me). After this many years, we're still finding some vans with something unique from all the others.

The only thing I would recommend for the back roads, especially if you're going quite a ways in - good shoes/boots. If you don't bring anything else, at least wear footwear you can walk out in. Bring all the other stuff too, but if there's one thing I learned in the navy: clean, dry socks and shoes/boots.

See you 'round. PM sent.

[Luna-Sea]

haven't figured out how this whole posting pictures thing works yet, sorry that they're so small...
I'll figure it out.

If you are on PC
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/usin ... lman2.mspx
That's the one I use for Windows XP ,there should be other ones for Vista,Win7 ect.
If you are on a Mac,well I dunno....

Even with the small pictures,you can tell you guys are enjoying
it! (the Deli looks happy too!)

Right On!

[Ursula]

yup. 2010 commercial drivers north american road atlas, vancouver island back roads mapbook., sketchy directions, trusty compass and the desire to get lost sometimes.
beats any gps system any day.
yup, if i could figure out how to run the delica off a steam engine i'd probably do that too.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Nota Bene:

• Some of the posts that were off topic, regarding map datum have been split into their own topic "Differences Between WGS & NAD Map Datum And How They Effect Maps". This thread can be found in "General Discussion". Anyone is welcome to toss their two bits in if they so desire.

Falco.

[Scratcher]

Ursula,

First thing I'd do is join the local 4x4 club, preferably a Delica group and go on a trail ride with the group. You'll learn a ton about off roading doing that and it's crazy fun.

I still talk about my first trail ride after 15 years of Jeep'in.