Newbie: suggest an easy route

I'm a complete newbie. Just got a 2001 Xtracab V6 manual TRD. I'm having it looked over by Central Coast 4X4 next week and will address anything major that it needs. (Definitely due for a timing belt etc.)

I'll never be a true rock crawler, but I want to get familiar with using the 4x4 features. I'm interested in suggestions for how/where to get started with something really easy, preferably scenic and within a couple hours of home in Santa Cruz. Maybe Hollister Hills SVRA? Or Old Coast Rd down in Big Sur?

I'm "using the search" of course, but I'm also open to all kinds of suggestions and advice. I'd even "take a class" if such a thing were offered somewhere.

Thanks,
Dan

 

This is a good way to get started:

http://www.4x4training.com/

The "getting started" class held at hungry valley in socal gives a good grounding in basics. I took it back in 2010.

Hollister hills may not be a great place to go explore on your own without some experience first. The green trails are basically dirt roads you could drive in the family mini van. But the blue trails can turn unexpectedly challenging on you, based on wear and erosion, and/or missing/nonexistant trail markers.

Over the coming winter, there'll likely be a couple of TW runs to that area. Just bring a modicum of caution - the group dynamic can sometimes cause folks to try and take on a more challenging obstacle then they're quite ready for.

This is a great guide to some beginner friendly scenic routes:

Backcountry Adventures Northern California: The Ultimate Guide to the Backcountry for Anyone with a Sport Utility Vehicle

http://www.amazon.com/Backcountry-A...VAq8k1L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR124,160_

This will show you some of the other routes:

$26 Guide to California Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails (FunTreks Guidebooks)

http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Califor...r1&keywords=4x4+routes+in+california+in+books

The main thing to make sure of equipment-wise before you start out is to have good all-terrain tires, a sound spare tire and tools to change it, gloves, recovery strap and a shackle that fits your front recovery point and a receiver without a ball that you can put a shackle in from the rear, and other basic preparedness gear like you'd take if you were going hiking or traveling in a less-travelled wilderness area.

From there, in terms of equipment and truck modifications, the sky's the limit.

 

Thanks for the helpful reply.
Dan

 

more than anything else let people know where you're going, don't go anywhere alone if you can help it, and if you go anywhere, make sure you have the equipment to pull one another out or at least ditch your vehicle and head back to some place safe to get people who have the equipment to retrieve it.