Greenlaning..in 2 wheel drive?

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Flying Scotsman!

Active Member
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136
Location
sunderland
I'm planning to build a 'toy' car this year. But it won't be a Landy. (Sorry!)
It's probably going to be based on a new VW beetle.
Jacked up, beefier suspension, lightened, etc.etc.

Anyway... has anyone here done any greenlanes in FWD or 2 wheel drives? Is it really just a case of finding lanes that are suitable and not too difficult?
Or has anyone here done some properly hard stuff in 2 wheel drive motors?
 
There is no single answer to this question.....

If you have traction and wheels on the ground, then 2wd is perfectly fine. But.... if you loose traction or are unable to keep the wheels firmly on the ground, then it's a different matter.

Check out some vids on YouTube of sand rails and rail buggies off road. They can conquer some serious terrain, but do this by shifting almost all their weight to the rear wheels and running much larger rear tyres.

They also tend to have fiddle brakes (a bit like trials cars). An open diff 2wd car will quickly become 1wd unless you have a way of controlling the spinning wheel.

But watch enough of these vids and you'll see that they actually getted stopped pretty easily, usually when it involves some kind of shelf, or slippery mud. And times when they can't use momentum and wheel speed/wheelspin.

At the end of the day, there are lanes I know of that you could easily drive a normal fwd hatchback along.... but there are also lanes were it would be irresponsible to take a vehicle not capable of driving along it.

And remember, it's not just the times things go to plan. But the times when you may have to do something unplanned.
 
Never thought of fiddle brakes. That's an option.
Thanks for the reply.
I just like to do things differently if I can.. I'm a sucker for punishment! :p
 
I'll have a look, but on Facebook, in one of the local groups/pages to me, there's a guy that green lanes in an old mk3 Vauxhall astra. He fitted steel rims, uses either small a/t tyres or winter tyres, may have given it a small lift, and fashioned a snorkel. He does carry other gear such as waffle boards etc too.
As far as I'm aware, he's never got stuck, and has driven a lot of different lanes. If I can find his page/profile on FB, i'll post a link for you, he may be able to give you a few pointers.
 
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