Brand new to the 4x4 world.

[watb21]

My son just turned 5 and I own 10 acres of dirt/trees 2 miles from Shaver lake that we use for camping.  I thought it would be fun to get into the 4x4 world and take advantage of all the area offers.  I just bought an 86 4Runner 22RE 5 speed with 420,000 miles on it from the original owner that is in great shape for the age/mileage to pull behind my RV and take on trails with my family around the Shaver area.  I have so many questions...  I'd like to advance my rig as my skills and knowledge advance but I'm in no hurry to build some awesome crawler right away with my lack of experience and knowledge. 

I'm sure much of what I'm about to ask is covered elsewhere in this forum and I'll investigate it after this post, but if anyone wants to post links that they like I'd appreciate the help.

What trails are best for a novice with a stock IFS 4Runner in the central sierra's?
Is it worth it to do much to the IFS or should I just put a few hundred a month away and save up for a SAS, I want a capable rig but I don't necessarily need a "go anywhere" rig either.
Best clubs in the Fresno Clovis area?  I'd like to go with people I could learn from. 
Best threads for newbies like myself?

I have many more questions but I'll comb through this forum and try to find answers/suggestions. 

[Snowtoy]

Welcome to the board, and a new hobby.

With where you are at, a set of 31" AT's or MT's, body protection, and recovery gear is all you need to start with, plenty of places you can go now w/o experience, and with it, plenty of places to go before needing any upgrades.  Wheeling 80-90% mental 10-20% vehocle, hobby, and is best learned by keeping your skills ahead of the vehicle.  The only upgrade at this time that I would opt for if the funds are available, would be dual cases, being able to crawl on the trail will help out a lot, and not hamper your learning experience.

No need to be concerned with the IFS limiting your ability, the main drawback is the steering linkage, it doesn't take trail impacts at speed, so you have to be a little smarter with the skinny pedal and trail obstacles.

The best thing to do is build your rig as you go, to fit your needs, and then only do an SAS if/when you need it, have had a few friends start off with an SAS, just to find it was something that they didn't need.

[toe]

 

[Slabzilla]

  2 Marlinland. I agree with Snowtoy, Go slow and easy, see your line where you think would make for the smoothest ride down the trail and get to know your vehicle until you become one with the controls and it's quirks.

[Snowtoy]

X2

One of the most important things to learn is where the wheels of the Runner are so you can keep track of trail obstacles that you will be putting a tire on, and being spotted.  The best way to learn is on the trail, however if wont be hitting the trail 2-3 times a month, you can practice both wheel placement and spotting in an empty parking lot with pop cans, a couple sections of 2"8" nailed together, or rubber cones, and trying to put your tires on them/missing them with the front and trying put a rear tire on them, having someone spot you placing/avoiding them with your tires in forward and reverse, preferably using hand signals and not voice commands, as you can't always here someone one the trail.

[Slabzilla]

More great advice Snowtoy!     Find some place to get used to shifting  your transfercase into each position and get the feel for them, preferably on dirt so you don't bind up the drive line, don't do this on hard surfaces.

[toyoboy]

 

[fireitup]