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My poor old Astra...
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edessex
Winch Assistant


Joined: 27 Jul 2015
Odometer: 58
Location: Nr. Stansted Airport, Herts/Essex



PostPosted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 6:17 pm    Post subject: My poor old Astra... Reply with quote

For those who didn't see my first post, I recently decided that I wanted to get back into enjoying trundling down greenlanes again, like I used to a few years back.

I do own an old Land Rover, but it has been laid up a few year, although I am now in the process of getting it back on the road. In the meantime I decided to take to the lanes in something a bit smaller.



...a 1993 Vauxhall Astra, 1.4 petrol, front wheel drive.


Obviously I have to be selective about the lanes I can use, but luckily there are some very well maintained ones around my way.

Here is a few:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1e1Hbs3V14

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWusyyClM6M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NWyYKxUjDE


It also gets used in floods...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07SH3olZkBs
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Nightbar
Difflock Royalty


Joined: 30 Sep 2003
Odometer: 20799
Location: In a state of anticipation...


1999 Land Rover Defender

PostPosted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 8:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice - thanks.
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rhinoman
Mud Obsessed


Joined: 04 Sep 2004
Odometer: 3277
Location: Brinkworth, Wilts



PostPosted: Thu Jul 30, 2015 7:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

and why not? I've often seen allsorts of cars out on the lanes, usually visiting horses in fields.
__________________________________
2000 Vitara 4u2, 3+3 lift, 33s, winch, safari rack, steel front axle and 5:83 R&Ps, LWB brakes
1986 SJ413K Pickup, 1.6 conversion
2006 Jimny JLX+, stock
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edessex
Winch Assistant


Joined: 27 Jul 2015
Odometer: 58
Location: Nr. Stansted Airport, Herts/Essex



PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2015 12:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Another little lane, a touch on the tight side though, with a steep drop on the left at the start, hidden my the undergrowth! I think my Landy would have been too wide!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gWVlaJh6Hs
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edessex
Winch Assistant


Joined: 27 Jul 2015
Odometer: 58
Location: Nr. Stansted Airport, Herts/Essex



PostPosted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 7:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have got a few greenlaning photos I wanted to post, but as I've used Facebook as a photo hosting site, I don't think they'll work here.


But, I have got some muddy photos instead!



This is private land, I purposely got the Astra stuck; thick sloppy clay gloop, nicely waterlogged and on an incline.






Didn't take much to get it stuck, but then it is insanely slippery. Out came the new purchase...

SNOW CHAINS!






They were a massive pain to put on while sunk in mud! Ended up with mud up to my elbows, but it can be done! However, I'm still not sure I fitted them correctly.




BUT, they work! Loads of mud flinging, but they soon chew into the sod and drag the car through!








Not surprisingly, it was just as awkward and messy to take them off!





I am very impressed though, I didn't think chains would do that well. I've almost got a Land Rover stuck in that spot before, when it wasn't as waterlogged!
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4x4KindaGuy
Gate Opener


Joined: 17 Jun 2015
Odometer: 27




PostPosted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 2:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

i can imagine how muddy it has been when you took the chains off. by the way, nice ride
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edessex
Winch Assistant


Joined: 27 Jul 2015
Odometer: 58
Location: Nr. Stansted Airport, Herts/Essex



PostPosted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 9:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah, I could have really done with a jetwash to hand!
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edessex
Winch Assistant


Joined: 27 Jul 2015
Odometer: 58
Location: Nr. Stansted Airport, Herts/Essex



PostPosted: Sat Mar 26, 2016 8:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Decided to brighten up the wheels a bit, not convinced though!

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edessex
Winch Assistant


Joined: 27 Jul 2015
Odometer: 58
Location: Nr. Stansted Airport, Herts/Essex



PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sign-writing on now.

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edessex
Winch Assistant


Joined: 27 Jul 2015
Odometer: 58
Location: Nr. Stansted Airport, Herts/Essex



PostPosted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 8:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Decided to park in a puddle for a quick photo opportunity...









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teamidris
Mud Obsessed


Joined: 24 Feb 2008
Odometer: 3372
Location: Staffordshire UK



PostPosted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 11:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's nice to see any vehicle get a second life Cool
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parika
Banned!


Joined: 09 May 2016
Odometer: 1




PostPosted: Mon May 09, 2016 9:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Your Atra is not poor....! Your Astra is Superb... Smile
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edessex
Winch Assistant


Joined: 27 Jul 2015
Odometer: 58
Location: Nr. Stansted Airport, Herts/Essex



PostPosted: Fri May 13, 2016 7:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks!


I don't update this as much as I could, but that's mainly because I have to specifically upload photos onto a hosting site to be able to post them, most other places I seem to be able to copy the code from Facebook.


Anyway, a few weeks back a couple of local off-roaders were kind enough to take me down some slightly harder lanes than I usually use.

The Astra does quite well in mud, but ruts are a major problem, as I just don't have the ground clearance. I usually try to straddle deep ruts, but every now and then it will slip straight into them.

It doesn't help that one of the front tyres is getting quite worn, and the loss of grip has been very noticeable!


Grounded:



Fine:



Fine:



Nice slippery rut, assistance required!



It's no surprise I bottomed out very quickly after this shot. Was trying to get up on the left (right as we look at it) to straddle, but wouldn't have it. New tyres and it might have!



Too easy:



Fine:





So, stuck a few times, but if I was on my own I could have got out of some using waffle boards or a hand winch. A couple of the lanes were a no-go though! Generally a great morning through.






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mike328
Articulating


Joined: 10 Dec 2014
Odometer: 793
Location: Suffolk!



PostPosted: Fri May 13, 2016 8:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks like fun. Get some knobblies though!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-175-65R14-Sportway...:-34AAOSwiYFXFjRL

Very Happy Very Happy

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Snap On: Turning drawers into status symbols since 1920.
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edessex
Winch Assistant


Joined: 27 Jul 2015
Odometer: 58
Location: Nr. Stansted Airport, Herts/Essex



PostPosted: Fri May 13, 2016 8:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Running a pair of Malatesta Polaris' on the front at the moment.




They have been a good all-rounder, but once they get half-worn they loose a lot of grip.

Currently on 185/65r15, stock size was 175/70r13. If I can cram 205/70r15's on there, then I can get Insa Turbo Special Traks to fit! But not sure I can go that big without the tyre rubbing the lower spring cup...
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mike328
Articulating


Joined: 10 Dec 2014
Odometer: 793
Location: Suffolk!



PostPosted: Sat May 14, 2016 12:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ah ok, they didn't look that aggressive In the pics Smile

Have you thought about getting a tyre groover and removing every other lug? turn them into mini swampers Very Happy

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edessex
Winch Assistant


Joined: 27 Jul 2015
Odometer: 58
Location: Nr. Stansted Airport, Herts/Essex



PostPosted: Sat May 14, 2016 6:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's my daily transport, so has to all stay legal, which I don't think cutting tread is. Also rack up a fair few road miles, including dual carriageways. ATs are the best mix for me, but a pair of decent MTs for laning days (not that I get much chance to put a day aside) would be great.
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marlais
Gate Opener


Joined: 03 Nov 2015
Odometer: 12
Location: United Kingdom



PostPosted: Mon May 16, 2016 1:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks like you car need a car wash.
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edessex
Winch Assistant


Joined: 27 Jul 2015
Odometer: 58
Location: Nr. Stansted Airport, Herts/Essex



PostPosted: Mon May 16, 2016 9:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

marlais wrote:
Looks like you car need a car wash.



To be honest I just let the rain do it these days!

Or if I can be bothered...

https://youtu.be/chUHgUDCSB0
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** GED **
Mud Obsessed


Joined: 18 Jun 2014
Odometer: 2039
Location: Scouser



PostPosted: Mon May 16, 2016 10:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

yup....this shit just got weird
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edessex
Winch Assistant


Joined: 27 Jul 2015
Odometer: 58
Location: Nr. Stansted Airport, Herts/Essex



PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2016 5:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You mean it only just got weird?
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** GED **
Mud Obsessed


Joined: 18 Jun 2014
Odometer: 2039
Location: Scouser



PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2016 8:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

yup.

right at the point when you said..

"i know, i`ll make a video of myself washing a car and play it in double speed"



just there.....

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edessex
Winch Assistant


Joined: 27 Jul 2015
Odometer: 58
Location: Nr. Stansted Airport, Herts/Essex



PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2016 5:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ah. Yeah, it was done as a ****-take in reply to people making videos of themselves polishing their cars for 3 hours or so, then sped up into a 5 min clip.
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** GED **
Mud Obsessed


Joined: 18 Jun 2014
Odometer: 2039
Location: Scouser



PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2016 2:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

oh......




thats ok then......



Shocked

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jojo
Mud Obsessed


Joined: 11 Aug 2007
Odometer: 5422




PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2016 7:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

edessex wrote:
Ah. Yeah, it was done as a ****-take in reply to people making videos of themselves polishing their cars for 3 hours or so, then sped up into a 5 min clip.


As it was a ****-take that explains why your poor old Astra was clean before you started to wash it.

What happend to the "little bit" of mud in the pics?

J
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edessex
Winch Assistant


Joined: 27 Jul 2015
Odometer: 58
Location: Nr. Stansted Airport, Herts/Essex



PostPosted: Fri May 20, 2016 5:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

That video was done a while before those photos, back when I was washing it every couple of weeks. ...that is how I wash it by the way, just wouldn't normally record it.

Now I put even less effort in, and let the rain do it. Most of that mud has been washed off by rain, puddles, and fords.
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edessex
Winch Assistant


Joined: 27 Jul 2015
Odometer: 58
Location: Nr. Stansted Airport, Herts/Essex



PostPosted: Fri May 20, 2016 5:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

...there is always a constant supply of new mud though, to replace the old mud that washes off...
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Scrunt44
Just got MTs


Joined: 11 Apr 2016
Odometer: 137
Location: Scotland.



PostPosted: Fri May 20, 2016 4:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It is no surprise that people who need Vehicular Rights of way that are easily messed up, for work and earning a living get pithed off at those having a wee hoolay down them making the damage even worse.

Green laning on byways might be fun but what a tame way of having fun and making life difficult for others IMO.
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edessex
Winch Assistant


Joined: 27 Jul 2015
Odometer: 58
Location: Nr. Stansted Airport, Herts/Essex



PostPosted: Fri May 20, 2016 10:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My vehicle weighs in at less than half the weight of most 4x4s, is running on all-terrain tyres, rather than mud tyres, and being a 2WD it won't get down seriously boggy lanes.

Also note the signwritting on the side, and the previous mention of private land.

Are you sure you are talking to the right person about damage?
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Scrunt44
Just got MTs


Joined: 11 Apr 2016
Odometer: 137
Location: Scotland.



PostPosted: Sat May 21, 2016 5:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

No idea if i am talking to the right person about making a mess.
You will know if you are not adding to damage to tracks.

I see now the post 1st Feb says 'it is Private Land'.

As to the weights of 4x4's, then yes many might be heavy making the average weight heavy & having your car being less than half the weight of most 4x4s, but being heavy does not automatically mean they make a mess.
Treading lightly and just passing on by often enough.
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