I just got a 2000 Discovery II as project with my dad. I'll be driving it to school when I get my license, but also want to learn about driving it off-road, too. Are there any courses in Northern California that anyone can recommend that we can take together?

 

http://www.landrover.com/us/en/lr/ex...s/quail-lodge/

Otherwise just join a Land Rover club and go out with the guys and have them show you the ropes.
Drive as slow as possible but as fast as necessary.
Start off small and slow, like wet grass fields, then move up to from there.
Watch lots of video's on youtube and soak it all in.

 

Get in touch with the Northern California Land Rover club out of the Bay area, a good friendly bunch, they will take you on some of their trail runs.
First though, you need to do a complete maintance on the truck so it is trail ready, ready for the chalange?

 

Thank you for the suggestions. I looked at the Northern California Land Rover club site and it looks cool. I will sign up for a membership.

The truck had a 90K service at the beginning of the year. We had a PPI done by a mechanic who specializes in Land Rovers and said that everything looked good except it needed a front drive shaft rebuild and valve cover gaskets and we get it back on Tuesday (I hope). I read the 60K service items on the sticky and I think we have them all done.

My dad had me do lots of research out here before getting my Discovery. I've been watching the videos on YouTube, too. I learned a lot already so I think I'm ready and cant' wait.

Do you know if I can drive by myself on the trails or does someone have to ride with me?

 

Driving on the trails without a valid drivers license is up to you and your dad.
I used to drive around the farm all day long as well as in the woods while cutting/hauling fire wood.
But that was a long time ago.
I cant recommend it, but I let my 9 year old daughter drive my truck in a field while we were getting our Christmas tree.

 

Just remember, off road mistakes can cost lots of $$ to fix!

Plus sometimes stuff breaks, more $$.

 

Allow me to be the first to say, you have one way-cool dangerously close to totally awesome dad.

At any rate, glad to have you at the forum! There's lots of young guys on here (I'm 24) so you shouldn't feel too weird. Except for DiscoMike, we usually call him "gramps" (or "grumps" depending on his mood).



Oh! Take pics!! I wanna see em!

 

check with land rover experience school at the quail lodge. Not sure if you are able to get lessons due to your age. But if you can't have you and your dad go together and learn together. The lessons alone will teach you confidence on and off road. If you do drive you will get a feel for a vehicle that is heavier then a honda and takes longer to stop the faster you go. But remember from all of us at Land Rover to you please pay attention. Your vehicle may protect you in an accident but it can easily kill someone else because you are not paying attention. Its bigger and heavier so please get to know the vehicle. We appreciate your patronage but as a first time driver please remember to pay attention, follow the rules whether on or offroad and finally to get to know your vehicle and its capabilities.

 

@ShortTom, yeah, my dad's cool but if I say he's totally awesome I'd never hear the end of it (he does read these threads....). I'm really happy to be on the forum because I've already learned a lot and what to look out for. BTW, that's a pic of my truck in my signature.

@Rovin4life, I do respect the vehicle and that's why I want to learn to drive it the right way.