Anyone here know of any 4-Wheeling clubs in Taiwan? I recently got my wife (Taiwanese, of course) hooked on wheeling here in the states when I took her around here in Washington State and to Moab, Utah. I’ve seen more than a few muddy, lifted Jeeps, Suzukis and Mitsubishi rigs on the streets of Taipei and in the south.
Is it possible to bring my rig over there? It’s a 1987 Toyota 4Runner. I like the old 4Runners because they have the removable rear shell and mine also has a sunroof.
Also, can anyone here tell me about the legalities of modifying one’s rig in Taiwan? Specifically, suspension/body lifts, etc…
Thanks,
Yeah, bring your gas-guzzler over, pay the outrageous tax and shipping costs, and help destroy what few unspoiled trails there are here. Bring lots of plastic bags and BBQ sets so that you can leave them lying around everywhere you go, too, why don’t you?
I don’t know how 4x4-ers are regarded in the states, but here, they are pretty much universally hated by every other person who goes hiking or biking in the woods and has their day ruined by crowds of noisy, smelly and destructive jeeps.
My rig has a 2.5 litre engine that I keep properly tuned, so it doesn’t guzzle gas or make noise. Since it has a 4-stroke engine and catalytic converter, it produces less smog than a 50cc scooter.
I’m also an avid backpacker and mountain biker (I own a Specialized FSR-XC) so I tread lightly and responsibly. Not only do I not leave trash, I make a point to pick up the trash of others.
4-wheelers over here aren’t hated and we are a responsible lot because if we aren’t, trails get closed.
Perhaps I could pass the tread lightly ethic on to other 4-wheelers over there?
I’m pretty sure that my ARB bull bar and 33" tires can teach other drivers ON the road the concept of “Right-of-way”.
I agree with Sandman. The trails here, that are left unpaved, are ripped up quick smart by mad 4x4’ers.
There are so many beautiful roads here that you dont need a 4x4 to get close to it all. Get the Specialised out and have some real fun in a natural setting. This place has enough cars.
I’m pretty sure that my ARB bull bar and 33" tires can teach other drivers ON the road the concept of “Right-of-way”.
There is no space on the road (well, back lanes actually) to drive such a car. No joke, you may get stuck, especially if it’s one way and there is a queue behind you.
The www.sunriver.com.tw atlas that contains the theme photos for my
website and miracle electric pole number locator method, does say “4WD
tracks indicated” on the cover. I suppose he is talking about the
tiny white roads, many of which can be drove with 2WD. The cover also
says “GPS ready”, as he is the only publisher to put the metric grid
coordinates in, aside from the gov’t. Or you can use my “poorman’s
GPS” method of just looking at utility pole numbers, as also explained
on my website.
Doesn’t Taiwan have the world’s highest population density or
something? Therefore I don’t think you want to tear up anymore
countryside.
To all those who have complained about Taiwan’s 4x4s; please don’t take the minority and make it the majority. There are over 2000 members in the Taiwan 4x4 Association, and the majority are responsible people who care about the environment and do “Tread Lightly”. These “bad” cases quoted above are mostly from thrill seekers and joy riders. In the 7yrs I’ve been involved in Taiwan’s off-road industry I’ve never know these responsible people to drive on hiking trails. The trails that we go on are usually uncharted. If there was a trial what would be the purpose of a 4x4?
However, there are those few who do liter, spray paint rocks, etc. But don’t blame ALL the people for the acts of a small few. There are 100x more people throwing trash out their car windows while sitting at stop lights and on the freeway than there are those who go off-roading.
There are 10x more people who throw their house-hold garbage on the street, than there are those who off-road. Not just trash, but sofas, refridgerators, beds, chairs, fish tanks — you name it and I’ve probably seen it laying on the STREET somewhere.
There are also numerous hikers who throw their trash on the side of the trail.
Taiwan’s “trash throwing” problem is a (culture) thing — NOT limited to any one group.
So please, let’s not bash any one group.
And for those of you who have doubts, you are more than welcome to join us on our next outting, to see just how “clean” and “lightly” MOST of Taiwan’s off-roaders are.
To all those who have complained about Taiwan’s 4x4s; please don’t take the minority and make it the majority. There are over 2000 members in the Taiwan 4x4 Association, and the majority are responsible people who care about the environment and do “Tread Lightly”. These “bad” cases quoted above are mostly from thrill seekers and joy riders. In the 7yrs I’ve been involved in Taiwan’s off-road industry I’ve never know these responsible people to drive on hiking trails. The trails that we go on are usually uncharted. If there was a trial what would be the purpose of a 4x4?
However, there are those few who do liter, spray paint rocks, etc. But don’t blame ALL the people for the acts of a small few. There are 100x more people throwing trash out their car windows while sitting at stop lights and on the freeway than there are those who go off-roading.
There are 10x more people who throw their house-hold garbage on the street, than there are those who off-road. Not just trash, but sofas, refridgerators, beds, chairs, fish tanks — you name it and I’ve probably seen it laying on the STREET somewhere.
There are also numerous hikers who throw their trash on the side of the trail.
Taiwan’s “trash throwing” problem is a (culture) thing — NOT limited to any one group.
So please, let’s not bash any one group.
And for those of you who have doubts, you are more than welcome to join us on our next outting, to see just how “clean” and “lightly” MOST of Taiwan’s off-roaders are.
