After Moab

[Blue Phoenix]

Last weekend I took my first trip ever to Moab, which was also the first major trail experience I have had with the 80 over a long duration. Impressions: Moab and the LX were truly amazing. Some things I will need for next time...
1. I need lift- Im thinking 4 inches now
2. My rocker panels tell me I need sliders...oops.
3. Front and rear bumpers...I dragged more than a few times on some of the obstacles.
4. So many other things that you guys are the only ones that will understand.

I did not intend this to be so long, but I have read so many threads on here about the reasons why people have gotten their landcruisers and many of the reasons I see are because of experiences people have had in others. My friend now is vigorously looking for his own locked 80 now after going on a few of the trails around here. The children I took off roading with me all said they "want one of these" when they grow up. I myself have moved from the point where this vehicle is sort of a novelty to me to having a full appreciation for where it allows me to go.
Again, I dont mean to get all sappy at all, but even MY WIFE now wants to go to Yellowstone and Glacier for our summer vacation to camp instead of visiting her family.
So I guess thanks for the inspiration you guys have shown me here on this site and I look forward to showing my own progress some day in the ROTW threads.

[Blue Phoenix]

Pics...

[FirstToy]

that's awesome, look fwd to seeing your buildup!

[Falco80]

Glad your having fun and enjoying your 80, because thats generally what we build em for! A bit of lift makes a world of differance, and you'll won't look back once you have some extra ground clearance. I run a 4" lift and it's a great compromise for me, as my 80 is my daily driver. Good luck bud, looking forward to more pics!

[rchalmers3]

Blue Pheonix,

Your post is a great inspiration, thanks!

Rick

[4x4CPOSEADOG]

Wow! That's a nice LX with no rust prone roof rack but with OEM lockers. You're very lucky to have a rare LX and a wife who rather go camping than visiting her family.

[Ting]

My first LX has no roof rack too, and it has SuperCharged, and lockers too. It was exact color too.. I miss her....dang

[Blue Phoenix]

IF ONLY it had a supercharger....Thanks for the responses.

[vladi80]

hey blue, what tire size you have on yours..? it feels you the gap nicely.

[1shot1kill]

Let the mods begin!

[TrickyT]

So what trails in Moab did you go on?

['74 UA FJ]

x2, what size tires are you running? I'd like to tackle moab but don't know enough about it to determine if I will end up trashing my stock 80 if I do.

[Doc]

I will say that you should have 33's at a minimum to do the famous moab trails. I still have 33's on mine and only really got hung up once on Golden Spike. 35's would definately be nice to have there.

[Bluetribal]

So let's see how bad you got your rockers.....

[Blue Phoenix]

Im running 295s at the moment with no rubbing on even the roughest trails I ran. Some of the trails I ran were Tower Arch in Arches NP, Dome Plateau, and Green River Canyon. I used Charles Wells books predominantly and was impressed with the accuracy of waypoints he sets.
By the way, as you can see my vehicle is bone stock with the exception of the tires and lockers. I had considered relocating the spare for the trip, but even on the "most moderate" of trails the most I did was drag the weight of the vehicle on the hitch. I barely rubbed my rockers (pics later today) but my main concern was my cats, so sliders for sure before next time.
I would say dont hesitate taking a stock 80, minus tires, to Moab. I pulled over for a group of H1 and H3s coming the opposite way on a trail and I swear every one of them had a look or a comment. One guy ever asked if I was having vehicle trouble! I just laughed and kept going.
I'll try and post more pics up later today for you guys interested in the trails just to give an idea. Thanks for the comments.

[elhombre]

Sorry to inform you that you are now infected with a disease for which there is no cure. You will soon begin to spend your hard earned money on "treatments" to only find out that other more expensive treatments are reqiured. Uninfected friends may look at you wierd and shake their heads when you tell them of your problems. But, take comfort in all the new friends who will wave to you as you drive down the road, for we are all victims of this insidious disease.

Next time in Moab, go to the Canyonlands Needles district and camp out in the Devils Kitchen campsites or any other 4x4 campsites out there. Once your old lady experiences the places out there, you shouldn't have any problem getting permission to spend that money. Worked for me!

[The Claw]

Hi,

Nice LX! Mine is same color with Roof Rack and some other mods. Picked it up in Nov. 2007 and keep thinking up excuses to drive it, even to work. Wheeled in snow this year and impressed some of my J**P friends. They had never wheeled with an 80 before. I kept finding better lines over hidden rocks, downed tree and tree wells. Only got delayed 3 times and winched them out more than a couple of times. Hoping to go to Moab in the next year or two. In the mean time will have to make do with the stuff in my back yard.

Welcome

The Claw

[Blue Phoenix]

hahaha this is the "old lady"...he wanted me to see the pics he put up and all y'all's responses. Trust me I was dreading this trip but was surprised at myself that I enjoyed it so much!! I'm not sure about all the expenses I'll "allow" but if it means we get to go on more trails (with more amazing views) then I guess I'll just have to suck it up and let it roll....