First off road experience with the 80.

AJLFJ80 · 11-02-09, 05:34 PM

So I've had my cruiser for about 3 weeks now, and except for going back and forth up my gravel driveway, had never taken it off road. I was sitting around on my day off today and decided it would be a good time to test my low range and center locking diff. So I went for a little romp in the vineyard. I was very impressed at the lack of wheelspin that occurred, considering I was going up and down fairly steep grades with some pretty soft, damp ground. Speed control was awesome going down the steep hills and grip was amazing going up them. Very impressed and excited. And I know this thread is worthless w/o pics, so...

luk4mud · 11-02-09, 06:09 PM

Nice rig. The wheelbase really makes climbing easy, compared to my old jeep. So far, I don't miss the jeep.

Amazing they marketed these things to the soccer moms isn't it? I like the "look" I get from the jeep owners when I show up at a trailhead. After a couple of hills/ rock gardens, the "look" goes away and they start inspecting it closer.

Roverrad95 · 11-02-09, 06:12 PM

You should come down to Santa Barbara and do some trails with us. I've got an 80 and a 100, a lot of friends have Tacos, some troopers, a pathfinder etc. We usually go light to moderate due to some inexperience (probably on my end), but always have a blast. If not, I got some trails down here if you ever need some.

AJLFJ80 · 11-02-09, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roverrad95

You should come down to Santa Barbara and do some trails with us. I've got an 80 and a 100, a lot of friends have Tacos, some troopers, a pathfinder etc. We usually go light to moderate due to some inexperience (probably on my end), but always have a blast. If not, I got some trails down here if you ever need some.

Like I ever need an excuse to come down to SB

Whereabouts do you go trailing? I know SB fairly well.

greentruck · 11-02-09, 06:33 PM

I know you folks in California are proud of your wine and you must have some pretty fine vineyards.

But if you want to see some real hills in vineyards, you have to go to the Rhinegau, the slope north from the east-west flowing Rhine River as it flows from Wiesbaden to Lorch. Crazy up and down hills there, totally vineyarded or whatever the word would be (engraped?

). I was lucky enough to go to high school over there. Drinking age? Who cares

!!!

Glad to see the 80 is getting the legs stretched.

Our new/used will not get that for a few more weeks. Got the plates today, so heading to the garage righ now to slap 'em on. Probably to the U.P. in Michigan or somewhere up that way, either over Thanksgiving break or the year-end holidays after the grading gets done.

AJLFJ80 · 11-02-09, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greentruck

I know you folks in California are proud of your wine and you must have some pretty fine vineyards.

But if you want to see some real hills in vineyards, you have to go to the Rhinegau, the slope north from the east-west flowing Rhine River as it flows from Wiesbaden to Lorch. Crazy up and down hills there, totally vineyarded or whatever the word would be (engraped?

). I was lucky enough to go to high school over there. Drinking age? Who cares

!!!

Glad to see the 80 is getting the legs stretched.

Our new/used will not get that for a few more weeks. Got the plates today, so heading to the garage righ now to slap 'em on. Probably to the U.P. in Michigan or somewhere up that way, either over Thanksgiving break or the year-end holidays after the grading gets done.

Pardon my lack of being cultured in state geography between Nevada and Ohio, but where exactly are you talking about?

FirstToy · 11-02-09, 08:05 PM

Hey, Surf n Turf is in your hood. Hit the beach and meet 300+ cruiserheads!
realcruiser.com

AJLFJ80 · 11-02-09, 08:13 PM

I am well aware of SnT going on in south SLO county this weekend...unfortunately, my work schedule is not impressed.

greentruck · 11-02-09, 08:39 PM

Whoops, left a few too many brain cell overseas. That would be in Hesse, was West Germany, now just Germany. Sorry about the confusion, you can't drive there from here, just makes a good story.

The 80 fans on the Continent will understand, though.

Roverrad95 · 11-02-09, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJLFJ80

Like I ever need an excuse to come down to SB

Whereabouts do you go trailing? I know SB fairly well.

Well, what's funny is that I never liked the Santa Barbara trails, they were always too... nice. Ever fire road is so well maintained (unlike Agoura Hills, where my buddy lives and we have more fun).

HOWEVER it rained a lot the other day. It's really muddy up there now. And as we speak, my Cruiser is COVERED in mud, the pictures are crappy, but believe me, it is coated...

This sunday we took Camino Cielo (ie where all the murders were) and what's great is that there are a lot of sub trails that we take. It splits too, so we can either go to Solvang or Santa Ynez (next to Chumash Casino), which we did the Casino. We brought a few girls, told them we were going to the casino, just didn't tell them how.

Roverrad95 · 11-02-09, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstToy

Hey, Surf n Turf is in your hood. Hit the beach and meet 300+ cruiserheads!
realcruiser.com

Can I come?

And if so, can I bring my LX470 (it's technically a 100)

AJLFJ80 · 11-02-09, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roverrad95

Well, what's funny is that I never liked the Santa Barbara trails, they were always too... nice. Ever fire road is so well maintained (unlike Agoura Hills, where my buddy lives and we have more fun).

HOWEVER it rained a lot the other day. It's really muddy up there now. And as we speak, my Cruiser is COVERED in mud, the pictures are crappy, but believe me, it is coated...

This sunday we took Camino Cielo (ie where all the murders were) and what's great is that there are a lot of sub trails that we take. It splits too, so we can either go to Solvang or Santa Ynez (next to Chumash Casino), which we did the Casino. We brought a few girls, told them we were going to the casino, just didn't tell them how.

So can you access those trails via hwy 154? I'm not familiar with Camino Cielo actually. Sounds like fun though. Muddy is good

AJLFJ80 · 11-02-09, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greentruck

Whoops, left a few too many brain cell overseas. That would be in Hesse, was West Germany, now just Germany. Sorry about the confusion, you can't drive there from here, just makes a good story.

The 80 fans on the Continent will understand, though.

Ah, way off...Das Gewurtztraminer sehr gut!

Roverrad95 · 11-02-09, 10:31 PM

Yep, from where you are, 101 south to State/154. Take 154 into the mountains. There will be a sign on the right pointing to the road on the left. The road is Kinevan. Take it, it will fork into Kinevan and Camino Cielo. Take Camino Cielo. FOLLOW THE ROAD ALL THE WAY TO THE END (it will take awhile). There will be a permanently open gate, that states "No offroad vehicles" but it does say on the sign that "legally registered motor vehicles" are allowed.

Off road vehicles means non registered trucks. YOU MUST HAVE CURRENT REGISTRATION! I haven't seen anyone out there, but apparently they occasionally do have some troopers at the ends of the road.

As for the mud, yeah it was a freakin blast. Can't tell you how many times I had to stop and scrub down my headlights and windshield.

You will need low range if you stray on the sub trails, but if you stay on the major, well maintained part, A4WD should be fine. 2wd pickups probably will get stuck in the mud (as we saw one), if it will be as wet as yesterday.

Also, bring a flashlight. It gets dark up there early. If you go alone, keep in mind its a long long long trail, you break down by yourself, your screwed cause it is a long long long walk. Most of it has no cell phone reception too.

AJLFJ80 · 11-02-09, 10:42 PM

Yeah, going to an unfamiliar place alone with a still-unfamiliar vehicle is probably not a great idea. I'm definitely down to check it out sometime though. There's isn't much to do up here unless you go play around in the Pismo dunes.

wakesetter · 11-02-09, 10:53 PM

AJLF80- Hit me up some time to go do high mountain area, pismo, Cauycous, or whatever.

roverrad95- I would love to do the 154 trails or Agoura. I have never wheeled in either of those areas. We drove over 154 on Sunday in the area that you are talking about and I was wondering about off roading out there. Come up for SnT this weekend if you have the time. All Toyotas are welcome.

AJLFJ80 · 11-02-09, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wakesetter

AJLF80- Hit me up some time to go do high mountain area, pismo, Cauycous, or whatever.

roverrad95- I would love to do the 154 trails or Agoura. I have never wheeled in either of those areas. We drove over 154 on Sunday in the area that you are talking about and I was wondering about off roading out there. Come up for SnT this weekend if you have the time. All Toyotas are welcome.

Cauycous sounds like it would be fun. What kind of trails do they have around there? I haven't been there in a minute.

wakesetter · 11-03-09, 07:22 AM

cayucous has a little area between hwy 1 and Whale rock res. that is pretty fun. Its not really an "off road area" but people cruise out there. There are a couple of tough spots that lockers will definately help with. Amazing view from the top of the hill towards the ocean and east over the res. The old entrances are blocked off now, but there is still a way in.

Do you have any mods on your cruiser? lockers?

lndcruz · 11-03-09, 10:12 AM

Every time i take mine off road im amazed at how capable it is in stock form. Epecially with lockers

AJLFJ80 · 11-03-09, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wakesetter

cayucous has a little area between hwy 1 and Whale rock res. that is pretty fun. Its not really an "off road area" but people cruise out there. There are a couple of tough spots that lockers will definately help with. Amazing view from the top of the hill towards the ocean and east over the res. The old entrances are blocked off now, but there is still a way in.

Do you have any mods on your cruiser? lockers?

Stock, no lockers. Hey, I just recently got the thing.

johnsonf18 · 11-03-09, 02:53 PM

Nice work, very capable and fun rig, as you are finding out.

AJLFJ80 · 11-03-09, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnsonf18

Nice work, very capable and fun rig, as you are finding out.

It's a night and day difference from my Ford Ranger 4x4....the Ranger would be spinning its rear wheels even going up the most moderate of grades, plus the ride was rough. The 80 just digs in and climbs with very little drama. It's amazing.

wakesetter · 11-03-09, 05:47 PM

See you at least pulled the running boards. Great first step. Any chance you will make it to Surf N Turf this weekend? Any place to lift and stuff? If so you should have gotten into the group buy for the MetalTech bumpers and sliders. they are pretty damn nice stock.

wakesetter · 11-03-09, 05:48 PM

See you at least pulled the running boards. Great first step. Any chance you will make it to Surf N Turf this weekend? Any plans to lift and stuff? If so you should have gotten into the group buy for the MetalTech bumpers and sliders. the cruisers are pretty damn nice stock though.

AJLFJ80 · 11-03-09, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wakesetter

See you at least pulled the running boards. Great first step. Any chance you will make it to Surf N Turf this weekend? Any plans to lift and stuff? If so you should have gotten into the group buy for the MetalTech bumpers and sliders. the cruisers are pretty **** nice stock though.

Running boards and rear bumper caps have been pulled, see sig

AJLFJ80 · 11-03-09, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wakesetter

See you at least pulled the running boards. Great first step. Any chance you will make it to Surf N Turf this weekend? Any plans to lift and stuff? If so you should have gotten into the group buy for the MetalTech bumpers and sliders. the cruisers are pretty **** nice stock though.

First plans are going to include a bigger tire/wheel combo, I'm in serious discussions with a guy who wants to get rid of his 33x12.5 m/ts AND crager 15x10 wheels. I've read that 33" will fit with minimal rubbing, so I think that's what I'll do first. I also need to do some maint. stuff, I have a little bit of an annoying oil leak right now that's coming from the valve cover. After that, I'll probably look into the OME lift. As far as sliders and such? I'm not PLANNING to do any big-time serious wheeling (this is my DD as well), so I will take that on a case-by-case basis.

And as far as SnT goes, my work schedule dictates that I work weekends, because that's when all the out-of-town wine buyers come to PR. My days off are usually in the beginning of the week. Cursed hospitality industry