I am not writing this because it is my cruiser. I am writing this because I am impressed with the 80 series ability to handle a tough trail in its stock form. It was not the only wagon on the trail.. there was a 100 series, and a 60 series as well. So only missing a 55 and 45 wagon on this trail.
I could not have done this run without some other jokers.. 7 Vechicles made this run. Crash's modded Toyota Truck Buggie, Bull's 100 series with the 2.5" lift, Basher's 60 series with 2.5" lift, Kerry's 40, Todd's 40, a very modded J**P... and my Stock 97 40th 80 series with stock lockers.
The trail is Isabel. Close to Gold Bar Washington. After 2 miles you need to put the vehicle in 4 low and the adventure begins with a river crossing. Steep climbs, large boulders and fallen trees laying over the road are a few of the many obstacles.
After the river crossing... you have a few switchbacks and water crossings with little room for mistake or the panel's get it. Then you hit the rocks. 1' rocks everywhere. Some very sharp and determined to kill your diff.
The first large obstacle 3 sheer rocks with 8 lined up to the right. Impossible to pass on the right with a stock ride. Everyone took the left route... I was 4th or 5th in the lineup. Bull was right in front of me. His 80 series cleared it.. some grinding and scraping. Made me a little nervous, being the first serious challange.. after 15 minutes of excitement, bull pulled me up. I honestly know I could have made it up... it we beat on the wagon some more and tried a few other paths... but instead we roped up and the 100 series pulled my locked 80 series up. It was pretty exciting hearing the grinding noises... all of which my son slept through. Every once and a while when we either dropped quickly or came to an abrupt stop... he would wake up wide eyed and say WHOA! then promply go back to sleep. I was curious to see how basher's 60 series would do on this obstacle... it was cake. Without the 2.5 and 32" wheels it would have been close to impossible.
The next serious obstacle was a very tight obstacle, which looked even harder than the first. However by staying to the right and smashing the crap out of my cheesy side steps I made it first try... got lucky. Over this one, basher bashed his right rocker/door slightly and had a harder time getting over it (living up to his name). Of course bull is flooring his 100 series over everything scraping his front bumper.. he doesn't care... Arb going on soon.
There was one other serious obstacle... I forgot what it was... I blame it on McDonnalds.. before and after food.
When we crossed the wooden bridge.. the wagons stop. From here on out.. only Locked swb or soa vechicles can make it. no sense killing the vehicles. My son and I hang out for a while and wait for the 40 series and J**P to come back down.
After they get back, Kerry's radiator has come loose... bungie cord fixed it. Todd comes down after peircing his sidewall and plugging it.... We all regroup and head down the mountain. We were almost out and Bash's truck took on some water and stalled out... after running for a few... we limp out... and it corrects. Get back to ground 0 and air up with Kerry's cool compressor (inside his engine bay).
I am overly impressed with the 80 series. It did this trail stock. Yes it has an arb on it.. yes it has a few mods.. .but nothing to the drive trail. It was a sick run. My rig does have E-Lockers... stock. If it didn't, it would not make it past the first obstacle. When I come to think of it, everyone's vehicle had lockers.
To all you guys that went! Was a sick run!
Mikesta
bull
Linear Mode
