Rubithon 2009

[beno]

Since Jon asked about it, here is a short story regarding the recent trip to the Rubicon Trail in California.

I drove out in my 80 to Sacramento to Crusierdrew's abode. Next day we picked up CruiserDan from the airport--he was going to be my passenger until Sarah (and the kids in Stickers) showed up for the official start of the Cruiserdrew-led Wagon Run on June 17th.

A small NorCal group started in Tahoe City on Saturday night, and Sunday we started the Rubicon Trail from the Tahoe City side (the north end above Cadillac Hill, which is historically the "exit" to the 'Con). We had the following group:

Alvaro Rodriguez (+3 crazy Venezuelans from Caracas): FZJ80

Tom Ferrin (80 series--he only went down Cadillac Hill and parked the rig full of food, beer, etc. inside of his rid left at Rubicon Springs)

Robbie Antonson+ Ty: 1993 FZJ80 + trailer that was left at the Springs

Rick Cortez, son Griffin, and friend Radio Dale: FZJ80

David Usem (passenger)

Cruiserdrew and son Jeff: FJ40

and Dan and Myself in my 80....

We ran the Rubicon backwards and ended up at Loon Lake on Tuesday night. The Wagon Run began on Weds. and we had a total of 18 wagons + Andy's FJ40.

Then we ran the entire trail back again to the Springs for two days of relaxing, swimming, socializing, fixing trucks, eating, drinking, etc.

I left on Saturday the 20th and drove all the way back to ABQ and made it to work first thing Monday AM....

All-in-all: epic trip--ran the Rubicon Trail twice in one week--and it really was a different trail going one way as opposed to going the other way--all of the obstacles are now on a different side of the truck--equal opportunity body damage.

In all reality, I probably could have escaped most of the damage on my rig if I was a bit more careful and cautious and asked for a spot on almost every obstacle. I didn't and really didn't care too much about body damage--you've all seen my POS rig, so it really didn't get much worse. Most of the door panels and the like will be popped back out and all the doors will eventually close again...

Anyway, here are some pics I took, or pics that were taken with my camera:

http://s186.photobucket.com/albums/x...view=slideshow

I wholeheartedly recommend doing this trip--it really is a test of your truck as well as your driving abilities. You really don't get much of a break the entire time you wheel--it's non-stop concentration considering one wrong move and you could end up rolling 500 feet...or worse.

-o-

[BionicCruiser]

funny, 2 years later and i can peg where every one of those pics were taken. I gotta get back to that trail, it was a ton of fun!

what say you guys? in 2 years a hdcruisers take over of the Rubithon?

[beno]

Originally Posted by BionicCruiser

funny, 2 years later and i can peg where every one of those pics were taken. I gotta get back to that trail, it was a ton of fun!

what say you guys? in 2 years a hdcruisers take over of the Rubithon?

I'm in.

I won't miss that run again--it is everything I want wheeling to be.

[pappy]

Two years? Why wait that long? I say we gang up on them NEXT YEAR.

[pappy]

Originally Posted by beno

Anyway, here are some pics I took, or pics that were taken with my camera:

Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

-o-

Those pics were great. I would guess judging from the grins on folks faces everybody had a great time.

[Cruiserdrew]

Originally Posted by pappy

Two years? Why wait that long? I say we gang up on them NEXT YEAR.

DO IT. I'd love to have the HD group on the wagon run.

Rubithon is a blast, and the trail is a real test.

Nice pics Onur. That was a great week.

[beno]

Originally Posted by pappy

Two years? Why wait that long? I say we gang up on them NEXT YEAR.

That's the spirit Jon.

[Daisy 53]

Awesome stuff Onur, looks like a great time!
Daisy

[DanS HJ-45]

Funny.

I was just trying to convince Kate to build here 4-runner for the Rubicon today, after seeing Onur's pictures. Either that, of I'm going to have to buy a beater for some body damage (great--another project)....

It simply looks too awesome not too.

Is the rubicon doable with 33s and a single locker?

Dan

[alia176]

I'll drive someone else's 80 through the Rubi but not mine

[Cruiserdrew]

Originally Posted by DanS HJ-45

.

Is the rubicon doable with 33s and a single locker?

Dan

Not really. Sure you'll "make it" but...

You'll beat the truck with momentum shots on every hard spot.
You'll shy away from all the challenging sections.
You'll get more body damage than you need to.

The ingredients for a fun Rubicon trip, in order:

1-Gear reduction, the more the better. Crawl boxes, low geared transmissions all work.
2-Generous lifts. I know sky high SOAs look dangerous, but they work on the Rubicon
3-Lockers. There is no substitute.
4-Big tires help.
5-Winch, and the humility to spool it out and use it.

[Rudical]

Originally Posted by alia176

I'll drive someone else's 80 through the Rubi but not mine

If I can find a good deal on a second one by then, you are on (Not my 40th for sure)!

[pappy]

Originally Posted by alia176

I'll drive someone else's 80 through the Rubi but not mine

Come 'awn Ali! You have two.

[alia176]

Originally Posted by pappy

Come 'awn Ali! You have two.

Yeah, and they're both still in decent shape for a reason. An 80 just doesn't belong in the Rubi, I don't care what anyone says. Hell, I've seen a Mercedes AWD SUV being dragged through the Rubi few years ago but it doesn't mean that it belongs there either!

In addition to what Andy said above, you need a "skinny" and a shorter body vehicle. My old Grand Cherokee with the V8 would've been a great Rubi candidate on 35"s.

When I used to live in Reno, we ran the Rubi with YJs,FJ40's and minis w/o any drama/trauma. The 80s are fat, heavy pigs that give you tons of grief at just about most obstacles. I think more time is spent on stressing out on the body and undercarriage damage than on enjoying the challenges of the trail and the beauty of the scenery.

Just an opinion.

[spressomon]

Great pics Onur! Looks like everyone was having a fun time...which is the goal eh?!

[BionicCruiser]

Originally Posted by pappy

Two years? Why wait that long? I say we gang up on them NEXT YEAR.

I said that because next summer we are going to a family reunion in Montana in July. i can't really afford 2 trips that far in the same year and to take a month off in the summer is impossible. being kinda selfish by suggesting 2 years from now so i can go.

[pappy]

Originally Posted by Cruiserdrew

DO IT. I'd love to have the HD group on the wagon run.

Yes, we are a heavy duty group.

Originally Posted by BionicCruiser

I said that because next summer we are going to a family reunion in Montana in July. i can't really afford 2 trips that far in the same year and to take a month off in the summer is impossible. being kinda selfish by suggesting 2 years from now so i can go.

OK, so we go two years in a row.

[alia176]

Originally Posted by pappy

OK, so we go two years in a row.

You ARE talking about the same group that can't seem to go camping trips locally, right?

[pappy]

Originally Posted by alia176

You ARE talking about the same group that can't seem to go camping trips locally, right?

Yep. But this is also the same group that manages Cruise Moab each year, plus a trip to Moab in October. That on top of a few tradional runs like the snow run, and Super Bowl Sunday run.

We can do it with a year to plan.

[BionicCruiser]

it does seems the father away the run, the better attendance is, doesn't it. i guarantee if a group goes one year they will want to go back. that trail is an epic blast!