how hard do you wheel?

[Dain Bramage]

looking around, i see a lot really straight cruisers, many with some mild to moderate lifts, a couple more extreme ones, but not many dents. so what kind of wheeling do you guys do? fire roads (is that even wheeling?)? mild, wide open trails? or are you guys just really good drivers who know and respect the limits of your rigs?not trying to start anything here, just kinda curious.

[SOCALFJ]

I used to rockcrawl out at the hammers... now i just drive dirt roads and explore. Got burnt out on going to the same trails time after time. Lot less stress this way. See a ton more than i ever did and I dont break half the crap i used too. I dont have to trailer my rig anymore and i can take a trailer if i want.

[D'Animal]

Rubicon once or twice a year.

Dusey Irsham twice a year.

Several trips to Bald Mountain outside of Fresno, CA.

I'm set up with 2F, H42, Rock Box, 3:1Orion, 4:11's on 35's with Rock Ram steering and Longfields up front. I have the ARB in the front and a Detroit in the rear. SOR 4"

Most things are like a trail ride. But the springs have very little flex to them so they kinda limit me.

[azzzuki]

Moab once a year (Prithcet,Steel Bender,Metal Masher,ect)( Smasher Canyon ,az ,Brutal Canyon Az, Terminator ,calatrol damage.....u get the picture.....................................There not rock crawlin buggies so u just gota watch ur line and know where yr goin.

[esh]

I usually favor shooting the "good" side of the wagon.

My FJ62 has been all over the west and on many known but many more unknown paths. It is amazing what an A440f, a 3FE and 33" tires will do without lockers or usually without 4wd.

My trail 40 has done plenty of harder core wheeling and it shows.

But regardless of showing damage on the truck, I've migrated to runs that are more about seeing the country and especially remote, harder to get to country. I get bored running the same trails over and over and worrying about whether I will break or need to carry enough spares, materials, and tools to get out of a hardcore trail. That's not where my joy is.

[Front Range 4x4]

Originally Posted by esh

I usually favor shooting the "good" side of the wagon.

My FJ62 has been all over the west and on many known but many more unknown paths. It is amazing what an A440f, a 3FE and 33" tires will do without lockers or usually without 4wd.

Add a rear locker and it's even better

I'm fairly conservative but there's an awful lot of trails in CO and I tend to prefer wandering than looking for specific trails. More of a "hey, let's see where this goes" wheeling. I shy away from known damage trails since I don't get pleasure from damage but if I happen upon something challenging I give it a shot. I have some dents and the truck looks like I spend my time running trails that are 12" too narrow but that's life. I'm told they buff out but I'm skeptical

[calstyl2]

Moab once a year, most of the 4 or 4+ trails, ie Hells, Spike, BHTR, Cliffhanger, Rim, someday Pritchett, Socal Desert, Hammers, Tierra Del Sol/Occitillo Wells, Big Bear and Parker Strip areas, Some days I like the rough hardcore stuff, somedays I like the 2wd desert roads that go to some far of hide away place without ripping the truck apart,

[splitshot]

I've settled down quite a bit after being close to going over a couple of times. The weight of my 80lb lab in the passenger seat saved my butt on one occation. Moderate rock crawling, but mostly exploring and hunting and fishing excursions.

[killer1954]

Deer Valley over Labor Day Weekend on the FJ45 run was the toughest trail I've been on. I've had my FJ40 for 31 years. I drive it to and from the trail and want to keep it that way. I'm not a thrill-seeker. I want my vehicle to take me off the beaten path away from the masses, mostly for camping. I love the outdoors and taking pictures when out there. My truck constantly impresses me and quite frankly, it survives despite my extremely limited wheeling skillz. (use of the word "skillz" was meant to fool the younger folk into thinking I'm way cool for an old dude) :-)

[Front Range 4x4]

Originally Posted by killer1954

(use of the word "skillz" was meant to fool the younger folk into thinking I'm way cool for an old dude) :-)

[2badfjs]

HARDCORE WEB WHEELER HERE!!!

i don't get out much

[TCH2FLY]

Originally Posted by red cruiser

I have some dents and the truck looks like I spend my time running trails that are 12" too narrow but that's life. I'm told they buff out but I'm skeptical

Hey Chris, whoever told you that rear qtr will buff out .... well they lied

When it comes to trails I guess we all have different ideas of what is easy

or difficult, but this is pretty typical stuff for me...





I didn't build my truck rockcrawl but if that is what is in the windshield, so be it. I really enjoy getting out in the woods so easy or tough isn't really the goal.
I've run most of the "difficult" trails in CO and have a couple little scrapes ...but you have to look for them. Not sure if it's skill or luck (I guess having some armor doesn't hurt either )

[Front Range 4x4]

Originally Posted by TCH2FLY

Hey Chris, whoever told you that rear qtr will buff out .... well they lied

When it comes to trails I guess we all have different ideas of what is easy

Mike, you mean the scrape when I backed into the fallen tree on Slaughterhouse isn't going to buff out?

or where I didn't follow your line and dragged the roof's chrome on the tree on the tippy section?

or... gee, guess you're right!

Look forward to wheeling with you again! Spending this weekend in Buena Vista.

[Front Range 4x4]

Oh, great pics Mike! Where were the last couple taken?



Poughkeepsie - damned long tail keeps getting in the way!

Imogene - easy trail, fantastic scenery!

[TCH2FLY]

Originally Posted by red cruiser

Look forward to wheeling with you again! Spending this weekend in Buena Vista.

Yep had fun on BOWAGWR, we will have hook up ...maybe a Leaf Peeper Run. BV is a great area have a good time!

Originally Posted by red cruiser

Oh, great pics Mike! Where were the last couple taken?

The 3rd pic, in rock field, was this year on the first leg of the RS Triple Bypass run, near the top of Italian Creek. The last pic was on Old Chinamans on Labor Day. Both of those are near BV

Nice Pics I was sorry I already had plans for labor Day, the Ouray run looked like a blast .... and the Millers are great leaders!

[Mark W]

Originally Posted by Dain Bramage

looking around, i see a lot really straight cruisers, many with some mild to moderate lifts, a couple more extreme ones, but not many dents. so what kind of wheeling do you guys do? fire roads (is that even wheeling?)? mild, wide open trails? or are you guys just really good drivers who know and respect the limits of your rigs?not trying to start anything here, just kinda curious.

Looking around where?


Mark...

[tim.korn.99]

If you drive an 80 and your stock rear control arms don't look like this: ~

Then you're not wheeling it hard enough.

But mine's a trail only trailer queen, i suppose if it was a daily driver i'd be easier on it.

-Tim

[D'Animal]

Originally Posted by killer1954

Deer Valley over Labor Day Weekend on the FJ45 run was the toughest trail I've been on.

And you did an outstanding job wheeling it through the trails!

[killer1954]

Well thanks, Dan. I had an awesome time up there. The biggest dent I have on the 40 is actually from the "trail" leading out of my garage with the mrs at the wheel hehehe um, I mean, the Rubicon, 1977, yeah, that's the ticket :-)

[JJS]

I haven't wheeled a rig of my own in a while. Mostly, I've always ran trails through the woods, up mountains, etc. I like a mixed bag. I don't like all mud and I don't like all rocks. I wouldn't say that I have ever wheeled extremely hard...I've never rolled.

I don't know what I'm going to do in the future. My priorities have kinda changed, and I really just want a rig to get to get me to remote fishing and hunting spots for the most part.

[65swb45]

I don't build trucks to go looking for trouble, but to make sure I can deal with it when trouble finds me. So far that calls for drawing the line at the Hammers, which just seems like looking for trouble. Have or plan to try just about everything else. A dozen times thru the 'Con, half a dozen on the Dusy, and a boatload of trips to the cali desert, where the washboard takes its own special kind of toll.

Sometimes I still wonder how I haven't rolled once in 25 years of wheeling, when I've had the trucks to the edge [literally, hanging from cables] so many times. I think driving slow helps a lot.

As far as body damage goes, it's amazing what a rattle can can do. Good enough for the cover of Toyota Trails!

[killer1954]

It was nice hanging out with you, a guy that can make a washer from a spring on the side of the road and can entertain you around the campfire. I'll never think of "Stairway to Heaven" quite the same way again ;-)

[JoeCanadian]

Originally Posted by Dain Bramage

looking around, i see a lot really straight cruisers, many with some mild to moderate lifts, a couple more extreme ones, but not many dents. so what kind of wheeling do you guys do? fire roads (is that even wheeling?)? mild, wide open trails? or are you guys just really good drivers who know and respect the limits of your rigs?not trying to start anything here, just kinda curious.

well i dumped my rig into 22 feet of water and swam to the beach. is that hard or mild??

Vancouver Island submerged truck recovery expedetion

http://forum.ih8mud.com/trails-events-expeditions/183337-vancouver-island-submerged-truck-recovery-expedition.html

[High Desert]

this is about a tough as it gets..sometimes the driveway has snow on it but then I usually take my sidekick in case some dumbass S.O.B. slides over my way..

Last winter I was out getting groceries and it rained a little...I was gonna get out and lock my hubs but I had my wingtips and a nice shirt on so I just toughed it out and made it home.

I was going to take the Cruiser to a KOA over in Sisters and camp but I couldn't get my mechanic on the phone to see if it needed serviced. I just sat in the garage and looked at it that weekend..gee it gets cold out there! But I keep the Cruiser covered so I think it's okay...

[cruiserhead]

I don`t have a straight panel on my truck.Either I`m wheelin` it hard or I don`t know how to drive it yet.