December 12th

[Ian Rogers]

Originally Posted by sethzilla

well i grooved my 39.5's in anticipation of snow and rocks then had to go try them out at the local mud pit of course. Broke a stub shaft and axle on my D44. Good thing i can still drive it in 2wd! The really funny thing is i had a complete Danna 44 axle in the back of my truck so i can easily replace it when i get home or even on the trail! On my way to pick up a 14 bolt mini spool from Poly Performance as soon as i get the other 44 axles in place, see you all at the truck stop in the morning! Hey what is the exit # or sign off the 5? and how far is it from Bakersfiled? Thanks guys!

SETHZILLA!

Flying J’s truck stop at the Frazier Park exit

[e9999]

isn't there a Del Taco just across from the Flying J?
If I'm a bit early I'll have a bite there IIRC...
Beard... Will be with a buddy.
E

[AMMO]

Seth, Look for the Fraizer park exit, you really CAN'T miss it it has a HUGH flying J Truck stop there...

-Ammo

[sethzilla]

axle install - no problem
spool install in 14 bolt - a few setbacks
typing a reply to this forum with only my left hand - priceless!

while tightening up the ring carrier bolts after i installed the spool, the socket broke and slipped spinning the ring gear downward, catching my finger and slamming it against the edge of the pumpkin. I split the entire fingernail and opened up a pretty big gash on my middle finger. So after i cleaned it up and bandaged it i continued with the rest of the install, so i'll see you guys in the A.M. Typing with your non-dominant hand sucks!

SETHZILLA!

[sethzilla]

i guess this snow run wasn't meant to happen for me!

I hop on the highway heading down to Gorman when i notice my gas gauge looks incredibly low for the distance i've traveled...... MAJOR CARB issues! I pulled over in Cuyama and refueled, came back home. Get this - i filled up - drove 73 miles back home and used 7/8's of my tank!! Rather than risk not even making to Gorman to come and play with you guys i figured it just wasn't meant to be...... next time!

SETHZILLA!

[e9999]

back alive, sorta....

E

[Big_Moose]

E,

Give a description of the day / trail ride..........couldn't make it this morning, problems with my ebrake

How was the trail, damage, rigs, etc............post some pictures

Joe

[e9999]

I'll just say this for now:
It was interesting...
Interesting enough that I forgot to take photos!
E

[Big_Moose]

Which way did you go - lockwood?, Yellow Jacket?, or the Miller H**P trail across the river and up the hill?
How was Alamo mountain right after the pinic / camping area? How about the last part of the trail in the small rocky sections - always interested in others opinions of this trail. Its a fun, quick, easy trail - you guys must of had fun!

[clownmidget]

running boards = 0
Miller Jeep Trail = 6


had to delete these but will post back up when I figure out how to have more pics.

[Big_Moose]

Mike,

Ouch!

Did the running boards loose the war on the last portion of the trail?

Looks like minimal mud and no snow?

Joe

[clownmidget]

Joe, too bad you and Seth and the others didn't make it. The weather was perfect. Not much in terms of snow, just patches here and there. Very little mud too. The three 80s above were essentially stock, two of them without lockers, but all made it through and over some pretty nasty crap. Jeremy's and Dave's 40s both saved the day as they both used their winches once a piece for some dragging. The sound of running boards on rocks is etched in my mind.

[Big_Moose]

Mike,

trail looks to be good shape near the end there............and the new snorkel is nice

Joe

[e9999]

this trail is deceptive, man! Lockwood in the beginning was fine. One tight spot at the very beginning and then OK.
But then right after a newb like myself became a bit more (over?)confident, you hit Miller where it got pretty gnarly for stock rigs. Basically no way one could do it without bashing metal. Several pretty tight spots between and over big pointy rocks. Add to that a sprinkling of mud, and snow and an unlocked stock rig would be hard pressed to not get stuck. Amazingly, towards the end it was steep enough and slippery enough that it was hard to walk up or down the trail without slipping and sliding. I kid you not. Where we got stuck the first time, some bikers had to dismount to go down the trail.

Congrats to Rick for major fortitude (no lockers, street tires, 4 days old truck). He had to be winched a couple of times on nasty spots but through no fault of his own, wheels just spinning trying to get over big rocks. Congrats to Sammy (no lockers, ATs) also for powering through the second nasty spot without need for winching. Nicely done! He didn't see it but got close to opening his entire right side like a sardine can!
Me, lockers and MT/Rs on a stock rig, I was able to get through everything without winching either but it was very close several times for serious body damage. Was a bit stressful, I have to admit -until you get saturation point and don't pay attention to the sound of metal being scraped anymore.
The photos of the running boards above just give the wrong impression. That damage is minor compared to what could have happened!

Thanks to the 40 gang (Jeremy, Dave, Ian) and Mike and Jim for winching when necessary and good advice and moral support (like yelling "Go, Go, Go!" and "More power!").

Folks, don't go there with a stock rig (e.g. with running boards)! Not smart! In fact plain stupid with a 15K+ rig unless you are prepared to lose at least your running boards and have a serious chance of more grievous body damage. Not to mention getting stuck on the side of the mountain (forget tow trucks there). In retrospect, I'm amazed that nobody seemed to come out with a dented rocker panel or door. (I am afraid to go look under the truck so the jury is still out on that...) Folks, don't do what I (edited per request: was "we") did. Check the trail first before going up! Don't let the 40 or built80 guys tell you the trail is easy and you'll be just fine!
(Didn't see the sign on the trail that said "Most difficult..." )
And bring a spotter. Essential!

Guys, these rigs are awesome! Looking back at the trail, I would never have thought a stock 80 could make it! Oh, and yes, those of you still looking, get the lockers!

All in all, a very interesting day. Half fun, half pure hell but certainly interesting! Would have been much more fun with sliders, though (if one doesn't lose a door)!

thanks to all

Eric

[Inverness]

What a great day.

Jim, please post our route for the day and include the Bugs Bunny like rally race from the warm toilet to civilization.

I want to thank everybody for their help and/or patients. Particularly Jeremy and Dave for pulling my heavy 80 butt over the stuff I couldn’t make over on my own and Ian for setting up the trip.

R U N N I N G B O A R D S are bad, but we all knew that before this trip.

And remember a tailpipe packed with mud is never helpful.

Rick

[65swb45]

Sounds like things got a lot more interesting after I left. I just knew I was gonna blow my other committment for the day at the pace you guys were moving. What took 2 hours going in only took me 40 minutes to backtrack alone.

Having run in the front on the way in, I didn't realize how much you guys had chewed up the trail behind me until I had to take it back out! I had at least 4 big controlled slides on the downhills. Ended up having to rescue a couple of quads stuck in the creek before I got back to the staging area.

Still a great day, awesome weather and great company.

For everyone who went and made it..............no more posting in the newbie section for you!

[sethzilla]

so my fullsize should have made it no problem huh? Sounds like you guys had a blast! and also sounds like you guys need some Hanna Quality Sliders for your 80's! I still haven't figured out the carb issue........here is a pic of my finger
[img=http://img72.exs.cx/img72/7728/finger30wx.th.jpg]

SETHZILLA

[pismojim]

Wow, great trip!

Thanks to rogersfj401969 for putting this together.

Our fearless (but directionally challenged) leader:



The rest of the group (minus Eric, Dave, and Mark):



The trail:

[pismojim]

Our route:

[pismojim]

It was steep in a few places. Add some slippery mud, ice and snow, throw in some rocks and off-camber pitches and you have a recipe for a great trip. It must have been very interesting with stock sized street tires and open diffs - right Rick?

Sam aka "The Man" drove his open diff'ed 80 Series with AUTHORITY!

Clownmidget's 80 looks and works AWESOME. The big Michliens are impressive! Still Ian's stock 69 FJ40, small tires, drum brakes, manual steering and of course no top or doors, chugged through everything with ease. The two vehicles are quite a contrast, but both get the job done.

Here's the profile:
(yeah, that's one long steep hill climb)

[e9999]

Originally Posted by 65swb45

snip

Having run in the front on the way in, I didn't realize how much you guys had chewed up the trail behind me until I had to take it back out! I had at least 4 big controlled slides on the downhills. Ended up having to rescue a couple of quads stuck in the creek before I got back to the staging area.

snip

Hi Mark, nice to have met ya!
what'd you mean by "controlled slides"?
E

[e9999]

OK, so you guys who have been places, how did the end of Miller rate as far as difficulty compared to other trails?
No idea if that is considered an easy or hard trail for serious wheelers...
Edjudicate me, please...
E

[AMMO]

E,

Is that an easy or hard trail....?

That is completely up to the person wheeling to decide and how equipped there rig is... by the sound of it there was some carnage... So for a stock inexperienced driver and rig I think you would agree it was a GREAT learning experience... Try getting some trail books, there are a good start but remember that the author has often given the trail rating and depending on there experience and rig will determine the rating.

Miller, the second half after the creek is considered "a harder tail" close to LA. You want to really see hard and head to "the hammers"... Big Bear also has some fun harder trails...

But now that you've been out and had your first taste of damage you will soon start to purchase... shall we say necessities, slider, lift for bigger tires to clear bigger ruts and clime over bigger rocks witch leads to lower gears and DON"T forget lockers, maybe a winch... You can see where this goes.

Sorry I missed the trip but next time I’m sure those of you who didn't have the "right stuff" will be better prepared.

-Ammo

[PKP80]

So I must admit that I was a little down at first getting to the check point having lost an LC brother (Freddie) to a blown freeze plug on his virgin 40 at the side of the 405 freeway, but the site of 80's and 40's, plus a few familiar faces washed all my worries away. The trail was great and I had a wonderful time getting to know everyone on the run especially PismoJim and his lovely wife. The run was great with a few challenging points, but nothing too hectic that couldn't be handled. The running boards...AHH the running boards! I have been looking for a little motivation toward purchasing a set of sliders and this trip helped out big time. Got a little pinstriping action, but nothing that some buffing wont bring out. But the wax will have to wait a little as I'm currently enjoying driving around with the tire still mounted on the roof and the mud splashed all over the body getting looks from everyone (cleaned the engine and underbody). A little frustration came on my behalf and I'm SURE others from the unnecessary lagging b/c of excessive "carefullness" we'll call it.

Do:
5. Bring plenty of food and water
4. Bring a Landcruiser and NO jeeps (as a pair of them broke our trail line)
3. Have a CB radio, just cool and handy when you are 10 cars deep and have some speed issues
2. Bring that testicular fortitude to take calculated risks and give it a little gas (when appropriate)
1. Have sliders because you don't move the rocks they move your running boards...into interesting configurations that could be sold as art.

Don't:
5. Run Street tires
4. Complain
3. Eat your lunch in the car during the first 4 hours b/c who knows how long the day will last
2. Listen to Ian (if you want to exit the park)
1. Buy Factory Running Boards

I'll try and get pics up soon. Thanks to Ian who got up everything effortlessly and planned the trip and thank you to everyone else for the good times we'll do it again soon.

LC luv,
-Sam-

[pismojim]