Builds GCRad1's 1992 ADV80 LAND CRUISER (2 Viewers)

GCRad1 · Mar 1, 2011

Here is a Jeeper on pizza cutters so my buddy is interested to see how he does because he basically in the same rig:

And he goes up in flying colors! OK, this mission is moving forward!

NEXT:

Up up and away!!!!

NEXT:

WOW! There where MONSTER TRUCKS out on the trail today!!! Turbo diesel and power down!

Everyone was so affraid of going into the ditch, it was turn one at Talladega and metal down!!!

NEXT:

He came to play, and knew how to...

NEXT:

Rubicon without the rocks, just lots of snowpack.

He doesn't care if the rocks are missing, he's moving on to the top! Maybe there are some rocks up there...

Then, its our turn! The ADV80 works like a champ! As we crest the hill, we see a lot of the rigs sitting at the pull out. Not sure if they are contining on up or going back down?

Recce01 and I are heading on up!

As long as we can make forward progression, we will attempt to summit.

GCRad1 · Mar 1, 2011

palomar Mountain Snow Covered Mini-Adventure 2/26/2011

So why are we sitting on snow?

There is some great scenery...

you guessed it! More stuck throttle-jocky-ditch-diggers.

The Toyota came down from the top and made for a squeeze between himself and the ditch for the big truck.

These two trucks finally make it out of the ditch and we could hear the big trucks with BIG POWER making BIG NOISE as they where obviously upset and just wanted there play time to be over.

So we are making way and we could see the result of BIG TRUCK POWER as we made our way on up...

and then....

The band decided to get back together!!!

We run up on the throttle jockies again:

That truck in the front has a funny angle to it....

Time for some more scenic shots:

And we are rolling:

:smiley_drive:

GCRad1 · Mar 1, 2011

Palomar Mountain Snow Covered Mini-Adventure 2/26/2011

We finally make it to the top!:victory:

But we have lost a lot of time and part of our trip is yet to start as I would like to shoot some video of our new R/C product doing some snow runs. First I have to see if this new product will even run in the snow. So we are off to find a no-crowd loction to test & film.

We find a good first test spot, but we want more. We go from place to place, in search of that perfect spot. A lot of places, we just could not get off the road as the snow plows have formed large banks of snow.

But the views where awesome!

We make our way to the Palomar Observatory and the parking lot is closed, so a couple of spots we spotted on the way out here, we will go back and investigate a little closer.

We find our second spot.

We are in sothern California, maybe 50-miles from the ocean and just epic scenery!

We get in and We get out, get our feet soaked and get our filming done! Mission accomplished!

Time to head home!

Recce01's Jeep on Pizza Cutters did just fine! I need some of those rally light on my rig too!

The terrain down here is just awesome! We will have to explore more in and around Julian, Ca. since my buddy Recce01 is living there. So from this scenic montain view, snow covered!:

To the ocean sunset with palm trees. This is from HWY5 just north of the 76HWY.

And I am headed home from an AWESOME DAY, the epic one-day Quicky-Adventure!!! :sombrero:

TIRE REPORT:

I've had only one other day with this rig in the snow and I am still very pleased with the capability of the Falken High Country A/T Tires! I am still in stock 31X10.50 mode, but for now, this is the perfect size. I call them the best all-round dual-sport tire!

lndcruz · Mar 1, 2011

Looks like fun :cheers:

96bruzer · Mar 1, 2011

Cool truck, amazing trails and beautiful scenery!

GCRad1 · Mar 10, 2011

Writting up the Palomar Moutain Trip Report [Post #119/Page-6] had me searching back for a particular Trip Report only to discover that I somehow missed posting my first "snow outting" in the ADV80. :whoops: :doh:

Must have been the job-change between it all...

So I back-posted the trip report inside a previous post. :wrench:

[click the link below for those who have already read the previous pages]
Snow Day in Big Bear - Feb 15th, 2010 - Post #113/Page-6

Thanks for following along! More trips in the very near future with some upgrades coming as well!

pholife · Mar 18, 2011

i see your impala in boardwalk/hb area with a for sale sign recently.....is this correct....more importantlys nice cruiser!

cruiserruf · Mar 18, 2011

looks like tons of fun!!

GCRad1 · Mar 21, 2011

Drive the ADV80 from OC to RENO - HWY 395 - G6 Challenge Maddness

Drive the ADV80 Land Cruiser from OC to RENO via HWY 395 to the G6 Challenge “Maddness”
March 11-13, 2011

I made my mind up that I needed to go up to Reno Nevada, more specifically Sparks NV for the fourth round of the RECON G6 Maddness R/C Adventure Challenge. The company I work for, Axial Inc., manufactures radio controlled vehicles specifically in the crawl & adventure segments of the R/C global marketplace.

Yes, everything we think and do in the full-size [1:1 scale] world also gets done in the scaled down world of the radio controlled hobby community. Rock crawling has been wildly popular in recent years, yet the transition as been shifting to a more “overland adventure,” “adventure challenge” or “adventure crawl” style of events. No matter what you call it, all aspects of 4X4 is happening in scale replica form!

So, my story begins with my old 1992 Toyota Land Cruiser AKA: ADV80. It’s a heavy beast and slow with its under-powered 3FE in-line six engine. But it will get you there, with four-way flashers a flashing as you crawl at 45mph on any given freeway mountain pass with incline. At my age, I’m in no rush, nor is my ADV80. But, it has character and cool cache. It doesn’t have a functioning air conditioner but it has custom prickle-bush paint scrapped pin-stripping! It’s a mostly “sound” vehicle as most of the preventative maintenance items have been covered for reliability, but has a few issues that still need attention that require dead presidents. Biggest upgrade would be the more durable than stock Falken High Country tires and while they are not your traditional knobby, I like them more for their all-round performance and I have labeled them a great “dual-sport” tire like you would see on a dual-sport motorcycle. All in all, my truck is reliable. So, meandering out for a thousand-plus mile round-trip, no problem!

The event was scheduled for Saturday March 12th so I planned on driving up on the day before. My plan is to drive up the more scenic route of HWY 395 that starts in Victorville, CA and runs North along the backside of the Sierra National Forest. This is a popular route for Southern Californians making their weekend get-a-ways to Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort, passing through Ridgecrest and Bishop along the way. This weekend would be no different as it seemed every vehicles had human-gravity-powered powder-traversing devises in tow, ie: skis and/or snowboards. My purpose for taking the scenic route 395 to Reno also includes plans to scout visual backdrop locations to lay our next-to-come Wraith 1/10 scale Rock Racer Buggy against for some scenic video action. The 5FWY route does not offer the visual excitement that the HWY395 offers, nor in such variety. OK, maybe it does if I looked hard enough, but for us “adventure-minded” set, the HWY395 is the best bet!

It has been a long time since I have driven up HWY395 and I do not count the quick run out to Kramer Junction better known as Four-Corners last year for a desert motorcycle ride. The first thing I noticed on this trip is that the desert is getting its spring colors in. It started with the purple just outside of Victorville and shifted to yellow by Ridgecrest. So I had to do a little bit of filming in these locations. All along the way white blanketed Sierra Mountain’s that run the length of 395. Its amazing just how much snow is lining the rim of Owens Valley! By the time I get to Mammoth I decide I need some white backdrop so I pull over again to do a little more filming. I shot some previous snow footy on Palomar Mountain so I just wanted to add a bit more variety when we get to cutting all our footage together.

My trip was just a visual blur the rest of the way to Reno, passing through little-town after little-town and making mental notes, need to check that out and need to check that out all along the way. Basically if it was on the right side of the road I would pull over and give it the quick visual and if it was on the left side of the road I would stop in those locations on the way back.

The main objective of my trip to Reno was to visit with Axial team driver, Brian Parker and check out his event called the RECON G6 Challenge “Maddness” Edition. My experience at the G6 Challenge in Sparks, Nevada was super cool! Think of it as an expedition challenge of sort, just way scaled down to one-tenth size. The event is comprised of radio controlled enthusiast pitting their Axial SCX10 based vehicles against gnarly terrain specified by Parker, event director and course designer. Some 300-gate markers define a course along an estimated half-mile on portions of the Beckwourth Trail located alongside the Truckee River, specificly at the Rivers Edge RV Park.

Brain lays out courses to challenge the enthusiast to the highest level where drivers have to navigate through brush and rocks and a lot of times over large rocks. Think of it as a Rubicon challenge. Parker will also challenge drivers with the surrounding urban environment as the park has a mix of curbs, stumps, pipes, grates and broken concrete pieces that can make for technical challenges. There is also some visual navigation as Brian likes to mentally challenge the drivers as the gate markers are various color on the left, pertaining to the course, but red markers are always on the right. All the gates are numbered so that drivers can follow the numerical sequence, but can provide a visual challenge when you get get in an area where there are six sets of gates clustered together. You may have just passed through gate #27 and the next closest set of gates is #32 so you must scan the area and follow the numerical sequence and remember to pass through the gate with the red marker always on the American standard passenger side of the vehicle. Yes, a couple of guys have built their rigs to look like right-hand-drive imports! The G6 Challenge events provide more drive-time than any other organized R/C event with course times from 45-minutes to 1.45-hours+! Yes, batteries and supplies must be carried along with snacks and water for such events. This all adds to the adventure and makes for great day for the enthusiast! You can check out the G6 Challenge event report on the Axial blog by [clicking this link].

The long day is over and the following morning I am back on HWY395 and heading back home! I stop where the HWY 89 connects to 395 around Topaz. the 89 is closed due to snow, but off on the side is some interesting landscape that catches my eye so I set up the video camera and do some filming.

While filming I discover a geocache box under a rock of which I was driving the the new Axial Wraith rig across. My buddy said it is called “Russelling” a geocache when you discover one without the use or aid of GPS. Russell of the Survivor Series was said to have found clues easily, I’m not sure about all this, it’s just what I was told when I told a buddy about my little discovery.

I went back to my ADV80 and got out my GPS and marked my location and added a sticker sheet to the geocache box. Finish up my action packed footy session and pack up and get back out on the 395 highway and put it in the direction of home.

But, I remembered this awesome cliffside resort and the closest proximity of the mountain to the road of any section along the way. I remember it being very tall or sheer-cliff and very close to the road and even if neither, it is for sure the most abstract and radical looking of any rocky section along the route, so I have to stop and investigate.

The Medowcliff Resport in Coleville, CA looks like it could be a very good place to film and even hold a R/C comp. I met the owner of the resort and we hiked up to the large but tight canyon that cut into the wall that is directly behind his resort. He pointed out the flag on top of the cliff and said it takes him about a hour and forty-five minutes to hike up the long easy route and about twenty-five minutes to decend the short chute. So all in all, this will be a place to investigate at a later date for both filming and possible comp. Check it out at Meadowcliff Lodge & RV Resort - The Jewel of California's Eastern Sierras - Walker River Bridgeport Bodie Yosemite Mono Lake

Back in the ADV80 and back on the road only to find a few more side attractions.

On the way its back into elevations and snow on the ground. I do not know why we are so attracted to snow with our rigs and same time knowing I’m not properly equipped, I still want to flirt with getting my rig out deep in the snow. But this time I know better as I do not have time to waste on being stuck for two or three hours as the usual case for these types of sticky situations. Plus a couple of these areas have not seen fresh tracks for a while and especially a couple have not seen new tracks since passing by these locations only two days earlier. So I best be on good behavior and not put my truck past my talent level. This is no place to run short on talent as they say. But to position my ADV80 in the snow with the scenic background is just too tempting and I manage to wrangle my rig into some good spots and remove my self.

Next stops are McGee Creek and Hilton Creek. My father-in-law comes up here every year for “Openers” of the fishing season. I followed alongside the 395 on the Crowly Lake Drive for the more scenic view. Jumped on the 395 around Toms Place only to jump off again at another side road that just seemed to catch my eye. I just remember the sign saying nine miles to somewhere and it just all seemed downhill and I thought to myself this was going to be a long steep climb back up. Only I did not come back up and out this way.

This road I took is called Old Sherwin Grade Road and it dives down into this steep awesome canyon and climbs its way back up and over into an adjacent canyon. At this ridge is a lookout of which I saw a little dirt two-track and of course I follow it up to the top overlook for epic views!
Looking back to where I had just came from shows me the twisty road I descended down and across the other way reveals the valley below and to what I think may be the 395 again. I decided that I should just continue on and see if this truly does connect back up to the 395. I happen upon a very small community and their sign stating a population of 120. The sign reads PARADISE Population 120 Elevation 5,000. If you search Paradise CA in google maps, you will wind up with the wrong place. On the map it is called Swall Meadows, CA. Home to Steven Ingram Nature Photography. Check out his fine art prints, awesome stuff. I would like to change that population sign to 124. Me + family, OK, Pop: 125 Me + family + dog who thinks she is a person too!

Never enough, but my sight-seeing needs to be set aside for another time and I need to make miles toward home. I soon roll through Bishop, CA and this town has just grown over the years. Peanut shells falling to the floor and steady miles clicking off toward home down highway 395 with the rest of the weekend warriors coming out of the hills and heading home!

The Falken High Country Tires worked great for this on-road / off-road trips, where most of the miles where on-road. This has been the single largest trip on these tires and again, these tires have been great! I got to get some more stuff on my rig so I will have something else to talk about besides these awesome tires!!!

Next Event:
April 2, 2011
RECON G6 Challenge “Gamblers Paradise”
Las Vegas, NV
Actual course location is not given until 24-hrs prior to the event.

WHAT IS THE RECON G6 Challenge?

Cool HWY 395 info:Welcome to 395.com

94SRUNNER · Mar 28, 2011

GCRad1..this is a great running thread of your life with the 80. Well done and keep up the updates!

80BajaBound · Apr 7, 2011

What a great read. We've got to meet up for an adventure!

GCRad1 · Jul 8, 2011

Wood Top Safari Sniper Roof Rack

I have had this Garvin Industries - Wilderness Roof Rack on my rig for some time now and I came across a good idea while reading AFRICA4X4Cafe as it showed me the purpose and great idea for running a sheet of plywood on the roof of my rig! For me, without A/C STILL, I had a trip coming up and wanted a way to cut down on heat! Having the sheet of plywood on the roof provides a thermal barrier. But would it work as in actually keep my rig cooler inside? Only one way to find out!

I removed the long runners and will lay the plywood directly in there place.

Cut the wood to fit and ready to toss it up top.

I will use T-nuts to bolt the plywood sheet to the roof rack.

Wood is in place. Yea, I know there are a thousand little details that I could have done like make the sheet go all the way from side to side instead of setting it inside the bolts that hold the rack to the roof. It's just a test run sheet... if it works and I like it, I can come back and take more time and do it better. My trip is coming up quick...

So its time to bolt it down.... ooops! Screws are too short! Strap it and off to HomeDepot.

HomeDepot's bolts where a scratch too long... Good thing I have a die-grinder!

Bolts are cut and ready for a road test and the temp is warming up!

GCRad1 · Jul 9, 2011

ADV80 Travelogue: HWY 395 to Cisco Grove Campground

As some of you know I work in the R/C Hobby industry and with Axial who makes great rock crawlers and overland adventure type rigs. We host an event for the past five years up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This past couple of years it has been at Cisco Grove Campground located just over the Donner Pass Ridge towards Sacramento. This is my first year as I started with Axial in December 2010. The event is called the Axial West Coast Championships and people make a whole vacation of it and we all camp out there.

With a few weeks of fever-pitch AWCC pre-event preparation behind us, we were excited to get out of the office! There is just something about traveling and getting out to see new landscapes that is exciting. We have our GPS coordinates set for Cisco Grove Campground located just below Donner Pass in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. With this being a road trip with opportunity to see old friends, make new ones, camp out in tents, drive R/C vehicles in the name of competition and get our G6 challenge on, all makes for a fun trip in store!

June 21, 2011, It was the Tuesday prior to the AWCC Finals weekend. Brad "Bender" Dumont and myself are loaded into the ADV80 like well rehearsed Mt Everest sherpa's with a military CH-47 Chinook!

It's just the two of us traveling in my rig, but we are loaded to the roof! I was avoiding the wind drag as I have a fully capable roof rack. But we are liable to pick up something on the way back and may need valuable cargo space!

Our route starts with the 91-FWY that sends the largest portion of Orange County residents from the O.C. Eastwardly. Our road-trip should be approximately a twelve hour seated endevor as we are choosing to drive up the more scenic HWY 395 to the Sierra’s.
Now you know why I am eager to for solutions of the cheap nature for keeping the intorior as cool as possible and hopefully that sheet of plywood on the roof will aid in the matter. I spent my money on getting the tie-rods replaced, the front end alligned and wheels balanced and rotated. Plus new front brake shoes. So there went the A/C monies. Plywood was free as I found it in the trash as someone had used it as a pallot with "feet" on it so I knocked the feet off, and slapped it on my roof!

No trip is without the potential for drama and or accidentals. Brad and I are just in morning motion as we drive along, the morning sun is starting to creep over the mountains. Everything is just clicking along serene and smooth as we making our way from the 91FWY and onto the 15FWY. The 15FWY has this section before the Cajon Pass that is rough due to the amount of heavy loaded trucks getting out of "Dodge" but more known more for 18-wheelers getting knocking over due to high winds, and while it may have had the smallest of breezes we witnessed this horrific accident first hand!

But wind did not strike this rider down as we where traveling east. He was struck by a tire that came from a vehicle traveling in the west bound lane. The tire struck the motorcycle diagonally on his front wheel at such speed that it knocked the motorcycle over and out of control. Look at the image above and note how the front fender is bent inward as this was the impact point of the car tire that flew from the other side of the freeway. We never saw the wheel coming from the other lane as the bike blocked our vision of the flying tire! I had to change lanes quick to avoid running over the motorcycle and rider as they slid from two lanes left of me. It was a horrific moment! The rider was coherent, but suffered a broken left arm from our observation. Police and peramedics where quick onto the scene. Another driver stopped along with a few others, but this particular driver was behind us and saw the tire come from the other lane. Brad and I looked at each other with grief and disbelief and we both knew at that moment, if it was not for the biker, that tire would have hit my rig for sure! Talk about early wake up!!! Once CHP & paramedics arrived and we update them of the situation I chose to continue on and chose to do so as I have seen and been involved in my fair share of motorcycle accidents. I can handle all of my own pain but get the "heebeegeebee's" with other's pain. All this gives me the flashbacks for which I have to count my blessings and I now always ride with the "jewelry" Leatt Brace!

OK, let's get back to calm and serene:

AND SCENIC! Cool old ghost town in-them-there-hills!

In "desert season" you will see hundreds of off roaders from from all vehicular aspects hanging round the ghost town of Randsburg. Especially the General Store and they serve food and AWESOME MILK SHAKES!

Jeff and Brent are traveling in the AXL Motorhome as we meet up along the freeway.

It's June and still signs of snow on the mountains as we skirt the Sequoia National Forest.

Refuel time:

Brent's girlfriend hooked him/us up with some cupcakes!!! WOW! Talk about refueling!

Back on the road and next stop is Bishop with a purpose!

The main purpose to stop in Bishop is for the Meadow Farms Country Smoke House!

The door at Meadow Farms Country Smoke House...

All kinds come through here!
And all kinds of cool vehicles come through the parking lot too:

My ADV80 will get the overland expedition treatment one day! Things to add and check off the list:
__ Snorkel
__ Winch
__ Suspension
__ Rear Mounted Spare
__ Gas / Water Can
__ GET A/C FIXED FIRST!!!

GCRad1 · Jul 9, 2011

ADV80 Travelogue: HWY 395 to Cisco Grove Campground

Back on the road...

Co-piloting and cupcakes make for nap nap time. Bender bending time - teleporting himself to the rocks already...

Snow coverage is a bit thicker as we traverse north.

Got any more of those cupcakes in there? Just put one on the stick and hand it out the window!

Mono Lake

She will be coming around the mountain when she comes... How does that song go? The AXL-MH rolling into the big metropolitan city of Bridgeport, Ca.

Where they watch paint dry for fun:

The all-mighty ADV80!

More scenic views as we are making our way to the "big mountains!"

Hey, what are those things called again?

SIGNS! Oh yea, almost forgot! And we get to make a navigational change too!

Just up and over that little hill and we will be looking down onto Lake Tahoe!

It's been over fifteen years since I have seen this lake!

And back to Southern California in the blink of an eye! Did Brad take over this thread? Did he teleport himself through the event and back home already?

No... Just some good ol' Lake Tahoe road construction...

More climbing and we know we are getting close!

Coming up on Donner Pass and I get a history lesson from my Co-pilot!

Now we know we are close!

Check in time and sort the details... Pink floaties or purple raft?

GCRad1 · Jul 9, 2011

ADV80 Travelogue: HWY 395 to Cisco Grove Campground

Camp is made and time for some quick dinner from chef Brent Brammer. Have you seen his cooking show? The one with the BBQ and pork chops... oh, sorry, they had to take that one down too!?

Brent fires up the "quick stove":

This is just the first meal for the week and his cooking is simply AWESOME!!!
With further investigation I find out that he was a restaraunt chef. Oh, this is going to be a great week!

It's night:30 and a good night! It was a long day! Time to crawl into my sleeping bag.

GCRad1 · Aug 7, 2011

ICON VEHICLE DYNAMICS HD 2.5 V.S. Series Piggy-Back Shock for 80-Series TLC

Over the course of a few weeks, ICON Vehicle Dynamics is using my 80-Series for test fitment and specifications for their HD 2.5 V.S. Series Piggy-Back Shocks and the recently released V.S. Series 2.0 Aluminum Shock line.

I've know Dylan Evans of ICON Vehicle Dynamics since his days at Sway-A-way as he built a custom syspension system for my 1998 Ford Escort ZX2 Rally Car. The system he built for us took the more abuse and punishment than Pre-Runners and desert trucks as we asked our suspesion to do the same job as those trucks with almost half the travel! We did build in more travel than what is readily avaialble than most rally-spec Subaru's.

Pictured above: HD 2.5 V.S. Series Piggy-Back Shock

ICON has recently released their new V.S. Series 2.0 Aluminum Shock line. These shocks will take the place of the 2.0 Performance Series. What ICON will be working on with my 80-Series is fitment and specifications for the VS Series 2.0 Aluminum Shock Line as well as the HD 2.5 V.S. Series.

Look at that bling in contrast to the wimpy soft stock spring. ICON tested the stock front and read spring rates at 120lbs and 160lbs. That will be addressed and improved as well on another session down the road.

So lets see what the RTI Score is...

Rear tire was 27" off the ground.

Front was 26" off the ground.

Ramp Travel Index Score *684 to **691 the Fork Lift Way...
RAMP TRAVEL INDEX - what it is all about:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramp_travel_index

HOW YOU MEASURE IT:
The distance traveled up the ramp is then measured and is divided by the vehicle's wheelbase and finally multiplied by 1000 to give a final RTI score. Most stock SUVs have RTI values from 400 to 550; vehicles modified for off-road competition have the ability to exceed 1000.

Ramp Dist Travel ÷ Wheelbase X 1000 = RTI Score

The 80-Series wheelbase is 2,850 mm (112.2 in)
Ramps Distrance [averaged between front 26" and rear 27'] so 26.5" average.

Ramp Dist Travel [26.5] ÷ Wheelbase [112.2] X 1000 = RTI Score 236.18 OK, this is not correct as most stock SUVs have RTI values from 400 to 550.

THE FORK LIFT WAY - RTI:
Found this: <a href="http://www.offroaders.com/info/tech-corner/rti.htm" rel="nofollow">www.offroaders.com/info/tech-corner/rti.htm</a>

If using a fork lift you would measure where the tire meets the pallet to the floor. With this measurement you calculate the score like this: Since a 20 degree ramp rises at .345 inches per inch of travel, divide the height of the lifted tire by .345 (for 20 degrees). Then divide that number by your vehicles wheelbase. Multiply that number by 1000. The result is your RTI score on a 20 degree ramp. While the ramp is a true measurement of your RTI this calculated method is pretty close. The calculator below does the math for you and allows for different ramp angles.

Since a 20 degree ramp rises at .345 inches per inch of travel,

divide the height of the lifted tire by .345 (for 20 degrees).
26.5 ÷ .345 = 76.811594202898551 ÷ 112.2 =

Then divide that number by your vehicles wheelbase.
76.811594202898551 ÷ 112.2 = 0.684595313751324

Multiply that number by 1000.
0.684595313751324 X 1000 = *684.595313751323982

The result is your RTI score on a 20 degree ramp. While the ramp is a true measurement of your RTI this calculated method is pretty close. The calculator below does the math for you and allows for different ramp angles.

RTI Calculator [bottom of page] <a href="http://www.offroaders.com/info/tech-corner/rti.htm" rel="nofollow">www.offroaders.com/info/tech-corner/rti.htm</a>
Your RTI score is **691Degrees Tested: 20ª
On the ramp ...
you would have traveled: 77.48081660432182 inches up a 20ª degree ramp

Dylan Evans with the red eyes, is he a Toyota fan or just an evil suspesion master or how about both!

I know you guys will have technical questions and will give you specifications on the shocks soon as well.

The short side feedback: AWESOME! great ride - not harsh, solid supportive feel and I got about an inch lift as my original shocks where SHOT!. But, anything would have been better than the worn out stock suspension i was previously on, so a more constructive feedback will develop as we get out and test it more and develop the whole package.

KS-Ryan · Sep 15, 2011

Rodney, how are your Falken's holding up? Mine have 8,000 miles on them and are already down to 9/32". At this rate, they will be at 0/32" at 17,000. What's your wear looking like? I love these tires, but the wear is terrible.

GCRad1 · Sep 16, 2011

Falken High Country Tires

Hello ctrj,

OK, WOW! Now I am not going to sit here judge your situation with all the information at hand, but something seems very wrong with your rig if you have that much wear - that fast! Did you have your front end aligned at time of putting the new tires on? Seeing how they wear may lend to seeing what is going on.
Do you have a thread on 'mud-here where we can look at your tire wear?

ctrj said:
Rodney, how are your Falken's holding up? Mine have 8,000 miles on them and are already down to 9/32". At this rate, they will be at 0/32" at 17,000. What's your wear looking like? I love these tires, but the wear is terrible.

GCRad1 · Sep 16, 2011

The ADV80 - Long Term Falken High Country Tires Report

The ADV80 - Long Term Falken High Country Tires Report:

This is when I put them on >click here for original post link<:

Falken Tires installed at mileage: 173,161
July 30, 2009

September 2, 2011

So this makes for 27,239 Miles on the Falken High Country Tires.
By the looks of them I might make it through this winter on them.

KS-Ryan · Sep 17, 2011

Your center rib looks worse than mine. Grab a tread depth gauge and measure yours.

I have no thread to look at. My tires are load range E and I've run them at 40 psi and finally settled on 30 psi since the center was wearing so quickly. I did have an alignment done and also have rotated the tires once.

Heck, these replaced a set of BFG MT KM2's and they had a lot more miles on them and were only half-worn when I sold them. I sent an email to Falken, but I doubt they do anything. They'll say I don't have any receipts for a rotation and that I did something wrong. Can't do something that wrong if all the tires are half worn!

You have 27k miles on yours and you "might make the winter"? They are rated for 50k miles. You're not going to get anywhere near that either.

I've had Firestone Destination MT's, Nitto Terra Grapplers, Goodyear MT/R's, and BFG MT KM2's and have never experienced wear like this. Heck, even my rockcrawling Jeep from years ago had tires last longer than this.

Builds GCRad1's 1992 ADV80 LAND CRUISER (2 Viewers)

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Builds GCRad1's 1992 ADV80 LAND CRUISER (2 Viewers)

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