Events/Trails 9th Annual 100s in the Hills *SILVERTON COLORADO* July 24-29 2019

[TheHomeBuilder]

@TheHomeBuilder , from Cincinnati do you go SW through Louisville or NW through Indy to hook up to I-70?

Last time I went through Louisville since my best friend lives there and it's slightly more scenic. It's about 25 minutes slower for me to go that way though. Not sure what I'll do this year. I finally convinced him (more importantly his wife) to come out to HIH, so they are flying out there for the weekend.

 

[aging fleet]

Last time I went through Louisville since my best friend lives there and it's slightly more scenic. It's about 25 minutes slower for me to go that way though. Not sure what I'll do this year. I finally convinced him (more importantly his wife) to come out to HIH, so they are flying out there for the weekend.

Good deal. I'm not sure what day I'll leave Columbus, but there is a chance we'll cross paths on I-70. In 2017, I overnighted in Junction City Kansas on day one then Gunnison Co on day 2. I'll likely do something similar this year.

 

[marcfj60]

Are one of the stock bumpers more of a problem than the other one? If I was going to upgrade one, which should I change?

In the rear I have the factory trailer hitch.

You don't "need" to do either of them, especially if you've got the receiver hitch in the rear to help with dragging the back end. I've had my 100 for 10 years and only got a rear bumper a year ago. My personal opinion is that the rear bumper should come first because I dragged the OEM bumper on all kinds of stuff through the years. The only damage the front bumper got was from a bad spotter that let me get too close to a rock wall. Also, getting the spare tire out from under the rear of the vehicle will reduce its likelihood of getting damaged while dragging the back end over something. If you decide to buy one, make sure you seriously consider getting it from one of the event sponsors like Bump It Off-Road, Dissent or Metal-Tech.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

Just going to put this right here for the folks that are shipping

@Riverrunner

 

[neilsen100]

Are one of the stock bumpers more of a problem than the other one? If I was going to upgrade one, which should I change?

In the rear I have the factory trailer hitch.

I completely agree with the others that say you don't need either, certainly not for HIH. But want is another question. After the first year of ownership and use, my wife and I replaced the rear first because it fit our use case best. We use the LX for road trips and camping. I also like to bring my mountain bike. Getting into the back of the vehicle with the hitch mounted bike rack on the stock hitch was difficult for me, impossible for my wife. With the swing out design of Dissent, and a hitch on one of the swing outs, my wife can now open the back one handed.

Also not mentioned too much here but certainly my experience. The stock front bumper does quite a bit as a wind fairing over the front tires. After replacing the front bumper I saw a notice drop in MPG on highway driving.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

I completely agree with the others that say you don't need either, certainly not for HIH. But want is another question. After the first year of ownership and use, my wife and I replaced the rear first because it fit our use case best. We use the LX for road trips and camping. I also like to bring my mountain bike. Getting into the back of the vehicle with the hitch mounted bike rack on the stock hitch was difficult for me, impossible for my wife. With the swing out design of Dissent, and a hitch on one of the swing outs, my wife can now open the back one handed.

Also not mentioned too much here but certainly my experience. The stock front bumper does quite a bit as a wind fairing over the front tires. After replacing the front bumper I saw a notice drop in MPG on highway driving.

Definitely would go with rear first. You don't "need it" but the harder fun bonus lines on a lot of the trails are where you can drop the rear corner on something.

That and having the swingouts makes a huge difference in usability of the rig.

 

[marcfj60]

The more traditional, larger swingouts can be a bit of a pain if you're towing a trailer. I have this situation. I have to unbolt the tongue jack from my camper to be able to open the tire carrier and get into the back of the cruiser. The swingouts on Ben's bumpers (Dissent) are more compact and have a smaller swing radius so they are a little easier to use and don't interfere with trailer tongues. Just saying.

 

[collk22]

Swing outs can be a pain for the 98% of the time you're not adventuring. Need to load groceries? Open the swing outs. Putting the dog in the back to go hiking? Open the swing outs. Loading home improvement supplies at home depot? Open the swing outs.

I'm certainly not against them, but I learned my lesson on having swing outs on a DD with my FJ62. As my 100 is currently the wife's DD, I personally am holding out on swing outs until she upgrades and the 100 can become a dedicated adventure rig.

 

[geanes]

Swing outs can be a pain for the 98% of the time you're not adventuring. Need to load groceries? Open the swing outs. Putting the dog in the back to go hiking? Open the swing outs. Loading home improvement supplies at home depot? Open the swing outs.

I'm certainly not against them, but I learned my lesson on having swing outs on a DD with my FJ62. As my 100 is currently the wife's DD, I personally am holding out on swing outs until she upgrades and the 100 can become a dedicated adventure rig.

Agreed on this point. It does add some complexity/hassle when daily driving. I am thinking of removing the swingouts for my DD routine and reinstall them when overlanding/camping. I carry a tire repair kit and the compressor in my drawer system in case I get a nail/screw/etc.

 

[atnolan94]

Swingouts are a PITA, I didn’t think they would bother me but they’re annoying. That being said, I wouldn’t go back to not having them

 

[marcfj60]

Swing outs can be a pain for the 98% of the time you're not adventuring. Need to load groceries? Open the swing outs. Putting the dog in the back to go hiking? Open the swing outs. Loading home improvement supplies at home depot? Open the swing outs.

I'm certainly not against them, but I learned my lesson on having swing outs on a DD with my FJ62. As my 100 is currently the wife's DD, I personally am holding out on swing outs until she upgrades and the 100 can become a dedicated adventure rig.

When I ordered my bumper from BIO, I got a spindle cover so that I could remove the swingout and protect the spindle. I got the bumper style that lets me retain the factory rear cross-member and allows me to continue to mount my spare tire in the factory location. As long as I never go over a 33" tire, I can keep the tire underneath for grocery-getter duty and then hang it on the swingout for off-roading. I have never actually removed the swingout in the year that the bumper has been installed. This is probably somewhat due to buying my wife a 4Runner for grocery-getting and kid-hauling duties and the LC being relegated to garage queen status.

If you want to see what is involved with installing the BIOR rear bumper with swingout, you can find my install thread here:

BIO Rear Bumper Install and Air Lift 1000 Repair

I know everyone likes Cruiser mods and pics so I figured I'd post my Bump It Offroad rear bumper install. I won't have time to do it all at once so I will update with photos as the Christmas week progresses and I find a few minutes here and there. Background: I've owned my '99 since 2009. I'm...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[shellb]

Any estimate to how big the individual camping spaces are for those who don’t have a trailer? Can it accommodate a relatively large tent?

 

[Kabanstva]

Any estimate to how big the individual camping spaces are for those who don’t have a trailer? Can it accommodate a relatively large tent?

There’s plenty of room for a big tent. I would not worry about that at all.

 

[shellb]

Awesome. Thank you.

 

[collk22]

Any estimate to how big the individual camping spaces are for those who don’t have a trailer? Can it accommodate a relatively large tent?

We had plenty of room for an REI kingdom 6, plus parking, plus some space for the dog and the kids to roam around. Stan and Chris and their team do a great job marking out the sites and getting people set up. There was some expansion last year to the north parking lot that some people (mostly families) stayed in last year which has tons of space too.

 

[shellb]

Appreciate that Intel!

Was thinking about buying an ellis canvas tent for hunting this year and would like to season it in on this trip! They’re rather large though so wanted to check.

 

[aaronrules]

My question a small sidetrack from the thread regarding this years event as it is full. With a view to next year can any previous attendees answer this. My wife is deathly afraid of heights and I really would like to make this event at some point. She has suggested hanging back in the campground while I hit the trails etc. if we were to attend. Question is does anyone else's wife/partner/family/dog do this? I fear she would be bored out of her mind without some company. Sorry for the sidetrack, pm is fine if you don't want to clutter up the thread

Maybe take her on some more visually tame trails in the area and see if she wants to drive. I'm more fearful riding personally. In my opinion, the paved roads are more dangerous than the offroad and passes most will drive in Colorado.

x2! 550 heading south from Ouray is by far the scariest drive of the event!


I had my two young boys there last year (7 month old, 2.5yr old) and we stayed back at camp one day and had a nice time. It was kind of fun being the only ones there!

One nice thing about camp is that you're walking distance to the entire town so I'm sure she could entertain herself for a few days. She could take a train ride down to Durango one day, hang out in Silverton one day, and then join you on some of the trails without shelf rides that she might be more comfortable on.

I think I sucked up my entire driver's seat into my butt the first time driving into Silverton from Durango! That was and is the scariest part of the whole thing. I've said this multiple times...for anyone that is scared of any of the trails, make Clear lake your first trail, and make sure that @marcfj60 is your trail guide for that ride! You won't be sorry and you will have a really good time! Especially if you CB is good working condition...which it supposed to be anyway!

Are one of the stock bumpers more of a problem than the other one? If I was going to upgrade one, which should I change?

In the rear I have the factory trailer hitch.

I tried my hardest last year to hit either of my stock bumpers, and that only I hit was my trailer hitch, and that was coming out of a stupid line through a creek! That trailer hitch is one the strongest pieces of armor out there! Too bad it's a tad low. I asked @benc what his opinion on front vs. rear first and he said rear because of the utility. I know it may be expensive, but his rear bumper is the best I have seen out there...I am going to start selling plasma and maybe a kidney so I can get one ASAP! The swingouts on other bumpers end up being a PITA...especially if DD your 100 like I do. With the Dissent rear, it's not so bad. I mean being able to open the swing arm with one or two fingers is pretty damn sweet! And Ben is constantly imporving on the design and utility of his stuff, which means we customers will be able to have some really neat options with the swing outs!

 

[atnolan94]

I think I sucked up my entire driver's seat into my butt the first time driving into Silverton from Durango! That was and is the scariest part of the whole thing. I've said this multiple times...for anyone that is scared of any of the trails, make Clear lake your first trail, and make sure that @marcfj60 is your trail guide for that ride! You won't be sorry and you will have a really good time! Especially if you CB is good working condition...which it supposed to be anyway!




I tried my hardest last year to hit either of my stock bumpers, and that only I hit was my trailer hitch, and that was coming out of a stupid line through a creek! That trailer hitch is one the strongest pieces of armor out there! Too bad it's a tad low. I asked @benc what his opinion on front vs. rear first and he said rear because of the utility. I know it may be expensive, but his rear bumper is the best I have seen out there...I am going to start selling plasma and maybe a kidney so I can get one ASAP! The swingouts on other bumpers end up being a PITA...especially if DD your 100 like I do. With the Dissent rear, it's not so bad. I mean being able to open the swing arm with one or two fingers is pretty damn sweet! And Ben is constantly imporving on the design and utility of his stuff, which means we customers will be able to have some really neat options with the swing outs!

The real kicker on Ben’s bumper is the slam latch to close. Mine you have to hand shut the latch which is just a cumbersome process especially if you are carrying anything. But man just swinging it closed is money.

 

[collk22]

I think I sucked up my entire driver's seat into my butt the first time driving into Silverton from Durango! That was and is the scariest part of the whole thing.

Do you mean Ouray to Silverton? We went to Durango one day last year during HIH and I don't remember that drive being anything but mellow and scenic.

 

[aaronrules]

Do you mean Ouray to Silverton? We went to Durango one day last year during HIH and I don't remember that drive being anything but mellow and scenic.

Coming in from Arkansas....that whole highway was a white knuckler...and yes it was HIH3 so it was from Silverton to Ouray. It took me several days to pry my seat out after we drove to the top of Pikes Peak that year as well!