Charouleau Gap on 3/5/06?

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A few pics...

Zoe kickin it in the rig, she's been my co-pilot on many adventures and always loves wheeling with daddy.

Ben rolling right over the step

and me working the step, but didn't get over.
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And some more...

Most everyone at lunch


Ben at 33 degrees, I think he had his seat cushion pinched real good!


Fred pointing the GMC at the sky
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You gotta post up the pic of the protractor, if it came out!

-Spike
 
Thanks, that's perfect!

My fascination with off-camber is gonna bite me soon, I'd guess. I tell myself I'm just trying to get a feel for what the White Elephant will do, but it's starting to feel like thrill-seeking.

-Spike
 
-Spike- said:
but it's starting to feel like thrill-seeking
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I don't believe this to be a recent affliction :D

If you want more thrill, I recommend an OEM FJ40 driver seat in off-camber situations - adds 5% to the (perceived) lean without the danger :grinpimp:
 
Without the danger? Do you remember the description in your book about the Step? There's a reason SWB vehicles are scary to drive!

Besides, I hate vinyl. :D

-Spike
 
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-Spike- said:
Besides, I hate vinyl
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On that, I agree with you. But in my truck, the OEM front bench is indeed fabric. I believe vinyl came on later models.........

But what's the danger in the 80? It would take a lot more to flop it on it's side than a 40. Although it may not stop but belly up or roll on.

Maybe, there should be a sort of outfit where one could actually test this out with rented vehicles (like the racing/speed classes that BMW, Porsche and the like put up where you can race their cars - people pay money for this), would still be cheaper than ruining our own vehicles. That would be my choice if I were interested in testing the limits until tipover or 'wanting' to be in a roll.....
 
Get Red Green to engineer something? Maybe like some huge Styrofoam blocks duct taped to the sides, that way you could roll with minimal damage!:hillbilly May reduce the style points, but the Hummers have those tacky vinyl sides they snap on for the trail?:o :bounce:
 
I was actually thinking of building a short course for off-camber testing. Essentially a berm which gradually got further off-camber, with a rail running along the top, 6 feet above the crest. A strap would be attached to the top of the truck (roll bar, around the roof, etc.) and would then lead to a mechanism on the rail that would allow the strap to traverse the rail as the truck moved forward, and would play out more strap slowly as the truck's off-camber position required. When the truck starts to tip, the strap would hold it back. It would take some engineering, but I could probably make a lot of money with it!

-Spike
 
import silvia said:
Doesn't anyone have any pics of me getting OVER/PAST anything or will this be forever known as that time James didn't get over the step.
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Dude you gave the Step hell! It just wasn't gonna happen. I gave it some hell as well but couldn't do it either. I think if I had had either more clearance, or a front locker, I could have got over. I bet the same would hold true for your rig. The rear locker was getting me almost there but I was hanging on that rock by my slider and just couldn't get it pushed over. Maybe if I bumped it harder, but like I told you on that trip, this is my daily driver, and I don't want to destroy it or leave it behind in the boonies to get picked clean. Nobody can say you don't have balls in that rig James. :cheers:

Phil, James, we'll have to do more runs in the future. After all, we all live in Tucson.
 
Phil, James, we'll have to do more runs in the future. After all, we all live in Tucson.[/QUOTE]


I look forward to it!!!
 
Damn!@#$,
I had to work and it looks like I missed out on a great run.

Ross
 
GeoRoss said:
Damn!@#$,
I had to work and it looks like I missed out on a great run.

Ross
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If it makes you feel better, YOU DID!:whoops: :D
 
MaddBaggins said:
Dude you gave the Step hell! It just wasn't gonna happen. I gave it some hell as well but couldn't do it either. I think if I had had either more clearance, or a front locker, I could have got over. I bet the same would hold true for your rig. The rear locker was getting me almost there but I was hanging on that rock by my slider and just couldn't get it pushed over. Maybe if I bumped it harder, but like I told you on that trip, this is my daily driver, and I don't want to destroy it or leave it behind in the boonies to get picked clean. Nobody can say you don't have balls in that rig James. :cheers:

Phil, James, we'll have to do more runs in the future. After all, we all live in Tucson.
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Don't beat yourself up over the Step. It's a unique obstacle and a change in line of an inch or a angle change can make the difference.

I've been up the Step now a dozen times. 8 of those are a line up, and crawl up, and done. :cool: The other 4 have been frustrating challenges with one time I almost gave up. It all depends on how you line up.
Easy: http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/photos/26018081-O.mpg
Hard: http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/photos/26018090-O.mpg

I've been on a trip where an unlocked 80 made it though it took him several attempts and lots of gas. I was waiting for breakage.
 
Some lockers and anti-inversion protection and I'm sure it will get over it. I think I could prolly get over it with just the anti-inversion stuff. I'm pretty lucky I did not bend my front leaves durring this attempt.

As far as more wheeling, I am planning on doing the AZ rocks thing over next weekend, A tucson convoy would be cool.
 
import silvia said:
Some lockers and anti-inversion protection and I'm sure it will get over it. I think I could prolly get over it with just the anti-inversion stuff. I'm pretty lucky I did not bend my front leaves durring this attempt.

As far as more wheeling, I am planning on doing the AZ rocks thing over next weekend, A tucson convoy would be cool.
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40's are awesome. Yes, your 40 will take control of the Step whenever you desire. :)

My buddy Dan made it up with a rear locker only. He just had to stay on the gas for a while to dry his tires. The climb is here:
http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/photos/26018098-O.mpg

What a sweet rig!
 
IIRC, he's driving a 60. Neither of the 40's with us would attempt the Step when Claudia read aloud from the trail guide book 'Short wheel base vehicles tend to flip over backwards on the Step'. Tend to, like it was a regular occurance. That would have been enough to make me find another route, had I been in an 40. :D

-Spike
 
Tools R Us said:
If it makes you feel better, YOU DID!:whoops: :D
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Thanks Mr Rub-Salt-In-The-Wound, I do feel better :D

Ross
 
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