- Thread starter
- #921
RUBICON TRIP PART 1
First off, still have a ton of pics coming in the next few days. This is just 2 preview pics! Ran the Rubicon this weekend with a few buddies. It was one hell of a trip. The plan was to run the whole trail out to Lake Tahoe but we turned around after camping at Buck Island Lake. The 3rd gen 4runner had already broke 2 axles and had no more spares. He also lost the nut on his upper control arm. And popped a bead in the middle a steep uphill climb. It was a sign of things to come most likely. Continuing on would have meant even more trouble.
My rig made it through fine. But after running the Rubicon I realized a few things about my 80. My truck is way too low, especially the rear. Dragged the bumper almost over everything. I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and raise a bit more. Maybe some 5" springs, eventually leveled out with the 4WU 3 link up front.
I need better and stronger sliders. Landed real hard on a giant boulder. Slider bent, pushed up into the body and creased my rocker. Will have to cut these off and build a stronger set, one that also sticks out a bit more. The poor man's 3-link AKA hitch pin mod helps a bit with flex, but I trashed the bracket. Had to pound it back in place with a BFH to get the hitch pin back in.
I really really want/need tube doors on all 4 doors. Seems like I'm most prone to damage where the doors are. Tube doors would also help with visibility. I'm even thinking about a tube rear hatch. Would save a ton of weight too. For a second I had some crazy thoughts of chopping the top and just going out all trail rig that can still be driven on the street. The thought still hasn't left my mind.
Which brings me to next thought. This things are ridiculously heavy. Climbing some obstacles really shows just how fat and heavy these things are while watching my buddy's little mini trucks walk right up the Soup Bowl even after forgetting to engage his front lockers. Ridiculous. Which is why I thought about just cutting off the whole roof and make it into a crawler as much as it can be.
Tube doors and body protection will probably be my next project. Eventually I see myself running a full cage, something like this. Would really boost my confidence level while wheeling:
And 2 pics in the Little Sluice. Lots more to come
First off, still have a ton of pics coming in the next few days. This is just 2 preview pics! Ran the Rubicon this weekend with a few buddies. It was one hell of a trip. The plan was to run the whole trail out to Lake Tahoe but we turned around after camping at Buck Island Lake. The 3rd gen 4runner had already broke 2 axles and had no more spares. He also lost the nut on his upper control arm. And popped a bead in the middle a steep uphill climb. It was a sign of things to come most likely. Continuing on would have meant even more trouble.
My rig made it through fine. But after running the Rubicon I realized a few things about my 80. My truck is way too low, especially the rear. Dragged the bumper almost over everything. I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and raise a bit more. Maybe some 5" springs, eventually leveled out with the 4WU 3 link up front.
I need better and stronger sliders. Landed real hard on a giant boulder. Slider bent, pushed up into the body and creased my rocker. Will have to cut these off and build a stronger set, one that also sticks out a bit more. The poor man's 3-link AKA hitch pin mod helps a bit with flex, but I trashed the bracket. Had to pound it back in place with a BFH to get the hitch pin back in.
I really really want/need tube doors on all 4 doors. Seems like I'm most prone to damage where the doors are. Tube doors would also help with visibility. I'm even thinking about a tube rear hatch. Would save a ton of weight too. For a second I had some crazy thoughts of chopping the top and just going out all trail rig that can still be driven on the street. The thought still hasn't left my mind.
Which brings me to next thought. This things are ridiculously heavy. Climbing some obstacles really shows just how fat and heavy these things are while watching my buddy's little mini trucks walk right up the Soup Bowl even after forgetting to engage his front lockers. Ridiculous. Which is why I thought about just cutting off the whole roof and make it into a crawler as much as it can be.
Tube doors and body protection will probably be my next project. Eventually I see myself running a full cage, something like this. Would really boost my confidence level while wheeling:
And 2 pics in the Little Sluice. Lots more to come