For Those in Colorado...a question...

[Horribilis]

...what is the optimal set-up for an 80 to take on trails like:

Illinois Gulch - Moab Hill?
Spring Creek?
Holy Cross?

I live pretty close to Rampart Range so that system including Illinois Gulch will be my most frequent trips. The tamer/moderate parts of the Penrose system (Patriot, Liberty, Independence) are likely candidates for regular visits as well.

I was leaning towards a 4" kit on 35's, but after running Moab Hill with a buddy today in his decked out 4 door Jeep JK Rubicon on a 6" lift and 37's I'm reconsidering.

Please offer direction.

 

[kbahus]

I think some of the most capable and streetable rigs on this site run lockers, 5.29's, 37's, and a 3-4" lift. Don't forget the armor.....

 

[EricG]

You might get better response if you post up on our club page - Colorado Land Cruisers. Sorry, don't know how to post a link from my Droid.

I haven't run the trails you've listed except the easier lines at little moab. But most of the stuff on rampart is doable with 33s and a 2" lift. With an 80, I think you'll be risking a lot of body damage on the penrose trails regardless of how you're set up.

 

[nuclearlemon]

holy cross, locked front and rear and minimum 35s, winch, and armor or you most likely won't make it past french creek

 

[Stokes]

I have to agree, those are some pretty gnarly trails to be running in a big SUV. My Jeep wrangler was lifted 6 inches, locked F/R and running 36 inch IROKS when I ran Holy Cross last. Still a nightmare in french creek.

 

[dafun1]

You will break many things at the pentrose trail system with an 80. Bottom line. Check out the pics of the easiest trail there on the trail damage website. It is called Liberty trail. It will eat an 80 with 33's alive. I almost went with a group of classic broncos last weekend, and I was going, fully expecting to break lots of stuff. That with 38's and a rear locker. What about eagle rock trail or saran wrap? Holy Cross would be doable but I second the comment about the creek.

 

[EricG]

You will break many things at the pentrose trail system with an 80. Bottom line. Check out the pics of the easiest trail there on the trail damage website. It is called Liberty trail. It will eat an 80 with 33's alive. I almost went with a group of classic broncos last weekend, and I was going, fully expecting to break lots of stuff. That with 38's and a rear locker. What about eagle rock trail or saran wrap? Holy Cross would be doable but I second the comment about the creek.

There's a section of Eagle Rock with an upper route and a lower route. Upper is easy with 33s/2", one of our guys did the lower in an 80 with 35s and probably 4" but took some body damage in the process.

 

[Horribilis]

I YouTube'd some Penrose videos and ummmmm...... That is out.

Moab Hill and Spring Creek type terrainwill be frequent trails I intend to hit, then Holy Cross maybe once a year.

 

[kmcoop7]

co wheeling

You will be fine on those trails with:

3-4"
Sliders
315's
F/R lockers
You don't need front/rear bumpers but at least take the plastic ones off so they don't inflict damage on other things. Winches are over rated.

I ran holy cross w/3.5" of lift, and no sliders and walked through french creek no problem. By myself. They I drove back through in reverse. No problem. It really isn't that bad.

I have seen plenty of guys run holy cross on open diffs with 33's. Wranglers, XJ's 80s, Discos. All of them winched through the creek. Some for over an hour. So it is do-able, but not cool.

all that said. 315's look tiny on an 80 with any lift. You are going to want 37's so just get them. It will be cheaper in the long run.