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rutbeer

rutbeer

Joined
Jun 30, 2004
Threads
99
Messages
1,740
Location
Denver, CO
Anybody up for a major event run this spring? I'm leaning toward making another attempt at rubicon if things pan out or maybe Moab. Moab is taking a nice turn this year but I have already had my truck there. Rubicon was awesome but I haven't driven it yet. I "might" be able to swing enough vacation to make another run at it. Would be awesome to have a bunch of us make it. I hate to think about how many years may be left with the current rate if closures across the country.
 
I can't make it but he is right. The way things are going in this country it may be one of the last few times you get to do something like this. For those that have the ability to take off work and the funds to do it you absolutely should. You only have one life to live.
 
I am most definitely up for a trip. My preference would be Rubicon. My brother lives in Lake Tahoe and I would probably take close to a month off of work to get out there, spend time and come back.

A few of us have discussed doing Moab (speak up fellas), but I'm not set on one of the other as I've done neither.

I do have a bit of a conundrum through...

I will not put the 80 through the Rubicon, I just don't think it's the right platform based on the way I've seen other's come out looking. If I did Moab, then I would take it.

Casey's old 40 is too nice and not really set up for wheeling more just looking nice...

BUT...I just drove home a project last night (still on the trailer out front in the street). I don't think that I can have it ready from a time line perspective until at least June.

So if you are down to plan something early summer then I'm very interested but I don't think I can do the SRT and then a trip out west in the same month(ish) time frame.
 
I could be interested depending on timing. Though, I probably could only take a week off of work. :mad:

I would probably just do Moab and run some of the Colorado passes/trails...that way I could see family as well.

Jon...you know that there is no holding out on us...what is it? :D
 
S4Cruiser said:
I will not put the 80 through the Rubicon, I just don't think it's the right platform based on the way I've seen other's come out looking. If I did Moab, then I would take it.

Casey's old 40 is too nice and not really set up for wheeling more just looking nice...

.
Click to expand...

I have to disagree with some of that....and I think Jerry can comment as well. The condition of a vehicle on the end of any trail, is more driver than platform. We took a bunch of nearly stock FJ cruisers down the rubicon intact. You can take an 80, just have a nice skid. Shoot, my 40 is not exactly a trail monster either. Yes, you will have to stack some rocks, get some spots, and take your time, but it can be done. As long as your 80 has sliders, skid, and a heavy rear bumper, I wouldn't hesitate to take it. I can think of one place in particular that you will drag the rear end like crazy, but the rest would not be an issue. I'm more worried about the skeeters...and an open top 40 is pretty unforgiving there. ;)
 
rutbeer said:
I have to disagree with some of that....and I think Jerry can comment as well. The condition of a vehicle on the end of any trail, is more driver than platform. We took a bunch of nearly stock FJ cruisers down the rubicon intact. You can take an 80, just have a nice skid. Shoot, my 40 is not exactly a trail monster either. Yes, you will have to stack some rocks, get some spots, and take your time, but it can be done. As long as your 80 has sliders, skid, and a heavy rear bumper, I wouldn't hesitate to take it. I can think of one place in particular that you will drag the rear end like crazy, but the rest would not be an issue. I'm more worried about the skeeters...and an open top 40 is pretty unforgiving there. ;)
Click to expand...

Yeeeeeeaaaaaahhhhhh...I take it you haven't met John before and or seen his rig. A scratch on a slider might be the end of the world. I did see a dent on his front bumper and he had it covered up with a color matched peice of electrical tape :)...thank god people like john exist or we used car guys would have nothing to drive or view in museums.
 
I'm just as bad bro. I was hoping he could relate to what I was saying. I'm all about wheeling, but with zero damage. It can be done.
 
I will agree with Barry's comments on this. We had 9 FJC's in the group, one with a 6" lift (which has a diff drop bracket that is actually lower than a 3" lift), 3 Toyota Trail team trucks (which have a 2" spacer lift in the front, stock rear) and the rest of us had OME 3" lifts. Most had 285/70/17's and I had 255/85/16 tires and the 6" lift had 315/70/17's.

Jon's 80 is at least as capable as any of the FJC's, more so since he is locked front and rear. I was the only FJC with a front locker and the Lefty transfer case, everyone else had a rear locker and ATRAC.

It does take some patience and spotting to make sure everyone gets through at a level they are comfortable with. We had two who came out with damage. One looked like they caught a branch or something and dragged it along the passenger side, making a deep scratch/crease. The other was a weird mishap where a loss of traction and a branch extending onto the trail punched out the rear quarter window on the drivers side.

We took it at a very comfortable pace, never pushed and the first rig set up the obstacle for the rest to get through. For this group, it was all about the quality of the spotters and knowledge they had of the trail along with the capability of the FJC's.

So, it is doable if one chooses, its doable without damage if one chooses. Stuff happens and someone may come back with a dent, ding or worse. But, it could easily happen that all come out without any issues at all. That's why we go, right? If there were guarantees of no damage or breakage, wouldn't quite be the same adventure, would it...
 
One thing about west coast wheeling (not counting washington or oregon) is you slide a lot less so driver ability plays a lot into if your rig gets dinged or not.

Over here you could be the best driver in the world but sideway slides are going to happen because of all the mud and wet.

Most likely the same in Oregon huh Jason.
 
lt1fire said:
One thing about west coast wheeling (not counting washington or oregon) is you slide a lot less so driver ability plays a lot into if your rig gets dinged or not.

Over here you could be the best driver in the world but sideway slides are going to happen because of all the mud and wet.

Most likely the same in Oregon huh Jason.
Click to expand...

Yep anything west of the cascades is slicker than snot. All really dark organic mud that gets really thick. Not like the watery mudholes here. Not a lot of rocks though. You head way south though in California or East of the Cascades and it is drier than a popcorn fart. Some places in Eastern oregon are all volcanic rock. Not great for your tires but great traction...just watch the tranistions to obsician fields.
 
Julie and I have been planning a trip out west for about 2 months. We were going to head to the FJ Summit for a day, maybe two and then head out to Moab. Our tentative dates are the last two weeks in July. We could certainly change those if we were going to have company. We would definately be up for a group trip.
 
I am really interested in a trip out west. I am going to start planning as if I am going but wont be able to commit until I start my new job in a few months.

what is is the tentative time frame for the trip? Spring? Summer? late summer?
 
I think rubicon is mid June. Moab is earlier than that. Well, cruise Moab is.
 
Just to bump this with some dates:

Cruise Moab - Apr 28-May 2
Rubithon - Jun 15-20

As much as I'd love to go to Moab that time of year, my work schedule doesn't permit it.

But, I am planning on doing Rubithon this year and hitting Moab on the way home. If we get enough to ship/transport vehicles to CA, I'd drive to Moab from CA just to do it again, then ship from Moab back home. These two areas are polar opposites of each other and make for an off-roading adventure that would be hard to match anywhere on the planet. Either one by itself is amazing, doing both in one trip could only be made better by adding some dune running in Pismo or Oregon.

Otherwise, I'm driving back and forth again.

So, lets start getting some serious talk about who can find the time/resources to go. "Rough" shipping will be over $1200 round trip (major factors include how many rigs, single point pickup/drop off, flexible pickup window, changes in gas/fuel prices this summer), add in airfare to Sacramento CA or Reno NV, transportation to/from vehicle drop off and typical trip/camping costs.

Lets keep the thread alive...
 
So ill quit lurking, and add my interest here. It will all depend on how the spring goes for the business to allow me get away in prime time.

Id love to do both; but I know id want the knobbies in CA and AT's in MOAB, especially if driving back.
Jerry, what are your thoughts on doing the Rubicon on AT's? I assume not what youd want but just seeing what your real world experiences would lend you to suggest.
 
If anyone wants a rider I'd be game for chipping in, if the wife OK's it. I won't have either truck where I'd like it before then. I'd hate to not even have the opportunity to ride, even if I miss being able to drive it...
 
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