Question for you AZ ROCK CRAWLING experts:

[ShottsUZJ100]

OK, the Lexus should be done WITHIN 2 weeks. I want to run a challenging trail for it's first trip out. My question (and don't say Upper Ajax ):

Of the Woodpeckers, Ajax's, blah blah....trails....which one is tough AND be can be completed with a HIGH likelyhood of NO body damage?

I've never been the rock-crawling type and don't want a long 4-hour, 1/2 mile trail, but I do want some challenge. Martinez is out. I'm doing it in the '93 with the AZLCA.

1. What trail do you all think is best?
2. Anybody willing to lead/spot me through there for my inaugural run.

Lexus specs:

4-4.5" lift
35-inchers
sliders
shortened length with 3/8" steel bumpers
Heavy duty lower rear arms
4.88 gearing
ARB lockers

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I'll be unresponsive until late tomorrow or sometime Sunday. FYI. THANKS ALL!

 

[BMAN]

YOU LET ME KNOW WHEN jOHN AND i'LL LEAD YA THROUGH ANY TRAIL YOU WANT IN THAT PRINCESS!

My first thought is Upper Woodpecker, one of my all time favorites (cut my wheelin teeth here) and I've been on this trail more times than I like to count so I know every obstacle intimately. There's plenty of stuff to put this rig through her paces yet walk away with no BD. And every obstacle has a bypass if'n ya get skeered. My only stipulation is that you listen to me and do what I say, when I say it. This trail does have the potential to jump out and bite if ya don't trust your spotter.

My next choice for a good break-in run is Lower Ajax. This is a much milder trail than UWP but still can offer a good challenge if you take some of the harder lines.

We could either make it a club run or do it low key. UWP is really best run with 6 rigs or less. I WILL NOT lead anyone through this trail who's not running sliders or doesn't care about their rockers, PERIOD. Don't even ask! You're more than welcome to tag along as a gunner, but I will not be responsible for unprotected vehicles on this trail.

That said, I will be running this trail at least once if not 2 or 3 times during the AZ ROCKS event and would be happy to lead anyone who wants to run it with me.

 

[Tools R Us]

We only do expedition type wheelin here!





I suggest the wash that runs along Cottonwood Canyon Rd. Called Lower Woodpecker maybe? It has mild to wild and is in sections, so you can pick and choose what you want to run?

Oh, the truck is lookin good, should make for some great poser shotts!

 

[DBAX]

Great looking CRUISER! I'd like to recommend the TERMINATOR trails off of Table Mesa Rd. Upper first, as it's the easier of the two, then get into lower T. In your setup, upper T might take two hours, a little more. Lower T will take longer to complete. It'll be a nice day. Take pics


EDIT to add-
*pertaining to the thread title*
I am in no way an expert at anything, and in as far as my driving performance and operation of my vehicle, I break stuff.

 

[RHINO]

hey what a great thread!!! while were sorta on the subject can anyone point me to a trail that is NOT very challenging but WILL have body damage potential?? i would really hate to brake an axle trying to dent another panel.

 

[goodtimes]

Hiway to Hell.

No? How about Axle Alley.

Not enough challenge for your perty little lexy? How about Matrix?





no, seriously, I'd start it out on lower woodpecker. You can get as nutty as you wish while still getting a trailer in there to recover it if you run into a unforseen problem with component failure. After testing it all out there, run on up to Upper Woodpecker. It can be done in a hour....so it will take you 2.5 or so....enough challenge to make you think with out getting out of hand. Let me know far enough ahead of time, I may be able to get a day off to join you.

 

[Cdaniel]

Rubicon
Hal Johns
Metal Masher.........

Or did you want something local?

Woodpecker
Jack Handle
Flat (spare) Tire Canyon
Powerline
Honeywell 4x4 adopt a trail (aka Sunflower mine)

Can I come watch?

 

[clarkrw3]

I would like to join for this as well.....will be watching this thread.

 

[RHINO]

haha yeah matrix!! i have a hard enough time just walking that on foot. i'd pay to see it go through twister.

 

[Cdaniel]

haha yeah matrix!! i have a hard enough time just walking that on foot. i'd pay to see it go through twister.

Twister?
??

 

[BMAN]

hey what a great thread!!! while were sorta on the subject can anyone point me to a trail that is NOT very challenging but WILL have body damage potential?? i would really hate to brake an axle trying to dent another panel.

Hey man I got BD in Box Canyon once. It could happen...

 

[-Spike-]

Box Canyon? How the hell... oh, never mind, I already did that.

-Spike

 

[offroader5]

Another vote for a Woodpecker. Personally, I think Lower Woodpecker is not the best choice for a large vehicle especially on a shake down run. Maybe Middle Woodpecker to start since there is some good stuff to play on and definitely Upper Woodpecker to finish the day out.

I don't know though....there is a spot or two on Upper that has trees and bushes that get within 6 foot of the trail...you may spend alot of time out of your rig with the snips

I'll go

 

[Tools R Us]

.... with the snips

I'll go

Good deal, are you going to be "snips boy"?

 

[goodtimes]

Good deal, are you going to be "snips boy"?

Only after he breaks his track bar mount....again.;p

 

[BMAN]

Only after he breaks his track bar mount....again.;p

BWWWAAHAAHHAAHHHAAAAAA! Or turns his axle under the truck, or realizes he needs to tighten the trackbar nuts, or realizes he needs to tighten the upper control arm jamb nuts, or realizes he needs to tighten the lower control arm jamb nuts, or realizes he needs to tighten the shock mount nuts, or realizes he needs to tighten the diffcover nuts, or realizes he needs to tighten any one of a number of random nuts that seem to loosen themselves so inconveniently throught any give day of wheeling.

 

[Cdaniel]

.......... or realizes he needs to tighten any one of a number of random nuts that seem to loosen themselves so inconveniently throught any give day of wheeling.

I think the only random nuts around here are behind the steering wheel. ;p

 

[RUSH55]

Hey Cliff,
have you ever run your 40 thru that last section of Jackhandle? To me, that section is just nonsense, but I guess people do it.
Clay, do you remember if Eric ran his Trials bike thru that part?

 

[Cdaniel]

Hey Cliff,
have you ever run your 40 thru that last section of Jackhandle? To me, that section is just nonsense, but I guess people do it.
Clay, do you remember if Eric ran his Trials bike thru that part?

If your talking about the really narrow notchy outcropping of grey colored rock, just before you climb out of the wash to the ridge to circle back (i think), no I haven't been brave enough yet. I did watch a demented couple try to shove a thrashed out Wrangler through there years ago. They broke something, can't remember what. I'm sure some tube framed buggy mobile has conquered it by now.