I have been wheeling for more then 4 decades in everything from Jeeps to full size 4x4 vans. Some of my favorites were early Bronco which I owned two of and a ford F250 that bought new. I put a 4" lift, smittybilt front & rear bumpers and 36" armstrong tru trac's and wheeled the piss out of that thing. That was considered built back in the day. And rock crawling had not even be invented.
Five years ago I owned a built out ford Van on tons locked and armored very similar to a sportsmobile but built by me to take to remote surfing destinations in Baja. But i a had a itch to try this new sport called rock crawling so I joined the local 4x4 club and on the first run I went on with them they were concerned about this big van not making it or getting torn up. I told them I was a grown a** man put me the back of the pack and if it gets to much for me I can turn around and go home on my own. Well the van got pretty scratched up but made the hole trail.
I made some good friends and said they do harder trails that the van for sure is not going to fit and I should consider getting something smaller to fit on the trail.
So I started to look for a builder I did not have my hart set on anything in particular, but when a bone stock 3x locked mommy and me 80 pop up no my local Craigslist I new I had to have it.
When I went to next meet with the Cruiser they were like we said get something smaller,I was like compared to the Van it is smaller and was undeterred. I went on line to start research on my new to me Rig and found this great site IH8MUD and joined immediately.
When I stated my intentions I was met with 80s don't make good rock crawlers or you well be dragging you a** trying to keep up with built 4runners & mini trucks.
Here's some of the Rigs in our group.
When I had it built to a point that I was ready for the first wheeling trip the group was going to Johnson Valley. I was meet with the same opposition, I was told that the trails would be hard and there was a good chance body damage.
I told them I still want to go and the fear of damage would not stop me.
Hear's some pics of that first trip.
And body damage there was but I was able to keep up with the rest of the group. That was on 35s
It was really hard to go home and tell my wife that even through I only had one trip on my 35s that I really needed 37s after some convincing I got the approval. So the 35s went up for sale and I got some 37" Trxus for me these tires were a game changer.
Five years ago I owned a built out ford Van on tons locked and armored very similar to a sportsmobile but built by me to take to remote surfing destinations in Baja. But i a had a itch to try this new sport called rock crawling so I joined the local 4x4 club and on the first run I went on with them they were concerned about this big van not making it or getting torn up. I told them I was a grown a** man put me the back of the pack and if it gets to much for me I can turn around and go home on my own. Well the van got pretty scratched up but made the hole trail.
I made some good friends and said they do harder trails that the van for sure is not going to fit and I should consider getting something smaller to fit on the trail.
So I started to look for a builder I did not have my hart set on anything in particular, but when a bone stock 3x locked mommy and me 80 pop up no my local Craigslist I new I had to have it.
When I went to next meet with the Cruiser they were like we said get something smaller,I was like compared to the Van it is smaller and was undeterred. I went on line to start research on my new to me Rig and found this great site IH8MUD and joined immediately.
When I stated my intentions I was met with 80s don't make good rock crawlers or you well be dragging you a** trying to keep up with built 4runners & mini trucks.
Here's some of the Rigs in our group.
When I had it built to a point that I was ready for the first wheeling trip the group was going to Johnson Valley. I was meet with the same opposition, I was told that the trails would be hard and there was a good chance body damage.
I told them I still want to go and the fear of damage would not stop me.
Hear's some pics of that first trip.
And body damage there was but I was able to keep up with the rest of the group. That was on 35s
It was really hard to go home and tell my wife that even through I only had one trip on my 35s that I really needed 37s after some convincing I got the approval. So the 35s went up for sale and I got some 37" Trxus for me these tires were a game changer.
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