Mengel Pass in DV? Not sure if that's a good example of where not to take your 100. Stock full size trucks make it over Mengel all the time, I'm going to DV over Christmas break in the LX so we'll see!
Stock offroad capability?
- Thread starter anhizer
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Mengel Pass in DV? Not sure if that's a good example of where not to take your 100. Stock full size trucks make it over Mengel all the time, I'm going to DV over Christmas break in the LX so we'll see!
100 series can be pretty capable with some caution. Our 100% stock 1999 has run Black Bear Pass (seen below) along with several other passes in the Colorado area with no issues.
Quick and easy Mud Flap Eliminators is only a click away ► Mud Flap Eliminators - Land Cruiser Products - LCP
Quick and easy Mud Flap Eliminators is only a click away ► Mud Flap Eliminators - Land Cruiser Products - LCP
Mengel Pass: done in a fully loaded stock tiredly sagging suspension FJ60. Did crunch the passenger rocker panel, mainly because the front bounced when off kilter combined with amateurish driving skills (too much throttle). Note that this was several years ago.
Total confidence in the 100/Mengel Pass, especially with the ATRAC (versus open diffs on my scarred 60).
Total confidence in the 100/Mengel Pass, especially with the ATRAC (versus open diffs on my scarred 60).
- Thread starter
- #24
Hey All,
thanks for all the info on taking my truck offroad! Sorry i wasn't clear with the specific model; it is a land cruiser and i do have the center and (rear?) lockers. I had read about the front diff being a weak point; ill keep that in mind. I'm a fairly conservative driver most of the time so ill try and remember to keep the wheel spin to a minimum.
Looks like I have new tires (and maybe some sliders/skids) in my future. Also thank you 68W65D Re: Hollister; that is a big confidence boost! The good news is that even if i do get stuck my friend will be there to help me out...
thanks for all the info on taking my truck offroad! Sorry i wasn't clear with the specific model; it is a land cruiser and i do have the center and (rear?) lockers. I had read about the front diff being a weak point; ill keep that in mind. I'm a fairly conservative driver most of the time so ill try and remember to keep the wheel spin to a minimum.
Looks like I have new tires (and maybe some sliders/skids) in my future. Also thank you 68W65D Re: Hollister; that is a big confidence boost! The good news is that even if i do get stuck my friend will be there to help me out...
@anhizer .... you'll be solid with some quality tires. Most go with 33" overall. They tend to be the best compromise with no need for a lift or modifications. I run 275/70/18 KO2 and love them. If you're on 16, 285/75/16 is 32.8". Anyway, sliders are good if you want to protect the rockers. I started with the KO2s and MetalTech sliders and honestly could have stopped there.
My LX has no suspension upgrades, currently running on a fully functional AHC system....so, effectively stock with 33" AT tires and sliders. Here's 2 photos of terrain that mine handled easily. Big drops, steep slopes (both down and up) with plenty of large, loose and sharp rocks. Never needed lockers (did the Pin mod to make the center diff manually selectable in low range). I walked one section after driving over it just to look closer at the severity of the trail I had driven.
My LX has no suspension upgrades, currently running on a fully functional AHC system....so, effectively stock with 33" AT tires and sliders. Here's 2 photos of terrain that mine handled easily. Big drops, steep slopes (both down and up) with plenty of large, loose and sharp rocks. Never needed lockers (did the Pin mod to make the center diff manually selectable in low range). I walked one section after driving over it just to look closer at the severity of the trail I had driven.
Fantastic time of year for DV.
We were out solo in December 2015 and asked a Nat'l Park ranger about the condition of the pass and whether crossing alone was advisable. He said he had no idea because their LWB F250 couldn't make it up/over. We did encounter areas where a LWB would have trouble with break-over clearance/centering or departure angles but nothing that prevented us from making it.
Our MY2000 is not stock by any means and we did have to place rocks to navigate a couple of torn up sections but a stock truck with an experienced driver and some patience would have have done fine.
That's funny, we did a family run to DV in Dec. of 2015. Argus Mtns. > Goler Wash > Mengel > Badwater. Nothing better than DV in the winter ...
Quite capable in stock form, especially if you've got a rig with the ATRAC, which is like magic. My vote is to build it as your skill level and desire to progress to more challenging terrain advances. Maybe start with some more appropriate tires and maybe some sliders to protect your rockers if you're getting into larger rocks and tight turns around trees.
I started taking mine off pavement in stock form, with the running boards still attached. I took it on a few trails here in CA and one in CO, definitely got some odd looks from others out there surprised to see me out there in a 100% stock rig with street tires. Really my only concern was the stock Michelins and the weak sidewalls vs all the sharp rocks on the particular trails I chose to run. With some attention on the trail I find it fairly easy to avoid putting myself in positions to take damage -- actually, having wheeled an RC crawler so much has really really helped.
Everyone keeps mentioning the mud flaps which is weird to me. I simply trimmed mine with a utility knife and I think they look great. Haven't really hit anything on them yet, the tow hitch and spare tire hit before the mud flaps even get close. Then again I'm not dragging my rear over obstacles trying to rip off my bumper.
I started taking mine off pavement in stock form, with the running boards still attached. I took it on a few trails here in CA and one in CO, definitely got some odd looks from others out there surprised to see me out there in a 100% stock rig with street tires. Really my only concern was the stock Michelins and the weak sidewalls vs all the sharp rocks on the particular trails I chose to run. With some attention on the trail I find it fairly easy to avoid putting myself in positions to take damage -- actually, having wheeled an RC crawler so much has really really helped.
Everyone keeps mentioning the mud flaps which is weird to me. I simply trimmed mine with a utility knife and I think they look great. Haven't really hit anything on them yet, the tow hitch and spare tire hit before the mud flaps even get close. Then again I'm not dragging my rear over obstacles trying to rip off my bumper.
Except that rear bumpers are spensy! I broke all of the bottom mounting tabs on mine dropping off a small ledge. The only things holding the bumper on are @LandCruiserPhil 's mud flap eliminators.I guess my perspective is, if it breaks upgrade it. Ripping the rear bumper 'skin' is a problem only because you gotta get the thing out of the forest so you can throw it away
All this talk of bumpers. My wife always says how cool aftermarket bumpers look, so all I have to do is rip mine off. But then suspension will need upgrade... and well then we should probably have a front bumper too.
I only have 33's and sliders ($450 for beasts from a local welder) and can do pretty solid stuff (China wall no problem). Biggest thing so far is departure angle. Gonna small step the suspension upgrades by going 865's which should significantly help with that. Just know that once you get started it is gonna be hard to stop.
I only have 33's and sliders ($450 for beasts from a local welder) and can do pretty solid stuff (China wall no problem). Biggest thing so far is departure angle. Gonna small step the suspension upgrades by going 865's which should significantly help with that. Just know that once you get started it is gonna be hard to stop.
fooldall1
Handy Enthusiast
To the OP...
I have a nearly stock LX470. The only real mod I have made to it is I got some BFG KO2s. I still have the running boards on.
I was able to do every blue trail and most of the normal obstacles at Hollister no problem. No damage to the vehicle.
Start with the tires.
You have any video of those? I'm like you, running boards (the little lady is little) and KO2s. Would like to see your rig hit those trails in relatively stock form.
Those roads are pretty tame, especially for a stock 100 with good tires
The rock fall on Mosquito last year might have made it more difficult for a stock rig to get through though (I didn't run that pass last year but heard about the rock fall).@anhizer - Take your Cruiser out and test it out in stock form. Take an easy and don't go alone. You will never know what you need until you can appreciate how the 100 behaves off road in its current form. Keep an eye out for rocks that could grab the rockers or drag on the undercarriage. Durable tires are a must when you head off the pavement anywhere, so plan accordingly. And remember, there is absolutely no shame in turning around if you are uneasy on a trail or obstacle.
fooldall1
Handy Enthusiast
here you go man- check this out
I am also from the Bay Area and those were some of the very first trails I ran with my 100. The rocks at the top of McCray definitely looked big to me back then. I bet your stock 100 would be just fine, but a few minor additions would definitely make it a more confident experience.
To get started, I would recommend upgrading your tires to a bigger all-terrain and investing in a way to air up/down on the trail (compressor & deflater). As a bonus, you could crank up the stock torsion bars to raise your front end up a little higher. The stock approach angle is just fine, but the added clearance will get your rocker panels higher off the ground and lessen the need for sliders.
The ultimate torsion bar thread - excellent information and pics
This was my first trip to Hollister playing around in the obstacle course and up at the summit via McCray. Only mods are tires and cranked torsion bars. No traction or clearance issues but I still aired down mainly for comfort.
Those roads are pretty tame, especially for a stock 100 with good tires
Kinda my point
Tincup was truly rutted out and had some pretty rough areas. Imogene had a bunch of wash outs from the heavy snowmelt runoff. Watched several SUVs have some difficulty in some areas. My LX was so ridiculously stable and comfortable it was absurd.
Stock capability depends on a few factors, in my assessment at least.
1) Tires
2) How the 100 is optioned (locker, no locker, traction control, no traction control). My 1998 LX is open / open with no traction control or locker. It can get crossed up pretty easily if I'm not careful, turning it into a 1 wheel drive or no wheel drive.
3) Driver skill. I've seen some pretty good drivers do some crazy stuff in stock vehicles that are less capable than 100 series.
1) Tires
2) How the 100 is optioned (locker, no locker, traction control, no traction control). My 1998 LX is open / open with no traction control or locker. It can get crossed up pretty easily if I'm not careful, turning it into a 1 wheel drive or no wheel drive.
3) Driver skill. I've seen some pretty good drivers do some crazy stuff in stock vehicles that are less capable than 100 series.
I have a 2000 LX470 with BIOR sliders and skid plates. I also have an OME 1.5 Medium lift kit, but that was because my AHC was gone, essentially stock tires 265/75R/16 BFG KOs. I think the sliders and skid plates really help with my piece of mind. I really only wheel to camp and hunt, my fishing doesn't take me anywhere a Suburu couldn't go.
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