This year’s Whipsaw trip was just as exciting as the previous year. There were some new faces and two new trucks and one new M101 and we had the pleasure of introducing the next generation to the joys of the trail as one of the guys brought his boy. He introduced us to Lady Gaga. It was a privilege for me personally as I got to travel with the owners of G&S Cruisers, Cruisin Off Road, and Cruiserland and they are a great bunch.
The trip started with the traditional stop in Princeton at Cowboy coffee where we fuelled up, took care of last minute details and final preparations and mutual admiration for the changes we could see in the vehicles this year. It’s pretty cool to see how each vehicle evolves. So here are the trucks:
1997 US Spec FZJ80 converted to 1HD-FT Turbo diesel, H151F 5spd and HF1A part time case. OME 850/860 2.5" lift with BFG AT KO 285/75 16s. ARB Bullbar, winchless for now. Hanna rear cargo carriers and Engel fridge on slider. M101 trailer with gas strutted Eleblanc alum lid and an Eezi Awn 2200 Family RTT
1991 HDJ81 with 3" Mandrel exhaust, 1" coil spacers, factory lockers, 285/75R16 Dick Cepek Mud Country tires (Work VERY well). It’s the Cruisin Off Road test vehicle, with sliders, t-case skid plate, front bumper with Warn 8274, and rear bumper with ladder. Full complement of gauges and custom sleeping platform in rear.
1989 BJ74: Belton lift, u-bolt flipkits, 35x10.5x16 SSR's, Marks 3:05-1:08, rear storage, genuine snorkle. Cdn M101 Trailer: Toyota pattern drum/studs, custom Cruisin Offroad fenders, aluminum lid on shocks, Technitop RTT, 315/75R16 on FZJ80 alloys, SUA.
1989 BJ74 with half bald 255/85R16 BFG MTs, OME lift, ARB front bumper w/ 8274, ARBs F +R, Cruisin' Off Road rear bumper, sliders, and skid plate, 3rd 12V deep cycle battery, rear drawer set up, ham and CB radios, Puma OBA.
The Crap Cruiser (affectionately named) , a resurrected 1987 HJ60 5 speed sporting a newer Japanese import 2H with unknown mileage but is suspected to be fairly low given the fact that it runs awesome and does not use any oil. Axels are stock and open with 4.10 diff’s and what feels like 2.29 in the t-case low range. Suspension is stock with add-a-leaves and long Japanese shackles, wheels are eagle alloys with 33x12.5 Mickey Thompson MTZ tires, ARB Fridge Freezer, On board Net top computer with GPS Running Map Source. Japanese HJ61 Turbo seats with Suspension bases (VERY NICE).
82 BJ60 (big red) 2nd owner, 515k on body with 13bt, 5spd, 4spd t-case gears. Factory cable lockers, 3" suspension lift and 1" body lift. JDM frame, body mods and protection, and 35" radial Super Swampers, PTO winch and a Bed and camping setup, storage, rubber tupperware, Trying to become a mini motorhome a bit more all the time.
Mine’s a 1990 HZJ73 with custom barwork front and rear, sliders, Cruisin Off Road bullet proof T-case skid plate, 33 Cooper STT’s, safari snorkel, sleeping platform and interior storage, exterior tool rack with Fourtreks and quickfist fastening clamps. GPS and Satelite radio. Locked ARB rear and onboard air. OME 3inch lift with 3.5 inch Manafre shackles.
We had excellent weather on the first day with just a little bit of sprinkling at Wells Lake over night. This is the first trip we’ve done in three that we didn’t come out with more garbage than what we brought in. Beer cans were noticeably absent from the trail and Wells had been well maintained. The worst we could find was a cooler, old towels and the regular beer caps and shell casings.
Getting to Wells was exciting as the trail was wetter than the previous year and we had only a little trouble with one of the obstacles just before the big slick rock that everyone climbs where we had provide a little helping tug to one of the vehicles.
Most of us passed on the rock but we enjoyed watching the two brave guys who made a go of it. I noticed that with the slicker conditions than the previous year that tire placement was a little more critical than the previous year. There has been some trail erosion too making some of the obstacles just a little more challenging.
We all shot video and there will be another DVD made of the adventure.
Wells was beautiful,
and after we set up camp the food was consumed – steaks, more steaks, marshmallows, Nanaimo bars and other tasty treats.
The next morning, we had a leisurely wake up and were visited by some Whiskey Jacks. One of them was bold enough to steal a whole piece of fried bacon right off the plate. I think his bird buddies thought he was a hero and he was for us too.
Shortly after we left camp we were at Falcon Hill. This year with all the rain the trail was far more packed and traction was considerably better. I didn’t have any trouble this year but the centre of the hill had a large boulder that all of us had to work around and it gave some of us some trouble. One of the cooler moments was the JDM 81 climbing up a 2.5ft boulder with one tire and then pulling the rest of the truck over.
After the work out we ran into the next obstacle and it has a 2.5 foot vertical granite boulder that was well slick with mud that we had to go over. Lots of deeper water after this until we got to the meadow below Poser Rock where the sun showed up to welcome us. We stopped for lunch and I felt like staying forever. This area is always the highlight of the trip for me.
We had some more challenges from there to Lode Stone. One of the M101’s almost went over as the trail dipped really low on one side and the opposite side tire jumped up as it was going over a boulder. The trailer teetered for a moment before deciding to drop shiny side up. Here's a look at one of the holes:
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/...7358139_100001262689413_157153_2300349_n1.jpg
Last year it took us 2 hours to get 5 trucks up the 5 foot wall of the ditch. The Roverlanders had been up there in the spring and put in a culvert and build a bridge for the quads. The ditch was an easy obstacle and we were all impressed with the trail rebuilding effort as it will prevent more damage occurring in the bog (less complaints means the trail stays open).
Lode Stone lake was clean as well and we camped on the south side of the lake. The next morning we drove into Tulameen where some of us said our good byes and others continued on. The FSR down to Tulameen from Lode Stone Lake had 5-8 inches of mud on it in spots and this was over hard surface. It made for some very slick driving and I had to touch my accelerator pedal a few times to keep the truck straight as we headed down hill. It was tricky as low range 1 and 2 were too low and the rear wanted to catch up to the front and 3 made you feel you were going to fast but you couldn’t hit the brake. We were all going too slow for the tires to clear too. We could see tire marks where previous trucks rode the lip of the cliff on the way down the mountain.
After parting four of the guys went and did the Tulameen to Brookmere route though the old KVR, which was well worth the drive, then drove under the Coqihalla, went throught the Murray Lake FSR and camped at a really sweet spot on the Maka creek right at the entrance to the Cabin Lake road. The next day was to Boston Bar through Uztilius FSR through some very nice country. We then took the Nahatlatch FSR and then we turned onto Kookipi, managed some landslide rubble and enjoyed the incredible sights of the Kookipi valley . More parted and two of the guys camped out at Silver River and did a bit of cleanup and rock crawling for fun before heading back to Harrison for air, washing and food and coffee.
One of the group went fly fishing at Bromely rock on the Similkimeen - pestering the rainbows. Later his family showed up and they explored the Darcy mine Rd to RockRidge Canyon and investigated the ruins of the old Allenby mining town.
I went through the Chain lakes area on the Princeton to Summerland route, turning on to the Trout Lake FSR which puts me right at my doorstep.
A great trip and we already know that the we’ll be back again next year.
Damage was light. Some scratched Tupperware ( two flares) and a punctured muffler. This cruiser has got extra wood burning power.
Cheers,
John
The trip started with the traditional stop in Princeton at Cowboy coffee where we fuelled up, took care of last minute details and final preparations and mutual admiration for the changes we could see in the vehicles this year. It’s pretty cool to see how each vehicle evolves. So here are the trucks:
1997 US Spec FZJ80 converted to 1HD-FT Turbo diesel, H151F 5spd and HF1A part time case. OME 850/860 2.5" lift with BFG AT KO 285/75 16s. ARB Bullbar, winchless for now. Hanna rear cargo carriers and Engel fridge on slider. M101 trailer with gas strutted Eleblanc alum lid and an Eezi Awn 2200 Family RTT
1991 HDJ81 with 3" Mandrel exhaust, 1" coil spacers, factory lockers, 285/75R16 Dick Cepek Mud Country tires (Work VERY well). It’s the Cruisin Off Road test vehicle, with sliders, t-case skid plate, front bumper with Warn 8274, and rear bumper with ladder. Full complement of gauges and custom sleeping platform in rear.
1989 BJ74: Belton lift, u-bolt flipkits, 35x10.5x16 SSR's, Marks 3:05-1:08, rear storage, genuine snorkle. Cdn M101 Trailer: Toyota pattern drum/studs, custom Cruisin Offroad fenders, aluminum lid on shocks, Technitop RTT, 315/75R16 on FZJ80 alloys, SUA.
1989 BJ74 with half bald 255/85R16 BFG MTs, OME lift, ARB front bumper w/ 8274, ARBs F +R, Cruisin' Off Road rear bumper, sliders, and skid plate, 3rd 12V deep cycle battery, rear drawer set up, ham and CB radios, Puma OBA.
The Crap Cruiser (affectionately named) , a resurrected 1987 HJ60 5 speed sporting a newer Japanese import 2H with unknown mileage but is suspected to be fairly low given the fact that it runs awesome and does not use any oil. Axels are stock and open with 4.10 diff’s and what feels like 2.29 in the t-case low range. Suspension is stock with add-a-leaves and long Japanese shackles, wheels are eagle alloys with 33x12.5 Mickey Thompson MTZ tires, ARB Fridge Freezer, On board Net top computer with GPS Running Map Source. Japanese HJ61 Turbo seats with Suspension bases (VERY NICE).
82 BJ60 (big red) 2nd owner, 515k on body with 13bt, 5spd, 4spd t-case gears. Factory cable lockers, 3" suspension lift and 1" body lift. JDM frame, body mods and protection, and 35" radial Super Swampers, PTO winch and a Bed and camping setup, storage, rubber tupperware, Trying to become a mini motorhome a bit more all the time.
Mine’s a 1990 HZJ73 with custom barwork front and rear, sliders, Cruisin Off Road bullet proof T-case skid plate, 33 Cooper STT’s, safari snorkel, sleeping platform and interior storage, exterior tool rack with Fourtreks and quickfist fastening clamps. GPS and Satelite radio. Locked ARB rear and onboard air. OME 3inch lift with 3.5 inch Manafre shackles.
We had excellent weather on the first day with just a little bit of sprinkling at Wells Lake over night. This is the first trip we’ve done in three that we didn’t come out with more garbage than what we brought in. Beer cans were noticeably absent from the trail and Wells had been well maintained. The worst we could find was a cooler, old towels and the regular beer caps and shell casings.
Getting to Wells was exciting as the trail was wetter than the previous year and we had only a little trouble with one of the obstacles just before the big slick rock that everyone climbs where we had provide a little helping tug to one of the vehicles.
Most of us passed on the rock but we enjoyed watching the two brave guys who made a go of it. I noticed that with the slicker conditions than the previous year that tire placement was a little more critical than the previous year. There has been some trail erosion too making some of the obstacles just a little more challenging.
We all shot video and there will be another DVD made of the adventure.
Wells was beautiful,
and after we set up camp the food was consumed – steaks, more steaks, marshmallows, Nanaimo bars and other tasty treats.
The next morning, we had a leisurely wake up and were visited by some Whiskey Jacks. One of them was bold enough to steal a whole piece of fried bacon right off the plate. I think his bird buddies thought he was a hero and he was for us too.
Shortly after we left camp we were at Falcon Hill. This year with all the rain the trail was far more packed and traction was considerably better. I didn’t have any trouble this year but the centre of the hill had a large boulder that all of us had to work around and it gave some of us some trouble. One of the cooler moments was the JDM 81 climbing up a 2.5ft boulder with one tire and then pulling the rest of the truck over.
After the work out we ran into the next obstacle and it has a 2.5 foot vertical granite boulder that was well slick with mud that we had to go over. Lots of deeper water after this until we got to the meadow below Poser Rock where the sun showed up to welcome us. We stopped for lunch and I felt like staying forever. This area is always the highlight of the trip for me.
We had some more challenges from there to Lode Stone. One of the M101’s almost went over as the trail dipped really low on one side and the opposite side tire jumped up as it was going over a boulder. The trailer teetered for a moment before deciding to drop shiny side up. Here's a look at one of the holes:
Last year it took us 2 hours to get 5 trucks up the 5 foot wall of the ditch. The Roverlanders had been up there in the spring and put in a culvert and build a bridge for the quads. The ditch was an easy obstacle and we were all impressed with the trail rebuilding effort as it will prevent more damage occurring in the bog (less complaints means the trail stays open).
Lode Stone lake was clean as well and we camped on the south side of the lake. The next morning we drove into Tulameen where some of us said our good byes and others continued on. The FSR down to Tulameen from Lode Stone Lake had 5-8 inches of mud on it in spots and this was over hard surface. It made for some very slick driving and I had to touch my accelerator pedal a few times to keep the truck straight as we headed down hill. It was tricky as low range 1 and 2 were too low and the rear wanted to catch up to the front and 3 made you feel you were going to fast but you couldn’t hit the brake. We were all going too slow for the tires to clear too. We could see tire marks where previous trucks rode the lip of the cliff on the way down the mountain.
After parting four of the guys went and did the Tulameen to Brookmere route though the old KVR, which was well worth the drive, then drove under the Coqihalla, went throught the Murray Lake FSR and camped at a really sweet spot on the Maka creek right at the entrance to the Cabin Lake road. The next day was to Boston Bar through Uztilius FSR through some very nice country. We then took the Nahatlatch FSR and then we turned onto Kookipi, managed some landslide rubble and enjoyed the incredible sights of the Kookipi valley . More parted and two of the guys camped out at Silver River and did a bit of cleanup and rock crawling for fun before heading back to Harrison for air, washing and food and coffee.
One of the group went fly fishing at Bromely rock on the Similkimeen - pestering the rainbows. Later his family showed up and they explored the Darcy mine Rd to RockRidge Canyon and investigated the ruins of the old Allenby mining town.
I went through the Chain lakes area on the Princeton to Summerland route, turning on to the Trout Lake FSR which puts me right at my doorstep.
A great trip and we already know that the we’ll be back again next year.
Damage was light. Some scratched Tupperware ( two flares) and a punctured muffler. This cruiser has got extra wood burning power.
Cheers,
John
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