Who has taken their 100 on the Rubicon?

[KlausVanWinkle]

No one has done it recently. Make sure you have triple lockers, 35" tires, full heavy duty skid plates, recovery points and front and rear bumpers. Them report back when you finish. It'd be kind of cool to see another 100 do it.


...via IH8MUD app

 

[fireball]

You don't want to join the fun?

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

The 7 hour long iH8Mud Posion Spider Mesa run was long enough. I can't imagine doing a much harder trail for 48+ hours.

 

[LX5708]

i will eventually do the Rubicon in my LX470... just to say i did it.. LOL.. i kind of want to go next weekend for my B-day...

 

[cybrstar]

This was better than Eddy Murphy in "Mrs. 80/100 Doughtfire".......

BHaHaHaHaHaHaHa


Now I know why they call us IRON PIGS!!!!!

 

[Cube Dweller]

Wow! Both that he sold it and she bought it. Ross is one of my heroes and I try to emulate his approach when leading that trail.

Derek-good to see you back. I'd love to have you and your sis do the trial with us again. I'd even get the 40 out of retirement for that! Heck your 100 is almost 10 years old, maybe you could be #2 after Amando since Shotts is now retired. Did he ever do it? Long ago I tuned out threads he was in and never heard.

Fun to relive that 2005 run watching the video.

Here's my take. 100s can do the Rubicon, but it isn't a great idea. The steering rack and links are the weak spot and there's no trail fix for it. Related to that is an inability to lift the truck in a way that's practical and cost-effective. An extra couple of inches beyond the usual 2 1/2 would make a big difference. I remember how hard we worked to get Amando's truck through the Rubicon. I also remember that Tony's 4Runner mangled every body panel and then had to be towed home on Brett's trailer the minute we hit the pavement.


Those were good times!

actually the body faired ok- dent to the driver's door on Cadillac and iirc on the the passenger rear quarter. the rear bumper got mangled and the rear link mounts were destroyed, which caused the death wobble necessitating the tow.

it was a lot more fun the next year or year after with 35's, sas and dual cases.

someone (not me!) should organize a reunion run. I'd probably drive the 100 through part of it if I get a front locker...

 

[r3run33]

i'm in also but I need some 35's also hey maybe we can try a GO FUND ME from toyota for donations???

 

[pilotuku]

Bringing this back fellas....

Rig is not mine, a friend, (non mud) and was challenged by this thread. So now, we are doing our R&D for him to make this Rubithon in June.

Question to you 100 gurus, is it more sensible to delete the AHC, install a lift and stay with 33's, OR, stick with the AHC and get 35's???

He has 2006 with the AHC and only center locking diff, front bumper, sliders, skid plate and a winch. Front and rear lockers will be purchased in time for this trip.


Thanks for your time...

 

[paflytyer]

I think it's important that he finds out who is leading the Wagon Run this year and speak with that person directly. 99.9% of the comments you'll get here are just notes from the cheap seats. All the standard gear for any wagon should apply (except the extra parts he should carry). If the AHC fails on the trail with 35s on, it will be a nightmare. I would much rather have a traditional lift on 35's.

Contact Eric Chairman@rubithon.com

Looking forward to seeing his 100 at Rubithon this year.

 

[pilotuku]

I think it's important that he finds out who is leading the Wagon Run this year and speak with that person directly. 99.9% of the comments you'll get here are just notes from the cheap seats. All the standard gear for any wagon should apply (except the extra parts he should carry). If the AHC fails on the trail with 35s on, it will be a nightmare. I would much rather have a traditional lift on 35's.

Contact Eric Chairman@rubithon.com

Looking forward to seeing his 100 at Rubithon this year.

I started a conversation with him on the 2016 Rubithon thread and have also emailed Rick Cortez. He will be leading the Wagon Group.

If we delete the AHC, we will be staying with 33's, if we keep it, we'll do 35's. We're trying to keep the $$$ under $4500.


This is the Hundy that we're planning on taking with us.

 

[Propane]

I took my built TJ through years ago. I would expect body damage on a 100 even with sliders and bumpers. Plan on lots of stacking rocks too. If you break plan on a hell of a time getting out. I snapped an axle shaft and it was a pain to tow out my little TJ on 35s. Couldn't imagine trying to drag an injured 100 through there especially if your AHC goes out.


Sent from my iPhone

 

[hoser]

I'd go 35's... bring a spare driveshaft or resleeve the stock one with .120

He'll also need proper front recovery points.

 

[pilotuku]

I can't even imagine how bad it could be if the AHC fails, and I don't want to spoil the fun on the trail as well.
I'm really suggesting we delete it and go get 2" lift, but, we have to stick with 33's. Budget is limited, we either do that, or stick with AHC and get 35's.

We still have to get front and rear lockers for it.

As for spares, we are sourcing a driveshaft, CV's and rack and pinion as trail spares.

 

[Nottajeep]

I would go with the marlin crawl gears also.
This is a really poor idea BTW, but it's your rig to tear up.

 

[hoser]

The possibility of AHC failure is <5%. The chance of inadequate clearance w/ 33's is 100%

The problem with failed AHC globes/sensors is the ride height can drop. Lack of damping is not huge issue on a slow going trail like this. If the fear of AHC failure is looming over his head, have your buddy install non-AHC t-bars, rear springs and airbags. Upon failure, crank the T-bars up to an acceptable ride height and inflate the rear air bags.

I actually think the low range gearing will be fine, especially with the 5 speed.

 

[benc]

^^
Agreed, I wouldn't even consider it with 33s! It will be tough with 35s but doable. Has he ever done anything like this before? The problem I have found with taking an under built rig to an event like this is the hardcore crawler guys that will most likely be the spotters don't really care about body damage or know how to spot an under built rig. Having a good spotter that knows these vehicles will be key.
A friend and I do plan to give it a go next summer in our 100s but it would not be with a group so we can take our time.
Maybe we need to do a 100s on the rubicon @paflytyer? You know how to spot these rigs[emoji6]

Good luck and make sure to take lots of pics?




Sent from my iPhone

 

[bhicks]

^^
Agreed, I wouldn't even consider it with 33s! It will be tough with 35s but doable. Has he ever done anything like this before? The problem I have found with taking an under built rig to an event like this is the hardcore crawler guys that will most likely be the spotters don't really care about body damage or know how to spot an under built rig. Having a good spotter that knows these vehicles will be key.
A friend and I do plan to give it a go next summer in our 100s but it would not be with a group so we can take our time.
Maybe we need to do a 100s on the rubicon @paflytyer? You know how to spot these rigs[emoji6]

Good luck and make sure to take lots of pics?




Sent from my iPhone

I may try to tag along with you in my 100 on that trip. I have ran the Con in a couple of my built rigs but never in the 100. My XJ on 37's and 1 ton drivetrain walked through it without issue. My 80 on 35's struggled through but made it without too much fuss. If I can get my build into gear on the 100 and have it con ready by this summer, then I may join the group. The 295 70 18s will be on by then which are measuring 34.6"x12". close enough to 35". I went through on 315 75 16s on the 80 which measured 34.4" and they did fine. Skid plates and bumpers will all be on by then. It's the lockers that may not be in the budget that soon. If no lockers, then I will wait until the following year. Don't want to try and run it with A-trac and just beat up my rig for no reason.

 

[fireball]

I would love to see a detailed trip report with a 100 going through the Rubicon. From the photos I've seen, it looks like a big challenge but certainly doable with good spotting and good driving.

 

[paflytyer]

Some of the things mentioned above would make attending Rubithon in that 100 this year all the more worrisome. If he doesn't have the money to buy new tires for this trail, what happens if something unexpected breaks? Would he just have someone winch him up CH and then leave the truck there until he can save money to repair it? That really puts a lot of folks in a bad spot who are giving their time to lead and spot.

I think it's important for him to recognize that TLCA members are coming from all over the country (and the world) for what may be their only chance to run that trail. Coming unprepared in a vehicle that may not be equipped and ready to complete the trail could make what is supposed to be a great experience, a bad one. (This can happen to anyone, but there are obvious concerns with the 100) Why not wait one more year when he can save the money to build the vehicle properly?

I've never done Rubicon Trail, never even seen it in person, but I can say with 100% certainty that 35's are a big improvement over 33's on the 100 Series, but there is more to it than just having the guy at Discount Tire bolt them up. I have taken my 100 on 1 or 2 trails over the last 5 years and I have done just about everything to get 35s to fit without any rubbing (body lift, suspension lift, spacers plus all the things that go along with the body lift I.E. lowered radiator, .5" steering spacer etc.) and I still rub a little at full flex/stuff.

I'm not trying to discourage anything or say that it cannot be done, just giving my unsolicited feedback on how the 100 performs on difficult trails and maybe giving some perspective as to the potential problem areas. The main one being that coming to Rubithon underprepared is unfair to the folks traveling for a week just to get to the event. Maybe a run of just locals after Rubithon would be more appropriate?

I got flamed a few years ago for saying that the 100 series is not a good choice of vehicle for the Rubicon. I still say it's not the right choice. I don't have to have intimate knowledge of that particular trail, I know how the 100 performs on difficult terrain. The front end sucks. It clangs and bangs, doesn't flex/travel well and always lifts a front tire over large obstacles and uneven terrain.

There's no question a 100 will make it, it's already been done. But I don't think that 100 was able to drive home after the trail was complete. (Someone will have to correct me if I'm wrong). I just think trying to do it during Rubithon is unfair to the others on the trail for that event. Doing it with a small group of folks who know the lines and know how the 100 performs is a better choice IMO.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

If I recall correctly, Toyota R&D team took a few FJ Cruisers through the Rubicon trial in 2005. The support rigs that they used were brand new 100-Series Land Cruisers. The only thing they did was bolt on BFG All-Terrian rubber. The artical was focused on the FJCs, but they mentioned that Toyota successfully ripped off the bumpers on the 100's. Other than that (and possibly a tire failure), all vehicles made it through on their own power. Granted, those are professional drivers with an unlimited budget, but it can be done. I wish I could find that artical...