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[residualboulders]

I felt like the steps were the most memorable part of the trail but the toughest obstacle is actually the two off camber rock ledges just before the steps. I also thought the pucker factor was a little overhyped, but tough to beat those views dropping into Telluride.

For what it's worth I think the bed liner on the step actually looks pretty cool and rugged.

thanks, we'll see how the bedliner holds up. After this last week in canyonlands they are dirtier and look better, ha ha.

yeah I agree. I loved the trail, and the views were amazing. I was just surprised it wasn't as scary as all the youtubers make it out to be. Those off camber ledges are for sure the worst part. I watched my sister in her 4runner on those ledges teeter passenger tail in the air. I was behind her so it had me worried. But the 200 suspension did it's thing and my tires never left the ground. Having a good spotter helps a ton.

 

[residualboulders]

Man, that ledge is looking awfully close in this last pic.

True, the 200 is wide. my daughter sat on the passenger side with her feet out the window relaxing on the way down so I guess it wasn't too bad. Or she's just oblivious to danger.

 

[yonah]

FWIW - Update on my antenna location. After taking several trips with it mounted here we have found that if my travel companions are behind me the reception is great. If they are in front of me, they sometimes have issues understanding me. It probably needs to be moved to the front bumper - I don't want it there so we'll just deal with it, or maybe get a stubby for the front bumper instead. Just an FYI for anyone considering this mounting location. I do like how it's more discreet back here.

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IMO, you need a taller antenna. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong, it’s been a long time since I studied antenna theory, but the tip of the antenna should be well above the top of your vehicle. It appears that it is not above the roofline of the LC; which would make sense and explain why your signal transmission is degraded at the front of the vehicle.

 

[residualboulders]

IMO, you need a taller antenna. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong, it’s been a long time since I studied antenna theory, but the tip of the antenna should be well above the top of your vehicle. It appears that it is not above the roofline of the LC; which would make sense and explain why your signal transmission is degraded at the front of the vehicle.

Agreed. That’s why I mentioned moving it to the front bumper would likely be a huge improvement. I may change it one day. Don’t really want a big antenna up on my front bumper and Mrs doesn’t want it in her direct view out the front.

 

[yonah]

Agreed. That’s why I mentioned moving it to the front bumper would likely be a huge improvement. I may change it one day. Don’t really want a big antenna up on my front bumper and Mrs doesn’t want it in her direct view out the front.

That would look wonky and detract from the aesthetics, IMO. You'd also have the opposite problem - the vehicle's body would then block the signal broadcast to the rear of the vehicle. Drivers behind you would likely receive degraded transmissions from your radio.

You could always get a taller antenna and install a quick disconnect fitting at its base. Install the antenna when you need it and store it horizontally behind the rear seat when not in use (daily driving, etc.).

 

[TomEf]

Black bear. Cool trail, maybe over hyped? Other than one spot above the falls, not that scary. Switchbacks were no big deal. Great trail, don't get me wrong. We returned to Imogene, engineer, corkscrew etc. Always a fantastic time in Ouray. This time my 14 year old drove a lot of it and we had a great time together.

I absolutely LOVE the San Juans, but nothing there is all that extreme. Having done Black Bear half a dozen times over the past ~8 years, I will say that the steps seem to have mellowed out and the waterfall section right above the steps seems to have gotten meatier. The switchbacks have never been a huge deal other than maybe doing a 4-5 point turn if you don't have a spotter. I did Poughkeepsie for the first time in a few years and it was much, much beefier than I remembered but still not too big of a deal. I was with a group that liked to party and we ran every optional hard line out there.


Come to Cruise Moab next spring and we'll put some work on that bumper powdercoat

 

[Bullgump]

That would look wonky and detract from the aesthetics, IMO. You'd also have the opposite problem - the vehicle's body would then block the signal broadcast to the rear of the vehicle. Drivers behind you would likely receive degraded transmissions from your radio.

You could always get a taller antenna and install a quick disconnect fitting at its base. Install the antenna when you need it and store it horizontally behind the rear seat when not in use (daily driving, etc.).

I run an Alamosa antenna on front and unscrew the body off the spring mount when not in use. Cap the opening and good to go.

 

[residualboulders]

I run an Alamosa antenna on front and unscrew the body off the spring mount when not in use. Cap the opening and good to go.

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Maybe I’ll try that. Good idea.

 

[DesmoPilot]

FWIW - Update on my antenna location. After taking several trips with it mounted here we have found that if my travel companions are behind me the reception is great. If they are in front of me, they sometimes have issues understanding me. It probably needs to be moved to the front bumper - I don't want it there so we'll just deal with it, or maybe get a stubby for the front bumper instead. Just an FYI for anyone considering this mounting location. I do like how it's more discreet back here.

View attachment 3746286

I just relocated my antenna from front bumper to A pillar using Kaon hood mount.

 

[residualboulders]

I just relocated my antenna from front bumper to A pillar using Kaon hood mount.

Good idea. My bro has a short stubby on the A pillar of his defender 110. Seems to work well.

 

[gasman4u]

Good idea. My bro has a short stubby on the A pillar of his defender 110. Seems to work well.

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You gents ever worry about being in that proximity to the radiation when broadcasting?

I may be way off on antenna theory and may get more radiation using my cell phone pressed against my skill, but didn’t know if it’s a consideration. If so, maybe on pax side A pillar would be better? May not matter at all though.

 

[residualboulders]

You gents ever worry about being in that proximity to the radiation when broadcasting?

I may be way off on antenna theory and may get more radiation using my cell phone pressed against my skill, but didn’t know if it’s a consideration. If so, maybe on pax side A pillar would be better? May not matter at all though

I personally am not smart enough to measure the impact of radiation based on my proximity to the Antenna. According to the interwebs, which as we all know is always truth - "Exposure to very high RF intensities can result in heating of biological tissue and an increase in body temperature. " so I'll just turn on my ventilated seats to keep my body temp down.

 

[gasman4u]

I personally am not smart enough to measure the impact of radiation based on my proximity to the Antenna. According to the interwebs, which as we all know is always truth - "Exposure to very high RF intensities can result in heating of biological tissue and an increase in body temperature. " so I'll just turn on my ventilated seats to keep my body temp down.

Don’t forget your coolant needing changes due to proximity of RF!!!

I’m (highly) likely making a mountain out of nothing…now that I think of it, the guy who knows this stuff was mentioning handhelds. And maybe even gestured like he was using a Zack morris cell phone to listen as well.

 

[residualboulders]

Don’t forget your coolant needing changes due to proximity of RF!!!

I’m (highly) likely making a mountain out of nothing…now that I think of it, the guy who knows this stuff was mentioning handhelds. And maybe even gestured like he was using a Zack morris cell phone to listen as well.

ha ha. It would be interesting to know. But yeah you'd have to maybe increase your radiator and coolant capacity if mounted up front huh?

 

[gasman4u]

ha ha. It would be interesting to know. But yeah you'd have to maybe increase your radiator and coolant capacity if mounted up front huh?

 

[residualboulders]

A warning to fellow @sleeoffroad rear bumper owners for the 200. Don't make the same mistake I did. Sometimes I cause my own problems.

Slee makes an awesome product but regular inspection of your bumper components is worthwhile. I didn't realize my rubber bumper for my spare tire swing out has deteriorated over time. Surprisingly, the arm has bent where it makes contact when opened. So if you see any wear in your rubber bumpers, get a replacement on there asap. I ordered some from Slee, will have to touch up my bumper finish now. Unfortunately I don't think I can fix the bend in the steel without disassembling the arm. FWIW POR15 Chassis black seems like a pretty good match the bumper finish on this and my arb front bumper.

 

[gasman4u]

Did it get that bad in 2 years?

 

[residualboulders]

Did it get that bad in 2 years?

I've had the bumper 2 1/2 years. But yes, they deteriorated that fast. The rubber bumper on the left side is fine, but most of the time it has very little weight on it as I remove the jerry cans full of water, tools etc after a trip. Maybe Slee had a bad batch of bumpers, I don't know. Disappointing, but it is what it is I guess. If you have one, keep an eye on it.

 

[sleeoffroad]

A warning to fellow @sleeoffroad rear bumper owners for the 200. Don't make the same mistake I did. Sometimes I cause my own problems.

Slee makes an awesome product but regular inspection of your bumper components is worthwhile. I didn't realize my rubber bumper for my spare tire swing out has deteriorated over time. Surprisingly, the arm has bent where it makes contact when opened. So if you see any wear in your rubber bumpers, get a replacement on there asap. I ordered some from Slee, will have to touch up my bumper finish now. Unfortunately I don't think I can fix the bend in the steel without disassembling the arm. FWIW POR15 Chassis black seems like a pretty good match the bumper finish on this and my arb front bumper.

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From the looks of the dent the tire carrier must have swung into the bumper with quite a bit of force. We have seen the rubber wear out mostly after being exposed to years of sunlight or when the carrier is repeatedly swung into the stopper with excessive force.

We are working on getting custom rubber isolators built with a different durometer to prevent excessive compression and deforming that can lead to the rubber delaminating from the metal base.

We normally see damage to carriers / struts etc when the carriers are opened by someone not familiar with them.

 

[residualboulders]

From the looks of the dent the tire carrier must have swung into the bumper with quite a bit of force. We have seen the rubber wear out mostly after being exposed to years of sunlight or when the carrier is repeatedly swung into the stopper with excessive force.

We are working on getting custom rubber isolators built with a different durometer to prevent excessive compression and deforming that can lead to the rubber delaminating from the metal base.

We normally see damage to carriers / struts etc when the carriers are opened by someone not familiar with them.

Hey Christo, thanks for the reply. I didn't think about the opening force breaking down the rubber bumper, that makes sense. I’m sure it was user error that caused the dent, I often creste my own problems Thanks for making great stuff for our cruisers!