Tellico, NC - 5/13/05

[synovus]

Got together with some of the yotatech guys for the 2nd annual Southeast 4Runner Jam at Tellico this weekend, and thought I'd share some of my pics. This was a great trip, even though I left with a little more carnage than I would've preferred. I bent my drive shaft (well, the slip yoke), so ended up having to drive home in front wheel drive... which the CV's didn't really appreciate. Got a nice dent on the front pass.-side fender and busted a rear tail light, too. But hey, I made it up Slick Rock!! :D

http://pics.rickbeatty.com/se4rj2

[Hector]

Sweet pics man, thanks for sharin'. I'm ready now, hopefully the staco will be ready by fall. You ever wheel over toward Cullowhee/Sylva NC?

[tenntaco]

Great pics, Rick. I still hate you for doing Slick Rock first, but I'll be okay :D Were you guys using the strap to keep away from the tree, or were you having trouble getting traction?

[synovus]

Sweet pics man, thanks for sharin'. I'm ready now, hopefully the staco will be ready by fall. You ever wheel over toward Cullowhee/Sylva NC?

Thanks Hector! No, the only place I've wheeled in NC is at Tellico.

[synovus]

Great pics, Rick. I still hate you for doing Slick Rock first, but I'll be okay :D Were you guys using the strap to keep away from the tree, or were you having trouble getting traction?

Sorry, Daniel, I had to. It was too damn tempting. LOL I didn't have to use a strap... just a couple good spotters and lots o' skinny. :D But the 4Runner guys were using it because of traction issues. After a tire or two got lifted, they decided it was better to be safe than sorry.

It'll probably be at least a week or two, but I'll post up the vid(s) when I get 'em.

[tenntaco]

It's no fun with all 4 tires on the ground :xrocker: I guess this means I'll have to take Kyle up on his offer to run Lower 2. Get a new DS and come with us :D

[synovus]

I think I've found a new (used) DS... $225 for a whole one, so I'll have a spare front half if/when I ever need it. Should be getting it tomorrow.

For now, you can keep Lower 2. My efforts this past weekend will keep me happy for a while. At this point I need to be focusing on making my rig more durable. LOL The gap between the bed and cab on mine is starting to look like yours. :eek:

[duby08]

Rick, you do realize that trip right there was the beginning of the end for your truck. Now you get to where you don't mind burying the side in a bank or bouncing off of trees. :saw: :welder: Great pics, can't wait to see the movies. Daniel, I guess now we have to run lower 2....

[synovus]

I blame it on you guys. Ya'll are bad influences! :D I hope to be able to make the ride in June... somebody's gotta be there to show you how it's done! LOL!!

[duby08]

I blame it on you guys. Ya'll are bad influences! :D I hope to be able to make the ride in June... somebody's gotta be there to show you how it's done! LOL!!

You say to show us, we just like the pictures your camera takes. It's hard to find a good photographer these days :D Get your driveshaft together and get back out there with us. It'll be a blast! Speaking of, where did you find that used driveshaft?

[synovus]

Oh, so it's like that huh?? Well at least I'm not completely useless... Fawkers! LOL!

Getting the driveshaft from a local junk yard... well, thru them anyway. They didn't have one on-hand, but were able to locate one for me from another yard. I think they found it in B'ham, but I'm not positive on that. I pick it up tomorrow, so I'll try to remember to ask 'em.

[duby08]

Yeah, that's something I'd like to add to my list of trail spares at some point. Mine already has a small ding in it.

[synovus]

Well, a local friend of mine picked up the driveshaft for me in B'ham today, so thankfully my Tacoma's days as a FWD vehicle are done. What a relief. Not only that, he also snagged a replacement tail light for me too. Watch me get pulled over for the busted tail light on the way to his place tonight. LOL

Lemme know if you want me to see if I can find you a drive shaft down here. I can bring it the next time I come up or we could meet somewhere in the middle if you need it sooner than whenever that'll be.

[RENEGADE76254]

anybody tell me how 2 get to tellico... i live in eastern NC and been searchin for places 2 wheel, the only one so far is over-run with idiots on 4 wheelers....

[synovus]

It's a few miles outside of Murphy, NC. Go to mapquest/mapblast and you can get directions from your house to there. Here's a map from Murphy to Tellico OHV (and Crawford's Campground, a great place to camp): http://www.crawfordsattellico.com/map.html

[hytenor]

so, am I gonna need to bring all my spare parts to Takeover? LOL
which truck is yours?

have:
DS, hubs, axles, tie rods, etc

[ATLRoach]

anybody tell me how 2 get to tellico... i live in eastern NC and been searchin for places 2 wheel, the only one so far is over-run with idiots on 4 wheelers....


Tellico Is not a place for 2wds... It would be fun try though. Hope you have a winch. If you want a place a little more 2wd friendly Uwharrie Nat'l Forest is the place. They have tons of trails from easy to hard.

[ATLRoach]

Very good pics, Rick. Looks like y'all had fun. Kinda funny you got the 4runner bunch to run slickrock.

[synovus]

Actually, my initial intent was to follow the three 4Runner guys to Slickrock to take pics of them running it. They were running it regardless. I had little-to-no intention of doing it myself, as I'd only seen Slickrock twice before, and it was always from the top or from about midway up (walking down from the top). But when I looked at it from the bottom, and saw the IFS 4Runner guys doing well on it, I talked myself into it. I'm glad I did, too. :D

[synovus]

so, am I gonna need to bring all my spare parts to Takeover? LOL which truck is yours? have: DS, hubs, axles, tie rods, etc

The only pics I have of my truck are the ones showing the front pass-side fender with a nice dent and cracked hood deflector (courtesy of Slickrock). Well, there's a couple of it parked all by its lonesome along an easy section of trail toward the end of that album.

I wouldn't dare ask you to bring spares for me. Between now and TO, I'll be doing my best to compile a healthy set of spare parts. So far I've got a spare CV, front DS half and carrier bearing.

[tenntaco]

I wouldn't dare ask you to bring spares for me.

If he's willing to lug parts on to the plane, let him :D

[synovus]

I'd like to see airport security's confused looks. LOL

[tenntaco]

I can see the headlines now:

Opera singer from Northern California detained by Police for transporting automotive parts. The suspect had this comment, "They were only tie rod ends. I think the full body cavity search was totally uncalled for." No charges were filed.

[ATLRoach]

The look on Chris's face when they tell him that they are going to give a full cavity search would be priceless.

[hytenor]

hey, thanks for looking out for me, sheesh...

I only have manual hub axles anyway.

who needs a spare front DS??? or even the center section of the rear...damn, you guys must really wheel hard, LOL

[tenntaco]

hey, thanks for looking out for me, sheesh...

I only have manual hub axles anyway.

who needs a spare front DS??? or even the center section of the rear...damn, you guys must really wheel hard, LOL

I'll be quite a bit braver knowing my junk is going home on a trailer. I just need to get off my ass and get my flatbed and cage work done. If you really want to bring parts, I would say tre's and bj's. A DS is pretty bulky and there will be planty of cv's to be had.

[synovus]

For anyone interested, here's a vid of me running Slickrock. It's broken down into two parts, and you'll need RealMedia Player to view it.

www.tacomaterritory.com/~synovus/files/tellicovids/rickslickrockp1.rm

www.tacomaterritory.com/~synovus/files/tellicovids/rickslickrockp2.rm

[hytenor]

For anyone interested, here's a vid of me running Slickrock. It's broken down into two parts, and you'll need RealMedia Player to view it.

www.tacomaterritory.com/~synovus/files/tellicovids/rickslickrockp1.rm

www.tacomaterritory.com/~synovus/files/tellicovids/rickslickrockp2.rm

what fun, LOL not bad for aired-up street tires ;)

[synovus]

what fun, LOL not bad for aired-up street tires ;)

Yeah, they did alright that day. The following day was a different story...

[tenntaco]

For anyone interested, here's a vid of me running Slickrock. It's broken down into two parts, and you'll need RealMedia Player to view it.

www.tacomaterritory.com/~synovus/files/tellicovids/rickslickrockp1.rm

www.tacomaterritory.com/~synovus/files/tellicovids/rickslickrockp2.rm

:xrocker: I love running the trails out there with all the guys on 44's watching shaking their heads. It's worth it just to see the looks on their faces after you roll over something like that :D

[synovus]

LOL! Exactly. The ATV pricks there in that vid (the guys near the bottom) got all pissy because one of the guys in our group asked 'em not to run it until our group finished, so we could all stay together (one of 'em started up it after the first rig went up). They kept yelling shit and generally being all-around douchebags, thinking I couldn't possibly make it up Slickrock in my little Tacoma. They got real quiet when I finally made it up the main rocky section. A couple of 'em even changed their tune when we got to the ledge at the top, and actually helped with strap pulling duties.

I still think one of the funniest was that dude at Summertown, talkin' about his 38's and how even he wouldn't try whatever that was (was it Tunnel?).

[tenntaco]

lol That was Slick Holler. That guy was a total tool. His 44" boggers can kiss my ass. I think a lot of these backwoods guys just get shocked when they see newer vehicles like ours out there running the same trails. I sat behind a group of guys waiting to go up Guardrail one afternoon for about half an hour when Nash and I were out there. We figured they were swapping a shaft or a hub or something. Come to find out, they were just airing down and blocking the trasil to be dicks. Fuck 'em.

[hytenor]

Yeah, they did alright that day. The following day was a different story...

And?.......

[tenntaco]

And?.......

You need to put the bug in his ear. 33x10.50's with no BL... A good set of mt's will handle well in the rain...

[synovus]

And?.......

And do you want to hitch-hike from BWI to Paragon?? :eek: LOL

:p

[synovus]

You need to put the bug in his ear. 33x10.50's with no BL... A good set of mt's will handle well in the rain...

I started pricing 'em last night. :D

[hytenor]

You need to put the bug in his ear. 33x10.50's with no BL... A good set of mt's will handle well in the rain...

even the ATs would be an improvement ;)

[hytenor]

And do you want to hitch-hike from BWI to Paragon?? :eek: LOL

:p

dang, then I would have to wear some weird costume... :eek:

[synovus]

even the ATs would be an improvement ;)

Please explain.

[hytenor]

Please explain.

BFG ATs are probably better on wet pavement than the MTs but not quite as good on trails and mud. They will also wear longer than the MTs. Either are tons better then street tires.

[tenntaco]

I agree with Chris. If you're not ready to bite the bullet on MT's, get some bfg at's.

[synovus]

BFG ATs are probably better on wet pavement than the MTs but not quite as good on trails and mud. They will also wear longer than the MTs. Either are tons better then street tires.

While that's undoubtably true, my "street tires" have served my purposes very well so far, and allowed me to keep up on the majority of trails I've ridden with others who were running BFG AT's or MT's. Who knows, maybe I've just been extremely lucky and doing easy trails.

[synovus]

I agree with Chris. If you're not ready to bite the bullet on MT's, get some bfg at's.

My next tires will be BFG MT's, and I may have them before Tellico. I've still got my stock 15" rims in storage, so that'll make biting that bullet a little easier. I know you said you think the Dueler M/T's have a better sidewall than the BFG MT's, but the Dueler's don't come in a 33x10.5x15, and the Duelers are considerably more expensive from what I've seen. Now I just need to find the cheapest place to get the BFG's.

[Ted]

Rick, get some Goodyear MTR's. If you go to 33's you should put some 4.56's in truck.

[synovus]

No 33x10.5 in the MTR's. Gears will have to wait for now.

[tenntaco]

No 33x10.5 in the MTR's. Gears will have to wait for now.

You could always cross over to the dark side and get a BL :eek:

[synovus]

You could always cross over to the dark side and get a BL :eek:

The most I would do is a 1", which wouldn't help me much with fitting 285's I don't think. Anything more than that would require cutting off and re-welding my sliders, which I'm not too keen on. Even if I could fit 285's with a 1", they seem to be quite a bit more expensive than 33x10.5's. I ain't rollin' in dough, like all you uppity web-wheelin' types! Not yet anyway. LOL :p

How's the engine work coming along??

[tenntaco]

The most I would do is a 1", which wouldn't help me much with fitting 285's I don't think. Anything more than that would require cutting off and re-welding my sliders, which I'm not too keen on. Even if I could fit 285's with a 1", they seem to be quite a bit more expensive than 33x10.5's. I ain't rollin' in dough, like all you uppity web-wheelin' types! Not yet anyway. LOL :p

How's the engine work coming along??

You'll be good with anything as long as the tread pattern is more aggressive. I had the code read this morning and the #3 cylinder wasn't firing. I'm going to swap out the plugs, wires, etc... tonight after work. I'm hoping that it caused the timing to jump creating the tapping noise. I was worried I'd thrown a rod, but the noise wasn't cyclical or constant, so that's a good sign.

[Ted]

The most I would do is a 1", which wouldn't help me much with fitting 285's I don't think. Anything more than that would require cutting off and re-welding my sliders, which I'm not too keen on. Even if I could fit 285's with a 1", they seem to be quite a bit more expensive than 33x10.5's. I ain't rollin' in dough, like all you uppity web-wheelin' types! Not yet anyway. LOL :p

How's the engine work coming along??


You can make any tire fit with a :saw:

[hytenor]

You could always cross over to the dark side and get a BL :eek:

yea, I had to put a 1" RB kit on to be able to clock the tcase when the crawler goes in next month. Now I just have to figure out if i'm going to bother redoing the bumper mounts...they will be a major pain.

[synovus]

yea, I had to put a 1" RB kit on to be able to clock the tcase when the crawler goes in next month. Now I just have to figure out if i'm going to bother redoing the bumper mounts...they will be a major pain.

Are your sliders bolt-on or welded on? Are you doing anything about them when you get your BL?

[hytenor]

Are your sliders bolt-on or welded on? Are you doing anything about them when you get your BL?

bolt-on. I haven't decided if I want to change them for the BL. I kind of like them as an extension of the frame ;) I may cut them from the mounts and angle them up a tad, however.
or...just sell them and make something new :p
http://www.norcalttora.com/~chris/mods/sliders/

[synovus]

bolt-on. I haven't decided if I want to change them for the BL. I kind of like them as an extension of the frame ;) I may cut them from the mounts and angle them up a tad, however. or...just sell them and make something new :p

Ah... mine are welded on, and that's one concern I have with getting a BL. I guess 1" really wouldn't be all that noticeable, though.

[tenntaco]

Are your sliders bolt-on or welded on? Are you doing anything about them when you get your BL?

Uhhhm... did you really have to ask that? :D

[tenntaco]

Ah... mine are welded on, and that's one concern I have with getting a BL. I guess 1" really wouldn't be all that noticeable, though.

You don't have the big heavy bumper/winch setup that Chris has. Just go with the 33x10.50's and worry about the 1" bl later. The way your going you'll be doing a swap before then anyways, so FAWK it :D

[synovus]

Uhhhm... did you really have to ask that? :D
I forgot who I was talking to for a minute when I asked that question. LOL!

You don't have the big heavy bumper/winch setup that Chris has. Just go with the 33x10.50's and worry about the 1" bl later. The way your going you'll be doing a swap before then anyways, so FAWK it
:lmao: Yeah, plus I can put that money towards other, more immediately important stuff, like a Hi-Lift and such. Gotta call dubylicious later today...

[hytenor]

Uhhhm... did you really have to ask that? :D

at least my truck still has its doors :p

I gotta admit though, that 1" has eliminated that annoying rubbing on the plastic inner fenders ;)

[hytenor]

Ah... mine are welded on, and that's one concern I have with getting a BL. I guess 1" really wouldn't be all that noticeable, though.
thats what torches and sawzalls are for ;) :welder: :saw:

[synovus]

thats what torches and sawzalls are for ;)

That's a lot of work for an inch! I think I could deal with the added gap easier than the hassle of torching and re-welding.

What do you typically air down to with your 33x10.5's when you go wheeling?

[tenntaco]

at least my truck still has its doors :p

I gotta admit though, that 1" has eliminated that annoying rubbing on the plastic inner fenders ;)

Doors are for pansies :D I think I may get rid of mine for good. I could probably sell them and get enough $$$ for a cool gps setup or something :D

[hytenor]

That's a lot of work for an inch! I think I could deal with the added gap easier than the hassle of torching and re-welding.

What do you typically air down to with your 33x10.5's when you go wheeling?

What work? plasma torch would take a few minutes to cut them off at the outer assembly. Angle them up to where you want, tac-weld. double check the angle and weld them up. might take an hr or so.

15 front/12 rear for really crazy stuff otherwise 18/15. much more and I start losing beads all the time. I go to 12/10 in the sand and snow. On mild trails I'll only go down to 20 or so. Aired up they are only at 30-32 front/26-27 rear or the centers wear out on these OE 7" rims. If I weren't planning on wacking the IFS off next year I'd get some 8" rims with 4.25" bs. these stock rims just don't hold a bead very well when the tires are aired down too far. specialty off-road rims (not beadlocks) have a different edge that is supposed to help hold the bead better with lower air pressure.

[hytenor]

Doors are for pansies :D I think I may get rid of mine for good. I could probably sell them and get enough $$$ for a cool gps setup or something :D

ever watch how much your cab flexes/tweeks w/o doors? :rolleyes:
...the reason to go with tube doors of half-doors.

[synovus]

What work? plasma torch would take a few minutes to cut them off at the outer assembly. Angle them up to where you want, tac-weld. double check the angle and weld them up. might take an hr or so.

15 front/12 rear for really crazy stuff otherwise 18/15. much more and I start losing beads all the time. I go to 12/10 in the sand and snow. On mild trails I'll only go down to 20 or so. Aired up they are only at 30-32 front/26-27 rear or the centers wear out on these OE 7" rims. If I weren't planning on wacking the IFS off next year I'd get some 8" rims with 4.25" bs. these stock rims just don't hold a bead very well when the tires are aired down too far. specialty off-road rims (not beadlocks) have a different edge that is supposed to help hold the bead better with lower air pressure.

If I owned a plasma torch, a welder, and had a place to do all of that, then I might consider it. :) Considering I don't have any of those things, it's a considerable amount of effort I'd just rather not have to deal with.

I was planning on just using my stock rims (which are currently sitting tireless in storage; my current rims are 16" whereas my stockers are 15's). But your comments make me think getting a set of steelies may be a better idea. Would the Wheelers steelies hold a bead better?

[hytenor]

If I owned a plasma torch, a welder, and had a place to do all of that, then I might consider it. :) Considering I don't have any of those things, it's a considerable amount of effort I'd just rather not have to deal with.

I was planning on just using my stock rims (which are currently sitting tireless in storage; my current rims are 16" whereas my stockers are 15's). But your comments make me think getting a set of steelies may be a better idea. Would the Wheelers steelies hold a bead better?

you mean to tell me that no one near you has that stuff? That's what wrenchatons are for :D

yes on the steelies, so they say. the 8" rims will also allow you to run higher psi for the street giving much better gas mileage and handling.

what is the bs on your 16" rims? stock 4.5" or less?

[synovus]

you mean to tell me that no one near you has that stuff? That's what wrenchatons are for :D

yes on the steelies, so they say. the 8" rims will also allow you to run higher psi for the street giving much better gas mileage and handling.

what is the bs on your 16" rims? stock 4.5" or less?

I'm sure I could find someone to help me do it, but it's really not that big a deal to me right now. The BL is on the backburner anyway.

The 16's are Eagle Alloy 589's, with 4" bs. I'll keep them with the current tires as my daily driver set, and have the 33x10.5's for wheeling. Like I said, I was initially gonna use my stock rims (same style as the ones you've got) for the 33x10.5's, but after your comments, I think I'll just pick up a set of steelies for 'em. I need to read up on which ones to get, though, as I don't really like the round-hole ones Wheelers carries. I'd rather have the D-shaped hole type. Wanna save me a few minutes of searching to let me know which ones I should check out, and what bs?

[hytenor]

I'm sure I could find someone to help me do it, but it's really not that big a deal to me right now. The BL is on the backburner anyway.

The 16's are Eagle Alloy 589's, with 4" bs. I'll keep them with the current tires as my daily driver set, and have the 33x10.5's for wheeling. Like I said, I was initially gonna use my stock rims (same style as the ones you've got) for the 33x10.5's, but after your comments, I think I'll just pick up a set of steelies for 'em. I need to read up on which ones to get, though, as I don't really like the round-hole ones Wheelers carries. I'd rather have the D-shaped hole type. Wanna save me a few minutes of searching to let me know which ones I should check out, and what bs?

wheelers should have the D-holes as well (they used to have them). Their site doesn't list them anymore but I wonder if they still carry them or could point you in the right direction. for BS I'd go with 4.25". That should keep the tires off the frame rails but not cause much more pinch-weld rubbing than OE rims would.

[ATLRoach]

Rick, Summit carries D window wheels for $32 bucks each

[hytenor]

Rick, Summit carries D window wheels for $32 bucks each

even better :D

[tenntaco]

ever watch how much your cab flexes/tweeks w/o doors? :rolleyes:
...the reason to go with tube doors of half-doors.

Tube doors are in the works right now. I'll get them made up before TO.

[hytenor]

Tube doors are in the works right now. I'll get them made up before TO.

very good, grasshopper. :cool:

[tenntaco]

very good, grasshopper. :cool:

I took them off a couple weeks back to take measurements, but a thunderstorm moved in pretty quickly shortly afterwards. Putting those things back on by yourself with the sky turning black is no fun :mad:

[ravencr]

I can vouch for Rick's performance on Slickrock and unfortunately missed his attempts on Schoolbus the next day. He's a great driver, and I can't wait to wheel with him again on Schoolbus, heli pad and guardrail. You ready yet, Rick?

Chris

[synovus]

I can vouch for Rick's performance on Slickrock and unfortunately missed his attempts on Schoolbus the next day. He's a great driver, and I can't wait to wheel with him again on Schoolbus, heli pad and guardrail. You ready yet, Rick? Chris

Hey, Chris, thanks for the compliment! I'm already there... in spirit. :D As you can see from this thread, I'm in the process of getting my rig more ready. Gotta get those mud terrains, and stock up on some other equipment. Ordered a Hi-Lift and some other stuff yesterday, and need to do some maintenance before heading back out (ball joint boots, for example). Got the driveshaft replaced, but have some kinks to work out with it as well.

I saw where seaweed posted some vids from schoolbus. Hopefully he didn't bother vidding my rain-soaked sorry excuse for an attempt. LOL Next time I'm making schoolbus my bitch!! :D

[ravencr]

Me too brother! I can't wait to run it!

Chris

[synovus]

Rick, Summit carries D window wheels for $32 bucks each

Hey Kyle, do you have a link? The ones I'm seeing are $42 each (black, D-shaped holes). :confused:

[tenntaco]

Hey Kyle, do you have a link? The ones I'm seeing are $42 each (black, D-shaped holes). :confused:

Geez, I was about to call you a n00b, but I need to get a new wheel (my spare wheel is so fubar'd I'm surprised it's holding a bead), but I don't see them either. They used to be ~$35 a piece :confused:

[synovus]

Geez, I was about to call you a n00b, but I need to get a new wheel (my spare wheel is so fubar'd I'm surprised it's holding a bead), but I don't see them either. They used to be ~$35 a piece :confused:

Let's call Kyle a n00b. :D

Are yours U.S. Wheels? Are they the ones with the red or red & blue stripe around the lip? The wheelers ones appear to be solid black, which appeals more to me and my customtacos buddies.

[tenntaco]

Let's call Kyle a n00b. :D

Are yours U.S. Wheels? Are they the ones with the red or red & blue stripe around the lip? The wheelers ones appear to be solid black, which appeals more to me and my customtacos buddies.

haha Good looking out. I was looking under American Racing. Shows you how much I pay attention to that stuff :D Wheels are disposable, just like tires and cv's so I don't really think about them too much :D When all those CT types quit asking questions about shaving their sacks, we'll let them in on the big secret: the stripes can be removed with a razor blade...

[synovus]

Me too brother! I can't wait to run it! Chris

Hey Chris, in case you haven't seen the thread, the TN Chapter has a ride planned for the weekend of June 17th. I'll be coming up for it, as is Brady (Austin's buddy in the black Tacoma, from NC). I know it's kinda short notice, but it'd be cool if you could make it! Some of us are gonna be doing Slickrock and similar.

Here's the link to the thread: http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/showthread.php?p=111795

[synovus]

haha Good looking out. I was looking under American Racing. Shows you how much I pay attention to that stuff :D Wheels are disposable, just like tires and cv's so I don't really think about them too much :D When all those CT types quit asking questions about shaving their sacks, we'll let them in on the big secret: the stripes can be removed with a razor blade...

LAMO!!! :D

So do you see the US Wheels for $32??

[tenntaco]

LAMO!!! :D

So do you see the US Wheels for $32??

I wish :( . I'm getting my slashed fronts swapped out tomorrow. I went ahead and ordered another one so I'd have 2 good spares. $194! Fawk it, I'll probably kill them at Windrock on Friday anyways :D

[ATLRoach]

I guess they went up in price...Damn Noobs.

[synovus]

Finally got some more videos of some of the other rigs that I ran Slickrock with, and some footage from part of Schoolbus. As I said before, we didn't make it up to the top of Schoolbus, due to the weather, but there were still a couple good vid clips from what we did do. Links below...

Slickrock:
AL TTORA member, Ernie (http://www.tacomaterritory.com/~synovus/files/tellicovids/ernieslickrock.rm)

Chris' (ravencr) 4Runner (http://www.tacomaterritory.com/~synovus/files/tellicovids/chrisonslickrock.rm)

Mark's '85 4Runner (http://www.tacomaterritory.com/~synovus/files/tellicovids/markslickrock.rm)

Will's '86(?) 4Runner - Part 1 (http://www.tacomaterritory.com/~synovus/files/tellicovids/willslickrockpart1.rm)
Will's '86(?) 4Runner - Part 2 (http://www.tacomaterritory.com/~synovus/files/tellicovids/willslickrockpart2.rm)
Will's '86(?) 4Runner - Part 3 (http://www.tacomaterritory.com/~synovus/files/tellicovids/willslickrockpart3.rm)


Schoolbus:
Me on the first section of Schoolbus (http://www.tacomaterritory.com/~synovus/files/tellicovids/rickschoolbus1.rm)

Mark's '85 4Runner on the first section (http://www.tacomaterritory.com/~synovus/files/tellicovids/markschoolbus.rm)

Bobbed bed Tacoma on the first section (http://www.tacomaterritory.com/~synovus/files/tellicovids/bobedsbp1.rm)

Jeff's '85 4Runner on the first section - Part 1 (http://www.tacomaterritory.com/~synovus/files/tellicovids/jeffschoolbus1.rm)
Jeff's '85 4Runner on the first section - Part 2 (http://www.tacomaterritory.com/~synovus/files/tellicovids/jeffschoolbus22.rm)
Jeff's '85 4Runner on the first section - Part 3 (http://www.tacomaterritory.com/~synovus/files/tellicovids/jeffschoolbus3333.rm)
Jeff's '85 4Runner on the first section - Part 4 (http://www.tacomaterritory.com/~synovus/files/tellicovids/jeffschoolbusdo.rm)
Jeff's '85 4Runner on the second section of Schoolbus, just before the rain (http://www.tacomaterritory.com/~synovus/files/tellicovids/jeffschoolbuspart2.rm)

[hytenor]

Finally got some more videos of some of the other rigs that I ran Slickrock with, and some footage from part of Schoolbus. As I said before, we didn't make it up to the top of Schoolbus, due to the weather, but there were still a couple good vid clips from what we did do. Links below...


dang, that sure looks like fun! how do rigs with lockers f/r do on slickrock? I can see that they would make that schoolbus trail kinda boring ;)

I feel better now seeing that you can drive ;)

[Ted]

I feel better now seeing that you can drive ;)


Will you two be able to follow me and Brian :)

[synovus]

dang, that sure looks like fun! how do rigs with lockers f/r do on slickrock? I can see that they would make that schoolbus trail kinda boring ;)

I feel better now seeing that you can drive ;)

Dual lockers would help out immensely on Slickrock, but it's a lot more challenging than I think the videos might lead you to believe. From what I've heard, plenty of rigs (mostly Jeeps, I think) have flopped/rolled on it, and traction is usually in short quantity. Also, in my opinion, the hardest part of Slickrock isn't even shown in the vid clips. There's a ledge at the very top of it, that is quite challenging. It's not uncommon at all for dual-locked rigs to still require winching to make it all the way to the top, over that ledge. Here's a pic of the ledge:
http://pics.rickbeatty.com/albums/se4rj2/DSC06347.sized.jpg

May not look big, but if you place the 6 some-odd-foot tall guy with the backwards hat down in that hole just below him, you can get a sense of how big that ledge really is. And they didn't name the trail Slickrock for no reason... ;) There's some pics just before that one that show a couple of the 4Runners going up it. Again, I honestly don't think the pics do it justice. So yeah, with dual lockers it'd be much easier, but still not a guaranteed cakewalk.

Now with Schoolbus, all you're seeing in those vids is the first section... what is obviously a rather easy section. That section is steep and tight, but the rocks aren't nearly as big as they are farther up that trail. Just past that first section is a sizeable ledge, shown in the last vid link I posted above (Jeff on the second section), and just beyond that ledge is a very nasty area of large rocks that I think would be very difficult for all but a tube buggy (maybe I'm wrong, though... I'm not as experienced as others). Beyond that section of rocks is, if I remember correctly, another smaller section of rocks and some very off-camber stuff that seemed like it was just begging to dent up the side of a few trucks or bust out a 4Runner window or two.

If I'm not mistaken, the three 4Runners made it up that ledge shown in that last vid I mentioned, but I think all three had to have a strap and some pullers or be winched up. Mark, in the white 4Runner may not have needed it, though... he's locked f/r. But during Mark's time getting up the ledge, the storm hit hard, and we all ended up having to turn around and go back down Schoolbus (much of that descent consisted of sliding our way down). I'm confident in my driving skills, and yet I was still questioning my decision to attempt Schoolbus in the first place. Even with lockers f/r and no rain, I honestly don't know if it would've been possible to make it up in an IFS rig without being winched at least once, if not more. Maybe Daniel can give his opinion of it and shed a little more light on the subject.

[Ted]

That pic looks pretty nasty.

[synovus]

That pic looks pretty nasty.

Hit it at about 30 in your truck... shouldn't be a problem. :D

[hytenor]

Will you two be able to follow me and Brian :)

After watching that vid I don't see why we won't be strapping you ;)

[hytenor]

pics and vids never do a trail justice. until we get some true 3-D stuff ;)
Even then It just ain't the same.

I can't imagine going back down any of that stuff in the rain...forget it. I probably would have camped out until it dried out, LOL

[synovus]

pics and vids never do a trail justice. until we get some true 3-D stuff ;) Even then It just ain't the same. I can't imagine going back down any of that stuff in the rain...forget it. I probably would have camped out until it dried out, LOL

Nah, it was fun... like being on a slip & slide as a kid... but only this time the slide was strewn with rocks and rooty banks, and the body damage couldn't be walked off. :lmao:

[hytenor]

Nah, it was fun... like being on a slip & slide as a kid... but only this time the slide was strewn with rocks and rooty banks, and the body damage couldn't be walked off. :lmao:

I got into a situation similar to that at Frank Raines a couple years ago. getting the noobs back down the hill was quite interesting ;) getting them to stay off the brakes was the hardest part.
http://www.norcalttora.com/~chris/wheelin%20trips/Frank%20Raines/Raines%201-03/

I'd rather go up slick hills then down them.

[synovus]

I got into a situation similar to that at Frank Raines a couple years ago. getting the noobs back down the hill was quite interesting ;) getting them to stay off the brakes was the hardest part.
http://www.norcalttora.com/~chris/wheelin%20trips/Frank%20Raines/Raines%201-03/

I'd rather go up slick hills then down them.

Yeah, at least we had banks and rocks to slide into... looks like you guys had nothing but other trucks and Brian to bring you to a stop. LOL

[hytenor]

Yeah, at least we had banks and rocks to slide into... looks like you guys had nothing but other trucks and Brian to bring you to a stop. LOL
that was pretty wild. the other rigs couldn't make the steep next part of the trail so Brian walked back down and I tried to get them turned around on that slope. The problems began when the trucks started sliding sideways in the mud, weee! Brian was trying to push the back end around to control the slide a little and get that truck facing down hill before he slid into the parked trucks. We got everyone turned around and headed back down but most of them were in a semi-controled slide down the hill ;) We kept yelling "Stay off the brakes!!!", LOL. no carnage that day which was amazing, all thing considered.

[synovus]

I would have to assume a few people got sold on mud terrains that day.

[zszac111]

If I owned a plasma torch, a welder, and had a place to do all of that, then I might consider it. :) Considering I don't have any of those things, it's a considerable amount of effort I'd just rather not have to deal with.
?

i have a plasma cutter, 5 welders a 70'x70' shop, more grinders and shit that is needed, feel free to come by and let me cut some shit up :D might have to move a few rigs that are being built now since my buddies decide to park dead center of the doorway for a motor swap

[synovus]

i have a plasma cutter, 5 welders a 70'x70' shop, more grinders and shit that is needed, feel free to come by and let me cut some shit up :D might have to move a few rigs that are being built now since my buddies decide to park dead center of the doorway for a motor swap

Man, you just opened a can o' worms! :D Do you think you might have time to help me do a chevy spring swap before Tellico? I'd like to do a shock relocation at the same time as well, if possible.

[zszac111]

Man, you just opened a can o' worms! :D Do you think you might have time to help me do a chevy spring swap before Tellico? I'd like to do a shock relocation at the same time as well, if possible.

yeah ill help do the swap. i have the chevy's out back on my rig. ill be at the shop most of next week doing my hydro-assist mounting, and helping my buddy with his motor swap. the shop is in west jefferson, off of hwy78, its actually at my buddies house, (his dad's old sheet metal shop that we kinda took over when he passed a year or so ago) i wont have the tube bender there, well there will be a cheap HF one but not the good one, so find out how you want to do the shock relocation. just cant keep me out there late, the GF likes to spend a little time with me since ive been out of town on buisness.

[synovus]

yeah ill help do the swap. i have the chevy's out back on my rig. ill be at the shop most of next week doing my hydro-assist mounting, and helping my buddy with his motor swap. the shop is in west jefferson, off of hwy78, its actually at my buddies house, (his dad's old sheet metal shop that we kinda took over when he passed a year or so ago) i wont have the tube bender there, well there will be a cheap HF one but not the good one, so find out how you want to do the shock relocation. just cant keep me out there late, the GF likes to spend a little time with me since ive been out of town on buisness.

Awesome. I really appreciate it, Zac. I'll PM you later about when a good day would be for you. I'll go ahead and start ordering/locating the parts for it. As far as the shock relocation, I'm thinking just a straight bar, so I doubt we'll even need the bender. Do you have any suggestions on where I should get the shock tabs from? I'm gonna get the BudBuilt front hangers, but I'd rather have welded shock tabs than his bolt-on type. Or do you think the bolt-ons would be good to get?

[Hyperlite]

I led and made it that day up on school bus w/ IFS and winching twice (once to un flop my runner) and had to turn around on the trail and winch ereryone else at least once
http://www.scottbasinger.com/photogallery/SE4RJ-05/images/SER4J-2005-D2135.jpg
I suffered alot of damage, but it was all worth it

here are 2 vids of my truck in real media
vid 1 (http://www.toyota-4runners.com/images/tellicomay05/blackrunnersbp2-1.rm)
vid 2 (http://www.toyota-4runners.com/images/tellicomay05/blackrunnersbp2-2.rm)

[zszac111]

Awesome. I really appreciate it, Zac. I'll PM you later about when a good day would be for you. I'll go ahead and start ordering/locating the parts for it. As far as the shock relocation, I'm thinking just a straight bar, so I doubt we'll even need the bender. Do you have any suggestions on where I should get the shock tabs from? I'm gonna get the BudBuilt front hangers, but I'd rather have welded shock tabs than his bolt-on type. Or do you think the bolt-ons would be good to get?


we can pick up shock tabs from offroad connection, which is in fultondale, they are laser cut and work great, they use them for all there 4 link stuff but they would work great for the mounts on the axle and the upper mounts, i think they are like 3-5 bucks each. just drill out to size bolt used.

[synovus]

I led and made it that day up on school bus w/ IFS and winching twice (once to un flop my runner) and had to turn around on the trail and winch ereryone else at least once
http://www.scottbasinger.com/photogallery/SE4RJ-05/images/SER4J-2005-D2135.jpg
I suffered alot of damage, but it was all worth it

here are 2 vids of my truck in real media
vid 1 (http://www.toyota-4runners.com/images/tellicomay05/blackrunnersbp2-1.rm)
vid 2 (http://www.toyota-4runners.com/images/tellicomay05/blackrunnersbp2-2.rm)

Hey Jon! :D Man, you did suffer some damage. Watching that window go... it was like it was in slow-motion. LOL I don't remember you having to winch me at any point. :confused: Remember, after the rain, I didn't even get to the ledge.

[synovus]

we can pick up shock tabs from offroad connection, which is in fultondale, they are laser cut and work great, they use them for all there 4 link stuff but they would work great for the mounts on the axle and the upper mounts, i think they are like 3-5 bucks each. just drill out to size bolt used.

Okay, cool. If it'll help speed things up for you (allowing you to spend more time with your woman), I can run by and pick 'em up before heading over to the shop.

[zszac111]

Okay, cool. If it'll help speed things up for you (allowing you to spend more time with your woman), I can run by and pick 'em up before heading over to the shop.


fultondale is on the way to the shop for me. i need to get a peice of DOM bent for my hydro-assist mounting so i can pick them up then.

[zszac111]

it will have to be on monday or tuesday, my GF is getting her wisdom teeth cut out on wed. so ill have to take care of her then ill be leaving on thursday for tellico

[synovus]

fultondale is on the way to the shop for me. i need to get a peice of DOM bent for my hydro-assist mounting so i can pick them up then.

Sounds good. Do you think they'll have a bar I can use for the upper shock mount crossmember? Or might you have a scrap piece that would work? (obviously I'll reimburse ya for it)

[synovus]

it will have to be on monday or tuesday, my GF is getting her wisdom teeth cut out on wed. so ill have to take care of her then ill be leaving on thursday for tellico

Okay, I'll get on the ball with getting everything together. We'll shoot for Monday, but if by later in the week it looks like I'm not gonna have everything by then, then I'll reschedule for Tuesday.

[zszac111]

Sounds good. Do you think they'll have a bar I can use for the upper shock mount crossmember? Or might you have a scrap piece that would work? (obviously I'll reimburse ya for it)


i think all the scrap i have would be to short, i may can get keith at offroad connection to give me the drop off the piece of DOM ill be having bent, if its not to long he will usually give it to ya. if not im sure he has some he will sell, it doesnt have to be DOM just regular 'ol HERW will work, hell square tubing would work. you are wanting to do your shocks like this right / \

[synovus]

i think all the scrap i have would be to short, i may can get keith at offroad connection to give me the drop off the piece of DOM ill be having bent, if its not to long he will usually give it to ya. if not im sure he has some he will sell, it doesnt have to be DOM just regular 'ol HERW will work, hell square tubing would work. you are wanting to do your shocks like this right / \

Yeah, that's what I'm going for. And yeah, either square or round... as long as it don't bend or fall off. :eek: LOL

[hytenor]

Man, you just opened a can o' worms! :D Do you think you might have time to help me do a chevy spring swap before Tellico? I'd like to do a shock relocation at the same time as well, if possible.

check this before you do the / \ relocate:
http://forums.delphiforums.com/n/main.asp?webtag=tacomaterritory&nav=messages&msg=106362.41&prettyurl=%2Ftacomaterritory%2Fmessages%3Fmsg%3D10 6362%2E41

and:
http://www.4x4review.com/feature/shock-genius.asp

might help with chosing shocks and the method you use for the mod.

[zszac111]

Yeah, that's what I'm going for. And yeah, either square or round... as long as it don't bend or fall off. :eek: LOL

like the links listed above, when i first did my relocation i did it at more of an angle like /\ but when i did the tubed bed i changed it to something like / \, bad illistration but less of an angle than when i first did it. and noticed a huge improvement in dampening, alot of it is probably because the rear of my truck lost alot of weight but just something to think about. using bilstin 14.5" 5125's

[synovus]

check this before you do the / \ relocate...

Hey Chris, thanks for those links! I'd read the shock genius one before, but not since I'd been contemplating the Chevy swap. Both links definitely shed some light on the subject! Of course, they also raise a few questions as well... :)

[synovus]

like the links listed above, when i first did my relocation i did it at more of an angle like /\ but when i did the tubed bed i changed it to something like / \, bad illistration but less of an angle than when i first did it. and noticed a huge improvement in dampening, alot of it is probably because the rear of my truck lost alot of weight but just something to think about. using bilstin 14.5" 5125's

Yeah, initially I'd planned on setting 'em up like you first did yours, but after reading those links Chris posted and your comments, it sounds like having 'em at less of an angle would be better. I plan on doing a tube bed sometime later this summer, but with the design I'm currently considering, I'm not sure how much lighter my rig's rear end will be, if at all.

A few questions:
1. Do you have your shocks raked forward at all, or are they essentially perpendicular to the axle?

2. Are you running the double shackle setup? I saw a couple comments in the Pirate thread that mentioned unloading and wheel hop with the double shackle, especially on hill climbs. Have you experienced issues with that?

3. What did you do regarding the differing bolt sizes on the stock Toyota shackle and the Chevy shackle? One of the Pirate posts stated "the chevy shackles use a 9/16" bolt and the toy uses 19mm so you can't just bolt them together unless you put a spacer in the toy shackle." He provided a link to illustrate how he remedied the issue, but it appears the original link was dead and the redirect didn't discuss it.

Thanks for you help with all of this. I'm honestly not sure if I'm going to be able to have everything in time to do the swap Mon. or Tues., so I'll keep you posted. Summit won't have the Chevy bushing kit until the 15th, but I can try ordering it from suspension.com (the next cheapest place I found, more than 25% more than Summit.... :banghead: ).

[hytenor]

Hey Chris, thanks for those links! I'd read the shock genius one before, but not since I'd been contemplating the Chevy swap. Both links definitely shed some light on the subject! Of course, they also raise a few questions as well... :)

Grumpy from AZ sent me a bunch of pics on his setup but it involves having the spare other than under the bed and I'd rather keep it there ;)
http://www.norcalttora.com/~chris/misc/grumpy-02-.jpg

[synovus]

Grumpy from AZ sent me a bunch of pics on his setup but it involves having the spare other than under the bed and I'd rather keep it there ;)

Interesting... I see his are raked rearward. Some setups have them raked forward, right? Is there a benefit to doing it one way or the other? Looks like his are raked at roughly the same angle as the stock rear driver-side shock, yeah?

[hytenor]

Interesting... I see his are raked rearward. Some setups have them raked forward, right? Is there a benefit to doing it one way or the other? Looks like his are raked at roughly the same angle as the stock rear driver-side shock, yeah?

"kicked back ~18* tilted in 10* (no more)"
is what he sent me. tilting the dr side one forward gets it into the gas tank. I don't know why you couldn't run the pass side one forward though.

I would think keeping the tilt angles as close to stock would be optimum for dampening but not optimum for travel. the main reason for the steep angle inward on the / \ setups is to maximize travel allowing for use of a longer shock.
Looking at his pics I don't know how much he can compress those shocks before they bottom out. When I get a full load of firewood my Bils get pretty darn close to bottoming out when I hit bumps. The beefy overloads on these nwor springs keep them from doing that but I need to extend the bump stops for more insurance.

[zszac111]

"kicked back ~18* tilted in 10* (no more)"
is what he sent me. tilting the dr side one forward gets it into the gas tank. I don't know why you couldn't run the pass side one forward though.

I would think keeping the tilt angles as close to stock would be optimum for dampening but not optimum for travel. the main reason for the steep angle inward on the / \ setups is to maximize travel allowing for use of a longer shock.
Looking at his pics I don't know how much he can compress those shocks before they bottom out. When I get a full load of firewood my Bils get pretty darn close to bottoming out when I hit bumps. The beefy overloads on these nwor springs keep them from doing that but I need to extend the bump stops for more insurance.


mine are slightly tilted back, due to how i mounted my mounts on the tubed bed, i had to redue them because i was bottoming them out with about 5" of rod showing at ride heigth, now i have about 6" showing and think im using all the shock, however i dont think i could get but a half inch more droop if i redid them. ive had to redue my fronts a few times due to the springs getting broke in. so now the 12 buck ford el chepo shock towers have been cut off and plated about 3 times so it looks like concentrated shit :D . here's how mine are angled. not to much but i use all the shock :confused:

[synovus]

pics and vids never do a trail justice. until we get some true 3-D stuff ;) Even then It just ain't the same. I can't imagine going back down any of that stuff in the rain...forget it. I probably would have camped out until it dried out, LOL

I got some more vids from Slickrock. Here's two of me coming up that last ledge I was talking about earlier...

http://www.rickbeatty.com/ttora/vids/rickslickrock07.mpg
http://www.rickbeatty.com/ttora/vids/rickslickrock08.mpg

:D

[zszac111]

I got some more vids from Slickrock. Here's two of me coming up that last ledge I was talking about earlier...

http://www.rickbeatty.com/ttora/vids/rickslickrock07.mpg
http://www.rickbeatty.com/ttora/vids/rickslickrock08.mpg

:D

thats what second gear is for :D

[synovus]

thats what second gear is for :D

I'm one of those lazy auto drivers. LOL

[synovus]

"kicked back ~18* tilted in 10* (no more)"... Looking at his pics I don't know how much he can compress those shocks before they bottom out.

Especially since he doesn't appear to be running bump stops in that pic. :confused:

[Ted]

Interesting... I see his are raked rearward. Some setups have them raked forward, right? Is there a benefit to doing it one way or the other? Looks like his are raked at roughly the same angle as the stock rear driver-side shock, yeah?


Do it right, cut a hole in the bed, and set your shocks free. Shocks should be | | and perpendicular to the direction of travel. Since you are planning of a flat bed, this could be your first step.

[hytenor]

I got some more vids from Slickrock. Here's two of me coming up that last ledge I was talking about earlier...

http://www.rickbeatty.com/ttora/vids/rickslickrock07.mpg
http://www.rickbeatty.com/ttora/vids/rickslickrock08.mpg

:D

LOL, I like the front skid workout :rofl:
I have at least a couple vids of me doing that in a similar spot on the Strawberry trail :rolleyes: ...the main reason I have so much armor now.