Mike's Rubicon Trip and Other Stuff

[Mike]

Just got home from an awesome trip. Got to meet lots of new people, and got to see some old friends I haven't seen in a long time.

My goal was achieved.... With the new crapshit forest service restrictions I was really concerned that a few of us would get cited for being off the "trail". Nobody got cited, and we all got where we were going with only a few minor snags.

To my SoCal and AZ friends.... I had absolutely nothing to do with the truck painting and toilet antics. I'm a good sport though, the flat tires didn't bother me. When I'm out wheeling it's all good! I do want one of those Dick shirts though!

To the Toyota and ARB guys.... nice wheeling with you and nice to see an FJC cruise that trail with barely a scratch! Might want to get some better SWAG to give out to the people doing surveys though! I hope you left the norcalttora.com sticker on the back window!

To the yellow FJC owner.... welcome to TTORA. Next trip out, hang out with the slow people in the back who are willing to help you not smash up your rig. Traffic jams are a part of wheeling the Rubicon, but lots of your carnage could have been avoided!

To my NorCal friends, good times as always! Dean and Dick and I were sitting up at the "best campsite ever" this morning contemplating not ever going home.

Pics here:

http://www.norcalttora.com/gallery/rubicon_06

Later,
....Mike

[Ted]

Fear the Dick.

[tacodab]

Originally Posted by Ted

Fear the Dick.

yes, dont "f" with the dick

[tacodab]

Mike!
my pics are there too

check these out.... my fav

http://www.norcalttora.com/~dean/pic...on06/bestever/

[adamgil]

as always mike, great pics! If I can't be there it is always good to see pics of people have a great time. I definantly need to make it out there and wheel with you guys one of these days. what's the deal with the aliens?

[Mike]

Originally Posted by adamgil

as always mike, great pics! If I can't be there it is always good to see pics of people have a great time. I definantly need to make it out there and wheel with you guys one of these days. what's the deal with the aliens?

We were using the aliens to fawk with a little gang banger kid who was on the trip. We had him convinced that they were some sort of illegal substance, but wouldn't tell him all about it. Curiosity was killing him by the end of the trip.

Later,
....Mike

[adamgil]

Originally Posted by Mike

We were using the aliens to fawk with a little gang banger kid who was on the trip. We had him convinced that they were some sort of illegal substance, but wouldn't tell him all about it. Curiosity was killing him by the end of the trip.

Later,
....Mike

nice!

[tacodab]

Mike
I think I found them
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...00029534-M1550
http://www.gardeningwithease.com/gwe_telerake.html

[Mike]

Originally Posted by tacodab

Mike
I think I found them
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...00029534-M1550
http://www.gardeningwithease.com/gwe_telerake.html

Nice! If you happen to go to the rake store, buy two, I will pay you back.

Later,
....Mike

[Prowler]

Mike: I am the old fart with the yellow FJC, and I had a great time, I was set up to go on the slow run, but Monday morning everyone left so I followed, not having a clue! oh well thats what life is all about - an education! I am greatfull for those who went out of their way to help me, to those folks -THANKS. To those who thought I was a pain in the butt and stupid to bad, I made it all the way, drove my rig all the way to Sacramento. Got Toyota to pay for the faulty rear end + my deductable, and the insurance is picking up the rest. Over $15,000.00 in damage. At least I will have a new rig and some great experience and knowledge to go again! Special thanks to Marlin and Demello, Terry, and Toyota team.

Prowler

[tacodab]

I will be out shopping today and if I find them I will get 2. if I intarnet them I will get 2......you are covered either way

did you get your fishing stuff yet?
http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.OnlineShopping
vests.....its best to try them on and see if you like the fit and the pocket setup....some sit way high and some have weird pocket setups.
http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catal...REL_VESTSPACKS

[yogiaz]

<<To those who thought I was a pain in the butt and stupid to bad, I made it all the way>>


What? Too Bad? You made it all the way? If It was not for the cool people in TTORA you would not have made it anywhere! And what do you mean too bad? Basicaly you are saying fuck off to all the people who were behind you having to wait for your ass to get towed or repaired. People go out there to have fun and wheel. Not to wrench and tow ill prepared people around the trail. You my friend have lots to learn about wheeling. You are just lucky that this is a great group of people who chose to help you instead of leaving your ass on the trail. I saw the line that you broke your rear end on.... and instead of taking the easy bypass you took the hard line and you paid for it. Next time have more consideration for the rest of the group. All the carnage you sustained on your rig was due to stupidity!

Yogi

Originally Posted by Prowler

Mike: I am the old fart with the yellow FJC, and I had a great time, I was set up to go on the slow run, but Monday morning everyone left so I followed, not having a clue! oh well thats what life is all about - an education! I am greatfull for those who went out of their way to help me, to those folks -THANKS. To those who thought I was a pain in the butt and stupid to bad, I made it all the way, drove my rig all the way to Sacramento. Got Toyota to pay for the faulty rear end + my deductable, and the insurance is picking up the rest. Over $15,000.00 in damage. At least I will have a new rig and some great experience and knowledge to go again! Special thanks to Marlin and Demello, Terry, and Toyota team.

Prowler

[Sisyphus]

Originally Posted by Prowler

Mike: I am the old fart with the yellow FJC, and I had a great time, I was set up to go on the slow run, but Monday morning everyone left so I followed, not having a clue! oh well thats what life is all about - an education! I am greatfull for those who went out of their way to help me, to those folks -THANKS. To those who thought I was a pain in the butt and stupid to bad, I made it all the way, drove my rig all the way to Sacramento.

Too bad? Put on your flame suit...



I think an apology would be more in order. I wheeled in the back the entire trip. Primarily because I knew that the way my rig was setup, it was going to be slower. (IFS with stock gearing) Its called common courtesy. Its like seeing someone drive 55 mph in the fastlane with no regard for anyone else. Hell, I hadn't even taken my tent down by the time everyone else was rolling out. We would have been more than happy to have you join the tail gunners, but you were shooting down the trail before we could even say anything.

You are privileged to wheel with a group of people as kind hearted as these, and all you can say to the ones who were unhappy is too bad? That is truly a testament to your character. I am thoroughly disappointed.

[Brain]

I agree with what has already been said. Clearly you weren't as setup as majority of trucks on this trip and you should have known better than to jump in the front of the line. Hopefully you know better for next time unless your FJ has a straight axle under it

[yogiaz]

<<FJ has a straight axle under it >>

I dont think that would have even helped. my friend from AZ Tbob wheeled his IFS truck with 33's and also has a huge ass camper shel through the con with no scratches or mechanical damage what so ever. It can be done if you are a responsible driver.

Yogi

Originally Posted by generalee7

I agree with what has already been said. Clearly you weren't as setup as majority of trucks on this trip and you should have known better than to jump in the front of the line. Hopefully you know better for next time unless your FJ has a straight axle under it

[Brain]

Originally Posted by yogiaz

<<FJ has a straight axle under it >>

I dont think that would have even helped. my friend from AZ Tbob wheeled his IFS truck with 33's and also has a huge ass camper shel through the con with no scratches or mechanical damage what so ever. It can be done if you are a responsible driver.

Yogi

Very true. A responsible, experienced wheeler goes a long way

[TBob]

X2 - well said Ron!

Originally Posted by yogiaz

<<To those who thought I was a pain in the butt and stupid to bad, I made it all the way>>


What? Too Bad? You made it all the way? If It was not for the cool people in TTORA you would not have made it anywhere! And what do you mean too bad? Basicaly you are saying fuck off to all the people who were behind you having to wait for your ass to get towed or repaired. People go out there to have fun and wheel. Not to wrench and tow ill prepared people around the trail. You my friend have lots to learn about wheeling. You are just lucky that this is a great group of people who chose to help you instead of leaving your ass on the trail. I saw the line that you broke your rear end on.... and instead of taking the easy bypass you took the hard line and you paid for it. Next time have more consideration for the rest of the group. All the carnage you sustained on your rig was due to stupidity!

Yogi

[TBob]

and know who to have spot ya when u need it -

Originally Posted by yogiaz

<<FJ has a straight axle under it >>

I dont think that would have even helped. my friend from AZ Tbob wheeled his IFS truck with 33's and also has a huge ass camper shel through the con with no scratches or mechanical damage what so ever. It can be done if you are a responsible driver.

Yogi

[PappaF2]

Originally Posted by Prowler

Mike: I am the old fart with the yellow FJC, and I had a great time, I was set up to go on the slow run, but Monday morning everyone left so I followed, not having a clue! oh well thats what life is all about - an education! I am greatfull for those who went out of their way to help me, to those folks -THANKS. To those who thought I was a pain in the butt and stupid to bad, I made it all the way, drove my rig all the way to Sacramento. Got Toyota to pay for the faulty rear end + my deductable, and the insurance is picking up the rest. Over $15,000.00 in damage. At least I will have a new rig and some great experience and knowledge to go again! Special thanks to Marlin and Demello, Terry, and Toyota team.

Prowler

I can't believe I just read that. Your right you had no clue. The fact that you could say too bad to anyone for waiting for you is crazy. People came from accross the western united states to come run this trail. They prepaired themselves with experiance and spare parts. It is known that people will get damage and being the great group we are we do everything in our power to help. I have had my share of needing help to get off the trail and I am extremly greatful to everyone who has helped me out or been patient enough to wait for me while I clogged the trail. WHat people didn't come here for was to get stuck behind your fj and spend all there time and effort fixing it because you were unexperianced and ill prepared to tackle a trail of this magnatude. How dare you say to bad to those who were annoyed by your trail plugging antics. They came here to have fun just as you did. I think you owe an apology to poeple for your attitude of "oh well I got through the trail some way or another and if you don't like it then FU." You are lucky your damage was only limited to $15,000, it would have been much more without the help of this great club.
I have no problems with you trying to run the Rubicon but you should have gotten some experiance/education on off roading before you decided to run it, especially if you were going to be in the front of the pack. If you decide to keep off roading I suggest more easy/moderate trails until you gain some experiance.

-Todd

[tacodab]

Originally Posted by Prowler

Mike: I am the old fart with the yellow FJC, and I had a great time, I was set up to go on the slow run, but Monday morning everyone left so I followed, not having a clue! oh well thats what life is all about - an education! I am greatfull for those who went out of their way to help me, to those folks -THANKS. To those who thought I was a pain in the butt and stupid to bad, I made it all the way, drove my rig all the way to Sacramento. Got Toyota to pay for the faulty rear end + my deductable, and the insurance is picking up the rest. Over $15,000.00 in damage. At least I will have a new rig and some great experience and knowledge to go again! Special thanks to Marlin and Demello, Terry, and Toyota team.

Prowler

OMG! you cant think that "you made it all the way" and "to bad"
I followed you thought the slabs and it was 3-4 times I could not believe you did not roll you rig. YOU stressed the hell out of me thinking I was going to have to do a major recovery and risk my rig and my ass getting you out. this was my vacation, my time, my money to get there, my years of experience....what?!?!? so you could take advantage of it....f that....I know you did not roll but that sure as hell was not a fun experience for me. we all look out for each other and help "all" rigs on the trail but if I had known you were going to take that kind of attitude I would not have been so patient. I suggest the same as the others....gain some experience first on some moderate trails, come prepared..... that strap that broke could have sent that damn hook through either one of our rigs. that was dumb on my part to let you use that thing but it is one example of an ill prepared wheeler.

oh and thanks for helping raise all of our insurance rates....that did not help one bit. $15,000 worth of damage is sooooo freeking ridiculous.

[Prowler]

Really, there were some good guys who helped, not complaind, and bitched about ther precious time, Besides perhaps you should ask why people do the things they do. I was told to follow Andy, he didn't bother to tell me there was a easeir way, remember I had never been on the trail. I told people that upfront. I would have loved to gained some experience on a easer trailI sure didn't get any instructions from you. and the strap I'm sorry ok I thought I met the minimium requirements set by the rules of the trail, and the handout I received And by the way I may be an old fart but I'm not stupid, if I thought foe two seconds you wouldn,t use your insurance well then we know who the studid one is don't we? For those who helped I appricate all they did, and if they did it begrugedly,I'm sorry again. I offered many times to be pulled off the trail because of the badgering I was receiving but I was told don't listen to those people keep going. So perhaps your group should make up your mind as what you do with an ill perpared, non experienced old fart, who has a FJ with a faulty rear end. just trying to keep up. Next time make sure only invite people you know, and you know their equipment and have been over that trail. Then you only have to fight among friends.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by Prowler

I would have loved to gained some experience on a easer trailI sure didn't get any instructions from you. and the strap I'm sorry ok I thought I met the minimium requirements set by the rules of the trail, and the handout I received

We go four wheeling just about every weekend during the summer. You happened to pick a trip with us through one of the most difficult trails in the Sierra. You met the minimum requirements for the trip, but you should have wheeled at the back of the group with slow, patient people like me. We would have helped you not smash up your nice new rig.

So perhaps your group should make up your mind as what you do with an ill perpared, non experienced old fart, who has a FJ with a faulty rear end. just trying to keep up. Next time make sure only invite people you know, and you know their equipment and have been over that trail. Then you only have to fight among friends.

The Rubicon Trail can and will kill just about any rig. I would like to think I made that clear to everyone who was attending. Sorry that your nice new rig got destroyed.

Feel free to join our trips any time. The only way to learn is by doing.

Later,
....Mike

[Prowler]

Thank you. I am sorry it turnrd out the way it did. I did learn alot.

[yogiaz]

Your girlfriend is missing from the best eva pics! lol

Yogi

Originally Posted by tacodab

Mike!
my pics are there too

check these out.... my fav

http://www.norcalttora.com/~dean/pic...on06/bestever/

[tacodab]

Originally Posted by yogiaz

Your girlfriend is missing from the best eva pics! lol

Yogi

? my girlfriend LOL
Ronn I know you like me and all but why would you call yourself my girlfriend LOL JK
I need to add one more pic to the bunch

I have to say again your kids are the most well behaved respectful good kids ever

[mrbigbri]

Dang... what the hell happened there?

Brian

[BigBadBob0]

Originally Posted by mrbigbri

Dang... what the hell happened there?

A bear. A big bear. It came out of the woods and started throwing rocks at that FJ. I was like "wow, hey, Mr. Bear, cut it out" and then he took off in his rock racing buggy and heal-toed into a turn around a big steamer.

[tacodab]

Originally Posted by yogiaz

Your girlfriend is missing from the best eva pics! lol

Yogi

all fixed...the best ever kids are added

[peekay331]

Originally Posted by Prowler

Really, there were some good guys who helped, not complaind, and bitched about ther precious time, Besides perhaps you should ask why people do the things they do. I was told to follow Andy, he didn't bother to tell me there was a easeir way, remember I had never been on the trail. I told people that upfront. I would have loved to gained some experience on a easer trailI sure didn't get any instructions from you. and the strap I'm sorry ok I thought I met the minimium requirements set by the rules of the trail, and the handout I received And by the way I may be an old fart but I'm not stupid, if I thought foe two seconds you wouldn,t use your insurance well then we know who the studid one is don't we? For those who helped I appricate all they did, and if they did it begrugedly,I'm sorry again. I offered many times to be pulled off the trail because of the badgering I was receiving but I was told don't listen to those people keep going. So perhaps your group should make up your mind as what you do with an ill perpared, non experienced old fart, who has a FJ with a faulty rear end. just trying to keep up. Next time make sure only invite people you know, and you know their equipment and have been over that trail. Then you only have to fight among friends.

man, i haven't met you but i don't need to to figure out that you're quite the douchebag. we all hear stories about that fool who buys a shiny new rig, throws money at it, and think you automatically can wheel. do yourself a favor and stop being "that guy". we got enough posers round here.

ps-it really wasn't your rig, it was the driver. your truck was more than set up for the rubicon.

[ShowStop]

Originally Posted by mrbigbri

Dang... what the hell happened there?

Brian

Its all about driver experience. Toyota had their FJ Cruiser go through the same trail. They broke the rear ring gear getting a little crazy going up Cadillac hill, but had virtually no body damage.