SoCal Trails for 2wd

Went back through Split Mountain a few weeks ago and took Fish Creek wash all the way to Sandstone Canyon. I couldn't make it over the rockfall there because I'm 2wd and I'm a long bed; stock 4x4 still might have trouble crawling over that. My buddy who has a 1st gen Tacoma 4x4 w/ 3" lift still almost high centered himself. Anyways, it was totally rad back there, all the washes are super flat which makes it easy for 2wd. Air down, and carry speed through the soft sand. There's plenty of other wheelers out there but still go with a buddy.

 

A 3" lift is hardly going to help with a high center, the geometry to the ground just isn't changed enough. Larger tires and a good line are the best way to stop from being high centered... and a pull strap solves.

 

Agreed. He's running bigger tires (33") and might be lifted more than 3" as well. Regardless though, it's a tricky little patch.

 

Bear in mind the actual difference in radius between a stock 265/70R16 or 265/65R17 and a (most common) 33" 285/75R16 is only really 0.5" of height. Less if aired down or heavily weighted.

 

subd

 

Keep in mind that most of the 1st gens (at least before 2000MY) have a wheelbase that's at least 20" shorter than a regular 2nd gen, and more than that compared to the 2nd gen "limo" configuration (DCLB). That's huge for breakover angle regardless of the extra inch in tires from being on 33s (stock 1st gen 4WD/PreRunner had 31.5x10.5s if I remember correctly).

That said, with the right line selection and throttle/steering management, it's possible to do a good amount of terrain with a 2WD truck, just ask the guys I was wheeling with up at Rock Therapy last week (running 2nd gen access cab with locker, sliders, 2.5" lift and 32" tires). There's plenty around Moab that's past my capability (big ledges are not really on the menu without power to the front end unless you want to ramp/winch over them), and more that's past my current level of experience (although I did learn a LOT in 5 days, probably increased my off-road driving ability by 400% or more) but I did make it up some technical sections which the maps/books said were "4WD Only".

 

to air down... Can you guys recommend a good air compressor? I'd like to use my outlet in the back if possible

 

@MADSTEEZE has a pretty nice one, which is it?

As far as the outlet: direct to battery compressors are better I believe. That little outlet has a limit to how much power it'll put out.

 

That thing looks promising actually, wow.

 

thanks! Added to my wish list. Can't wait to get these k02s dirty

 

thanks the battery does seem like a better solution.

 

i carry a Viair 300p in my truck.

 

My mother in law and wife made it to giant rock in a crappy mid travel, first gen, 2 wheel drive, bald rear tires, regular cab, Tacoma.

You can too

 

Have you seen Diablo Drop off lately?

 

The place I mentioned earlier has a bunch of "No Trespassing" signs now. So here's another spot in the same area that's completely legal 100% guaranteed...

Again, Banning/Beaumont area,
1) on the 10 freeway, get off on Sunset Avenue (remembered the exit this time )
2, go southbound and you should pass the tiniest college campus ever.
3) the pavement ends shortly after that. All dirt roads ahead.
4) you'll end up at an intersection with one road that's paved. I usually go left on that paved road and follow that road all the way down until it dead ends, then turn right onto another dirt road and just follow it down.
5) after a mile or so it should start going into the mountains and there are plenty of trails to do in 2WD along with rockier and sandier trails for 4WD. The main dirt road is super easy, just a little rough due to it washboarding out.

There are more difficult trials that stray from the main road. Probably not too difficult, but I have yet to try them all out. There's miles and miles and more miles to go.

There are plenty of places to shoot, just watch the signs. You'll usually see gun shells everywhere at the popular sites to shoot.

The main road will (eventually) end and go to the "Banning Idyllwild Panoramic Highway" and you can cruise down all the way back into town.

Here's where I went today: part of the main road strays off and looked like a really easy trail, so I followed it all the way as far as I could. At the peak of the mountains, you could see Banning and Beaumont on one side and San Jacento on the other. The road ended after about 30-35 miles with a sign saying "LockHeed Corp. No trespassing." After that, just explored around tooling in 2WD with my mom and my pup for about 4 hours.

Anyways, here are some pics. (((Most of the pictures were taken within the truck because my skin was boiling in that 110 degree weather today ; so sorry if they aren't the best quality pictures.)))

 

when are you planning to head back there maybe I can tag along only on the weekends though

 

Leaving California early tomorrow morning. Sorry man.

 

This route will take you form Orange County off HWY74 to Corona.

Forrest Rte 3S04 (Main Divide Rd) to Santaigo Peak, and then out through Bedford Canyon Road in the Cleveland National Forrest. Was a pretty sweet trip. Great views, and not to crazy. I used my phone as a navigation and i had service the entire time. Takes you to the highest point in Cleveland National forrest.

 

that is very cool. Maybe I'll try this out this week!

 

Definately a great trail, a handful of us from tw made a day out of it a while back.