Monthly So Cal Off-Road Run

If we did white mtn it wouldnt be a problem for you. and from the looks of it Heartbreak Ridge would only have one section where you would just need some spotting to get around it but nothing too gnarly..

EDIT: I just saw that youre stock... without a lift you would probably be smacking some stuff with you stock skid

 

You'll want sliders for any of the trails mentioned.

 

Seems like sliders is become a more and more important mod for me.

 

Or even removing the steps and just going sans steps/sliders would be better than having the steps on, since those will reduce clearance and if they do get smashed they're going to increase the risk of body damage. I would only do that for White Mtn or Heartbreak though, I wouldn't do Gold without any sliders.

 

Was the first offroad related mod I did to my 04, got me some @Shmellmopwho sliders welded to the frame

The tin can stock IFS skid can take a surprising beating and still do it's job but the transfer case is in a precarious position and very open to damage if there's nothing there to protect it.

Between the back of my Budbilt IFS skid and my Skidrow t-case skid, there's maybe a foot or so of exposed transmission but most of the trails I do don't pose a threat there unless I'm being very careless.

I'd actually like to get some kind of rear diff protection one of these days, the rear diff is the most vulnerable most of the time if you pick the wrong line or slip off your line and onto a rock. Front of the diff is pretty beefy but the back plate of the diff is relatively weak, at least on 1st gens.

 

Long time lurker, first time posting. So I've been following this thread and would like to tag along. However, my truck is absolutely 100% stock right now. I have no offroad experience, but hey, everyone starts somewhere. Let me know if any of these 3 trails are beginner friendly and doable with a completely stock truck, although it looks like Gold is out of my reach. I live where the 605 fwy meets the 91 fwy. Great to be a part of this forum and look forward to gaining offroad experience with you vets.

 

Should be one of the first mods done if you’re planning on going on trails. These trucks aren’t very high stock and typically have a long wheel base so sliders just give you the extra insurance.

 

I think the 3 being talked about right now probably wouldn't be the best place to start for a stock truck...a beginner driver sure, but a stock truck with no added clearance, protection or good AT tires is going to take a beating. I would look into some lift kits because at the very least, for most any 4x4 required trail you're going to want some additional ground clearance. Bigger tires helps with that too.

Welcome aboard btw

 

Shane wouldn't steer my wrong, so I'll take his advice and pass.

 

Just seeeend it!

 

Much appreciated. I guess I'll check back after getting some work done on my truck. Thanks for the feedback, Eon.

 

And when "But Aaron said.." makes the problem worse, I'll put her on the phone with you. LOL

 

I think we should do heartbreak ridge. It looks like a super fun place to explore with old mines and sweet views. It also looks like most of the real technical stuff is bypass-able. None of it looks too technical anyhow.

 

It is cool to stop and see the mines. I've only done it once and there's a lot of little dirt roads that cross each other out there in the desert near the start of the trail so we'd have to lock down some good directions/coordinates, as I'm not familiar enough to do it off memory. I really need to get a good GPS system for my truck for this kind of stuff.

 

I was going to try to map it all out on Google Earth/Gaia GPS to get a better idea of the trip... the trails offroad page has a pretty detailed write up on a lot of the waypoints as well.

 

When you ran the trail, do you remember if you ended up taking Broom Flats(2N01) to the 38?

 

I honestly don't remember, maybe Shane @desertjunkie760 will recall, he led us both to the trail and then back to the highway toward the end

 

I'm getting excited haha

 

Yes, we took broom Flats back up to the 38. It was snowy and it took us longer than expected to run the trail so we cut the trip short. Came up through Rattlesnake Canyon.

Pappy and Harriet’s is a good meeting spot if you want to start from the desert side.

 

Go to this thread to get yourself some awesome sliders

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...cmc-slider-adapters-cb-antenna-mounts.374697/

@Shmellmopwho