Moab in a Double cab

So, got a chance to take my 2001 double cab out to Moab last week. All I can say is that it is definitely an off-road paradise. Rode for 3 full days. Metal Masher, Hells Revenge, and Poison Spider/Golden Spike/Gold Bar Rim.

Each trail seemed to progress in difficulty. Tried everything but Escalator and Double Whammy. Couldn't make Widow Maker and also couldn't make Rock Chuker on Metal Masher (bottomed out on the belly skid). Had a blast on the rest. Very surprised how well the tacoma did out in the sandstone. Way better than our local stuff here in the East. Dry and sticky!

To break up the monotony the Golden Spike day, did Golden Crack in reverse. Guess I can say I've never done it forward since this was the only time I've crossed it! Lots of fun.

Here is some video:
http://youtu.be/pQXJwCZZYY4


Also did Hells Gate. Me and a well built scrambler were the only ones in our group to even attempt it. The drop-in scared the others off (including several other well built scramblers locked, with 37 and 38" tires, beadlocks, etc.) I told them I didn't come all the way to Moab not to attempt the well-known stuff! Hells Gate was surprising easy with the correct line. The taco walked straight up, no problems.

Here is a video of that:
http://youtu.be/TYE9Xc_iXzc

Ready to plan my next trip back!

Some additional pics

 

Nice! Thanks for sharing

 

Well done on Hells Gate! Are you locked front and rear?

I'll be out there in 2 weeks, still don't know if I'll attempt it with my truck.

 

Nice man! Enjoyed the vids.

 

Wow. Nice driving.

 

Looks great Lee! Welcome to the bliss that is wheeling in Moab. I'm sure you can understand the addiction now. Truck looks fantastic. Let me know if I can ever help you out.

ps. that's a sexy bedrack.

 

Thanks Adam. I really am in love with Moab. I'll be back next year with the wife and daughters. Hopefully I'll be able to make a few trips (2-3) next year down there.

Hit me up and let me know of any rides ya'll do with other Toyota folks. Would be fun to get to know some other clubs and folks out there. If I have a few months notice, I can usually work it out. My wife and girls would really enjoy doing something if other families were there.

The bedrack got lots of compliments among the Scrambler crowd this past week. IT is still one of the best additions to the Taco.

It funny to me how much they downplayed the Tacoma at the drivers meeting the first day and then how each day they started to give the rig props and ask questions about it. by the end of the third day, my group was all about tacomas! Good stuff!

 

Yep. ARB in the front, factory TRD electric locker in the rear. However, I think that you could easily make Hells Gate if you make sure and keep your passenger tire high on that side. Seemed to me most people that get into trouble steer driver side when they "feel"/"think" that they should. Overcome that urge, keep the passenger side high on the wall and you should walk right up no problem. I don't have beadlocks and was aired down to 12psi. Worked fine everywhere I went for the three days....never got into a situation where I thought I'd lose a bead.

Only regret......Wish I'd have tried escalator.....
I'm telling you....you owe it to yourself to try everything if you are there!

 

Thanks for the tip...I've seen all the videos of people losing it by steering off the wall.

Luckily, I think my wider track width will help me here.

 

How long does it take you from NC? It's 27 hours from me, haven't went, but I plan to next spring. Got a friend in NC that is wanting to go and several friends here in Alabama. Maybe you could time it with us and we'll all ride out together and wheel for a few days. It'd be nice to go with someone who has actually went.

Edit: Wanna give some specs on your truck? Tire size, lift, etc. I like to compare to rigs that are able go lots of places to see where I need to be to have fun out there. I won't go unless I'm locked F/R by next spring. I'm not in a Tacoma ('81 Pickup) but they're mildly similar compared to a full-size or something. I plan on driving my little truck all the way out there and back Think I'll have fun locked F/R on 33's with armor, a 4.7 T-case, and my little straight axle flexing good?

 

You should be fine with that setup. You may want to bring a few spare parts that might be hard to find (you know if there are any you should have for your specific rig). There is an OReilly and Napa auto store in Moab.

If you are driving out there, you just need to keep in mind that you should make decisions based on that while on the trails. I would not drive across the country and attempt anything that I thought would be pushing the limits of the rig you are in.

With your setup, you should have no problem with 95% of the stuff I saw out there. I only was able to run 3 trails, but they are on the difficult end of the Wells rating.

If ya'll plan it, I could probably make it happen. Already thinking of working a trip next year around this same time where I can take my Jeep out as well.

 

Since I did not ever do a thread on the build I guess I'll list some things here for everyone.

It was built after reviewing these forums and using the search function. Followed the advice of alot of other builds out there. Props to everyone that documented their builds so well.

It was purpose built originally for training military and LEO to provide a rig similar to HiLux and other toyota pickups that could be used in country. Now it has been retired just to use on the trails as a family trail rig.


Specs:
-2001 Tacoma (166,000 miles)
-2011 Warranty/Frame Replacement, a-arms, brake lines, etc
-Factory Rear TRD Locker
-Front clamshell ARB locker
-4.88 gears front/rear
-OME 2.5" lift with Dakars and AAL. 10mm trim packer
-1" Diff Drop
-Bud Built Skids
-Trailgear Front bumper w/ Warn M8000
-Trailgear sliders
-Badland Rear Bumper
-Trail Gear rear frame box kit
-Trail Gear front frame reinforcments
-315 75r16 Wrangler MT/R Kevlar
-16x8 Procomp Wheels (fake locks...cheapest aluminum wheel I found at the time....)
-1.25 Spidertrax wheel spacers
-Firewall tubbed
-Front and Rear fenders trimmed to fit tires
-BOXROCKET bed rack
-Line-X Bedliner in bed

I had thought about a 1" body lift, but went ahead and tubbed the firewall/fender trim as it sits. Figured I could add the body lift later if needed.

All of the above has been a really nice combination to do mild/moderate trails out here. On the MOAB slickrock, I found it to be an excellent setup for rocks that I would not have tried out here. I think the sandstone being so sticky really helps and lets a rig do things you would not think it capable of if you wheel back East in the mud/clay/rock we have.

Like was said. Moab is a great place to go!

 

looks like you had a great time!! I'd love to make that pilgrimage, but maybe not for a few more yrs..

"reverse Crack" made me laugh