MARYLAND TACOMAS

So over the past few years I have been escalating my trail levels at Rausch, and modding along the way, hopefully this will help you out.
There is a little contention among vendors about naming the skids, from front to back, the front (or splash) skid angles down from the radiator to the front differential mounts, the IFS (independent Front Suspension) (or mid) goes from the front diff mounts to the transmission, the transmission skid (or rear) goes from the front of the transmission to the tail of the transfer case and should angle up at the rear, finally a gas tank skid is available that covers the tank.
For Rausch I highly recommend both the Front and IFS skids as a minimum as the IFS skid is the lowest point and the factory one wouldn't stop a well directed fart.
If you are not lifted only run greens and a few select blues and leave your swaybar on, as it will spread the downward motion across both front springs before your IFS lands on a rock. I left mine on until I consistently ran blacks, and needed to maneuver around 24 inch boulders in a streambed with steep sides.
More challenging blues, and the black trails will have ledges that you will need to come off of, and they will bite your rear quarter panels.


Lastly, go slow over obstacles, I can't stress this enough, as the faster you go, the more your suspension will travel, and the greater your odds of slamming a stone.

 

you can't go solo to rausch. one of their rules is that you must be in groups of two or larger. they can kick you out of the park if one of the rangers finds you by yourself

 

From www.RC4x4.org:

Rules & Regulations

1. Before entering the park, members are required to check in at the Office, pay admission, and pick-up a wristband and vehicle tag.GROUPS SHOULD EXCHANGE CELL NUMBERS SO THEY CAN CONTACT EACH OTHER IN THE EVENT OF LATE ARRIVALS. It will be up to each group to send someone back to the office to pick up late arrivals. So please exchange cell phone numbers with each other.
2. The minimum group size is two vehicles.
3. Members shall keep their membership card with them at all times and keep their wristband on during their visit. Vehicles must have the proper vehicle tag in plain sight.
4. Members wishing to camp overnight prior to their day of wheeling must make appropriate arrangements prior to their visit. Campers who are still in the park past 10:00 AM the following day shall be required to pay for that additional day.
5. Seatbelt use is mandatory.
6. All vehicles should have at least one towpoint and a full-size spare.
7. All street legal vehicles must be insured. All drivers must hold a valid drivers license and be covered by an automobile insurance policy. Competition rigs are welcome.
8. No littering. Pack in and pack out everything. Designated campfire areas are for cooking and burning of firewood only. All campfires must be put out when leaving the camping area. Check at the Office for any Burn Ban advisories.
9. Quiet hours at the camping areas are 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
10. All vehicles must be off the trails by DUSK, except for repair or recovery purposes. Nighttime wheeling is prohibited!
11. Anyone observed drinking and driving will permanently lose their membership privileges and their affiliated club will be sanctioned. No alcohol is allowed on the property except for the camping area. Alcohol may be consumed only AFTER you are done wheeling for the day and only in the camping area. Do not walk around the comp course with alcohol. Do not drive around the trails with alcohol in your vehicle, leave it at camp.
12. Stay on designated trails. Do not park vehicles where they might block a trail. Do not drive past the park’s boundary markers or around gates. Cross streams only at designated stream crossings. Traffic may cross over or drive upon the Water Line only where it is part of a designated trail. Avoid bushwacking around muddy trails so we can keep our muddy trails muddy. Members should not drive through the hunt club’s food plots. If you stack rocks to get through an obstacle, UNSTACK them please!!
13. Members should check the posted map at the Office for information about possible trail closures and updates on new trails.
14. Any person observing a violation of these rules or any unsafe or suspect behavior will report it to their club representative or a Park officer as soon as possible.
15. Members who disregard the rules of Rausch Creek Off-Road Park, or pose a safety threat to themselves or other Members, will be ejected from the park without a refund. Repeated violations will result in loss of membership.

A shovel, recovery strap (they stretch), extra D-Ring (5/8 and 3/4 are fine, even the $10 ones) and fire extinguisher (A,B,C it's your rig) are also a very good idea.

 

Didn't know that.

 

I envy you guys that have work shops like that.

 

I almost forgot this:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diff-breather-mod-for-dummies-pics.15686/page-32#post-10069744

The puddles are a little large this year...

 

Saw a black Tacoma with bed bars and a Tepui RTT on top headed for the Bay Bridge today, anyone know who?

 

look at that mess!!

 

WTF

 

Oh, the joys of radio/speaker/wiring installation!

 

Access Cab with a front bumper and yellow Virginia tags? Sounds like Laichaboss' truck. He's one of the local Northern Va guys.

 

Nah double cab I belive, Really high bed bars on there to

 

What's going on with the American Flag?

 

That's great advise - Thanks. Not planning to lift until stock tires need replacing, at which point, going 3-6 lift with 33's. Tossing on a 3/16 front kid plate and some rock sliders. That should be enough for the greens and blues maybe.

 

We are in distress!!

 

this is where I work.. that is our shop where we build sets. So you see why we have the flag that way..

 

U.S. Code of Laws - Title 36, U.S.C., Chapter 10

"§ 176. Respect for flag: No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.(a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property."

At least have a discussion about it and think about putting it the right way?

 

It's a movie...

 

The younger generations seem to have little respect for the country or its flag. There probably will be no discussion held, because if Netflix does it, it must be right.