Where Have You Off-Roaded Today? 3rd Gen

Wiaprous NW of Cochrane.

Definitely don't go alone and stock tires don't work well. I have winter studded, and most of the guys out there use wider M/T's or A/T's.

 

Flagstaff

 

What tires are you running?

 

Some snow near LA a few weeks ago

 

BFG KO2 265/70/17

 

A quick stopover in Lundy Canyon with Excelsior Mountain in the background

 

So I finally got to take my Taco out wheeling for the first time. I met up with some of the nicest members of this forum to hit up Cleghorn fire road.

This pic was taken prior to everyone showing up. By the time we got started our convoy was up around (20). It was mainly Tacoma's, but there were others peppered in the group.

I dropped the PSi down to about 21lb for this road and the stock Goodyears did a great job.

The first challenge on this route was this optional hill that's been dug into over time. I jumped at the opportunity to test out the crawl control. With crawl set to the lowest setting, the Tacoma felt like it was floating up this hill with ease. I do have a short GoPro clip I'll be uploading soon. After I cleared the hill, I walked back to snap some pics of the others making their attempt.



Photo Credit: @dtaco06


Photo Credit: @dtaco06



Photo Credit: Zack Hughes







Some views atop the mountain range




360 Photo Sphere:
https://goo.gl/maps/LmSHYzdFZny

 

I had a buddy with me in a Land Cruiser. Having another person always helps you push a little further than what you would do solo, at least for me anyways. It's always good to have a little reassurance. Table Mesa east is all solo. West has some brutal stuff that I can't even touch in my position.

 

NICE!!

 

Wheeled on the slopes of Mauna Kea, got to finally test the crawl control out.

 

Yeah, I had to change my hobbies for several years while the kids were really young. I took up machining, building science exhibits for a local science center, and got into the "maker movement".

Before I sold my old truck I used to take my daughter on some really short trips (just bumpy dirt roads) near home when she was little (maybe 4?) and in a car seat.

With my kids getting older, it was time to test the waters. I first borrowed back my old truck that I sold to a buddy (2000 extra-cab TRD OR 4x4) and took the kids out locally to see how they liked it. They seemed to dig it, so I went on a couple desert trips with my daughter (older of the two) and a buddy in his Xterra to make sure she was up for a longer trip. She loved it. So, to me, that green-lighted the new Tacoma.

This was my son's first big off-road centric trip and he did pretty well. I think there may have been a bit too much bumpiness for him (100 miles of dirt over 3 days is a lot on top of 900+ road miles) so I would tone that down next time. But overall, he really enjoyed it. As you can see in the video, he's totally into the Tacoma (too much advertising and now he thinks it's invincible. Also note that I have TREDs, not MaxTrax, but he's seen too much Expedition Overland to know anything else).

The next step in the "conversion process" is to get them used to camping. Then that will open up a lot more trip options and cut the cost.

That was/is my plan. Kids are a lot of fun but a lot of work. I've done a lot of things and been a lot of places, but this trip with my son was one of the best trips of my life. I've been back at work for over a week but I still have some "vacation glow".

 

@hiloTACO808 dude...that a nice 4Runner with your Tacoma! love that crawl control tho! Thing is legit!

 

Lol! Nope, still waiting for mine to come in.

 

Short video of some snow action here in VA. Best snow storm in a long while here!!!

 

I'm so doing this when I get mine!

 

After 5 days of rain , I had to go outside.

 

That third pic is my favorite!!! Great shots though

 

Damn that sucks!! It got up to 70 degrees out here today. And people were wearing sweaters

 

The best part is probably that your doing the trip with your son!

 

Great picture!!!