Igor: Double Cab 4x4. Frankenstein's Helper

Is it the tire brand or the 255 flavor due to lack of traction on the rocks?

 

Awesome photos as always dude!

 

Goose it one of the coolest places I've been to in the truck.

Need to head back and spend some more time hiking and fishing.

 

Thanks man. Its a special place for sure.

the tire itself. Its a harder compound. I don't think the E rating is helping either with a skinny tire. Was not impressed with the grip in a few spots. Didn't stop me still but considering that kind of rock is the norm around here, Im getting something else next time.

Thanks!

Me to man. I love it there. Was great to be able to spend more time up there and walk around. Never fished there but the osprey living up by the peaks makes me think there is fish there.

 

I hear good things about the STT Pro's. I think I am going that route with my next tire since they are a bit more aggressive than the Maxx's. Don't get me wrong, my Maxx's have impressed me, but since the truck is less DD, and more wheeler, I think I will benefit more with something more aggressive. Have anyone you run with tried them yet?

 

Bob @NYCO
Jerry @jberry813
Mike now too @Digiratus

I know jerry loves them, think Bob does too. Mike only has a few shorter trips on them. So probably still developing is opinion.

There look great though as a tire.

Im leaning towards getting an MT next as well as I'll just run snow tires in the winter.

 

MT on your overland build? Swapping to snow tires? I thought this wasn't Frank 2.0?

 

We caught a handful of little cutties up there and where we camped at star lake. Just need to spend some more time chasing more fish.

 

haha feels like it more and more the longer Frank stays in Wyo away from me. I gotta wheel man! No room up here to fix Frank..

good to know. Fresh fish in hobo meals is my favorite. Well one of them. Have to keep that in mind next time. I think just floating around in a inflatable something all day would be fun.

 

My first impressions are they are stiff and heavy. So far off road they have been good but I've yet to see any hardcore use of them.

The 285/75-16 weighs about 61 lbs and is e-rated. Regarding tire pressures, I've yet to find a good compromise between highway mileage and comfort but did notice after airing them down the first time, first to 20 psi, then to 16 psi, they rode a bit better on the highway at full pressure. Maybe they need some 'breaking in' to find that sweat spot.

 

I have them, on the south east coast though. They do well in mud, starting to be able to make them slip in the rain if I'm real hard on them. Tried them on a couple rocks but they was caked in mud getting over them, still no problem

 

I love em! Do great in mud then going straight into the rocks. Still pretty quiet and I've had them for about a year now. They look amazing and wear pretty well if your alignment isn't messed up. Haven't had any issues with them slipping in the rain either. Will be getting them again until something better comes out

 

Im realizing Im super far behind on posting photos. Haven't done my Timing belt front end rebuild post or my memorial day post..oh well.

Trip Report: Independence 2018

Inspired by Goose lake we really wanted to get out again but I had to work Saturday. I figured we could do Independence pass though and hike monument peak in a day so we decided to go for it in a sunday.

Sadly the weather wasn't great. It was a constant drizzle when we got there. Traffic in the area was also very high, I didn't stop to air down for a long time to try and stay ahead of folks that let me pass them. The road back to the trail head was WAY longer than I remember. Like 35ish miles of just dirt to get to the trail head. pretty crazy.

We passed all kinds of people in campers, utvs, a few jeepers, and horse back riders. Finally though, we made our way up into the pass and felt pretty alone. The rain stopped too and I started taking photos.

Independance 2018.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We made it to where the main mine was pretty quickly and stopped to look at the first houses.

Independance 2018-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

This one had been used in the winter by snowmobilers in the past. Not anymore though.

Independance 2018-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The real shack was down there.

Independance 2018-8.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

But we stopped at the main mine first. It was devastated since I'd last been there. The last few years of winter must have been rough on it and all was collapsed. I remember being able to climb up into the building. This last year alone was super heavy snow. Shame really.

Independance 2018-9.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-10.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-11.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-12.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-13.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The snow shack was in decent shape though and looked like it was still being used in the winter.

Independance 2018-17.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-14.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-15.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-16.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Igor lookin good.

Independance 2018-18.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-19.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-20.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We then started climbing up to the top and the clouds started to break a bit so we could see Monument peak for the first time.

Independance 2018-21.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-22.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Little twisty action!

Independance 2018-23.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-24.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-25.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Our hiking destination..

Independance 2018-26.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We head over to Blue Lake to eat lunch before hiking which sits below the peak.

Independance 2018-27.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

After lunch we drove back down the road and bailed off headed for the mountain.

Bye Igor!

Independance 2018-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Lot of elevation to gain..

Independance 2018-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

I wanted to track out progress and elevation but forgot the tablet so ran back to go get it.

Independance 2018-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

As with goose lake, water was everywhere flowing from seemingly nowhere. Was a good year for water here.

Independance 2018-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We huffed and puffed our way up the mountain.

Independance 2018-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Still a ways to go.

Independance 2018-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Hit the top of the saddle and could see the other side, the haze was very bad now.

Independance 2018-8.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The last climb. Looked fun up top!

Independance 2018-9.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-10.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Just before the peak accent we got a peak of Blue lake far below.

Independance 2018-11.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-12.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Then up the steep slope to the top.

Can you find the trail?

Independance 2018-13.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Neither could we, we just went were it was easiest.

Almost there..

Independance 2018-14.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-15.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Not even the top yet. But wow.

Independance 2018-16.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

I wish this photo showed how crazy that view was. It was extremely steep. im leaning out over the edge to shoot it which was fun too

More scrambling to the top. Super fun.

Independance 2018-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Bam!

Independance 2018-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Survey markers up here too!

Independance 2018-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Would love to be up here when it was smoke free.

Independance 2018-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-8.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-9.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-10.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Now that's a view!

Independance 2018-11.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-12.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We ate..right there.

Independance 2018-13.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We enjoyed the view for a long time. Amazingly there was no wind up there. Which was odd as down on the lower saddle it was blowing quite badly. It was late though now and I had hopes of getting Iron Star pizza, but knew that that wasn't going to happen. We made our way down, much faster than going up.

Here's some bad video of the top and walking around. Should have grabbed the gopro for this but forgot it like usual.

https://youtu.be/2o9u0k8TjQA

Independance 2018-14.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Somehow we timed the hike perfectly. The sun had been out the whole time and was still out when we got down.

Independance 2018-15.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Not for long though. The clouds rolled back in and brought more rain. Was a beautiful scene though.

Independance 2018-16.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-17.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-18.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-19.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Independance 2018-20.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Some of the local trail riding horses trying to run from the rain.

Independance 2018-21.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We made it back to Big Timber and just about everything was closed except the Timber Bar. We got some great food actually for a bar then returned home. A full day of just about everything in life I love.

 

Love the tire. Haven't got out much. I like how they handle in snow and packed snow. Ice is the same with any other tire, slides a little but not bad.

 

Lots of photos on this page..sorry!

Went to Mystic Lake on Sunday. Likely the last time I'll get to the mountain before its snowed in. Just a hike. Nothing crazy with the truck. Have another 3 trips to edit though!

Mystic Lake 2018.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Mystic Lake 2018-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Mystic Lake 2018-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Mystic Lake 2018-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Mystic Lake 2018-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Mystic Lake 2018-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Mystic Lake 2018-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

 

@BYJOSHCOOK

Think you were asking about the skid plate. Well its taken some abuse..



No rust to be seen though so thats nice. I mean its stainless so it better not ha

Still not super happy with the fit and finish but its saved me a few times so I guess I can't complain too much.

 

How thick is it again? Looks a ton more beat to shit than mine you could wheel harder than I do haha. Glad it's holding up

 

Idk about that..i just drive too fast...haha

its 3/16s. Standard thickness. If it covered the steering rack Id be more okay with it than I am now.

 

Guess I don't really understand using stainless (or aluminum) for a skid plate. Way lower yield strength, so you're going to bend/dent/puncture it a lot easier. Nice from a corrosion perspective I guess.

Also what's up with the fastener on the far side in that picture? Looks like something is missing...

 

corrosion factor is the only reason. Nice to not have to worry about it or paint it. Granted I didn't think Id be wheeling Igor this hard either..but here we are haha

I was going to do full aluminum skids from Bud Built since they are so light.

Not sure, I know the one closest was really loose though. Think its just the photo doing something odd to it.