Bobby's Hole and automatic trans?

Hi all, I'm new to both the forum and 4wd. I want to get a 4wd vehicle that will make it in and out of Bobby's Hole in Needles. My friend suggested a Taco instead of a 4runner. She said a 4runner would struggle. She also said an automatic trans in a Taco would struggle on that hill as well. That the gearing might be too high.

So... for anyone who's done that route I'd like to ask your advice. I understand BH is sometimes impassable. But... would an AT have a harder time in general up this hill than a manual? I'm asking specifically about 90's trucks. That's what I'd be getting. I don't need something that would do elephant hill- that's beyond me. Just Bobby's Hole.

Any feedback appreciated

 

Just don't wheel an auto in 'drive'. Select 1st gear instead for steep inclines and/or really rocky/rutted areas. Shift your auto like a manual but without a clutch. Gear selection is everything.

 

Thanks Budman. Will do.

Another question. I've driven an auto T-100 which had a button to push and then a separate shift lever on the side for 4wd. Are the tacos the same?

 

No not unless you buy an older Taco. Anything 2005 and up has a selector switch on the dash.

 

Just get a 1st gen 4WD SAS pickup or Runner manual and you can go anywhere

well if you can drive that is

Cant go wrong with the old 1st gens IMHO

 

1st gens have the "old school" shift lever for 4x4 as opposed to the push button style of the 2nd gens.

As long as as you have traction you should be able to go LOTS of places with a Taco regardless of transmission preference. As said before just make sure you're using the proper gear for the terrain and you'll be ok.

 

4Runners suck

 

Ninja & Shipps, that's what I'm looking at, 96 to 2002. Good, I like those shifts. Are they geared differently than the newer ones?

Truck Girl, yeah, that's what I want. But all the manuals I'm looking at are beat to crap and higher price. I think after the feedback here I'll take an automatic if I find a good deal.

Wishbone, Why? & do you 4w for more for sport or more to just get somewhere?

 

from Nov. 2013

http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/showthread.php?209272-Elephant-Hill-Bobby-s-Hole-11-2

 

Good luck! My taco is an auto and does just fine. I prefer manual but do far my auto hasn't let me down. The traction control sucks though. IDK if 1st gens have it?? But its always the first thing to get turned off along with the side airbags when wheeling.

 

It was a joke, and I take my runner everywhere, including all over Moab, both for sport and A to B. I have not done Bobby's, but I know that my truck would have no issues with it. Either truck you should not have any problems with, besides the washout above (note that that was a 4R as well). Also pic of another 4R (3rd gen which you are looking at) from that trip.

 

NYCO, yeah, I saw those pics. Pretty extreme... it was "closed" then I guess. I guess those are from 2013. They are supposed to fix it in 2014. Maybe in the spring. Was that you NYCO?

WR, Nice rig Lol. OK. Eeeesh... Scarey. I wouldn't even attempt Elephant Hill. Too chicken and too much of a learning curve for me! I'm more into just getting places and have no problem driving an extra 60 miles to avoid something like that.

The 4R in the washout pics didn't go through that wash out BTW. I read that blog.

 

Not my pics.

Talked with Monticello BLM the other day and they were doubtful repairs would happen anytime soon. The washout happened mid 2013. Trapped a traveler back there for a few days due to the floods.

But that section is a D road which is the lowest priority of the county to maintain. Best bet is for a wheeling group to do some patch work.

I know a few groups heading out this spring to try and do some fixes. I may head out during cruise Moab if I can find some people to lend a hand.

 

I would volunteer but I won't be able to get out there until at least late Aug or Sept. By then I should have a truck, too. I'm in California.

I'm surprised that's a D road. Looks like the only way into Needles except Elephant Hill.

 

both sides of it are B roads, but it looks like, per satellite, the road gets tighter and rougher right around then and you can tell on google maps when the road changes to a D road (road indicator goes away)

seems like there will be some desire to fix it, as you said it's the only way into that region from the south...but that's where local clubs can come into the picture and get the job done.

 

I don't remember elephant hill being all that difficult. There's a couple places where it's nice to have someone spot you, but other than that it's rather tame. It was actually the first trail that I did in Moab.

Not to sound disrespectful to your friend, but it doesn't seem like they know that much about the tacoma/4runner or the toyota transmissions. You'd be just fine in either vehicle with either transmission as long as the vehicle is properly outfitted with a sufficient suspension, tires, and possibly a skid plate.

Also, I wouldn't travel alone back there.

 

NYCO, keep me informed if anyone is going to do work on it? I doubt I can get out there that soon but you never know.

Rockgecko, you're talking to a newbie who is looking to buy a stock vehicle. EH looks a little scarey to me.

No, I'm not planning to go alone. Thank you!

 

update from today...

got an email back from San Juan County...

"Robert, I Tried last week to get to Bobby's Hole over the mountain and was unable to get there. It will probably be two to three weeks before that route is open. That road is on the D road system and as such is not on any scheduled maintenance list."

so it's on the county's radar at least...with a possibility of work being done this spring...

but who knows....

 

I like the 4runners better. but I like the extra room of the SUV. I'm on my second auto
Tranny 3rd gen runner.

 

Hoyal. yeah, I like that they are shorter too. Better for parking when I go to SF.

Thanks NYCO. I guess we'll see. Who knows, maybe it'll be like any dirt road when they do finish it. For a little while anyways.