IRON RANGE OHV PARK MEET-UP MINNESOTA

This man knows.

The first time I went up there, my truck was bone stock except for sliders, which DblCab strongly recommended. As a bonus, my kids use the sliders as running boards so they can step up into the truck.

Best suggestion if you've never been off-roading, not sure if this is truly what you want to do and especially if you want to get your wife on board is to do the "boring" trails this fall like Gandy Dancer and Spider Lake. I say boring because they can be done in 2WD and are essentially fire roads...but the fall scenery should be nice.

Then, if you want to try more...but without any serious risk of major damage, head to Gilbert and stick to the core roads. These are bumpy with small rocks and many can also be done in 2WD.

You won't know your limits until you test them. If fire roads are your thing, then no one has anything to say about it. It's your truck and that's your limits. However, if you get the bug, there is nothing wrong with testing your limits at your pace. For me, this was the first time I've run the trails in these pics. I've driven past them several times and thought there was no way my truck in it's current configuration could make it. However, this last time wheeling with DblCab left me with the impression that "If he could do it, so can I". I should admit that I got stuck at the entrance of Gumby's Rocks and needed to get pulled out. I also tried to go up Stair Steps after DblCab made it but had to back down as I could make it to the top.

One word of advice. Beyond Sliders (if you choose to run more serious trail trails), don't buy anything except for a tow strap and hi-lift jack (which has many uses). These trucks are extremely capable in stock form. If you find that you want to run more difficult trails, then decide what you need to do to make your truck capable of running that trail.

For me, I have one goal...MOAB!!! This means I need gears, tires, maybe a locker and bumpers but that's my goal.

Final thought:

Mine and DblCab's trucks are daily drivers. We drove our trucks up there, wheeled and drove home. We also drive them every day to work and such. You don't need a buggy or truck with zero road manners to have a good trail rig.

 

This is absolutely priceless information guys. I really appreciate it a lot.

Here's what I'll probably end up doing. The wifey and I will take a trip to St. Croix Falls and hop on Gandy Dancer and take a drive north to Danbury and maybe head back on 35 (WI). After that I'll probably find some sliders and plan a trip up to Pine City and Spider Lake and, eventually, the core trails up in Gilbert.

Because the truck is new, I'm going to wait on a lift kit and the after-market shocks (5100s) until it's time for new tires, if not next year then in 18 months. That way I can have it all done at the same time. Pick it up two or three inches with bigger tires before hitting even the intermediate stuff at the Iron Range OHV Rec Area.

I received the ARB snatch strap from Amazon yesterday and I'm hoping the shackle mount arrives today. I know I'm limiting myself to the "fire trails" (granny trails), but trust me, I'll find a way to screw up. Just trust me.

Thanks again guys. You're the best.

 

you can drive a truck on the Gandy Dancer? Sorry i dont off road trucks, but been on that trail with dirt bikes and snowmobiles....

 

According to the DNR website, you can take OHV's on:

Appleton
Bemis Hill
Gandy Dancer
Iron Range
Nemadji
Spider Lake
Warroad
Washington/Ramsey

 

Deciding between BAMF and All Pro sliders. Then, bolt-on or welded....

 

Bolt-On: I'm not sure if i'm going to keep modding.
Weld-On: I'm going go enjoy the world!

BAMF makes some sweet gear (esp. for the 2nd Gens), All-Pro... does the job.

I have a set of Demello's Round sliders on my first gen. I love how tight they fit. No big kickout or odd angle. Great quality.

http://www.demello-offroad.com/shop/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=27_21&products_id=219

I call them the 'tuxedo of sliders.'

 

It's funny you should recommend them because I was just looking at them today online. I absolutely love the clean minimalist look of them. Just debating between them and Pelfreybilt.

Did you do the welding yourself? I could do the bolt-on install myself but I have zero welding experience. I'm sure my father-in-law could help me with that though. Otherwise I have plans to call Hooze 4x4 in Ham Lake tomorrow.

 

I have the all-pro bolt on though I did weld the two center supports. I like that they stick out as the kids use them as steps. The kick-outs have also been helpful with bump steering around tight spots.

They all essentially do the same job. The difference is price and a few details.

 

All Pro recently posted a 15% off deal on sliders. I expressed disappointment in a post after the end of the sale. They replied asking me to call sales, suggesting they'd offer a deal. Too many choices... Beyond the practical use of the sliders, they absolutely enhance the look of the truck.

 

I wheeled with these guys at Gilbert this spring it was a blast good luck not catching the bug lol I went with wheelers Alcon 8 packs already installed 26" braded brake line 12 inch shocks in the back fabtech dirt logic coilovers up front stock rims wrapped in BFG 33 10.50 mud terrains and the all pro weld on sliders with kickers same dispatch had and with my lift I was feeling pretty confident in what I could tackle

There was several times I smashed on my sliders only thing that happend was a few scratches and some small gouges..

Now my truck is getting the frame straightend cause some kid smashed into the back of me.... 300 bucks or less to straighten my frame and now I got 2700 left over for new bumpers!!!!

Cbi DIY front bumper with m8000 warn winch and bushmaster 1.0 rear bumper are on their way... Can't wait for these 3 weeks to pass so I can get these bad boys on!!!

So the bug is real I paid 7,800 for my taco
1500 for my coils
Close to 1k for rear susp
500ish for sliders
2250 for front and rear with winch
Over 1k into audio in the cab 145.6 db's worth lol
And now I'm looking into retrofitting a set of new headlights halos and projectors with hid conversion that's gonna be 330-380 total
And I'm gonna have to dynamat my whole truck and have a new custom box built for my sub to try and get over 150db's

 

Lol shit I'm not gonna put numbers up again I've already got more into aftermarket then I paid for the truck

 

Any update on this?

 

All right, I think I got it all setup now. I will be there late, Friday the 21st of November.. anyone down ?

 

So guys liberty mutual is trying to tell me my 96 is a total loss... Anyone know of a toyota enthusiast body shop or appraiser I can go get the truck appraised and damage assessed???? In our home state or North Dakota?

 

What did you do?

 

Stupid deer

 

They tried telling me 7500 in damages... No way

 

Photos are posted in The 95-97 taco thread

 

Whoa, just checked out the pics, yeah that doesn't look that bad... new hood, fenders, radiator/fan and the grill bits? Fight that for sure.

 

Hoods not even damaged it is just out of alignment from fender being sucked in and hood latch support being bent in and bent back out