Michigan Tacomas

Yikes. Definitely won’t be getting a rubber undercoat, haven’t heard back from great Lakes chemical.

 

Did anyone go to Midwest Dirtfest? Here is a ride along video in my buddies truck gives you a feel for how it is.

https://youtu.be/TkJKdjbcrXM

 

I like the Wool Wax and Fluid Film undercoating materials.

I put a new coat on every year on my 3 vehicles. It's pretty good stuff. If you have an air compressor, it's not hard to do it yourself. I also have a lift, so it's even easier.

My '04 still looks pretty decent and there are no soft spots on the frame yet.

 

I usually just buy the aerosol spray cans on Amazon

 

Just hada Great Lakes Chemical van pass me on my commute this morning. I should've flagged them down and said, "hey, there's this guy on these forums that I frequent an unhealthy amount and he's been trying to reach you. You should respond to him. Bye!" Lol

 

Pick apart my trip to UP.

Will be October 18-20 ish timeframe, so mid to late October. I haven't planned overnight halts yet, but this is my rough plan.

 

So, instead of going across US 2, can I suggest a different route, that includes Tahquamenon Falls, Crisp Point Light house, and a great route across the northern UP instead? US2 is 65 mph and not much to see. Also possibly the Porcupine Mountains and Lake of the Clouds? How long you going to be out? That's the first question. and if you're passing through Cheboygan, the Cheboygan Brewery is a nice place to stop and meet a fellow Taco owner...one more question, are you dispersed camping in your truck?

 

I disagree. Nothing like driving along the lakeshore on US 2. Although that other route isn't bad either.

 

Go past Copper Harbor and stop at High Rock Bay for a night. There is also the Keweenaw rocket range near by. Perfect roads for the Taco.

 

Night on the water there - got it!

Cool beans - yeah was planning to just go out there as far as I can. I don't know the exact timing on time of day though when I'll get there etc. But thank you!

I will be solo so I won't be wheeling but I'm game for some gravel roads.

 

Sorry - Didn't even see these!

It should be mid to late October, so will be a chilly time but yeah, these are more so the stops, the routes are less locked in stone.

 

We're always solo when we do it. It's slow going but a stock vehicle will do it no problem (our Taco is stock). It's roughly 7 miles or so beyond Copper Harbor but takes a little while to get there. Again, it isn't anything too difficult. You could do it in 2 HI if you really wanted to but I recommend 4 lo

 

So, yeah, you get to see the water on US2 outside St Ignace to Naubinway, and then again at Manistique, and that's about all. If you go the northern route, You can go to Tahquamenon, and Crisp point. Easily accessible, gravel roads and the gravel all the way over to Grand Marais along Lake Superior. Hurricane beach and 13 mile beach are nice also over by Pictured Rocks. Muskellonge Campground is nice place, as is Lake Superior State Forest CG if you're looking for CGs. If you want to chat about any this this, you can PM me for details. Crisp Point is worth the drive. Especially in late fall! Mouth of the Two Hearted is also just a beautiful place. LOVE it there!! You can also go searching for Yooperlites! Lots up in that area.

 

Cool beans - I'm stock BUT skids and sliders. Also depends on weather - if it's a soup bath then I would be more hesitant, I'm usually gung-ho on the trails when my wife is 3-4 hours away and I can get a ride home - but ~12-16 hours from home with the dog, if I tip over I'm f'ed

Thank you! I am iffy on campgrounds. On the one hand, my favorite night of camping was on Kingman wash out on Lake Mead near Vegas, woke up on the lake it was perrrrrrfect. On the other hand - late october, could be cold, if the CG has electricals I could stab in a heated blanket I'm game with the weather usually, but I have a catahoula who does NOT appreciate being cold.

These are just my planning stops for timing - to see how many miles and hours I am going each day (anything over 7-8 AIS hours on a road trip becomes a chore more than enjoyment, so I try to limit my hours AIS now, after I stuffed a cannonball run roadtrip in working ~10 hours/day into my driving plan, was worth it but dammmmn were some days kind of rough)

 

If it makes you feel better, our first time out there a storm rolled in. A Subaru made it out there and wasn't there before the storm came in. It rained last time we were there too. There's some water to go through but usually no more than like 6 inches or so. I had a few videos taken and realized none of that was even testing my truck. I think my off road gauges reached like 25 degrees once but I took the hard line on that.

 

Oh, I mean, I've put my truck through some paces I know what she can do, I'll keep y'all posted once I get up there and take some pictures.

So - question. MTB worth it to bring? 27.5 full squish, my dog runs around while I ride usually. I'm not in great shape right now unfortunately (just fat, not injured) but if it's worth it, I can stuff it in the soft topper. Been looking for an excuse to set up my planned bike hauling setup instead of slap dashing it using rail mounts.

 

Marquette and Copper Harbor are fabulous MTB destinations! There's even a trail leading from Copper Harbor to High Rock Bay. Unfortunately with Copper Harbor the last day for shuttles is October 16th. After that you'll have to pedal it out.

As for Marquette I usually make at least 2 trips per year. I'm actually here now.

 

That spot at High Rock Bay is a very special place, please tread lightly and pack everything out.

 

Grew up in Bangor. Moved to Wyoming Michigan when 15. Graduated from Wyoming Park High. Both school were the Vikings. I still go back about every 3 yrs. Now live in the desert near Las Vegas Nevada.

 

Everyone I've seen is very good about leaving the place as good as they found it...with exception of when nature calls. Evidence of that is not hard to find once you wander off the beaten path.