Well I got back from Moab around 11 last night and the trip couldn't have gone better. The 4runner averaged 21 mpg on the way down and back and 17 mpg overall with all the rock crawling. Nothing ended up breaking and everything preformed flawlessly, the worst thing that happened was replacing a fuse in the rental jeep. The sway bar disconnects were fast and easy, transmission mount kept everything solid, the trans fan kept the pan at a max of 170 and an average of about 150, the new tires hooked up and preformed great, and the sliders saved me a couple times but more on that later. I was amazed with the truck in general, It walked right up everything I pointed it at and was only denied on one line over the whole weekend which was pre launch pad on poison spider mesa, I was very close to making it but just couldn't get enough stick
We got into town on Saturday around 4, my parents went to pick up the rental jeep and check into the hotel and my buddy and I headed to area bfe to setup the tent, I was really surprised that besides us there was only one other group out there all weekend. We ran, in this order, fins n things, hells revenge, top of the world, and poison spider mesa and all I can say is pictures do not do these trails justice. The ascents and descents on hells revenge were insane. My gps recorded the steepest being a 63% grade.
First up fins n things, basically the shakedown run for the 4runner and to get used to driving on slick rock. We started out slow but made better time on the second section and were done in about 4 hours.
Headed down the first fin
IMG_1763 by
Phoenix Black, on Flickr
End of the trail
IMG_2155 by
Phoenix Black, on Flickr
After finishing out fins n things we headed down to the hells revenge parking lot and ate lunch and then headed out onto the next trail.
Headed up the gate keeper
IMG_2167 by
Phoenix Black, on Flickr
Walking up one of the first technical sections
IMG_2316 by
Phoenix Black, on Flickr
On the way up to the hot tubs
IMG_2441 by
Phoenix Black, on Flickr
After going around the abyss we parked and walked up to the hot tubs to check them out and see the other group that was up there which was also from t4r. Got to meet some really cool people and see some of my favorite builds.
4th gen going up the side
IMG_2519 by
Phoenix Black, on Flickr
@
derpiful
thought you might enjoy this one
derpiful by
Phoenix Black, on Flickr
Going through one of the tubs
Going in hot tub by
Phoenix Black, on Flickr
IMG_2547 by
Phoenix Black, on Flickr
Thats what we call "a can of corn"
IMG_2552 by
Phoenix Black, on Flickr
The rest of the trail wasnt too bad after dropping off the dragons tale which sucked because some dumb*** in a jeep decided to go up even though they saw me starting my way down, but we made up a lot of time on our way out. Also went down one section that really crossed me up.
IMG_2611 by
Phoenix Black, on FlickrOther side
IMG_2616 by
Phoenix Black, on Flickr
After that we headed into town and headed to Milts for a quick bite to eat before heading to bfe for the night.
The next morning we fueled up and headed for top of the world, this was one of the trails I was determined to finish because I really wanted to park out on that edge.
You can see the summit right behind the saddle that is in the middle, looks kinda like a set of rifle sights
IMG_3357 by
Phoenix Black, on Flickr
At the top, this was by far the scariest part of the trip, I was numb driving out on this even with a spotter and I didn't get as close to the edge as most.
IMG_3061 by
Phoenix Black, on Flickr
Overall this was a great trail but it was pretty apparent that it getting dug out pretty bad in some spots and getting harder each year. The run went smooth except for one spot on the way down when I slid off my line and ended up with a sharp shelf right up against my driver side rear rim. We opted to use the winch on the jeep to provide a side pull to the back while I backed up and used the slider to pivot my rear end away from the rock. After that I was very glad I got the kickout because without it I would probably have a nice gouge in my rim or door.
The last trail we did was poison spider mesa. When my parents had picked up the jeep they had asked the guy running the shop if he thought we could make it and he said no way without some major body damage. We started the trail and everything was going well. I was trying out some harder lines and the truck was going up anything I pointed it at. We reached the pre launch pad and I gave it a few tries on the far left line but the rear end just didn't want to follow. I would get about 3/4 of the way up and the front end would get too light and the truck just started bouncing really bad so in the interest of not breaking a cv I bypassed it and continued on. We reached the waterfall pretty quickly and made quick work of the lower section. We stopped to let a rzr pass, (these things were the most annoying thing on any of the trails). We waited a few minutes and he came back down saying it was getting to gnarly for him. We hiked up and were met with this
IMG_3175 by
Phoenix Black, on Flickr
I wasnt entirely sure I could make this climb because it had a nice slick layer of sand on it which made it difficult to even walk on. Originally we were going to put the jeep up top in case I couldn't make it and we needed to winch the 4runner up but the next section got even more rocky and technical. I was confident I could make it through the second section but the first part was still iffy. We stood around for about an hour trying to decide what to do until this guy came out in a stock jeep.
IMG_3189 by
Phoenix Black, on Flickr
I talked to him and he said he was open open and that he made it no problem. I was thinking great this should be no problem. But then I saw him go out and he was dragging his bumpers and skids on every rock in sight. I honestly felt bad for the jeep because this guy just didnt know what he was doing. But after he left I said screw it I didnt drive this far to turn around without trying it. I ran down got the 4runner, aired down the tires from 20 to 18 and started up the hill. I was really surprised that it walked right up both sections without even chirping a tire.
IMG_3203 by
Phoenix Black, on Flickr
We continued on to the wedgie and I decided to give it a shot but I let my dad run it in the jeep first to see what it would be like. After watching a jeep on 35s get maxed on its travel I wasnt very optimistic but tried it anyway and the 4runner walked through it like it was nothing. It was especially satisfying since there were a few jeep guys there that were trashing on the 4runner saying there was no way it would make it.
IMG_3231 by
Phoenix Black, on Flickr
IMG_3235 by
Phoenix Black, on Flickr
We continued on for a little longer and made it to the golden spike turn off but it was getting late and we had to have the jeep back by 6 so we headed back.
On the way out
IMG_3328 by
Phoenix Black, on Flickr
Hope you all enjoy the pictures. I have plenty more that Im working on uploading so heres the link to the album.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/147275993@N05/Z1RnDe