Another Alpine Loop planning question (RTT Question)

[TexasTJ]

The stock 4R is very capable. I've done the Alpine loop, Mineral Creek, Imogene Black Bear Pass, and a few others with unmodified suspension.

Engineer Pass

Black Bear Pass

Black Bear Pass

BBP stairs

Imogene going down to Ouray.

 

[Xtremluck]

Your T4R looks pretty familiar. Did you go up Imogene from Ouray and was there a red 4Runner and a side by side waiting when you came up close to the top?

I was on Imogene going from Telluride to Ouray when one that looks like yours came up. It was starting to rain at the time.

Sorry for the late reply. I did Imogene from Telluride -> Ouray and bumped into two built up 4runners along the route. I don't believe I saw a red one though.

 

[MAST4R]

To address the original question, in general, I don't like the 3" lift, which makes the vehicle less capable, and I don't like the RTT either. High center of gravity + minimum down travel = decreased stability. And the rear differential is still where that of a stock one is.

For the Alpine Loop specifically, there are three components:

--Corkscrew--Hurricane--California were in very smooth condition earlier in July and they are normally very smooth. I don't recall low hanging branches on Corkscrew (at start, everything else is above tree line).
--Engineer and Cinnamon are rockier but there is nothing really off-camber and they are above tree line. The lower portions are dirt roads.
--Mineral Creek is the rockiest trail in the entire area not counting P gulch. It does have a couple of off-camber spots where a 3" lifted 4R with a RTT is not something I would enjoy driving.

There are some tippy spots on Black Bear one of which is unavoidable as well as a couple of milder ones on Imogene. I would much rather drive a 100% stock 4R on those trails than a 4R with a 3" lift and an RTT.