Broken Arrow, Sedona - July 19th

[Paddo]

Sounds like I missed out! I wish I had seen this thread earlier. A buddy and I are considering trying Broken Arrow next weekend though. Would it be doable in a stock 2000? I've done Soldier Pass before and that wasn't too bad, but I've heard Broken Arrow is tougher.

 

[cf_coder]

Sounds like I missed out! I wish I had seen this thread earlier. A buddy and I are considering trying Broken Arrow next weekend though. Would it be doable in a stock 2000? I've done Soldier Pass before and that wasn't too bad, but I've heard Broken Arrow is tougher.

Yes, the trail is doable in a stock 4Runner. However, you will be scraping bits and pieces of your undercarriage. Expect to ride your trailer hitch a lot as there are some pretty extreme departure angles. Devils staircase you will scrape your front plates. The stock suspension allows for too much bounce and you will bounce quite a bit coming down. Also, there are also a number of spikes in the playground areas that you will probably scrape your front bumper on. So, if you don't mind how the underside of your Runner looks, go for it!

_coder

 

[AZBub]

I have a 2000 4runner and if you still have the stock springs you will be scraping everything. I have some 2015 4Runner springs in back that gave about 1.5" lift and still managed to scrape. I didn't do the steps because I wasn't confident in my clearance. just an FYI

 

[Paddo]

Okay, thanks for the info guys! I do have all stock suspension still, the only thing I've added is new tires. I don't really care for scraping my bottom so I might just put off this trail until I get some lift... whenever that is.

 

[cf_coder]

Okay, thanks for the info guys! I do have all stock suspension still, the only thing I've added is new tires. I don't really care for scraping my bottom so I might just put off this trail until I get some lift... whenever that is.

Well, like I said, it's doable. I did it twice in a bone stock 2014 SR5, including the Devils Staircase. The biggest thing you need to do is manage your speed through the obstacles. You have a very soft suspension on there and if you can come down off of the rocks gently it won't bounce as much. With that said, even with a 2.5 inch suspension lift, I'm still dragging my trailer hitch over a number of those obstacles. But hey, that's what its there for! I wouldn't not do it, but you may want to not do the section after chicken point which leads to the staircase. All the other parts of the trail you'll do fine on. You might scrape a bit here and there, but that's what the steel covers are there for.

Just take it slow...

_coder

 

[Paddo]

Well, like I said, it's doable. I did it twice in a bone stock 2014 SR5, including the Devils Staircase. The biggest thing you need to do is manage your speed through the obstacles. You have a very soft suspension on there and if you can come down off of the rocks gently it won't bounce as much. With that said, even with a 2.5 inch suspension lift, I'm still dragging my trailer hitch over a number of those obstacles. But hey, that's what its there for! I wouldn't not do it, but you may want to not do the section after chicken point which leads to the staircase. All the other parts of the trail you'll do fine on. You might scrape a bit here and there, but that's what the steel covers are there for.

Just take it slow...

_coder

Good to know. I'm generally pretty good at taking obstacles slowly and rarely bounce so hard I hit anything. Perhaps if I'm in the area I'll at least take a look at the trail and see what I think. I just don't want to get out there and chicken out and not be able to turn around.

I don't mind dragging my hitch receiver over stuff, aside from the hellacious noise it makes, but hitting most anything else on my bottom does make me a bit nervous. Are there ways around a lot of the obstacles if I'm not comfortable going over them?

 

[cf_coder]

Good to know. I'm generally pretty good at taking obstacles slowly and rarely bounce so hard I hit anything. Perhaps if I'm in the area I'll at least take a look at the trail and see what I think. I just don't want to get out there and chicken out and not be able to turn around.

I don't mind dragging my hitch receiver over stuff, aside from the hellacious noise it makes, but hitting most anything else on my bottom does make me a bit nervous. Are there ways around a lot of the obstacles if I'm not comfortable going over them?

So, the route looks something like this:
1st obstacle is a steep climb to a playground area. Stay to the left to avoid the steeper rock shelfs on the upper two areas. The top area also has two spikes in it that can be difficult. After that comes Submarine Rock. This is an optional part of the trail that you may scrape your front plate on. Just take it slow and you should be fine. There are ruts in the rock face that you can follow. Coming back down same issue, just take it slow. After that, it's pretty easy sailing up to Chicken Point. On your way back, you can take the left fork of the trail to the alternate route and do the round-about and climb a steep rock face to another small playground. Here you can watch the Pink Jeeps go down a really steep obstacle. At this point I would recommend you turn around and go back the way you came. Beyond that point are some really challenging parts of the trail for a stock vehicle (including the steps). You'll have done 85% of the trail and avoided the toughest obstacles there.

Have fun!!!

_coder

 

[Paddo]

Awesome, thanks! I might just do it after all.

 

[AZBub]

if you want a cheap lift someone posted a full set of FJ coils on Phoenix Craigslist for $70 bucks. that's 1.5" lift total.

 

[Paddo]

if you want a cheap lift someone posted a full set of FJ coils on Phoenix Craigslist for $70 bucks. that's 1.5" lift total.

Hmm, got a link to that? Will those fit my 2000 okay? I've never replaced coils before...

 

[D Farms]

a few shots from the trip

 

[AZBub]

99 talls. even with the mileage on them would still net 1.5-2. rears are easy to swap out. front are harder and a little more dangerous.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/pts/5064830825.html

 

[AZBub]

these would raise the rear 1.5
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/pts/5127556482.html

 

[AZBub]

I'll post a link to photos tonight.

 

[AZBub]

teaser

 

[D Farms]

heres a few more

 

[AZBub]

Here you go. Enjoy.

AZBub's Library | Photobucket

 

[RedRunner_87]

Looks like you guys had a blast! Definitely making miss living in the area. Broken Arrow was one of my favorite trails.

 

[4Runner4TW]

Great photos! I'm bummed I missed Broken Arrow but I see Jeff comes up here a lot so I'll have more chances. Next time I'll plan better. I must say I was happy to see such a great turn out with a wide range of generations.

Jeff (@cf_coder) What happened to your door?

Time to plan the next one!

 

[cf_coder]

Ahhhh... the door. Well it was a dumb ass move on my part. I pulled forward at the base of the obstacle at Submarine rock to make more room for others coming down. Thought I put it in park and hopped out to help spot folks down the incline. It was in reverse... and the driver side door got caught on a rock. Bent the door, the hinges and since the hinges are connected to the front left fender panel, it got bent some as well... All total, its going to end up being a $3200 mistake. So much for new tires!!! Better make these last a lot longer!

So, the lessons learned here are... don't be in a hurry. Make sure it's in park. It's easy to think you are in park if you're not paying attention. There is a hook in the shifter plate that helps you find reverse. If you're not looking you may think it's in park when it's not...

Anyway, it's been bent back enough so that it closes. Now the shop can order the parts and get this thing going...

_coder