Colorado Trip Planning Help

ndcent

ndcent

New member
Hello All -

I'm planning a trip for my wife and I to travel to Colorado this September for a week and do some of the mountain passes and jeep trails out there.

When my parents were my age, my dad had an '85 4runner they took out there and did many of the passes I want to do - I think the idea of recreating a similar trip with my wife is perhaps romantic and definitely fun!

I've also been out there a half dozen times over the years, riding lightweight dual sport bikes on two trips, riding street bikes once, offroading, etc. So this is to say I'm not an Ohio Cornfield n00b heading out there with no offroad experience and no idea of what to look forward to.

I'm needing some advice on my vehicle though..

It's an '02 4runner SR5 4x4 with 265/70-17 BFG All Terrains that are new, running boards removed. I had not however planned on doing any lift before this trip and want to make sure I'm ok without it. Some of the passes I want to do include Black Bear, Imogene, Pearl, Taylor, etc. I know my dad didn't have a lift on his '85, although that's obviously a bit different from my '02. At one time he had 31" BFG AT's on it, but I'm not sure he did at the time they did those trails/passes.

Do I need to move my spare to the roof? I have a nice roof rack I bought a few months ago sitting in the garage.

What kind of tools am I going to need to pack? Is there a succinct resource for this I'm missing?

Am I crazy should I just rent a jeep? etc.

Thanks y'all.
 
Register to hide this ad
You should be fine with your current equipment on your 4runner. I would just take the basics, like tow ropes, D-rings, 1st aid kit, etc..

I did all of your trails except black bear pass...i did not have the balls to do it.
 
Thanks, Thai. D-rings, as in those "D" shaped rings that go on the front or the back or both? I've seen them in trailer hitch receivers also?

Black Bear is definitely gnarly as hell. I've done it on a lightweight dual sport, but that's a far cry from doing it in a truck, soft edges, terrifying switchbacks, etc. I don't want to make my wife leave me. lol.
 
These are things that I keep in my vehicle at all times and, most of which, you might want to consider bringing on your trip with you:


There are different levels of quality with most of that gear, and I just put links to the "budget" gear. If you are on a more hefty budget, I would get some higher quality recovery gear (tow straps, D-Rings, etc.) and air compressor.

You might also want to consider getting a CB radio so you can radio other drivers or for help if you need it. Cell service is very spotty in the Rockies. Some members here have the Cobra C75-WSXT and have been very satisfied with its affordability and functionality.

Hope this helps and GOOD LUCK!
 
Last edited:
ndcent said:
Excellent reply, Glock. Exactly the kind of info I was after. Thank you.
Click to expand...

You're very welcome. That list of gear will get you out of most sticky situations that you are likely to encounter both on and off road. If you've got the coin, a winch would help too.

You also might want to take a look at TrailDamage.com, it is a great resource for Colorado 4x4 trails.
 
I like to take extra food and water, and some coats and blankets. I have experienced snow at Miller Rock in September, and the food and water are just extra insurance.
 
Good advice, Shawn. Thanks.

I'm looking to do the '99 Highlander Tall Coil lift. Is there one definitive thread out there on what all is involved there? I've been searching my fingers numb and can't find a good definitive thread on it.
 
ndcent said:
Good advice, Shawn. Thanks.

I'm looking to do the '99 Highlander Tall Coil lift. Is there one definitive thread out there on what all is involved there? I've been searching my fingers numb and can't find a good definitive thread on it.
Click to expand...



Well, it's not a thread, but it's the way to go!

4 Wheel Drive - System 3 - $690.00 : Sonoran Steel, Sonoran Steel Custom Metal Fabrication L.L.C. Custom Toyota Truck Parts


Some info on the '99 springs - suspensionFAQ : Sonoran Steel, Sonoran Steel Custom Metal Fabrication L.L.C. Custom Toyota Truck Parts




BTW, I like your trip idea, and you'll be fine without a lift. However, I agree with Thai....Black Bear scares me too much. lol. I've done all the others as well, a couple times. Once in a full size 1985 Chevy pickup, and once in a fullsize 1986 Dodge pickup. Something shorter would have maybe made Black Bear look a little more enticing.....
 
If you want a REALLY GOOD set of trails, I recommend Red Cone and Radical Hill. I ran those on a stock suspension, squatted on the front from my ARB and winch. They are challenging and offer some fantastic scenery. I recommend doing these with someone who has run them.
 
Is $690 for the four springs and new shocks really a good deal?

I hadn't gotten the prices back from my shop on those springs yet.

Do you have to replace the shocks? (Obviously it's a good idea to do it then, but is it absolutely necessary? I'm a bit cheap haha)
 
ndcent said:
Is $690 for the four springs and new shocks really a good deal?

I hadn't gotten the prices back from my shop on those springs yet.

Do you have to replace the shocks? (Obviously it's a good idea to do it then, but is it absolutely necessary? I'm a bit cheap haha)
Click to expand...


Well, no technically it's not. The best deal would be to just replace all four springs with the tall '99 springs. Especially if you have already replaced your shocks. If you're still on your original's....then by golly you don't know what you're missing! lol. After driving several different 3rd gen's on stock/original shocks, Bilstein's, KYB's, and ProComp lift shocks......everything is better than original's.

I personally love how my truck rides with Bilstein HD's and the tall coils. That's actually the way I would go, instead of getting something like the Trekmasters. But HD's are more expensive.
 
You can look in our classified section. LC front coils can be had from a wrecking yard starting around $40 per pair, then whatever these guys are asking for their used OME springs, plus shocks. If you are mechanically inclined, installing a lift is easy. You may need a little help from a friend, but unless you are cramming a set of OME 851's under the rear, it's pretty much a one man operation.
 
quicksilvr said:
Well, no technically it's not. The best deal would be to just replace all four springs with the tall '99 springs. Especially if you have already replaced your shocks. If you're still on your original's....then by golly you don't know what you're missing! lol. After driving several different 3rd gen's on stock/original shocks, Bilstein's, KYB's, and ProComp lift shocks......everything is better than original's.

I personally love how my truck rides with Bilstein HD's and the tall coils. That's actually the way I would go, instead of getting something like the Trekmasters. But HD's are more expensive.
Click to expand...

Many in the motorcycling world would echo your sentiments regarding replacing shocks as being one of the best upgrades money can buy, and yet I've never done it. I've heard the analogies and they make sense, though never messed with a street bikes suspension (this in putting about 75k on street bikes in the last 7-8 years.)

Maybe I should take your advice and put ol bessy on some Blistens.
 
ndcent said:
Many in the motorcycling world would echo your sentiments regarding replacing shocks as being one of the best upgrades money can buy, and yet I've never done it. I've heard the analogies and they make sense, though never messed with a street bikes suspension (this in putting about 75k on street bikes in the last 7-8 years.)

Maybe I should take your advice and put ol bessy on some Blistens.
Click to expand...


Yes, you will be amazed at how nice it can actually ride. The HD's are great if you do a lot of on-road driving too. They're not THE best for offroad, but if you only go offroad a little (like me) then they're fantastic.
 
Do you guys think there would be much of a difference going out there n the first week of September vs the third week, i.e. potential snow or?
 
It really depends on where and how high up you are wanting to offroad. I had snow pellets in '09 at Yankee Hill during the last week in August. You just never know. But it is certainly possible on the higher trails. Red Cone and Twin Cones got about 5 inch inches on the night of 9-13-09. It melted by noon. These two are some of the higher trails. Middle St.Vrain had about 5 inches by 10-10-09 when we ran it.
 
shawnstcyr said:
It really depends on where and how high up you are wanting to offroad. I had snow pellets in '09 at Yankee Hill during the last week in August. You just never know. But it is certainly possible on the higher trails. Red Cone and Twin Cones got about 5 inch inches on the night of 9-13-09. It melted by noon. These two are some of the higher trails. Middle St.Vrain had about 5 inches by 10-10-09 when we ran it.
Click to expand...


Yeah, it will usually melt quickly. Normally, you'd be fine in late September all over the San Juan's, even up at the highest passes. But flukes happen. When I lived outside of Lake City at about 9200 ft, sometimes we'd have some good snow by Oct 1st. Sometimes not.


Personally, I'd go later for the adventure of it. ;) It'll be a lot colder at night then too...
 
I just came back from Ouray CO, it rained like crazy & water was everywhere (random streams, watercrossings, etc). My bf and I just went up Yankee Boy basin & explored some of the small trails branching off of it.
I REALLY wanted to do Imogene but it was still closed :/
I should've waited 'til August... lol.. Next year! :P
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 243 (members: 1, guests: 242)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,309
Messages
3,554,070
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top