Dirtco's Adventure Thread

A week or two later I decided to go run Chinaman's Gulch, this is a super fun trail with lots of obstacles to play on!

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It was a fun trip, but coming down one of the last obstacles I cut a sidewall, luckily I was able to make it to the lower sand wash before all the air came out.

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Unfortunately it happens and it's just part of the hobby. But, I honestly wasn't a big fan of the tires. I bought them when the 4Runner was heavy and had a full body, along with all my camping/overland gear, and I drove it to the trail and back home. I chose an LT tire for the thicker sidewalls (so much for that) but the harder tread compound didn't want to get traction with the lighter reincarnation of the vehicle. I couldn't justify buying another tire I wasn't going to be happy with, so it was back the drawing board.

After researching tires for days and days (of which I already know a lot about) I went with the 39" BFGoodrich KM3's. I still have a Toyota based drivetrain so running a 40" sticky was just asking for trouble and my old set of 35" BFG KM2's really impressed me in the rocks and Moab. I felt this was the best compromise with what's available and what the 4Runner can handle (knock on wood).

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As someone with no financial skin in the game, I really like it when you break things. It just keeps getting better and better. I hope you like the BFG's.

You've really come a long way from that green 1st gen!
 
Awesome pics and truck man.. Love my km3’s, they are way more quiet on the highway than the ko2’s that came from the previous owner.
 
ahhh, the new tires all make sense now :cool: did you end up having to do more clearance with the 39s?? seems like it ended up being a direct swap for you if you didnt say anything else

how are you liking all of the new setup J?! anything that needs more attention?
 
After having one hell of a time dismounting the Coopers I got the KM3’s installed without an issue, probably the easiest tires I’ve mounted on my beadlocks. I didn’t bother balancing them yet, we’ll see how they do once I get them on the highway.

I decided to run Webster Pass, Red Cone, and Radical Hill. Not really hard trails but they are fun and scenic!

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T4Rchadly said:
ahhh, the new tires all make sense now :cool: did you end up having to do more clearance with the 39s?? seems like it ended up being a direct swap for you if you didnt say anything else

how are you liking all of the new setup J?! anything that needs more attention?
Click to expand...

I just mounted the tires and called it good! When I rebuilt the 4Runner I figured there was a good chance it would get 39-40" tires under it, so I made sure there was room.

So far I'm really happy with it Chad! I still have a few things to address, the most import being a transfer case skid plate, front hydro bumpstops/limit straps, and a skid plate for hydro assist ram. After that it's the small details and getting the suspension dialed in.
 
JBurt said:
As someone with no financial skin in the game, I really like it when you break things. It just keeps getting better and better. I hope you like the BFG's.

You've really come a long way from that green 1st gen!
Click to expand...

Thanks Jeff, I guess?! :lmao: I kind of feel like this is the reincarnated "updated" version of the green 1st gen, there are a lot of similarities between the two. I'll have to look through some of my old pictures.
 
[MENTION=67615]Dirtco[/MENTION] you guys getting snow up high yet?

Saw the video of the Jeep that endo'ed down black bear pass a week or so ago.
Crazy!
 
Dropzone said:
[MENTION=67615]Dirtco[/MENTION] you guys getting snow up high yet?

Saw the video of the Jeep that endo'ed down black bear pass a week or so ago.
Crazy!
Click to expand...

Unfortunately no, its been super dry, warm and windy which is really bad for the fires burning, luckily it's supposed to snow tonight. (Figures crossed)

Yeah, that video was nuts!! I have a friend of a friend that saw it it on the tow truck, or should I say what was left of it.

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A couple weeks ago [MENTION=63986]Volcom[/MENTION] and I made plans to run Holy Cross on a Saturday, me in the 4Runner and him in his Polaris RZR. It was the peak of the leaves changing and the weather was supposed to be nice. Aaron was going to make a weekend out of it, so he camped Thursday night and was going to run Red Cone on Friday. I had to work so we planned on meeting the following morning over at Holy Cross.

Aaron called me early Friday afternoon and informed me he had broken down, a lower ball joint. It took him a while to get it off the side of the trail and walk down to cell service. He was able to get a ride back to his truck and trailer then call around for parts. He located a ball joint in Denver, so he rushed down to get it before closing time and I packed up my tools and 4Runner to help him out the following day.

Here is one of the several pictures he sent me

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Due to how busy all the roads and passes were going to be I decided to park the Tundra and trailer in Keystone, and take Webster Pass over to meet Aaron on the other side of of the mountain range. The trails were busier than normal making it pretty much a wash time wise, but if I have a choice I will always choose dirt over asphalt! I found his campsite and we drove up to where the machine was broken down. The repair went fairly smooth and we were up and running.

Anyone that has broken down on the trail can tell this is the quick, happy version from my perspective. In reality Aaron had a rough 24 hours, but hey we were back on the trail and it was a beautiful day right!…

Wrong!!! I shit you not, less than half a mile later this happened!!

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Yes, the other side broke and before anyone asks he was going slow and taking it very easy, both days. The dealership only had one ball joint the day before, so here we are with no parts yet again. I winched it off the side of the trail and we loaded up his stuff. It was right around 3:00pm on a Saturday, so we had to get back to cell service and see if his dad could get the parts where he lives, and bring them up Sunday morning.

After getting him back to camp it was time to turn around and head back to the Red Cone trailhead, and get back to the truck and trailer. Luckily I’ve run Red Cone in the dark before, so I set on my way.

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Well, one thing is for sure IF I owned one of those Polaris, I would have two ball joints in my tool kit. What a joke!
I could tell my own story similar to your friends but I don't want to relive the embarrassment!
 
Dropzone said:
[MENTION=67615]Dirtco[/MENTION] - how has the snow been?
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Thanks for checking in! I've had so much going on that I haven't even come around here in quite a while. My daughter's school went to remote learning around Thanksgiving so I've been working full time and trying to home school my daughter too. Luckily she went back a couple weeks ago!

Not to sound negative but the snow sucks, actually there is no snow. I can still see grass in my yard. It's snowing right now which is a good thing, but it's been a rough winter so far. The drought meter in my area is as bad as it gets.

I have been working on stuff as time allows. After my last couple trips I realized my coilover spring rates were incorrect, so I had Accutune figure out the correct configuration for my current weight. I replaced the springs and it's so much better! The front & rear suspension work better together and the suspension feels better in the faster sections of trail.

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I took the 4Runner out for a short snowy drive in mid-December, which was fun but just about any vehicle would've made it. I feel bad for the guy's that bought brand new snowmobiles this year.

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Thanks for the updates! Always like visiting your thread now and than because your truck is amazing

Sucks about the snow. But you got out in some! Hope it doesn't turn out to be too bad of a drought. Having a good snow pack can make or break a community

Remote learning sucks. My grandson lives with us so trying to keep a kindergartener on track is a pain. My youngest also teaches and trying to keep kids engaged is driving her insane
 
Still one of my favorite builds, such a mean looking rig
It's probably been said before but what's the wheelbase on this crawler like, about 90-95in or so?
 
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