I found "The One", 2001 Sport Ed. TRD SC'd

[cdrewferd]

Ever heard of Blanca Peak? It's less than an hour from the front door. I just need some accomplices

Thanks!

Let me know and I'll be there. I've been up it several times with my brother, would love to take the 4Runner up.

 

[NachoPitt]

Wow, you weren't kidding about the Tank Trap. It has been a long time since I have been out that way. Looks like it was a great time. Your gas tank skid is gonna be useful if you decide to keep dragging your rig over rocks like that :banana:

Nice place at the end of the tracks - Gotta be some great wheeling out there. It ever get inaccessible in the winter?

 

[Dirtco]

Ever heard of Blanca Peak? It's less than an hour from the front door. I just need some accomplices

I would run it with you, it's been on my list for a long time! Just let know when and I'll try to make it work.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Now that's a party. You don't get cell service out there right? Just you and gods country huh? Must be nice to get say from it all from time to time.

Not anymore. There was a period where GSM carriers (ATT, Tmobile, etc) had service out there, but it stopped working last year. I always liked it better when there was no cell service anyway. That place is definitely my refuge when life in the city gets to be too much.

If you want to run it between the middle of May and the beginning of July I'll be back in Colorado. I won't have my 4runner but I'd be more than happy to document the attempt. :biggrin2:

Nice cabin.

I think that would normally be too early to make it to the top considering the kind of snow that area sees. Maybe on a bad snow year you could do it in late June/early July. This has been a tough year for snow, so I guess we'll see. I won't go up without another rig though.

i was saying I bet the picture doesn't do it justice. Just looks like a small rock garden. Not even that angled. Or I meant to say that. my bad. :bash:

The camera lens can rarely do justice to what the eye sees. If you're going to be posting comments like the last few, you probably ought to get your tires on something other than a curb, lone rock, or a snow pile.

If you hit this in the summer let me know. This is has been on my to do list for a while now.

Sure thing man, and I'm glad to know you're all in.

Let me know and I'll be there. I've been up it several times with my brother, would love to take the 4Runner up.

Awesome, Drew! It would be great to have somebody along with some experience on the trail. I'll definitely PM you the details if/when.

Wow, you weren't kidding about the Tank Trap. It has been a long time since I have been out that way. Looks like it was a great time. Your gas tank skid is gonna be useful if you decide to keep dragging your rig over rocks like that :banana:

Nice place at the end of the tracks - Gotta be some great wheeling out there. It ever get inaccessible in the winter?

Hey Nate! Thanks again for stopping by the other day. The skids are definitely something that I should have done earlier in the build, because they have come in handy. I can always get to the forest road that leads to the cabin in the winter, but the spur road that leads up to our place can have 3 feet of snow on it some years. The plows don't ever hit it becasue nobody is there year round.

I guess I'd better fix that and just go live up there.

I would run it with you, it's been on my list for a long time! Just let know when and I'll try to make it work.

Hell yeah, Jeremiah! [MENTION=67615]Dirtco[/MENTION] [MENTION=82211]TCMach[/MENTION] [MENTION=94050]cdrewferd[/MENTION] and myself... and maybe [MENTION=10182]smallfry[/MENTION]. That would be quite the crew. I say we do it. As the time gets closer I'll pin down a selection of dates and PM them to you guys. Let's see if we can make it happen. Any and all of you are welcome to crash at the cabin as well. And if for some reason I forget, one of you guys remind me!

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Also, one of the guys that was along on the MLK day run took some videos on Tank Trap and he finally got them posted.

(Note: there is some adult language in the vids)

Check out NateMob in the first vid, taking a really steep line. The snow/ice on his tires didn't help. @00:42 he nearly tore his stock front bumper mount off. The second part of the video shows my rig on the way up... notice how it side steps on the hill a few times from 01:00 to 02:00... that was fun.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/OK8c4exj9NE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

This second vid shows my rig on the way down. This is the "Oh Sh$t" video. The part @01:12 was particularly unnerving. Thanks to NateMob for helping to get me balanced and out of that situation. I probably should have run the obstacle in 4H to avoid some of the jerky throttle inputs.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hGt5LnEB644" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[TheArkMaster]

The camera lens can rarely do justice to what the eye sees.

That is what I was trying to say. In no way was I trying to discount it. I apologize if that came across the wrong way. My apologies.
-Noah

 

[TCMach]

[MENTION=44220]BigFishAllDay[/MENTION] @5:22 ish "what if i just punch it.." (hope you like top gear)


that video really brings that spot to life, thats more off camber than I got through the pictures for sure. And definitely count me in for Blanca! That sounds like a good time with that crew.

 

[smkd13]

Not sure yet. I'm considering a trip in March that a couple of the guys on here are putting together. As far as the TW meet, I didn't like how last years event played out as far as organization and follow through. I was on my own most of the time and that's not how I like to roll in a place as risky as Moab. If it looks like there's a group that I might be able to wheel with, I guess we'll see.

I would definitely agree with you about the organization for sure. I know NYCO and a few others are working to get things to be more organized this year. The group I am going with stay together when we wheel and are going to be leading a few group (more like people will tag along with us.) As well the guys I wheel with are all really experienced in Moab. Be happy to have have you out and actually wheel with ya. Me and my buddies are staying at BFE this with everyone else as we really didn't wheel with anyone that came out so we know your pain lol

 

[Fishwerks]

Hell yeah, Jeremiah! [MENTION=67615]Dirtco[/MENTION] [MENTION=82211]TCMach[/MENTION] [MENTION=94050]cdrewferd[/MENTION] and myself... and maybe [MENTION=10182]smallfry[/MENTION]. That would be quite the crew. I say we do it. As the time gets closer I'll pin down a selection of dates and PM them to you guys. Let's see if we can make it happen. Any and all of you are welcome to crash at the cabin as well. And if for some reason I forget, one of you guys remind me!

:spy:

 

[Dirtco]

Hell yeah, Jeremiah! [MENTION=67615]Dirtco[/MENTION] [MENTION=82211]TCMach[/MENTION] [MENTION=94050]cdrewferd[/MENTION] and myself... and maybe [MENTION=10182]smallfry[/MENTION]. That would be quite the crew. I say we do it. As the time gets closer I'll pin down a selection of dates and PM them to you guys. Let's see if we can make it happen. Any and all of you are welcome to crash at the cabin as well. And if for some reason I forget, one of you guys remind me!

Sounds like a plan! I'm pretty sure I could get my friend Aaron to tag along and play tour guide, he's ran that trail several times. He has the Orange 4Runner on 40's in the following video. That's Blanca up till 8:20!

2012 Colorado Toyota Jamboree - Part 1 - Mt. Blanca and Wheeler Lake - YouTube

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Gas Tank Skid... done.

If you’ve been following this thread, you’ve seen the teaser photos of the gas tank skid I’ve been working on.

After last year’s Moab trip, my gas tank skid was looking pretty rough.

The replacement, after a little clean up grinding and a thorough wash, all ready for paint…

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Overall under belly shot of the rig from the front…

And from the back…

Final notes…

The skid weighs in at 48 lbs. versus the stock skid at 13 lbs. so now I’m another 35 pounds over stock. Combined with my front and belly skids, the total added weight is about 130 lbs. That is not a trivial amount, but I figure it’s no worse than having a passenger in the vehicle all the time.

As I mentioned before, I’ve got 24 hours into building this thing. Considering that you can buy a nice commercially produced product from Lil’ Skip’s Off Road for $400 delivered, a few more hours on this project would have skewed the cost/benefit ratio toward “not worth building myself”.

All of the bends were made by cutting 2/3 of the way through the steel, along the bend lines, using an angle grinder with a cutoff disc. I then used large vice grip and channel lock pliers to grab the edge of the steel and bend it into position, checking for square with a small carpenters square. I had to individually cut and weld in a few sections here and there as I massaged the final shape of the skid. Finally I ran welds down the inside of all the “V”s created at each bend. Assuming good weld penetration, this yields a piece that is nearly as strong as one created on a brake, and surely strong enough for this application.

The only modification I might make down the road is to add some gussets to the side mount, and at the top of the rear mounting legs, to help distribute the loads on those mounting points. I did not gusset them initially because I want the mounts on the skid to bend under load, rather than the frame/cross members to which the skid is attached. Additionally, any gusseting on the side mount would have to be placed diagonally toward the rear to avoid becoming a potential hang up point in front of the LCAM skid.

All the welds were made with a Hobart Handler 140, using 75/25 Argon/CO2 shielding gas, and 0.030 wire. I typically weld with the heat on 3-4 (scale of 1-4), and a wire speed of 30-40 depending on how much heat/filler metal I want to put into the weld. [MENTION=88391]NateMob[/MENTION] had a look at my work (he’s a professional welder) and said the welds look “pretty good” for someone who’s self taught. I’ll take that as a compliment.

Last but not least, I want to give a shout out to [MENTION=52371]Gerdo[/MENTION]. Thanks for pioneering this aspect of our rigs, and making a nice product commercially available to the 3rd gen community. Prior to this build I found the pricing on your skid a little high, but after having built one myself I’d say that yours are worth every penny.

 

[sschaefer3]

Last but not least, I want to give a shout out to [MENTION=52371]Gerdo[/MENTION]. Thanks for pioneering this aspect of our rigs, and making a nice product commercially available to the 3rd gen community. Prior to this build I found the pricing on your skid a little high, but after having built one myself I’d say that yours are worth every penny.

It's actually a bargain at that price. I made 3 of them. It's a lot more work than you think. On my 2001 IFS 4Runner, I bought his.

 

[awpsome]

NICE tank skid!

 

[NateMob]

When i said "pretty good" I should have said "Damn Good" self taught or not. Tons of time and thought went into that skid, along with the rest of your garage built armor. I would put it up against anyone else's for sure. Nice job man, now its time to test it out!

 

[BigFishAllDay]

@5:22 ish "what if i just punch it.." (hope you like top gear)...that video really brings that spot to life, thats more off camber than I got through the pictures for sure. And definitely count me in for Blanca! That sounds like a good time with that crew.

Top Gear is awesome. I'm not a fan of the American version, but the original BBC version is one of my favorite shows. Either way, hosting that show would be a dream job for me. Will do on Blanca.

I would definitely agree with you about the organization for sure. I know NYCO and a few others are working to get things to be more organized this year. The group I am going with stay together when we wheel and are going to be leading a few group (more like people will tag along with us.) As well the guys I wheel with are all really experienced in Moab. Be happy to have have you out and actually wheel with ya. Me and my buddies are staying at BFE this with everyone else as we really didn't wheel with anyone that came out so we know your pain lol

More organized, huh? I've been following the thread on TW and it sounded to me like they were going for a more relaxed format this year with fewer planned runs and more "wake up and make a plan" kind of stuff. Thanks for the invite to run with your group. I'm off work 5/30 through 6/1, so I'd only need to ask for a day or two of vacation... or just leave thurs night and do a Fri-Sun trip. We'll see.

:spy:

I see you lurking. Lurker.

Sounds like a plan! I'm pretty sure I could get my friend Aaron to tag along and play tour guide, he's ran that trail several times. He has the Orange 4Runner on 40's in the following video. That's Blanca up till 8:20!

Great video, man, thanks for posting. All of those rigs were insane, but that narrowed 2nd gen pickup with the old school Ivan Stewart paint job was my favorite. They made that trail look easy, but I know better than to expect the same for us. They were really getting it on the road out of there!

It's actually a bargain at that price. I made 3 of them. It's a lot more work than you think. On my 2001 IFS 4Runner, I bought his.

Yup. I've learned through building my skids that quality fabrication takes alot of time, and to better appreciate the value in products that various shops have taken the time to develop and offer for sale.

There is a definite satsifaction that comes from making your own stuff, but sometimes it's just better to pay up and have more time on your hands for other activities.

All that being said... I need a plasma cutter, because the right tools can make all the difference.

NICE tank skid!

Thanks! I appreciate you checking it out.

When i said "pretty good" I should have said "Damn Good" self taught or not. Tons of time and thought went into that skid, along with the rest of your garage built armor. I would put it up against anyone else's for sure. Nice job man, now its time to test it out!

Thanks, Nathan. I'd put $50 on it that my skids can hang with anything available commercially.

I'm looking into some options for our next run, and will be in touch soon.

 

[4Running Daily]

When you gonna make a trip to the coast?

 

[Hepar]

There's not many other 4Runners I'd consider trading mine for, but yours is definitely one of them. Oh wait. I've said that before...

 

[cdrewferd]

That gas tank skid turned out very nice. I know you have a lot of hours in your skids, but I'm sure it was worth it. Building skids is one of the selling points to my wife for a welder. Hope I can make mine turn out as nice as yours.

 

[TheArkMaster]

The gas tank skid turned out amazing!!! Everything on their looks perfect. Like Natemob said, I would probably put that up against anyone elses. Very nice job. Nice welds as well!