I’ve seen some videos on Youtube and have decided that this is one of those things I'd like to do, eventually.. It’s on my kick-the-bucket list. What is the minimum I need to do to my stock 2012 LE 4runner to successfully get up Hells gate? I’m thinking, Lockers, Winch? Anyone here with experience?
Moab Utah “Hells Gate”
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DannyLlama
Elite Member
I youtube'd it and this was one of the vids:
Nuts <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/CzPSp9T7ObE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Nuts <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/CzPSp9T7ObE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
G8RB8_12SR5
New member
And that's why I'm going with armor and things first and lift last because I would just get near that stuff and be like "oh I can totally do this." then I whack my t-case at the top and I'm just stuck up there lol
STX4Runner
New member
A good spotter is all you need. I agree with the previous posts that a good spotter means someone who has spotted someone else (preferably many others up Hell's Gate). There are several awesome YouTube videos of stock FJs making it.
Jeremy556
New member
The only equipment you will "need" is better tires on smaller rims. As others mentioned, the most important thing is going to be the spotter.
I would recommend a lift and larger diameter tires to improve your approach/depart angles, and while you won't need it at Hell's Gate, skid plates and rock sliders will be very helpful in the area.
After those are taken care of, lockers would be nice. Not a whole lot of winch points around slickrock, you'll be better off with a snatch strap and friends.
I would recommend a lift and larger diameter tires to improve your approach/depart angles, and while you won't need it at Hell's Gate, skid plates and rock sliders will be very helpful in the area.
After those are taken care of, lockers would be nice. Not a whole lot of winch points around slickrock, you'll be better off with a snatch strap and friends.
syndicate1
New member
nothing a Crown Vic can't handle, HAHAHA! :second:
Moab rock crawling in a Crown Victoria - baby lions back slick rock jeep climb - YouTube
Jeremy556
New member
Baby Lion's Back != Lion's Back, which is permanently closed.
UtahSooner
New member
As noted above, you'll want at least a lift to minimize your pucker factor on some of the rocky sections in the area -- Hells Gate is on the far back part of the Hells Revenge trail so you have to get out there and back. I have a 3" Toytec Ultimate lift and stock skids on my TE and survived Hells Revenge without a scratch (I did take the bypasses around all the gnarly "high risk" obsticles tho). Closest I got to damaging something was the on the last stretch when the trail drops off the ridge back down into the valley towards town. There are two pretty rocky sections that require good spotting to navigate without knocking something. Here's a video of what I mean -- keep an eye on my passenger rear when I'm rolling off the ledge. Missed kissing my rear quarter panel by a hair!
UtahSooner on Hells Revenge - Fall 2012
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EfIPFTyihS0&desktop_uri=/watch?v=EfIPFTyihS0
Other than that, it was like your first time on a roller coaster - once you get over the initial feeling of certain death going over the big sandstone fin at the entrance to the loop (and change your shorts!), it was f*!#ing awesome!!!
Sounds like you have some modding and a trip to plan!
jbstrd
New member
Here are a couple vids of me going up Hell's Gate in my '98 Tacoma. Click on the pic and it will link you to the videos. I went two times. It is amazing how simple it looks in a long wheelbase Tacoma with no weight in the rear versus a short wheelbase, heavy rear-end T4R/FJ. As others mentioned, make sure you have a good spotter who knows your vehicle and what line to take. We followed a group of Jeep guys and their spotters did not have a clue. Needless to say, we saw several near rollovers that day.
Oh, by the way, you will have to put up with my wife's commentary.
Another fun one on Hell's Revenge is Escalator. Once again, if you know the line, it is simple. If you don't, it can be dangerous. Here is a vid of me on Escalator.
......and for fun, here is a pretty good wheel stand on Golden Crack (Golden Spike Trail).
Different angle...
Oh, by the way, you will have to put up with my wife's commentary.
Another fun one on Hell's Revenge is Escalator. Once again, if you know the line, it is simple. If you don't, it can be dangerous. Here is a vid of me on Escalator.
......and for fun, here is a pretty good wheel stand on Golden Crack (Golden Spike Trail).
Different angle...
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I have driven both.... had to replace the driver seat twice because I shit all over it! scariest thing I have ever done! Low and slow wins the race. I had a 2.5" lift and 37s on my JK and did Hells gate and did Lions back in my 99TJ rocking an RE BB and 31s
that point in jbstrd 1st pick was very nerve racking
ETA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouWJa6FC7-E
that point in jbstrd 1st pick was very nerve racking
ETA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouWJa6FC7-E
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Jeremy556
New member
Holy hell, is it a requirement that you be under 16 years old and fail an IQ test to comment on youtube videos?
Canazes9
New member
You don't have to fail an IQ test if you can prove you are stoned most of the time....
BS like that is why I turn the comments off on my U-tube videos...
David
Youngerarlaw
New member
Jeremy556
New member
Yep, that's the same one. Looked like Michigan plates, so probably Chrysler employee or auto magazine test.
Youngerarlaw
New member
It looked like the driver knew what he was doing and there was a sticker in the windshield... But made it. And made it look relatively easy.
Jimmy_D
Member
This is what Hell's Gate looks like from the bottom (and it's me spotting someone up it):
This is a shot of the down and up parts of Hell's Gate:
This is me going up Hell's Gate in my FJ (haven't been there yet in my 4-Runner):
And this is what can happen on Hell's Gate (result of way too much throttle):
You can do it with ATRAC only but I'd also advise having your rear locker engaged. It's not a particularly difficult obstacle but as you can see, the consequences of making a mistake are rather substantial. Having a very good spotter is paramount. I've seen many bad spotting jobs on Hell's Gate and far less really good ones (it's amazing the number of folks that will jump in to spot someone up it without having much of a clue what they're doing). Airing down to 15 lbs. is a VERY good idea. It makes slipping off the wall with your passenger side tires much less likely. You can pretty much see the proper line by looking at the tire tracks. I'd be careful of areas where there are oil spills since that seems to happen quite often. I've done it in the rain and the traction is fine so I wouldn't worry much about that. Find the absolute best spotter you can find that has experience with the obstacle and make certain you're on the same page with respect to his/her directions. Have fun should you try it.
This is a shot of the down and up parts of Hell's Gate:
This is me going up Hell's Gate in my FJ (haven't been there yet in my 4-Runner):
And this is what can happen on Hell's Gate (result of way too much throttle):
You can do it with ATRAC only but I'd also advise having your rear locker engaged. It's not a particularly difficult obstacle but as you can see, the consequences of making a mistake are rather substantial. Having a very good spotter is paramount. I've seen many bad spotting jobs on Hell's Gate and far less really good ones (it's amazing the number of folks that will jump in to spot someone up it without having much of a clue what they're doing). Airing down to 15 lbs. is a VERY good idea. It makes slipping off the wall with your passenger side tires much less likely. You can pretty much see the proper line by looking at the tire tracks. I'd be careful of areas where there are oil spills since that seems to happen quite often. I've done it in the rain and the traction is fine so I wouldn't worry much about that. Find the absolute best spotter you can find that has experience with the obstacle and make certain you're on the same page with respect to his/her directions. Have fun should you try it.
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