Nor Cal Camping, Wheeling, BS and photo dumping - 2020

[Tironeous]

Hey everyone. My interest in wheeling is to find cool camping spots in the woods. I currently live in Sacramento and want to begin exploring the local forests. I have little to no interest in tackling the Rubicon trail or rock crawling. I just want to get out and camp.

That said, what type of setup is suitable to begin exploring the forest roads and other opportunities in my general area? I’ve got a 4th Gen.

Are 33s required or can I get away with smaller tires? Do I need E rated tires or will C work? Do I need full armor?

Any help from those of you who understand the current geography and trail difficulty in the area would be highly valuable to me. Thank you!

 

[biratley]

Hey everyone. My interest in wheeling is to find cool camping spots in the woods. I currently live in Sacramento and want to begin exploring the local forests. I have little to no interest in tackling the Rubicon trail or rock crawling. I just want to get out and camp.

That said, what type of setup is suitable to begin exploring the forest roads and other opportunities in my general area? I’ve got a 4th Gen.

Are 33s required or can I get away with smaller tires? Do I need E rated tires or will C work? Do I need full armor?

Any help from those of you who understand the current geography and trail difficulty in the area would be highly valuable to me. Thank you!

You can take a stock 4runner , with stock size All Terrain tires anywhere you mentioned you wanted to go. I run C tires and don’t have full armor. Get out and enjoy


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[SilverTEP]

Strawberry Pass trail run (late notice).

I am going to run Strawberry Pass tomorrow (8/1) from Hwy 50 (near Strawberry Market) to Hwy 88 (near Caples Lake). With this late notice, I don't think there will be too many rigs, but please let me know if you are planning to come.

From the Roseville area it takes about 1.5 hours to get to Strawberry Market and 2 hours to get back from Caples Lake. The trail takes about 3 hours. If you like to tow your rig, getting home is almost as fast if you go east from Caples Lake to 89 and come back west on 50. Obviously, if it isn't highway legal, you can just run the trail in reverse.

You don't need a rock crawler though, the trail is a moderate to hard trail depending on your rig. I haven't run it, but have heard 33" tires and a moderate lift are needed, stock rigs will scrape the underside a lot. Lockers are not needed. My info may be old though, there is at least one post from this month (above) that says it is more difficult than the video I saw shows. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6ndCde6aqo&feature=youtu.be

The plan is to meet at Strawberry Market at 11:00, have lunch at the top of the trail, and break up at Caples Lake. Reach out with any questions.

Bit curious how your Strawberry run go, I did it about a month ago but coming from 88 to 50, bit easier to slide down then bump up the obstacles. I'm surprised that I had no damage, I had great spotting, but those rocks were rough and I saw Jeeps on 38s having issues.

I'm down to do it the hard way once my armor and bumper get installed, but that wont be until fall so end of the season, damn lead times.

 

[SilverTEP]

70% fire trails with great obstacles most with bypasses and two massive rock playgrounds that you can really test your rig on or just cruise around.
Nice camp spots on the trail
And camp grounds in the way up to the trail head.

Damn nice flex, I went around that area and was told by the locals that Niagara rim trail was the best thing off 108.

We were doing God's bath to Dodge Ridge

 

[SilverTEP]

Hey everyone. My interest in wheeling is to find cool camping spots in the woods. I currently live in Sacramento and want to begin exploring the local forests. I have little to no interest in tackling the Rubicon trail or rock crawling. I just want to get out and camp.

That said, what type of setup is suitable to begin exploring the forest roads and other opportunities in my general area? I’ve got a 4th Gen.

Are 33s required or can I get away with smaller tires? Do I need E rated tires or will C work? Do I need full armor?

Any help from those of you who understand the current geography and trail difficulty in the area would be highly valuable to me. Thank you!

Welcome! I'd say most people here wouldn't attempt the Rubicon, it's not really a daily driver type of trail.

Since we're lucky to be so close to Tahoe, most of the trips are day runs, but there is an occasional camping trip once you meet people. Honestly I would do the standard 2.5"/3" lift, 33s Cs, and sliders if you would like to wheel.

Forest roads can be fun, but going over obstacles and doing recoveries is where the real fun begins.

We just did a quick trip down to 108 Tuolumne / Cold Springs area, crap ton of easy forest roads and camping spots there.

 

[biratley]

Welcome! I'd say most people here wouldn't attempt the Rubicon, it's not really a daily driver type of trail.

Since we're lucky to be so close to Tahoe, most of the trips are day runs, but there is an occasional camping trip once you meet people. Honestly I would do the standard 2.5"/3" lift, 33s Cs, and sliders if you would like to wheel.

Forest roads can be fun, but going over obstacles and doing recoveries is where the real fun begins.

We just did a quick trip down to 108 Tuolumne / Cold Springs area, crap ton of easy forest roads and camping spots there.

Post up next time you go up 4 or 108 . I was up 108 at Leavitt lake . 3 mile easy 4x4 road at the top of Sonora pass to a beautiful lake


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[rochmpr]

Went up to Corral Hollow for a test run in the new toy. Wow, either the trail got a lot wider or the Samauri is just that small. The trail has gotten more torn up, but still doable in a mostly stock ride with sliders.

Took one steep climb and put the lockers to use, this thing was a champ.

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[MarkamisPrime]

Anyone ran Hell hole reservoir?

 

[SilverTEP]

Anyone ran Hell hole reservoir?

We did French Meadows a while back, [MENTION=142877]Folsom4Rnr[/MENTION] set that up.

When are you planning to run it, I'd be down if I'm free.

 

[Folsom4Rnr]

Anyone ran Hell hole reservoir?

I ran Hell Hole at the end of May …. In my 1G with a bunch of other built rigs. It *might* be a little easier with less mud on that middle rock obstacle but I would not tackle it in my 4G even with the full armor I have. I think with a 4Runners wheel base you really need at least 35s locked front n rear and still might need a winch up that rock section. Pictures won’t do it justice but my 1G is on 37s and the green 2G is on 40s.

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[Folsom4Rnr]

Went up to Corral Hollow for a test run in the new toy. Wow, either the trail got a lot wider or the Samauri is just that small. The trail has gotten more torn up, but still doable in a mostly stock ride with sliders.

Took one steep climb and put the lockers to use, this thing was a champ.

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Looked fun. Bummer I missed that. I haven’t done Corral Hallow in a while but would like to.


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[SilverTEP]

I ran Hell Hole at the end of May …. In my 1G with a bunch of other built rigs. It *might* be a little easier with less mud on that middle rock obstacle but I would not tackle it in my 4G even with the full armor I have. I think with a 4Runners wheel base you really need at least 35s locked front n rear and still might need a winch up that rock section. Pictures won’t do it justice but my 1G is on 37s and the green 2G is on 40s.


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Thanks for the update on Hell Hole, yeah I will wait for my armor and bumper to come and picture makes things look way easier then real life.

Then decision to go 285/75r17, 305/70r17, or full on 35/12.5s... my body mount is chopped pretty hard, pinch weld isn't to hard, little less enthused in cutting fenders.. but i'm also assuming you need body lift and bump stops for 35s to not smash in wheel wells

Maybe I can find a tire shop that will let me test sizing out, right now I don't think I'd have issues with 285/75, maybe with full stuff/turn.

 

[Folsom4Rnr]

Hey everyone. My interest in wheeling is to find cool camping spots in the woods. I currently live in Sacramento and want to begin exploring the local forests. I have little to no interest in tackling the Rubicon trail or rock crawling. I just want to get out and camp.

That said, what type of setup is suitable to begin exploring the forest roads and other opportunities in my general area? I’ve got a 4th Gen.

Are 33s required or can I get away with smaller tires? Do I need E rated tires or will C work? Do I need full armor?

Any help from those of you who understand the current geography and trail difficulty in the area would be highly valuable to me. Thank you!

This area has everything from dirt roads you can take a minivan down all the way up to Fordyce difficulty within 1 to 3 hour drive. Just depends on what you want. I’d say if you don’t have safety/recovery gear get that and then just start exploring (safely) and see what your limitations with your 4Runner are for what you want to do and mod from there.

FWIW My 4 Gen has 3” lift on 33s (open open but with ATrac) and full skids/armor. Getting true 33s wasn’t worth the effort in hind sight though. That said it’s a great general camping and easy to moderate trail wheeler and is still my daily driver. I like E rated tires for toughness but they’re heavy and C/D would be fine for really anything I’d do in it.


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[Folsom4Rnr]

Thanks for the update on Hell Hole, yeah I will wait for my armor and bumper to come and picture makes things look way easier then real life.

Then decision to go 285/75r17, 305/70r17, or full on 35/12.5s... my body mount is chopped pretty hard, pinch weld isn't to hard, little less enthused in cutting fenders.. but i'm also assuming you need body lift and bump stops for 35s to not smash in wheel wells

Maybe I can find a tire shop that will let me test sizing out, right now I don't think I'd have issues with 285/75, maybe with full stuff/turn.

There have to be a million threads on 34s / 35s on here to give you that info LOL.

@%1; might know / have some thoughts as I think he had 34s or 35s on his 5G.


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[SilverTEP]

There have to be a million threads on 34s / 35s on here to give you that info LOL.

@%1; might know / have some thoughts as I think he had 34s or 35s on his 5G.


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Yep I remember his 5th gen, also plenty of 5th gen 4runners with 35s to ask (TSO in Auburn did my lift and body chop, he has 35s on his 5th gen), I'll wait for my full bumper and armor come first... lead times this year are something else lol.

 

[rochmpr]

Yep I remember his 5th gen, also plenty of 5th gen 4runners with 35s to ask (TSO in Auburn did my lift and body chop, he has 35s on his 5th gen), I'll wait for my full bumper and armor come first... lead times this year are something else lol.

I had 315's, so a 34.5"ish and ever after everything, the still rubs, but not bad. Biggest thing, BMC, smash the piss outta the pinch weld and fender area and chopped about and inch out of the fenders and flares. The rear was not an issue, but i had the Metal Tech upper and lower links and adjusted pinion to run a rear CV shaft.

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[MarkamisPrime]

I ran Hell Hole at the end of May …. In my 1G with a bunch of other built rigs. It *might* be a little easier with less mud on that middle rock obstacle but I would not tackle it in my 4G even with the full armor I have. I think with a 4Runners wheel base you really need at least 35s locked front n rear and still might need a winch up that rock section. Pictures won’t do it justice but my 1G is on 37s and the green 2G is on 40s.

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Thanks for the update
I was really in the fence about it And was watching a bunch of videos on the trail. Hella people don’t finish the trail.
But then I saw a stock Cherokee on 31s do the trail. He was being spotted and of course it is a video who knows how long or how many tries it took him to make obstacles.
I am locked front and rear only on 33s and am planning to have a winch when I go, along with a few buddies with built 1g tacos.
I do go to fordyce every year and have never had to winch but then again this year was the first year we made it to the first water crossing as it was the driest year in 6-7 years of going on the same dates.
I might drive in see what’s it like then turn around and ride shotgun if it looks too intense.

 

[theoutbackdream]

I ran Hell Hole at the end of May …. In my 1G with a bunch of other built rigs. It *might* be a little easier with less mud on that middle rock obstacle but I would not tackle it in my 4G even with the full armor I have. I think with a 4Runners wheel base you really need at least 35s locked front n rear and still might need a winch up that rock section. Pictures won’t do it justice but my 1G is on 37s and the green 2G is on 40s.

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Man, glad to see that rig running. :banana: I remember the last time we took it out, we couldn't even make it to Prairie city :rofl:

 

[theoutbackdream]

Thanks for the update on Hell Hole, yeah I will wait for my armor and bumper to come and picture makes things look way easier then real life.

Then decision to go 285/75r17, 305/70r17, or full on 35/12.5s... my body mount is chopped pretty hard, pinch weld isn't to hard, little less enthused in cutting fenders.. but i'm also assuming you need body lift and bump stops for 35s to not smash in wheel wells

Maybe I can find a tire shop that will let me test sizing out, right now I don't think I'd have issues with 285/75, maybe with full stuff/turn.

If you can't find a tire shop and find your self in the bay area or im up in sac, you can try test fitting my wheel/tire. I have 285/75/17. I'm fitting them without body chop mount, lots of hammering for the pinch weld, and cutting up fenders. I still rub on the fenders at full flex though... :doh:

 

[theoutbackdream]

I've been lurking lately, but I hit the eastern sierras not too long ago.

Mainly been doing on-road trips with this thing. Shot at Petrified Forest NP

Longest trip so far has been
Bay Area -> LA -> LV -> Phoenix -> Flagstaff -> Sedona -> Albuquerque -> Fort Worth/Dallas -> Austin and back.