rochmpr
Senior Member
So far, not really. You have to figure that 34" to 35" only get's you a ½" additional clearance. Now factor actual tire sizes and you get less than that.
rochmpr Rev. 4 - Broke (Build) Thread
- Thread starter rochmpr
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So far, not really. You have to figure that 34" to 35" only get's you a ½" additional clearance. Now factor actual tire sizes and you get less than that.
rochmpr
Senior Member
Haven't been out at all and no work other than collecting dust as of late. Been busy at work and moving. But yesterday, I lost my other adventure / garage dog. It was a good 15½ years and he will be missed. Thanks Duke for always making us roll down the windows to get fresh air.
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rochmpr
Senior Member
Thanks Matt. We need to go hit a trail soon.
rochmpr
Senior Member
This past Saturday, I made a solo trip up to the mountains to get out after a hectic past couple months. I headed out early and was at the trail head of Slick Rock Trail and aired down by 7:00 am. I started at the Lake Alpine side where there was still snow patches on the ground in the trees. I was a bit apprehensive about going into the trail as last season, I ran the trail the opposite direction and made it to the new trail reroute and had to turn around due to the boulders in the trail. I figured worst case, I would turn around again and hit some other trail.
So in I went. There's a bit of a "Gate Keeper" that was not really a challenge and then some twists through the trees and BAM, the first real obstacle and damn, I walked it and was about to turn around when I noticed the official bypass around it to the right. I walked it real fast and determined my line, as it's down hill, off camber to the right with a hard left turn. I made it through with no issues and continued on.
Then came the 2nd hard section of the reroute and damn. Got out and did some more scouting and the line to the hard left was looking like the best option, nothing like off camber to the drivers, squeaking by trees. OK through that one and I still haven't made it to the section I saw last year.
And then I come to this one spot in a clearing on the granite and go, this must me it. I got out and walked the section up and down several times, trying to decide whether to go for it or not. I kicked over a few rocks and visualized my line and tire placement and then said "F-it" and went for it. With a slow approach and hitting my marks and some assistance from gravity, I made it down, hooked the turn toward the bottom and made it through the last section of the reroute with a little help from the skid plates, sliders and rear bumper.
During the rest of the trail, I made plenty of use of the sliders, a little more use of the skids, a couple hard drops on the rear bumper and even some use of the front bumper.
The whole time on the trail, I ran across no one, not one vehicle on the trail.
Man, it was a good day, and even through I was riding solo, the dogs were there in spirit, and could be heard running around every time I was in the rocks.
Coming down the reroute
Tight spot
Bottom of reroute
So in I went. There's a bit of a "Gate Keeper" that was not really a challenge and then some twists through the trees and BAM, the first real obstacle and damn, I walked it and was about to turn around when I noticed the official bypass around it to the right. I walked it real fast and determined my line, as it's down hill, off camber to the right with a hard left turn. I made it through with no issues and continued on.
Then came the 2nd hard section of the reroute and damn. Got out and did some more scouting and the line to the hard left was looking like the best option, nothing like off camber to the drivers, squeaking by trees. OK through that one and I still haven't made it to the section I saw last year.
And then I come to this one spot in a clearing on the granite and go, this must me it. I got out and walked the section up and down several times, trying to decide whether to go for it or not. I kicked over a few rocks and visualized my line and tire placement and then said "F-it" and went for it. With a slow approach and hitting my marks and some assistance from gravity, I made it down, hooked the turn toward the bottom and made it through the last section of the reroute with a little help from the skid plates, sliders and rear bumper.
During the rest of the trail, I made plenty of use of the sliders, a little more use of the skids, a couple hard drops on the rear bumper and even some use of the front bumper.
The whole time on the trail, I ran across no one, not one vehicle on the trail.
Man, it was a good day, and even through I was riding solo, the dogs were there in spirit, and could be heard running around every time I was in the rocks.
Coming down the reroute
Tight spot
Bottom of reroute
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rochmpr
Senior Member
Glad I can keep you entertained. I used every piece of 4X4Labs armor on this trip, still never had any issues.
Crikeymike
Senior Member
Excellent story, photos and videos once again!! Thanks for sharing buddy!!
Have you had any issues to date with the steering? Any tie rod ends go bad on you?
Have you had any issues to date with the steering? Any tie rod ends go bad on you?
rochmpr
Senior Member
Thanks. No, haven't had any issue with steering. I try to be cautious and aware of those situations that could damage steering components and try to reposition to eliminate a bad situation.
sn_85
Senior Member
I'd say your build, [MENTION=89562]bimrunner[/MENTION], [MENTION=96425]JSparky[/MENTION], and [MENTION=49966]mikey's2010SR5[/MENTION] build threads definitely showcase what can be done in a 4Runner dawning 4X4 Labs armor. Although I don't have the heart (or balls) to wheel like you guys yet since the 4R is still my DD. To be honest this is my weekend adventure rig and for the most part I'm doing mild-moderate trails. Toughest I've been on is ToW in Moab and that's probably about as much as I'll do for now. My reason for getting a 4x4 Labs rear was more of want than anything. I wanted to get the spare out from underneath and wanted a way to carry more fuel. I considered all the other rear bumper options and while they all offered more features/add-ons than the 4x4 Labs bumper I liked the fact that the 4x4 labs bumper actually increased departure angle, a simple design, is stout AF, and time tested on the LC platform. I took visited their shop in Grass Valley during a trip to Tahoe and got a chance to take a tour and see their bumpers in person. Gave me real confidence in their armor and since they're running a 10% group buy right now I figured why the hell not. You only live once right?!?!?
That's a good way to look at things. I see way too many people just trying to do full sends over obstacles and breaking things. Recently saw someone who bent a tie rod and all you can hear in the video is someone yelling "send it bro!!!". I get that if you off-road and wheel enough at some point something will break. I just try not to make it a point to break something if I can avoid it.
rochmpr
Senior Member
I'd say your build, [MENTION=89562]bimrunner[/MENTION], [MENTION=96425]JSparky[/MENTION], and [MENTION=49966]mikey's2010SR5[/MENTION] build threads definitely showcase what can be done in a 4Runner dawning 4X4 Labs armor. Although I don't have the heart (or balls) to wheel like you guys yet since the 4R is still my DD. To be honest this is my weekend adventure rig and for the most part I'm doing mild-moderate trails. Toughest I've been on is ToW in Moab and that's probably about as much as I'll do for now. My reason for getting a 4x4 Labs rear was more of want than anything. I wanted to get the spare out from underneath and wanted a way to carry more fuel. I considered all the other rear bumper options and while they all offered more features/add-ons than the 4x4 Labs bumper I liked the fact that the 4x4 labs bumper actually increased departure angle, a simple design, is stout AF, and time tested on the LC platform. I took visited their shop in Grass Valley during a trip to Tahoe and got a chance to take a tour and see their bumpers in person. Gave me real confidence in their armor and since they're running a 10% group buy right now I figured why the hell not. You only live once right?!?!?
That's a good way to look at things. I see way too many people just trying to do full sends over obstacles and breaking things. Recently saw someone who bent a tie rod and all you can hear in the video is someone yelling "send it bro!!!". I get that if you off-road and wheel enough at some point something will break. I just try not to make it a point to break something if I can avoid it.
[MENTION=89562]bimrunner[/MENTION] and @ mikey's2010SR5 were what I viewed as a basis for my build. Although the Runner is not my DD, I treat it as such because I don't like burning money for stupidity over fun. In my old trucks, I ran the Rubicon and Fordyce Creek and the worst damage was a bent drive line. I still run the trail with the mentality that I need to drive it home. Throttle = Carnage. Finess is the key.
rochmpr
Senior Member
Slick Tock and Deer Valley
This past Sunday, [MENTION=88231]having fun[/MENTION] & I made a double run to Slick Rock & Deer Valley. We met up along the highway at 6 am and headed up the hill. After a quick stop for gas, we were at the trail head for Slick Rock just after 8:00. We got out, stretched the legs and aired down. From there, we headed into the new reroute section of the trail. As before, at the first section, the Boulder Field, we took the bypass and at the second, stayed low and to the left. We got to the third section and that's when the fun started. We did a quick walk and I could tell that it was going to be tougher than the last time, but still doable. SO I dropped down and into the line making the S bend into the first drop. Over I went and down onto the belly skids with both front tires in the air. with some use of the rear locker and gravity, made a little further until I was high centered on the front of the gas skid. Tried the front locker to help and no traction, tried reversing and same. Stacked rocks, tried some more and then this funny sound to which I said "Well, that didn't sound good". So after a few more of this and that I finally made id over that section and stopped and looked to find the carnage, a shattered CV. :doh:
No it was [MENTION=88231]having fun[/MENTION] 's turn, and needless to say, he took the same line, as there is really only one and sure enough, high centered and stuck as well. We did the rock stacking several times and this time, it worked and he was through the first part.
Now, I had to make it down the rest of this section with a busted front axle and some additional spectators. So on I went, made the hard right, dropped into the hole, which had me standing on the firewall practically, and with some maneuvering and gravity, I made it out and pulled over on the flat spot in the shade. The guys in the XJ's on 40's we impressed. [MENTION=88231]having fun[/MENTION] made it through in about the same fashion.
Now, time to swap out the axle. With some help, we we swapped out, back together and cleaned up in about an hour. From here, we continued through the trail without incident, but it was some good time.
This past Sunday, [MENTION=88231]having fun[/MENTION] & I made a double run to Slick Rock & Deer Valley. We met up along the highway at 6 am and headed up the hill. After a quick stop for gas, we were at the trail head for Slick Rock just after 8:00. We got out, stretched the legs and aired down. From there, we headed into the new reroute section of the trail. As before, at the first section, the Boulder Field, we took the bypass and at the second, stayed low and to the left. We got to the third section and that's when the fun started. We did a quick walk and I could tell that it was going to be tougher than the last time, but still doable. SO I dropped down and into the line making the S bend into the first drop. Over I went and down onto the belly skids with both front tires in the air. with some use of the rear locker and gravity, made a little further until I was high centered on the front of the gas skid. Tried the front locker to help and no traction, tried reversing and same. Stacked rocks, tried some more and then this funny sound to which I said "Well, that didn't sound good". So after a few more of this and that I finally made id over that section and stopped and looked to find the carnage, a shattered CV. :doh:
No it was [MENTION=88231]having fun[/MENTION] 's turn, and needless to say, he took the same line, as there is really only one and sure enough, high centered and stuck as well. We did the rock stacking several times and this time, it worked and he was through the first part.
Now, I had to make it down the rest of this section with a busted front axle and some additional spectators. So on I went, made the hard right, dropped into the hole, which had me standing on the firewall practically, and with some maneuvering and gravity, I made it out and pulled over on the flat spot in the shade. The guys in the XJ's on 40's we impressed. [MENTION=88231]having fun[/MENTION] made it through in about the same fashion.
Now, time to swap out the axle. With some help, we we swapped out, back together and cleaned up in about an hour. From here, we continued through the trail without incident, but it was some good time.
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rochmpr
Senior Member
Deer Valley section
On to Deer Valley
So we made it to the trail head about 12:30 pm and had a quick bite and stared back at it. About 50 feet in you come to the gate keeper, at it truly is just that, after that, it's a long up hill boulder field for the next several hundred yards or more. From there, things really don't get much easier. This trail is tight, whether it rocks, trees, or both. We ran across a few groups heading the opposite direction and got held up by someone that was stuck for a bit. We made it through in about 4 hours total and headed for home.
All in all, it was a great day, even with the busted front axle.
On to Deer Valley
So we made it to the trail head about 12:30 pm and had a quick bite and stared back at it. About 50 feet in you come to the gate keeper, at it truly is just that, after that, it's a long up hill boulder field for the next several hundred yards or more. From there, things really don't get much easier. This trail is tight, whether it rocks, trees, or both. We ran across a few groups heading the opposite direction and got held up by someone that was stuck for a bit. We made it through in about 4 hours total and headed for home.
All in all, it was a great day, even with the busted front axle.
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rochmpr
Senior Member
It is the ARB 2500, well, I will have to see if it's of after cushioning a blow against a tree this weekend. So far, that is the only use it has received so far. We moved this summer so that threw everything off this season. I am considering the sides and floor for it.
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