rochmpr Rev. 4 - Broke (Build) Thread
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rochmpr
Senior Member
The Rubicon!
The other week, I received a text from [MENTION=149664]304tmt[/MENTION] asking if I was up for a Rubicon run. The funny thing was, I was already considering doing that on the same day, so the timing couldn't have been better. We made out plans and it was just the two of us that were in. Looking at the weather the day before, it was going to be cold with afternoon showers and a chance of snow that night. Great, time to pack some back-up gear for worst case scenario.
Saturday morning, I headed out and the plan was to meet at the Loon Lake trail head at 7:30 am. I got there a little early and aired down and checked out a few rigs that were there. IT was looking like a quiet morning based upon the few rigs there. After about 10 minutes, [MENTION=149664]304tmt[/MENTION] showed up with his passenger and fellow T4R member [MENTION=109477]Rorck[/MENTION]. At this time, he aired down, we did a little BS-ing and said "I guess it's time, let's do this!". At this point, it's been about 15 years since I was on the trail and it was 304tmt's first time, so he had me take lead, yeah, cause I remember where I am going or something.
And we were off, and the challenges started early, before the Gate Keeper, nothing bad, just this is not your average trail. Before soon, we were at the Gate Keeper, which does live up to it's name. Now, in comparison to the last time I was there, the Gate Keeper was a lot more difficult then than now, but it was still challenging and technical. With the locker engaged, a good choice of lines and a slow path, we both made it through while leaving some axle marks on some boulders. From here, it just kept going with challenge after challenge then we came to the step up to the Granite Bowl. There are a few lines here, and I started to give one line a shot until I was within an inch or two of the tree from the door. So, since I have already smacked the door and did nt want to do it again, I backed out and took a different line which results in an off camber, S-bend around a large boulder that you pivot around off of the slider, just mere inches from damage, this then spits you out to a large drop off a ledge which ended with a huge smack when the fat ass of the 4Runner's bumper made very hard contact with the granite, resulting in a shattered tail light. Trail - 1.
From here, we headed down the Granite Bowl and up the other side to a very steep climb out, and by steep, the entire windshield is filled with sky and nothing else. After that, at the end of this section is another nice steep climb after some large boulders.
From here, we beat out way through and came to Walker Hill. Another section with all kinds of obstacles, climbs and off camber fun. Then, there were the step descents off ledges and steps, oh, and the tight squeeze. And by tight, I mean, imaging a large pig trying to enter a chicken coup. By the time I found out this, I was too far committed, after all, I could see the front fender twisting and deforming and hear the front bumper against the rock wall. I figured at this point, I would probably do more damage backing out than continuing forward, so I pushed through. Once on the other side, I got out to inventory the damage and other than the scrapes on the bumper and a small mark on the bumper, there was no damage after all. rochmpr - 1
[MENTION=149664]304tmt[/MENTION] having been spotting and witnessing this line decided to review his options and came up with a different line to avoid the rock wall. He ran his line and got his tire high on the large boulder on the other side and then slid down, inches from the wall. After some re-positioning and some rock stacking, he made it through unscathed. We continued on and on and after a mere 3.5 miles, we finally made it to Little Sluice. From here we took the by-pass around, which posed some fun, and made it to the other end of Little Sluice and had a quick lunch.....after 4-hours on the trail. Now, you could really tell the weather was moving it, it was cold and very winding and looking back towards Loon Lake, it was getting very dark in the sky. So from here, we turned around and went back the same way, which was pretty much just a challenging and we made it back to the trail head in a little over 3 hours.
All in all, it was a successful day. We managed to get off the trail before the weather hit and each broke a tail light.
The other week, I received a text from [MENTION=149664]304tmt[/MENTION] asking if I was up for a Rubicon run. The funny thing was, I was already considering doing that on the same day, so the timing couldn't have been better. We made out plans and it was just the two of us that were in. Looking at the weather the day before, it was going to be cold with afternoon showers and a chance of snow that night. Great, time to pack some back-up gear for worst case scenario.
Saturday morning, I headed out and the plan was to meet at the Loon Lake trail head at 7:30 am. I got there a little early and aired down and checked out a few rigs that were there. IT was looking like a quiet morning based upon the few rigs there. After about 10 minutes, [MENTION=149664]304tmt[/MENTION] showed up with his passenger and fellow T4R member [MENTION=109477]Rorck[/MENTION]. At this time, he aired down, we did a little BS-ing and said "I guess it's time, let's do this!". At this point, it's been about 15 years since I was on the trail and it was 304tmt's first time, so he had me take lead, yeah, cause I remember where I am going or something.
And we were off, and the challenges started early, before the Gate Keeper, nothing bad, just this is not your average trail. Before soon, we were at the Gate Keeper, which does live up to it's name. Now, in comparison to the last time I was there, the Gate Keeper was a lot more difficult then than now, but it was still challenging and technical. With the locker engaged, a good choice of lines and a slow path, we both made it through while leaving some axle marks on some boulders. From here, it just kept going with challenge after challenge then we came to the step up to the Granite Bowl. There are a few lines here, and I started to give one line a shot until I was within an inch or two of the tree from the door. So, since I have already smacked the door and did nt want to do it again, I backed out and took a different line which results in an off camber, S-bend around a large boulder that you pivot around off of the slider, just mere inches from damage, this then spits you out to a large drop off a ledge which ended with a huge smack when the fat ass of the 4Runner's bumper made very hard contact with the granite, resulting in a shattered tail light. Trail - 1.
From here, we headed down the Granite Bowl and up the other side to a very steep climb out, and by steep, the entire windshield is filled with sky and nothing else. After that, at the end of this section is another nice steep climb after some large boulders.
From here, we beat out way through and came to Walker Hill. Another section with all kinds of obstacles, climbs and off camber fun. Then, there were the step descents off ledges and steps, oh, and the tight squeeze. And by tight, I mean, imaging a large pig trying to enter a chicken coup. By the time I found out this, I was too far committed, after all, I could see the front fender twisting and deforming and hear the front bumper against the rock wall. I figured at this point, I would probably do more damage backing out than continuing forward, so I pushed through. Once on the other side, I got out to inventory the damage and other than the scrapes on the bumper and a small mark on the bumper, there was no damage after all. rochmpr - 1
[MENTION=149664]304tmt[/MENTION] having been spotting and witnessing this line decided to review his options and came up with a different line to avoid the rock wall. He ran his line and got his tire high on the large boulder on the other side and then slid down, inches from the wall. After some re-positioning and some rock stacking, he made it through unscathed. We continued on and on and after a mere 3.5 miles, we finally made it to Little Sluice. From here we took the by-pass around, which posed some fun, and made it to the other end of Little Sluice and had a quick lunch.....after 4-hours on the trail. Now, you could really tell the weather was moving it, it was cold and very winding and looking back towards Loon Lake, it was getting very dark in the sky. So from here, we turned around and went back the same way, which was pretty much just a challenging and we made it back to the trail head in a little over 3 hours.
All in all, it was a successful day. We managed to get off the trail before the weather hit and each broke a tail light.
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rochmpr
Senior Member
Well, Ladies and Gents, it's been real fun here, but on Sunday, the 4Runner left the house.
I am going to miss the fun times and wheeling and people I have met on here. Going to be starting a new build elsewhere. It will still have 4 wheels, be 4X4 and stuff.
I will drop over and post updates from time to time. Best of luck to all of you!
I will be posting some garage sale items on here soon enough of all the items left over, so be on the look out.
Krister
I am going to miss the fun times and wheeling and people I have met on here. Going to be starting a new build elsewhere. It will still have 4 wheels, be 4X4 and stuff.
I will drop over and post updates from time to time. Best of luck to all of you!
I will be posting some garage sale items on here soon enough of all the items left over, so be on the look out.
Krister
rochmpr
Senior Member
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Mutant138
Banned
But who's going to yell at people to rip their kdss out now?
I kid. Tundras are sick man. Bet it's nice having a V8. You gonna chop and tray the rear? Seems your style.
SpeedyKevin
New member
Liking the build! Any plans to eventually do an LT set up?
Also, couldn't help but notice that you swapped out the highlander for a camry. Any reason? Downsizing? Was considering a highlander for dd
Also, couldn't help but notice that you swapped out the highlander for a camry. Any reason? Downsizing? Was considering a highlander for dd
rochmpr
Senior Member
Only 1 kid left at home, gas mileage and wife wanted something not so soccer mom.
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rochmpr
Senior Member
I can always drop by and say what ever you've done or planning to do, short of just removing the KDSS ain't gonna make it flex, let alone be compatible with LT.But who's going to yell at people to rip their kdss out now?
I kid. Tundras are sick man. Bet it's nice having a V8. You gonna chop and tray the rear? Seems your style.
Will be a bit more mild, but still will do bumpers. Have a topper on order and have plans to build out the rear for storage and crap. Eventually want 37's and gears.
By the way, just get rid of the KDSS if you want REAL flex.
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Mutant138
Banned
Hahaha I prob will at some point no lie. For meow it stays.
Nice man! Best of luck with the new build.
What is so bad about KDSS, I'm curious?
rochmpr
Senior Member
[emoji2357]
Nothing if you don't wheel and want maximum flex / articulation. Both the piston and hard link limit both up and down travel on the rear, and there are also limitations in the front. The less movement, the less stable which can translate to traction.
Its a good middle of the road compromise if you want best of both worlds.
Granted, there's way more body roll without on the road.
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rochmpr
Senior Member
He is alive! Awesome, I will be up. We moved, but not to far. Now in the Delta below Elk Grove. Living the river life, minus the boat. I can only have one money pit.
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atchcraft
New member
Ya, work has been crazy and no time to spend the $. We actually looked in the Elk Grove area, but we’re a little more partial to the foothills.
We’re supposed to close beginning of Oct and then the runner is going on the chopping block! I wouldn’t mind some tips on how you sold yours!
rochmpr
Senior Member
Believe it or not, it sold from Craigslist to someone outside of Fallon, NV.
Makes sense now that I think about it; Sorry for reviving this, I had The Coof.
SluiceboxSlim
New member
You'll enjoy Cameron Park...we just moved up here in March (from Folsom), and are really liking it. There is only one stop light between us and HWY 50 now, instead of 38, lol.
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