Southern California recovery clinic and trail report 2008

[Black Majik]

I'm with Tyler, i've not had a chance to wash it yet. I barely got the dirt wiped off the center console! I reached for the back seat yesterday and put my hand on it. When I lifted my hand up, there was a handprint in the dust on the seat!!!

Hopefully I'll get it washed tomorrow.

Any chance of it buffing out, Rich?

Most of it should buff out, but it was pretty noticeable, especially against black. Sometimes I can see it as I walk by, other times towards dusk or shadows I completely miss it.

I'll tackle it this weekend and see how it goes.

Nice pics. Wished the MD/Mid-Atlantic Region held similar clinics.

Did y'all use DAC when descending on some hills?

How did the Sport Edition handle the trail? I'm thinking of replacing my SR5 (soft roader) for a Sport.

Thanks, I didn't use DAC, I probably should have since i did get a little slippage coming down that main hill. One of the stock FJs actually almost tipped over on that descent.

The SE did fine, but honestly I doubt the XREAS suspension would do much to help. I'm sure a 4x4 SR5 would make it just as easily.




btw, Tyler: Nice pics! :bigok:

 

[TBoliv]

Let me know. I may have to come over Sat and have a scratch buffing party with you.

Speaking of Sat...Norco!

 

[Net4n6]

Nice pics. Wished the MD/Mid-Atlantic Region held similar clinics.

Did y'all use DAC when descending on some hills?

How did the Sport Edition handle the trail? I'm thinking of replacing my SR5 (soft roader) for a Sport.

I used DAC on some of the descending hills. I didn't work for me. I might not used it correctly.
- Press the DAC button to turn DAC on.
- release the brake pedal.
- Let DAC works.
- NO result for me. My 4r descended fast as "normal" speed.

 

[josh220]

Looks like fun. I need to get out and do something like that to break in my lift/tires. I just never have anyone to go with. All of my friends drive cars, or only use their trucks for snowboarding. Bunch of lazy asses. I am a bit worried about pin stripes from those desert trails though.

 

[Black Majik]

Looks like fun. I need to get out and do something like that to break in my lift/tires. I just never have anyone to go with. All of my friends drive cars, or only use their trucks for snowboarding. Bunch of lazy asses. I am a bit worried about pin stripes from those desert trails though.

All those mods you gotta see what it's capable of!

Pinstripes and scratches come with the territory, though I'm also anal about my paint also. You should cruise over to the FJ forum, damn some of those trucks have so many pinstripes running across it.

Kinda like buying a new gun but not wanting to holster it. After the first few draws you think "ah the hell with it."

 

[josh220]

All those mods you gotta see what it's capable of!

Pinstripes and scratches come with the territory, though I'm also anal about my paint also. You should cruise over to the FJ forum, damn some of those trucks have so many pinstripes running across it.

Kinda like buying a new gun but not wanting to holster it. After the first few draws you think "ah the hell with it."

Well I'll worry about the pinstripes if I ever get a chance to take it out anytime soon. Maybe I'll have a chance the next time one of the Socal runs comes around.

 

[Net4n6]

Kinda like buying a new gun but not wanting to holster it. After the first few draws you think "ah the hell with it."

I am at the point "ah the hell with it" now.

 

[Uneek]

I used DAC on some of the descending hills. I didn't work for me. I might not used it correctly.
- Press the DAC button to turn DAC on.
- release the brake pedal.
- Let DAC works.
- NO result for me. My 4r descended fast as "normal" speed.

Were you in L4? DAC only works in L4.

 

[salsa_sr5]

That does look like a fun trip - need to do something like that up here in the Bay Area.

As for pinstripes ... I spent $240 to have a guy buff out the scratches after a trip in the Sierra. The scratches were really deep, no way I could get them out myself, trouble is now the clearcoat has circular marks, but only visible in direct sunlight.

While on the trip, had to go through some thick bramble and brush - for about 2 minutes all I heard was the same sound you hear when you scratch your fingernails on a blackboard. At the time my attitude was, "Oh well...". Until I got out and saw the damage and it was, "Oh my god !". There's a reason why people drive their $500 junkers for this stuff !

 

[josh220]

Sounds like the person you had detail your truck was a knob with a high speed buffer. So many places have no idea what they are doing. I wouldn't be surprised if he burned through the clear coat.

 

[BlairB]

Yeah I def agree with Josh on that one.

Also, I have used my DAC on some steep hills and it works perfectly, just makes horrible noises the entire time it is on, just make sure you are not touching the break and you are in 4WD Lo.

We need to plan some trail runs sometime soon for the SoCal guys, and hopefully get a good turnout.

And in regards to scratches, wish me luck, I think I am making the trek and starting the 2-day Mojave Trail tomorrow....

 

[Black Majik]

Yeah I def agree with Josh on that one.

Also, I have used my DAC on some steep hills and it works perfectly, just makes horrible noises the entire time it is on, just make sure you are not touching the break and you are in 4WD Lo.

We need to plan some trail runs sometime soon for the SoCal guys, and hopefully get a good turnout.

And in regards to scratches, wish me luck, I think I am making the trek and starting the 2-day Mojave Trail tomorrow....

Yeah, we definitely have quite a lot of 4Runner owners here in Socal. Or at least a quick meet and greet so we can get all acquainted before doing some runs.

How's your runner performing now? Got the heating issue resolved?

Good luck on your run

 

[BlairB]

Yeah it is fine now, I have been watching it really closely, and have only had that problem that one time (which is both a good and bad thing).

I am just making sure I am running the trail with another car, either my friends FJ or Tundra. Now just incase something does happen to either one of the cars we are not stranded in the middle the of the desert haha

 

[josh220]

Yeah, we definitely have quite a lot of 4Runner owners here in Socal. Or at least a quick meet and greet so we can get all acquainted before doing some runs.

We should set up a parking lot meet on a Saturday coming up. With how many people there are from Socal, there would probably be a decent turnout. Then we will at least know who would be up for some trails in the future, and compare our rides.

 

[Net4n6]

We should set up a parking lot meet on a Saturday coming up. With how many people there are from Socal, there would probably be a decent turnout. Then we will at least know who would be up for some trails in the future, and compare our rides.

I can't make it this Sat. I'll be camping in Hungry Valley. I am good after that weekend.

 

[josh220]

I was thinking more like either the 22nd or 29th.

 

[Black Majik]

Sounds good to me. I'm ok with either dates towards the end of March. :bigok: