Trip to Reno, Nevada

[RL Lemke]

So you did the Rubicon in just a lifted 4Runner and A/T tires sans running boards!?!?!?!? Sweet!

I drove part of the Rubicon. When I started rubbing on the frame, I turned around. I've ridden the Rubicon a dozen time on my motorcycle, so I knew what to expect. After the Jeep Jamboree the trails were especially dusty, so I had to keep the windows and sunroof closed. Not nearly as enjoyable as the 66 degrees outside. My plan was to make it to the granite dome just to west of where I had to turn around.

For really hard going I have motorcycles, as they don't break.

Frankly though, I was very pleased with the performance of the lifted 4Runner. Some of the many washes I had to cross on Lousetown Road and Jumbo Grade required me to cross in a way so that I had two diagonal wheels in the air at the same time. With steady throttle application the electronics allowed the 4Runner to proceed effortlessly. Neither the bumper nor spare tire ever hit the ground. From the position of the drivers seat, I expected to be dragging body parts to get thru these ditches. The seamless operation of the electronic locks make the idea of lockers seem excessive for the type of off-roading I do.

Attached is a photo of why I traveled to Reno in the first place. This year, my brother and I rode 2,500 miles of narrow two lane blacktop.

 

[RL Lemke]

I have the GPX file here now for the Lake Tahoe, Crystal Peak & Virgina City trails. Well, at least parts of each of the many options.

The Jumbo Grade route is what I traveled, which was not on the official trail. I got a bit lost.

Email me at RL at Lemke.com (written out to protect from spam bots) for a reply with the GPX file. You can open GPX into Google Earth, Garmin & other maping software packages.

 

[RL Lemke]

This is a shot of sand mountain with the regular mountain behind. There once was a huge lake here. Now the winds blow all of the sand into one big mountain at one corner of the old lake bed.

The Pony Express Trail goes right in front of Sand Mountain. The remains of a station are to the left of the photo.

The California 49ers, and Donner Party, traveled thru the flats in front of this mountain.

Now Hwy 50, the Loneliest Hwy in America, travels the same route.

 

[RL Lemke]

This is a photo from Jumbo Grade of American Flats. Once a HUGE gold processing mill between Virginia City and Carson City. Unfortunately, the BLM has fenced off the area.

You can drive on the old Virginia City RR bed.

 

[RL Lemke]

This is a photo of the Toll Road which crawled up the Geiger Grade to Virginia City.

 

[AndyDe]

sweet pictures, what kind of aux. lights do you have mounted at the front?

 

[RL Lemke]

sweet pictures, what kind of aux. lights do you have mounted at the front?

Lightforce.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3058

 

[AlphaQup]

Very nice, and thanks for sharing. I can't wait to hit some trails like those. BTW, where exactly is the Lost Coast? I'm suspecting it's Norcal, near Humbolt county.... No it can't be, there's no trees

 

[RL Lemke]

Very nice, and thanks for sharing. I can't wait to hit some trails like those. BTW, where exactly is the Lost Coast? I'm suspecting it's Norcal, near Humbolt county.... No it can't be, there's no trees

Just north of where the PCH turns inland to the 101. South of Eureka, and west of the 101.

 

[brett682]

Whats your tire stats? (size, brand, ride/noise quality)???

 

[RL Lemke]

Whats your tire stats? (size, brand, ride/noise quality)???

265/70/17 BFG KO with 50K+ miles on them. Noise? The 4Runner is a quiet car, so I hear the tires when I drive with the windows open. Quality? They slide on wet pavement more than I like, but grip fine when it is dry. They wear like iron off-road as I'm often driving thru thorns and the only very slow leak I have had was a nail. So slow that I had to go back to Sam's twice to get them to find it. Balance? Next time I will add Dynabeads to the tires for even wear and balance.

 

[brett682]

Great! Thanks for the speedy reply. One step closer to deciding on new tires. Now tell me - What are DYNABEADS, where do you get them, how much and what purpose do they serve???

 

[RL Lemke]

http://www.innovativebalancing.com/

 

[jharris2]

265/70/17 BFG KO with 50K+ miles on them. Noise? The 4Runner is a quiet car, so I hear the tires when I drive with the windows open. Quality? They slide on wet pavement more than I like, but grip fine when it is dry. They wear like iron off-road as I'm often driving thru thorns and the only very slow leak I have had was a nail. So slow that I had to go back to Sam's twice to get them to find it. Balance? Next time I will add Dynabeads to the tires for even wear and balance.

Have you used Dynabeads before? Have seen them before and wondered if they really work.....

 

[RL Lemke]

Have you used Dynabeads before? Have seen them before and wondered if they really work.....

Just in my BMW motorcycle, and my brother has in his new BMW. I rode 2,500 miles with them with perfect balance, he rode 6,000 miles in 9 days with perfect balance, even at speeds of 150 mph.

I have the 5oz bags of beads ready for my next set of tires.

 

[Mr. Lambdebois]

Nice pics....