Who's run the Rubicon in a 5th gen?

[1engineer]

As far as i know only [MENTION=89562]bimrunner[/MENTION] and the two 5th gen prototypes have did it. The prototypes were all stock and sustained a bit of door damage but made it. I'm sure it all about the spotters and lines.

 

[Jetboy]

Considering that Jeep has a helicopter on site - I'd guess they have a team of rock stackers and probably anything else you'd ever want. Then again even factory teams don't always succeed. Ford and Honda have had a number of DNF's in big time events in the last decade. And I'm sure there are plenty we haven't heard about that didn't go so well. You'll never see those white jeep pictures in an ad. And... you'll notice you never see either jeep finishing the Rubicon either. I assume they did, but I do wonder why there's not a short clip at the exit.

 

[FourEyedWilly]

I've been over several times in my Jeep and sustained no damage. That's a CJ5 with a 2 inch lift and 33 inch tires for reference. That said, the 4Runner will. I would almost guarantee it. It is true that there are alternate routes you can take to avoid the radical stuff. My concerns would be Big Sluice and Cadillac Hill. Your biggest potential for damage would be these two areas.

I just don't think it would be a fun run for you. You would have to be on point the entire trip. You wouldn't be able to take your eyes off the trail for a moment. Better to ride shotgun this trip.

 

[bimrunner]

As far as i know only [MENTION=89562]bimrunner[/MENTION] and the two 5th gen prototypes have did it. The prototypes were all stock and sustained a bit of door damage but made it. I'm sure it all about the spotters and lines.

3x now in the 4Runner. It is all about lines, armor and a good spotter. Taking your time is key. Big sluce is a challenge to the skids. I've gone through 2 tcase skids, my sliders and both bumpers have helped. I love camping at buck and the Springs are a great spot to relax with friends. 2 days is doable. I wouldn't try to get through the whole thing in one day. 3 days is the most enjoyable. :flypig: once you learn the trail and that it is bad to try and impress the buggies, you'll amaze everyone out there. Every time I've gone, friendly jeepers warn me that I'm in over my head. I always stop to help them fix their broken axles! Makes my heart go pitter-patter.

 

[bimrunner]

I've been over several times in my Jeep and sustained no damage. That's a CJ5 with a 2 inch lift and 33 inch tires for reference. That said, the 4Runner will. I would almost guarantee it. It is true that there are alternate routes you can take to avoid the radical stuff. My concerns would be Big Sluice and Cadillac Hill. Your biggest potential for damage would be these two areas.

I just don't think it would be a fun run for you. You would have to be on point the entire trip. You wouldn't be able to take your eyes off the trail for a moment. Better to ride shotgun this trip.

Spoil sport. Lol. Def two of the toughest sections. There are reasons I don't have more pics. I'm flat too tired to care about that part! I love every second of it though!

 

[bimrunner]

I'm kicking around the possibility of a trip to the Rubicon with a club this summer and was hoping someone had done the trail here before in a 5th gen to give me an idea if I'm crazy or not running it in a mostly stockish 5th gen. I've never been on that trail and my FJ40 is not going to be ready for the trip. So... can it be done in a 5th gen without major carnage? I know toyota did it in a mostly stock pair of 5th gens - but they also wiped out 2 doors in the process. I understand it's always a risk - but I'm having a hard time figuring out if it's a sure thing you'll do major damage, or a possibility if you're not careful and adding a little extra side armor would keep the shiny bits shiny.

Anyone done it in a 5th gen?

Skids and sliders and a realization you'll likely damage the rear bumper cover and you will be good. It's a great great great trail. I run it annually at least. Sometimes I take the 80 if I want to relax more. This year I hope to try a different build.

Edit: you want front and rear lockers

 

[bimrunner]

Ive been kicking around the idea of destroying mine on Dusy , maybe next year

Dusy is one I will not run in my 5th gen. I take the 80. Too narrow not to do damage to the sides. Dusy = between a tree and a rock or a rock and a tree... for 4 full days straight.

 

[FactoryRide]

Skids and sliders and a realization you'll likely damage the rear bumper cover and you will be good. It's a great great great trail. I run it annually at least. Sometimes I take the 80 if I want to relax more. This year I hope to try a different build.

Edit: you want front and rear lockers

Sooty I hope? I haven't seen any more progress lately.

 

[Antman]

[MENTION=89562]bimrunner[/MENTION]

My alternator has run the Ruby...it's a Trail Rated Alternator.


I think that's awesome.

 

[Jetboy]

3x now in the 4Runner. It is all about lines, armor and a good spotter. Taking your time is key. Big sluce is a challenge to the skids. I've gone through 2 tcase skids, my sliders and both bumpers have helped. I love camping at buck and the Springs are a great spot to relax with friends. 2 days is doable. I wouldn't try to get through the whole thing in one day. 3 days is the most enjoyable. :flypig: once you learn the trail and that it is bad to try and impress the buggies, you'll amaze everyone out there. Every time I've gone, friendly jeepers warn me that I'm in over my head. I always stop to help them fix their broken axles! Makes my heart go pitter-patter.

Thanks! That's encouraging. It'll be with the wagon run at rubithon if I can get work off. I got caught sleeping and cruise moab sold out before I signed up so I've been looking for another option. My work is unpredictable and reactive to other parties so I can't always plan very far ahead. The hard part is that it's a Wednesday run - bad for work timing - but pretty ideal for the trail being less busy.

 

[bimrunner]

Thanks! That's encouraging. It'll be with the wagon run at rubithon if I can get work off. I got caught sleeping and cruise moab sold out before I signed up so I've been looking for another option. My work is unpredictable and reactive to other parties so I can't always plan very far ahead. The hard part is that it's a Wednesday run - bad for work timing - but pretty ideal for the trail being less busy.

Dr. Andy leads the wagon run and you'll do great. He knows the trail like the back of his hand and that is probably your best bet to run the 4Runner. Such an awesome group of guys and gals. Do it. You'll be fine.

 

[nb rob]

once in a while a pretty awesome thread emerges... you guys rock.

I completely understand being too tired or focused to take photos. All my best adventures are the same way. It's great in today's age to just be there in the moment, instead of recording everything while staring at a little screen.

That being said, you'd better damn well take some pictures [MENTION=118321]Jetboy[/MENTION]

 

[1engineer]

Thanks! That's encouraging. It'll be with the wagon run at rubithon if I can get work off. I got caught sleeping and cruise moab sold out before I signed up so I've been looking for another option. My work is unpredictable and reactive to other parties so I can't always plan very far ahead. The hard part is that it's a Wednesday run - bad for work timing - but pretty ideal for the trail being less busy.

I say go for it. You are experienced and you know all trails are approached with the same mindset. Lines, experience and spotters are key. Could you need a new bumper cover when you finish? Maybe. Would it be worth it? Hell. Yes. To run the Rubicon in a mostly stock 4Runner? Priceless! Even Ben running it in a modded 4Runner is way cool.

Sliders - Check
33's - Check
Skids - Check

Life is short. Make the memories. I do this on my mountain bike all the time. I hear from the youngsters "Dude, you sure you want to ride that section? You are, um, ah, sorta old man" or "Man, you are a pretty big and tall guy to be riding that trail."
It's like they think I somehow magically forget that I am 6'4" and 250 lbs and friggin' 55 years old!!! When opportunities arise, no matter what the challenge, you either take them full on, or you sit on the couch in 10 years "wishing" you would have done it ten years ago.

Again, life is short. Good luck and God speed lol. Seriously, have fun!

 

[wfo9]

Every time I've gone, friendly jeepers warn me that I'm in over my head. I always stop to help them fix their broken axles! Makes my heart go pitter-patter.

LOL, yea I love when this happens. I'll be heading down a trail and jeeps stop me and say "you don't want to go down there...." I just simile and say I've done it many times and that it won't be a problem at all.. I've got 4WD :reddance:

Front locker is the key on the crazy stuff. Can't imagine trying some of the stuff I've done without one. Makes all the difference in the world in that type of terrain.

I'm just not a fan of body damage on the 5th gen. Would just take all the fun out of it. My trail rig is so much fun because I just don't have to give a crap about body damage. Takes all the stress away. Quick example. The video makes it look pretty easy, but this trail is nuts. A 5th gen would be destroyed. Sometimes I get the same "are you sure you want to do that" from some jeep guys on 40s+ in my trail rig.. Sometimes the bigger rigs don't do so well.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3YstUlOPUhA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Example of an XJ on 40s and 1 tons failing to make look easy on the same trail. Just to give another perspective...
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dYtvFAYRbOs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[bimrunner]

LOL, yea I love when this happens. I'll be heading down a trail and jeeps stop me and say "you don't want to go down there...." I just simile and say I've done it many times and that it won't be a problem at all.. I've got 4WD :reddance:

Front locker is the key on the crazy stuff. Can't imagine trying some of the stuff I've done without one. Makes all the difference in the world in that type of terrain.

I'm just not a fan of body damage on the 5th gen. Would just take all the fun out of it.

I dig your rig. I don't mind some risk of body damage. I don't want certain damage. I'd run my 80 on that trail though without fretting. Looks like serious fun!

 

[rochmpr]

Front locker is the key on the crazy stuff. Can't imagine trying some of the stuff I've done without one. Makes all the difference in the world in that type of terrain.

This! Running Fordyce Creek (81 Hilux), I had some two wheel action, both drivers side tires were off the ground, basically resting on the passenger side. The spotter kept telling me to back up. I did not like that option, so I flipped the switch (ARB) and drove right out of it.

 

[e60ral]

Just drop your collision deductible to $50 and go for it

 

[wfo9]

I dig your rig. I don't mind some risk of body damage. I don't want certain damage. I'd run my 80 on that trail though without fretting. Looks like serious fun!

Thanks, I really like the little beast. It's been through so much crap in its lifetime... I've got lots of changes planned for it...

65" diamond up front with a HP 8", FJ 80 axle and diff in the rear. I also pan to rework the cage and dove tail it... plus run a 4.7 Tcase in the rear (its got stock dual cases now)

Yea, we have some really fun rock crawling trails in this part of Texas. Most people don't realize how diverse the terrain is around here. Most of it is just too extreme for anything but buggies, but we manage in our little Toyota's. This is my buddy I was following that day. Lots of pucker moments for sure. I also rarely take pictures..but got a few that day.

 

[JSparky]

So.. I haven't talked to anyone outside my personal circle yet, but we're planning on running the Rubicon this summer for the first time. I'm taking my 80 and figured I'd hook up with a land cruiser club to help get my through. My friend with a built up gx470 wants to run it as well, so whoever I go with will be involved with that endeavor (with plenty of bribery going on most likely). If you'd like to join us let me know.. I guess it's time to start putting a group together.

 

[Vinsil]

Thanks, I really like the little beast. It's been through so much crap in its lifetime... I've got lots of changes planned for it...

65" diamond up front with a HP 8", FJ 80 axle and diff in the rear. I also pan to rework the cage and dove tail it... plus run a 4.7 Tcase in the rear (its got stock dual cases now)

Yea, we have some really fun rock crawling trails in this part of Texas. Most people don't realize how diverse the terrain is around here. Most of it is just too extreme for anything but buggies, but we manage in our little Toyota's. This is my buddy I was following that day. Lots of pucker moments for sure. I also rarely take pictures..but got a few that day.

Had 4.7's in my rear case on my crawler, it's STUPID low but the control will make you look even more pro in the rocks. :bounce:


Nice vids, never knew you had a few rocks in Texas! Come up here and run the rocks with some water and moss on them. LOL!


I miss my crawlers sometimes. Then I don't. :nono: