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NutAgain!
Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
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^^^ I am actually happy you posted that and relieved I didn't try it in my 4x4 Sprinter. Opened my eyes about what it would be like in a way that ranger warnings didn't :)
p.s. I actually did have the hubris try a bit, damn the torpedoes, but I got some sense at the easy obstacle in the first few feet coming from Courtwright Reservoir side. You need to have huge clearance and/or articulation of wheels, for when your front wheel drops over a boulder into a rut, to not have the boulder slam into the bottom of your vehicle. I thought my clearance and articulation was great after a decade driving a Prius, but this is a different league. And I'm so ignorant with welding I wouldn't know where to start... so kudos for the field repair story! I've heard legends of such things but cool to see it. Off-road adventures inspire me to learn more skills to be self-sufficient. My sense of self-sufficiency is an illusion compared to folks like you who actually know what they are doing.
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ruppell
climber
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Only new things I have to add are more for human survival in case of getting stuck somewhere for a while:
a few gallons of water per person
water filter
emergency space blankets & first aid kit
NutAgain!
Part of the not being stupid philosophy is having a plan and a contingency plan. I wheel alone almost all the time. I also tend to take on the hardest trails I can find.
My plan is to always do a pre-departure rig check, wheel smart, have tools and spares to fix common wheeling failures, and make it home to tell a cool story.
My contingency plan is simple. Get out and hike. I always carry what I call my go bag. It's a 25L pack with a lightweight stove, fuel, 5 packs of top ramen, some Probars, a waterproof shell, a small puffy, my 30 degree bag and my Nemo shelter. Sounds like a lot of sh#t but it weieghs less then 12 pounds.
If I ever break down or can't self-recover that bag is my way home. I wheel mostly in the Whites and Sierra. You're never more than 30 miles from a road. I can hike that easily in 2 days. That bag is with me on every trip. Even the casual ones.
Did someone say Dusy? Best hard 4x4 trail in the country IMO...shameless plug for my Dusy video...
Dapper Dan
I promise I will watch that video. After I do the Dusy. You can't onsight a trail you've seen video of. lol
While the Dusy certainly isn't the hardest technical trail I do agree that overall it is the hardest trail in the US. There's not many trails of it's length and there's certainly none that hold the aura that it does. I've done enough research to know it's gonna be a hard road but not enough to spoil the fun.
The guys I'm going with are all experienced wheelers. They all have the exact traits you'd want for this sort of trip. I'm pretty sure somebody will break something along the way but we're prepared for that. The plan is 4 days on trail. That leaves 1 full day for repairs or just chilling. Whatever is needed more. lol
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john hansen
climber
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Nut again.. the flip flop winch thing is really cool.
We used to say, "If we can move it an inch, we can move it a mile"
A winch or come along would work better but if your out there this is a good trick to know. I like that you gain rope on each turn of the spindal whether it is going left or right it keeps taking in rope.
Great thread.
Ruppell,it sounds like you really know about this stuff.
Edit: Dapper Dan, I know some people who have done the Rubicon,, but how do you keep your beer from being shook up,,, really,, it's a serious question..
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Dapper Dan
Trad climber
Redwood City
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4 days sounds perfect Ruppell. We did it in 3. 10 miles/day is a nice pace. If you see my vid, I have a backpack strapped to the top as well lol. It's the sh#t-has-hit-the-fan backpack and we are walking to civilization. Good call.
FWIW on our Dusy trip, the Montero and two Jeep's both had carnage and mechanical issues while the two Yota's walked it, your rig sounds plenty built for the trail.
Don't forget to bring lots of beer!
And Nut!, I'm glad you didn't try it in the Sprinter also! Those Sprinter's are super capable and plush for 95% of the trails out there but the Dusy is definitely in that other 5%...
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 8, 2018 - 10:49pm PT
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That Flip Flop winch is great, thx!
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Tim Bermingham
Mountain climber
Jamestown, California. U.S.A.
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didn't read the whole thread....but if one has a tire come off the bead ....try putting a LITTLE gas inside the tire and throw in a match. The explosion will inflate the tire and re set the bead. I learned this trick in Baja. Not many gringos know of it...a few. It sounds crazy, but it works. The boss wanted to take the backhoe tire in to get fixed one time and that woulda been the end of the work day....I wanted to keep working....I did my Baja trick and he was amazed....why is he the boss????
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Cragar
climber
MSLA - MT
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Moto(dirt bike) or my MTB; each of them cost more than my 4x4. I've never owned a car that cost more than my MTB. Either one can get me to cell phone service if need be and since I stick to roads, my 4x4 works pretty well. I've seen some crazy rigs down in Salmon ID. I can't believe what y'all drive in your modified pick'em up trucks..
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Batrock
Trad climber
Burbank
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Tire plug kit and a couple of cans of Fix a Flat. The plugs have come in handy on several occasions not just for me but for other drivers i have come upon. I also carry a basic tool kit and a shovel. Also if your truck doesn't come with a bottle jack they are worth getting in addition to your scissor lift type jack. Oh and a small air compressor or i carry a 10lb CO2 tank for filling tires and running air tools too.
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John Duffield
Mountain climber
New York
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My friends were surprised in the Army, when I volunteered for Driver Training School. As a draftee, I wasn't supposed to volunteer for anything. But three weeks in school in Texas Hill Country, was three weeks I wasn't in Viet Nam.
What I hadn't learned on the farm, I got there.
I guess it caused me to over estimate my abilities in Death Valley this past October. My abilities and the abilities of the SUV I rented.
I took the shortcut to "The Race Track". Got a flat. I don't recommend it. The "do-nut" got me out. Always have a spare tyre.
Backing over this bump was scary. I buckled the seatbelt in case I rolled.
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Dapper Dan
Trad climber
Redwood City
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^^^ Lippincott Road in DV. Nice job running it in a rented grocery getter lol.
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deuce4
climber
Hobart, Australia
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Not sure if this has been mentioned, but this is awesome tool.
Get the wheel attachment and super quick to get boards under wheels when stuck.
https://hi-lift.com/hi-lift-jacks/
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couchmaster
climber
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Sounds like inviting Toker or Juan along would be the move. Just remember to them them they're bringing the crap to get you out:-) The better alternative would be to invite one of these guys with an excellent rig to do the driving.
I'd heard that gas in the tire move from my climbing partner who was a 4 x 4er in an earlier life. Also, as noted upthread by Juan "1" tubular or 11mm climbing rope is great - for pulling quads and dirt bikes. If you can pull a 4x4 out with it, then "it weren't really stuck". " Exactly!! I just shocking broke my 11mm rope, twice, trying to pull a bush stump with my truck. I had it dug most of the way out too. Thought climbing ropes, even 20 year old retired ones, were stronger than that. They are not.
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ruppell
climber
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4 days sounds perfect Ruppell. We did it in 3. 10 miles/day is a nice pace. If you see my vid, I have a backpack strapped to the top as well lol. It's the sh#t-has-hit-the-fan backpack and we are walking to civilization. Good call.
FWIW on our Dusy trip, the Montero and two Jeep's both had carnage and mechanical issues while the two Yota's walked it, your rig sounds plenty built for the trail.
Dapper Dan
The go pack is a must. Let's face it though, a lot of guys that wheel would rather wait for help then get the hell out of dodge. Kinda like a lot of climbers. lol
The group doing it consists of 3 3rd gen 4Runners. One 2.7L with 37's and dual cases, one 3.4L on 35's, and one 3.4L with duals cases on 33's. The 33's are me. If I can save enough cash in a month I'll be on 37's for the trip but it doesn't look good.
Between us there will be a welder, a electrical engineer and a carpenter. We can fix stuff that breaks. There will also be 3 extra CV shafts. One extra front diff and one extra rear diff. Luckily where all 5.29's.
I'm expecting to break something. I'm not expecting major engine or driveline failure.
Since your rigs a Toyo and dual cased who did you have do your shafts? I'm close to having the numbers to send out. I'd like to stick with Toyo u-joints but will go with Dana 1350's if I have to. Tom Woods only uses Dana and they have a super fast turnaround time. Jesse at High Angle is weeks out. Anyone else you recommend?
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matty
Trad climber
under the sea
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Maybe mentioned earlier on thread but I just got a lithium ion battery jumper. Puts out 1200amps can jump regular and Diesel engines, has up to 20 jumps stored in it. Can charge a dead battery to the point where jumping it is possible has USB outputs for charging other devices and you can get electric air compressors that hook to it as well. Saved my ass once already. Small package too, easily fits under seat with room to spare.
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Jon Beck
Trad climber
Oceanside
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got a link Matty? the lithium jumper I got was much less than advertised. 1200 amps sounds exaggerated.
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Dapper Dan
Trad climber
Redwood City
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Ruppell if your talking about axle shafts, they're just run of the mill chromoly shafts, I think I got them from Ruff Stuff online. I have a Dana 60 rear and a Dana 44 in front. Chromoly was probably overkill in the rear but I feel better with chromoly shafts in the 44.
If you're talking about drivelines I had them done at a shop in Clovis. I'd recommend a decent shop in Sac or Fresno area. You have a lot of 4x4 folks in those areas...
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ShawnInPaso
climber
Paso Robles, CA
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A 15lb CO2 bottle.....
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matty
Trad climber
under the sea
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John it was the DB power 1200a. I got it on amazon. I’m sure the continuous output is less, but I was just spewing the “specs” given. 1200 amps was the “peak current” and it probably only does that for a fraction of a second LOL. I wanted a different model (rugged geek 1000) but it would not have arrived in time for a trip I was taking. I figured I could give it to my lady for her car if I wanted a better one st some point.
Edit: here is one that claims 2000A peak and 1000A “starting” current. So maybe the one I have does 500?? At least it worked when I needed it.
Suaoki U28 2000A Peak Jump Starter Pack (for ALL Gas or 8.0L Diesel Engines) with USB Power Bank, LED Flashlight and Smart Battery Clamps for 12V Car & Boat https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072R2YJ9V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_URcrBbNQ7RVJE
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