oops! I let the cat out of the bag!
When you said that I saw the color of that yota and thought... holy crap. Its westy before his truck got built. Not such a small world...

 

Missed you today Elvota. See you at the next one.

For everyone all of the pics are here:
http://s72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...ers%20Revenge/

 

Thanks too all you guys for helping me get through it

 

Yeah.. I was pretty bummed we couldn't go.

Great pics though, looks like you had a good group.

Is that a flat tire I saw on Brian's rig?

How the waterfall go? I didn't see many pics of any line being pulled.

 

Hey man we were talking about you. Wished you could have been there!

Brian had an eventful begining to the day which he can elaborate on if he wishes - but yeah he pinched his tire on the fire road in to the trail. Tim could stick his thumb in the hole.

The waterfall was probably more fun to watch than to drive. Westy and Steve made it up. Brian eventually winched up after giving it his best humping rabbit impression. Then I was trying but my back overhang was just digging in too much to even get all 4 tires on the fall - so they hooked me up to Brian with a strap and he assisted me up. BTW, that was the only assistance I needed all day! Kent probably had the most knucklebiting attempt and I have a great pic Frank took that I will post. Eventually he winched up and then Alex was winched up with an array of winches, snatchblocks and tow straps. No damage there that I am aware of.

 

Jon did amazingly. IFS kicked ass today as did his driving.


No problem! You would have driven just about everything if it wasn't for the odd tranny problem. I'm curious to see the outcome of that one.
Nice meeting you and see ya at the next one.

 

Great trip yesterday! One of these days Elvota we will get you out there. Hope you are doing better.

Jon and his 4runner yet again made short work of the trail. It was impressive to say the least...he drove some very tough stuff.

 

Yes, I had quite the eventful day, before I even got to the trail. First, on the trip to Superior, I stopped at the GC Shell to take a pee. Lots of noise from the front driver's caliper when I applied the brakes. The caliper came loose and lodged itself half way around the rotor and wedged itself between the rotor and the wheel. I was able to free it with my BFH and then stole a bolt from the passenger side to hold it in place. Then headed back to Superstion Springs Toyota and picked up a few new caliper bolts. You can see the damage to the rotor in one of Tim's pics. It didn't pull out the hard line, so I got lucky there. It did manage to rip off the hard-line mount I left on the rotor backing plate. Anyone have a spare rotor backing plate they are not using anymore? I know a lot of people remove these. Only thing I can think of is that I didn't torque the caliper bolts down tight enough from my Longfield install over the weekend. All the vibrations from the freeway ride down must have backed them out. My truck is not the smoothest ride at 70. Looks like I will be ordering a new set of rotors and a new driver's hard-line.

Secondly, on the drive to the start of the trial, Larlon and I were talking away and I didn't notice a big-ass tire eating rock on the pass side. I hit it hard and put a good size hole in the sidewall. Good thing for full-size spares.

I was a bit apprehensive about continuing onto the trail as it seemed someone was telling me that it may not be a good idea for me to continue today. I ignored that little voice and continued on anyway. The rest of the day was uneventful for me. Other than the fact that I could make it up the fricking waterfall. Looks like I need to shed some weight and get more pliable tires.

 

That's odd you had trouble. I wonder what taking off the shell would do for you? My guess is Elvota wouldn't currently make it either. Until I get to chopping and bobbing... then I might have a chance.

What gear did you try and go up it in? What gear did everyone else use?

 

100:1. I think that is what others were in. Schaefer was the only one to make it up without much of an issue. Westfall made it up after a few attempts. Kent almost made it up at one point and then slid sideways and got stuck on his slider. I may have needed to hit it a little harder to bump it a bit, but with that big-ass drop-off to the driver's side, it was a bit daunting. Maybe when I shed the top and get some tires that don't have such stiff sidewalls, I'll have a shot. The traction bar did make a big improvement on another climb I had issues with the last time. I guess this waterfall is another obstacle that needs to be added to my list of things to conquer someday.

 

Those waterfalls are tricky. Weight balance, wheelbase and tires I think are the biggest factors. More weight forward on the front tires seems to help alot along with the longer wheelbase and stickier tires. I also think there is a timing thing when you have to give it some more throttle, too soon and you will hop or the front end will unload and too late and you lose the momentum.

I bumped it good and layed into the throttle more than I usually do and it went right up (in a cloud of smoke). I was in 108:1

 

I am sure you guys understand I wasn't knocking the technique... just looking to learn a bit as to why some of us make these and some don't. I do agree that the 4Runners are going to be tail heavy which is going to cause issues with traction on such steep obstacles.

On my solo Sycamore run the past week I got "stuck" in what was a simple hole. It was a biggish squared off ditch. In the 4.7, I just kept digging in trying to get up the bank, and wouldn't climb out. There was a drop to my right so I was also nervous about being to heavy with the skinny pedal and getting out of shape.

Then when I went to stock low, my wheel speed came up and I got out much easier. I have to practice with my wheel speed in relation to the RPM's. It's very possible my misjudgment of the two led to me burying the truck in the Sycamore a few weeks ago as well.

 

I had it all the way down so 224 to 1 or what ever that old stuff is.

Both cases in low, I just looked for some traction and found it. Same thing on AA, but it is alot lighter.

Amazing thing is the motor was hours away from the grave.

 

Brian,

Not sure if they'll work, but I got a set of rotors and calipers from my rig if you can use 'em.

 

Totally understood. Each rig varies so much...that I think technique for everyone can be completely different. Prime example, Steve was in an extremely low gear and walked right up the waterfall barely spinning tires. I tried it and was just spinning tires while I was searching for traction...then I just gave it alittle more love and up it went.

Tim was along for the ride...first time I have had a passenger actually want to ride up something like that. Most opt to get out and watch from a safe distance. Can't say thats a bad idea though sometimes

 

My calipers are still fine, it's just the rotors that need to be replaced. Well, just the driver's side, but I'll replace both. I really appreciate the offer but I don't believe your rotors are the same size, plus I've already ordered a set of replacements. Once again I appreciate the offer.

 

Where is the fun in watching from a distance?
It was a bit of a pucker moment, but it was worth it going for that kind of ride. It was good to see the lines you chose. Nice driving. I feel like I learned a lot on that trail watching and listening to everyone. AND I knew we were fine the whole time... kinda.

Nice to meet Tall Brian finally as well.

We all have too many names by the way. I can't tell who the hell I'm hearing about sometimes like: Elvota, golden steve, steve, steverino, steve with the jumping cat, 3.4 speedy steve. Okay I added a couple for elvota, but I think they'll stick.