So this is in the same place as the 01 event, great pics.

Mod question:

Should I do the e-locker or get a lift?

It's one or the other right now. I have been planning on doing the lift. I know what I want. I have the $. I am ordering the parts on Monday.

I also noticed in the pics that several people were still running their stock tires. How did they do?

 

Locker would be better.

 

Will you educate me, why the locker first?

I have read your site thoroughly, I know that you say don't lift it unless you've trashed your skid plates, etc.

But the lift seems to be everyone's "1st off-road mod".

 

I think most serious "offroaders" will tell you that a locker will get you through more stuff than just a lift. (having both is ideal)

I think most people get the lift first because it's instant gratification. When you spend $600+ on a mod, you want to be able to see what you paid for. When you get the locker - all you have is a little button on the dash. And if you don't go wheeling every weekend then you basically have a $600 mod that you only use once or twice a month, if that. At least that's my feeling.

I made it through 2 summers of open diffs through moderate - mildy difficult trails (at least in my opinion). I personally enjoyed having the lift (and bigger tires) first - I was amazed what a few inches does - not dragging diffs over rocks. Plus I got to enjoy having the lift every time I drove it.

A few months ago I got the locker installed - and I have yet to use it in a real "offroad" situation. But I'm sure the day I do have to engage that locker on an obstacal - it will be worth every penny. But right now it's kinda like - wow all that money for that little switch.

So - you can't go wrong with either one. If you really wheel alot - you might go for the locker first. If you occasionaly make a trip offroad - get the lift - at least then you can enjoy your new mod every day you drive your 4Runner.

just my opinion.

John

 

It is going to be a good time.

This group of Colorado folks is about as good as it gets. Lots of experience, cool rigs and great scenery.

I hear the plan is for groups, which will allow stockers to see some fun stuff and rookies a chance to have some seat time. I am looking forward hitting some harder trails, also thinking about towing out to avoid problems like last year.

Do you need new rubber? If so, the lift makes sense for the time being. If you don't have a gut feeling that the locker is right, you will like a lift for a while, until you have the dime for a locker.

It is going to be a killer time with the Arizona crew, the always friendly Coloradans, a couple of New Mexicans and one Cheesehead.

 

. . . Lee will be there to represent California. I expect Yuri will come up from Texas again though he hasn't said anything. Max (TX) is a possibility. I would like to see some Utah folks attend, but no one from there has ever said a word.

 

Hopefully some of the Utah guys will be able to come over and show off their rigs also. (hint hint)

 

Lee and Martin scored the sliders at AZRocks and I read somewhere that they are cranking up the SAW's and putting on the 285's. Those two were fearless at AZRocks and I hear the same at the last CO4RJ. Good people, looking forward to meeting you CO folks and Texas Max and WI Flygt if they make it.

Lot's of crying in the office when I put my name on the calendar today... Oh well.

Any plans for a camp cookout one night? Is there anything I can do to help (albeit from AZ...)?

Mike

 

I plan on cooking out every night. Are you the one they call Chef? If so i'll buy a plate of your ribs that everyone from AZ raves about.

Last year it was a lot of restraunt hopping for lunch and dinner. That gets expensive fast, especially in places like Silverton and Telluride (tourist traps). I prefer to eat on the cheap by packing lunch and cooking breakfast and dinner in camp. There may be a chance of us getting done late in the day and pulling into camp around 9 pm if someone has trouble or some other unexpected delay comes up.

 

I'm down for eating on the cheap too. I would rather spend $ on my runner than fast food.

I was wondering what the protocal for meals was. I plan on bringing my food and a little grill. I also have a small propane stove, so that's all I need.

It would be cool to have a camp cook out one night, all of us bring something to contribute. Is this a tradition?

 

Last year, we timed out well hitting a town at lunch twice. One day we brought lunch along.

One supper was at an establishment with the whole crew, or darn near. The last night we hit a beer garden with some while others cooked in camp. One night we were coming off the trail and caught chow as a caravan.

Cheap eats are good, hanging with the crew is good too. It sounds like there will be enough folks this year to actually prevent everyone from going to one place all at the same time.

Again I say, last year was a blast. The trails were pretty chill, but the people made it great. Tons of funny things, CB chatter and incredible country. If people have the choice to make this, just do it. Work is timing out for me that I will actually be hauling out from Wisconsin again instead of driving up from Raton. The good news is I may be towing out in leather seats.

 

I just read your other post. You will be in Raton NM most of the summer! You will have to come down and meet up with Loosehead and I to do something, maybe around Los Alamos or the Jemez Mnts. Before CO4RJ.

 

The Los Alamos and Sante Fe area might be close enough for me to come down and ride some trails if the timing is right. Plan it early and we'll see.

 

Matt, that would be great if you could head down this way with Adrian sometime, although it would be quite a haul for you. I am trying to learn more about the area that is SW of Raton (which would be NE of me) and see what lies in those hills. I think there is some old mining camps west of Raton that would be fun trying to find. Lets just hope we get some rain soon, though. The fire danger is really high around here right now, and they are already talking about closing the Santa Fe National Forest, before Memorial Day. If they close things around here, then we'll be heading up your way to get outdoors...

 

Sounds great guys.

I am going to be in the hood in less than a week, just have to wrap up exams.

My tentative schedule puts me free on the weekends most all the time. That being said, I have made plans for Memorial Day, so I may be working a Saturday here or there. The weekend of the 6th and 13th, I will be up Colorado way. Pretty much all the rest of the time I will be in New Mexico.

 

Nope, that's KTon. I was his beotch grill boy this year though. I know my way around the kitchen though...

Pretty much the same here, however, it's easy to eat cheap and good when we're talking BBQ!!! No way I could lug the Pitmaster all the way up there, I may end up buying the MiniPit just for camping though !

Mike

 

I use the little Sunbeam Hibachi type thing. I have a gas one and a well used charcoal one also.

Pray pray pray that no one lights the state on fire like they did last year. Also pray for a nice rainy summer till August starts. If those two things don't happen there will be no campfires and no charcoal usage allowed, again. Last year we sat around a few propane lanterns for the BS sessions instead of a campfire. Just dosen't seem right.

 

I just re-read this whole thread and want to answer a few lingering questions.

At least one day I'll be leading or co-leading trails. If everyone comes that says they will there is no way we can escape breaking up into smaller groups every day.

Jeff the Marmot has an amazing Runner. Its a total rock sled. Tons of custom armor. He also is a very good spotter and a great driver. I expect the best built 3rd gens with similar equipment will want to follow him all weekend. I want to follow him at least one day though.

As a 3 day event there can be a great deal of rotation as to who follows who which days. We may be able to arrange plans that get the two or three groups together in a common lunch spot. That makes swapping leaders at lunch possible and would also promote mingling among all the participants.

We may have up to 50 people if there are 30 rigs and half have passengers. Getting everyone into and out of one restraunt in a timely mannor is probably not possible. I'd like to see a restraunt or picnic type option at lunch and Dinners away from camp/motel.

No matter what Toyota 4x4 with low range you bring, we will make sure you have a good time. There is no need to buy special tires or anything just for this. If you get a flat there will be plenty of help to change it. There will be plenty of spares to go around if someone has more than one flat tire.

I'm rambling. I better quit for now.

 

That's 18 vehicles (last years C04RJ) - imagine 30+ rigs! :eeek

John

 

That is one Bad A$$ picture! I can't wait to be in one!