I finally made it out to Paragon and it turned out to be an awesome trip all around. The weather couldn't have been better. Unfortunatley I was one of only a few Toyotas there so I didn't really fit in with the Jeep theme that seemed to be going on at the park...oh well.
My group consisted of a lifted 94 Olds Bravada, a stock 2003 Ranger, a lifted 97 Wrangler and of course myself. We formed the group kind of last minute on the Paragon forum but it worked out well. Everyone was cool and we managed to have fun despite a few setbacks with the GM. I think the driver of the GM had skills that exceeded the capabilities of his rig. Watch the clip and you'll see. What you don't see in the clip is the tranny blowing on the Bravada and the Jeep having to tow it all the way out of the park.
The 4Runner performed well. I aired the MT/R's down to 15 psi and disconnected the front swaybar. The ride was so nice and smooth and those tires are grippy as hell. What I did forget to do was cap off the deckplate until after I went through a huge puddle that almost swallowed the front end I won't do that again.
The TJM took a hard hit too. I got that tipping feeling and bailed by hitting the gas and turning into the lean only to bounce off a burm. I thought for sure I bent the bumper brackets but much to my surprise I only found the drivers corner to be really scratched up. A little rattle can action fixed that. As far as I'm concerned the TJM paid for itself right there.
The video is a little lame but it's worth checking out. Enjoy


Paragon Video 10/11/03

 

Great video.
Looks like all had a great time.

Was that a fish that came out of the open door

 

Cool video--lots of mud!! We dont have any of that here in the desert--thank goodness.

 

Thanks!
I'm glad the guy in the Bravada was willing to lead the way around the park and be the first to "test the waters". I wouldn't have taken it too well if water found it's way into my interior.
Actually, I prefer avoiding those puddles all together because I really like having a clean engine/underbody. Damn peer pressure. Oh well it was still fun, I just have some extra cleaning to do.

 

I can't wait for the EC4RJ this year. I will definately make it out for it.

 

Nice vid. I miss the park -- it's been less than a month but I want to go back. What level were you running? What trails were you on?

The Bravada blew its tranny, huh? Yikes.

At least I don't have to worry about being better than my machine; I'm definitely a lot more chicken than anything the 4Runner can get out of.

Sometime in November, maybe, I'll get out there again. I'm torn between scoping out the park on the monthly rides, which would be a good thing for experience and to see the trail system; but there are other times I just want to go.

Oh well, I'll get experience soon enough.

 

I'm not sure what trails we ran. I was the only one in the group without a CB, so I just followed the Bravada. I'm pretty sure we did mostly greens.
I probably won't head out again until the Spring. The next time though, I hope to get together with a group of Toyotas. So we should definitely plan on something.

 

I'm trying to juggle some major upgrades at work that I'm responsible for (funny, my employer doesn't seem to think a ride at Paragon's important enough to blow off a mainframe upgrade for.)

Looking like the earliest i'll be out there again is gonna be Nov. 22-23 or the monthly December ride, which I'll do if there's no snow. (With only one run under my belt, I'm NOT doing a snow run. )

Probably won't have any mods until later next year, so I'll be running essentially stock for a while and just gettin' experience. I just wish I had more time to get up there.