Well , turns out im going out of town after all. But instead of flying, I get to DRIVE to Ohio! Not excited...

 

that is the exact opposite of awesome. I'm from PA originally so I know how bad it sucks making the trip via car when it can be done in 3-4 hours via plane.

 

DRIVE to Ohio?? that sucks, espcially this time of year - I have made the drive to and from Detroit a few times and it was brutal. Good luck, drive safe!

 

Flagstaff trip this weekend:

Hi guys. I'm from the Phoenix valley, but this weekend I will be spending in Flagstaff. I helped out my employer by agreeing to cover emergency weekend overnight shifts in Flagstaff. I will be working Fri-Sun 9pm - 8am overnight shifts. That means my early mornings are free to explore! The rest of the day I need to sleep

I would love to explore some trails/wheel in Flagstaff but it is my first trip there. Does anyone have any recommendations where to go/ which trails to do? I know almost nothing in the area.

If you're able to wheel in the mornings of Fri/Sat/Sun or Monday and would like to join me/show me around I would be indebted If you would like to join please post/PM!

If there's no interest can you guys recommend some light stuff to explore on my own? Nothing too crazy as I don't want to get stuck there all by myself. Rig is a stock 2000 4runner, sr5 4wd, 5-speed, with brand new Wrangler Duratracs 265/75/16s.

Much appreciated!

 

two things.

1. some northern trails would be pretty neat to check out. It'd be awesome if anyone in the N.AZ area could post some places to check out. plus wheeling in the snow sounds fun.

2. how do you like the duratracs? I'm on the verge of getting new tires and have been going back and forth between those, and the Falken Wild Peak A/T's. I know one is a M/T and the other is an A/T, just not sure which direction I want to go yet.

 

1. Hopefully someone will chime-in
2. I love them so far. They're very beefy and aggressive looking, which is a big plus. As far as performance, I cannot report yet, as I've had them for for about 8 days only. I tell the fiancee "admire the new tires" whenever we're together by the truck and she just rolls her eyes lol.

When I was purchasing tires last week I was torn b/w BFG A/T KO or the Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs. They both look very good imo, but the BFGs did cost considerably more than the Duratracs.

 

saturday ill be making a run to tip top mine and past it and sunday i might be up in flag doing some wheeling. might see you up there flor4

 

Well, made the drive to Ohio safely. Now I remember why I moved to AZ from IA... Cause it's FREEZING here!! Can't wait to be back. Not to mention my truck is being worked on, going to have some more rear travel with a different setup. Should be able to get 4+ more inches and a more stable ride by moving the shocks out and changing my coils a bit

 

Finally got around to replacing the rear springs with OME's and putting in some new Bilsteins while relocating them from the inboard stock location to the outside portion of the frame.





-Ted

 

finally enough rain to make mud worth getting my runner dirty

 

Ok, the family and I are heading up to Greer (spelling) to a place called the North Pole. Their suppose to have a something special set up for the kids with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

My Delema:

I need snow cables/ chains. I don't want to pay out the butt either. Does anyone here know of a place localy I can pick them up at? I don't want to get up there and spend $350.00+ because it's madatory and I'd like to get these ASAP...like today so I know I have em. Or in this case because it's so late, tomorrow at some point. I would prefer the cables if this makes a difference. I've driven on both, and much prefer the cables though I do understand the chains do give more positive traction...see debate over A/T vs. M/T...Tire size: 245/70/16.

I've checked the weather and as of today's storm, they've received something like 4' of new snow. Now, while I'd love and feel much safer in the 4Runner, the wife wants to take her Escape. It is 4WD with a switch to choose full time 4WD though it doesn't have a 2-speed transfer case.

Thanks for the help in advance.
-Ted

 

Some of my friends went up there this weekend and they came back yesterday - while it was very snowy and a slow ride home, they were in a 2WD Suburban and there was no mention of chains/cables or 4WD mandatory on any of the highways. And they were traveling through it at the worst part of the day. They did however come back down the 260 to the 87 via Payson to avoid the Salt River Canyon in Globe.

But, they did say they had the best time ever, the did the whole North Pole experience thing, sledding, making a snowman, snow angels - the whole thing. They said it was so great that they will definately be making it an annual trip from now on.

 

in reality, as long as you're not driving in a storm, the roads should be clear. The Escape will probably be fine.

I'm from Pennsylvania 60 miles east of Lake Erie (major lake effect snow area) and I've never had the need to install chains. I used to carry them, and if I get stuck, I'd lay them out in front of the tires to get me out and then put them back in the trunk.

If you have the room, you can buy some fencing at home depot and cut it into strips a little wider than the tires, roll them up and stick them in the back of the Escape just in case. It might not be preffered, but it is cheap.

 

Well, Jeff and I have seen an Escape wheelin'. It did better than I thought it would, so I have confidence in it's ability with 4WD.

Anyhow, now on to my delema: I absolutely dig Craigslist...found a brandnew set of cables for her odd ball tires size for $50.00. Super happy with the deal.

-Ted

 

nice, glad it worked out for you. have fun up there!

 

I wouldn't trust a Ford to get me to the end of the driveway and back without a tow strap!

 

Nate; What I meant was, even though its a single speed 4WD, I have the confidence in its ability to actually provide the needed assistance of power to the rear wheels. And my tow strap is going with...just as it would've if we were to take the 4Runner. However, its use would be for unstucking others if the 4Runner was to be our mode of transportation. Hope this carifies a little. And i wouldn't trust a Chevy to get me up a speed bump let alone out of the driveway either. But we all know, I dont like to brand bash...so I digress.

-Ted

 

Hahahaha! Had to give you a hard time Ted! I was gonna offer you my Chevy, but it's been struggling for traction in the rain, couldn't imagine the dissappointment in snow. If its any consolation, I had to get the Tacoma tugged out of the snow by a Subaru Outback a couple of years ago, that one hurt the pride!

 

lol, those Subaru's are pretty legit in winter conditions. tons of people own them where I'm from.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwTDQ...eature=related

 

That's awesome! If that guy's junk wasn't already shrunk from the cold, it most certainly was after getting pulled out by a by that little Subi! They are are some tough little cars though.