Minimum Setup for the Rubicon
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Date: Tue, 30 Sep 1997 21:34:18 -0700
From: "Michael Medart"
Subject: Rubicon Advice
To: "Toy4x4 Digest"
>Howdy all,
>
>After watching a list members video of his Rubicon trip this past Spring,
>I'm pretty stoked to run it next year. So, for those of you who have
>done it, what is the minimum configuration to make a successful run at
>it? Driver experience being number 1 on the list, so I'm looking beyond
>that.
>
>Currently my truck is running open diffs, 31x10.5 BFG AT's, RS9000's, and
>an Add-a-Leaf. Is a locking differential essential for success? Other
>weak points in my otherwise reliable (currently...) '87 4Runner that
>should be addressed?
>
>Thanks!
>
>Mark
I would say that AT LEAST one locker or two limited slips would be the
minimum. I've seen Jeeps with a rr. locker and a front LS do a crab
walk while trying to get over some big rocks, simply because the front
tires weren't pulling uniformly, so keep that in mind. Lockers such as
the EZ Locker and LockRight are so cheap right now (from $230 to $280
for Toyotas), you really should be putting them in. I recommend at
least 32" good quality tires and a same size spare. A tow strap and a
hi-lift. A lift kit isn't so important if you have good rocker panel
and undercarriage skid plates and aren't afraid to use them. Of course
you should throw away your front sway bar. And low profile bump stops
wouldn't hurt either. Loosen up your rear shackles. You should also
be AT LEAST geared at stock (so 33" tires would require 4.88, 32"/4.56,
etc.), which I think nets you about a 45 to 50 crawl ratio. Clutch
should also be good, because with stock gearing (see above), you're
going to have to slip the clutch several times to get up and over the
stair steps and bigger obstacles. A really stout rear bumper (such as
a tube-type) is important with the long overhangs that Toyotas have so
you can drag them on approaches and departures. My Smittybuilt has
carried the whole weight of the rear of my truck as it's dragging
across rocks and has only gouged slightly. Lastly, a good spotter to
tell you where to point is priceless. Good luck!
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Michael Medart, Ventura, CA bigblue@anacapa.net
1988 Toyota 4x4 X-Tra Cab V-6, Rancho/Downey
lift, 4.88 gears, Detroit E-Z locker, ARB Air Locker
Rancho RS 9000's w/remote, Con-Fer shackles/
skid plates and roof rack, 33" BFG Muds. RTI: 651
///////////////////////////////////////////////////
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Date: Tue, 30 Sep 1997 22:17:55 -0700
From: Brandon Miller
Subject: Rubicon Advice
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
> I would say that AT LEAST one locker or two limited slips would be the
> minimum.
My truck has made it stock except for 31's... and that's it. I burnt
the clutch out (lasted two days) but with a lot of rock piling and good
spotters I got NO dents, I even went the original way (not Loon Lake).
So, if a longbed 83 with a campershell can do it any (toyota) can. I
wouldn't put any requirements except that you don't go by yourself, or
as the only vehicle.
- --
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Brandon Miller email: sac78483@saclink.csus.edu
Sacramento, CA millerb@gaia.ecs.csus.edu
url:
http://gaia.ecs.csus.edu/~millerb
TLCA #6013
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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Date: Tue, 30 Sep 1997 15:44:24 -0700
From: Scott Wilson
Subject: Rubicon upgrades?
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
A lot of it depends on the characteristics of the vehicle. I talked to
a fella in a 97 TJ with a 3" lift, 4 cyl., open front diff, and LS rear
diff, who made it through with one small scratch. Obviously being
locked isn't everything, but then again...our trucks can't articulate
like a 97 TJ with TeraFlex's best lift either.
I'd recommend at least a rear locker for a Toy. I plan to get my front
LS before I head to Rubicon myself. As far as tires, I won't be so bold
to say 31" tires won't cut it, but after talking with many people who
have already taken the Rubicon, for my personal vehicle I won't go with
less than 32's.
Scott
- --
_____
/_/_|_\__ Scott Wilson TLCA #5261 CA4WDC #13393
| _ _ : 88 4Runner SR5 V6
*/_\---/_\' Santa Clara, CA
(_) (_) http://www.off-road.com/~swilson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Date: Tue, 30 Sep 1997 15:52:26 -0700
From: Brandon Miller
Subject: Rubicon upgrades?
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
The rubicon CAN be run completely stock, and is ran that way by many
people. The less modified you are the more rocks you will need to pile
and the longer the trip will take. This also means a greater chance of
body damage. Priorities for the con are low gears and lockers, then
clearance. I can make it through without a spotter, if you are not very
modified you will need someone to walk the trail and spot you as you
go. Everybody up there is nice and other than the cheering when you
slam into rocks they are very helpful. Let me know when you go, I'd
love to tag along and it is easy to get lost on the trail if you have
never gone...
- --
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Brandon Miller email: sac78483@saclink.csus.edu
Sacramento, CA millerb@gaia.ecs.csus.edu
url:
http://gaia.ecs.csus.edu/~millerb
TLCA #6013
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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Date: Tue, 30 Sep 1997 16:47:09 -0700 (PDT)
From: Chris Geiger
Subject: Rubicon upgrades?
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
Some have done it without a locker(or limited slip) but you get a lot of
wheel spin and that could cause drive line breakage. I say put something
in the rear (limited slip or locker) and you will need side protection or
the rocks will bite the side of your truck. Smittybuilt bars won't do the
job unless they are welded to the frame. I had my local welder make a set
of bars and welded them to the frame after I bent my smittybuilt bars. I
would also turn up the torsion bars a bit, atleast for the trail as the
front cross member takes a beating. Plan on taking 3 days to get through
with your truck. Many people say turn the shocks down to a soft setting
for rock crawling to allow full articulation but I say turn them up to 4
to limit how fast your truck comes down onto the rocks.
I think we should pick a few days, put it on the list and see how many
toys we can get togeather from the list! I plan to do the Rubicon again
next year, I know Scott needs to take his 4Runner on the trail too.
Christopher A. Geiger Voice 805-893-4044
Technical Operations Manager Fax 805-893-8758
UCSB MicroComputer Laboratory http://geiger.mcl.ucsb.edu/index.html
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Date: Tue, 30 Sep 1997 16:51:08 -0700 (PDT)
From: Chris Geiger
Subject: Rubicon upgrades?
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
> I'd recommend at least a rear locker for a Toy. I plan to get my front
> LS before I head to Rubicon myself. As far as tires, I won't be so bold
> to say 31" tires won't cut it, but after talking with many people who
> have already taken the Rubicon, for my personal vehicle I won't go with
> less than 32's.
When I went this year a friend of mine came along with his samurai he made
it with P235 tires, little sluise and all! (it did take 3 hours to get
through the little sluise)
Scott your ready to go now I tell you!
Chris Geiger 93 4Runner http://geiger.mcl.ucsb.edu/offroad.html
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Date: Tue, 30 Sep 1997 19:15:03 -0700
From: James Brink
Subject: Rubicon upgrades?
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
Chris Geiger wrote:
> I think we should pick a few days, put it on the list and see how many
> toys we can get togeather from the list! I plan to do the Rubicon again
> next year, I know Scott needs to take his 4Runner on the trail too.
Count me in...Scott told me personally he can't wait to try out his
Smittybilt bars on the rocks! (Right Scott?)
- --
Jim Brink--Toyota/ASE Certified Technician '86 Std. Bed 22R
Manhattan Beach, CA 32x11.50/15 BFG M/Ts
(brinkjm@earthlink.net) soon: 4.88s-Detroit EZ Locker/Downey
LSD
************************************************************************
TLCA# 6184/ South Bay Roughwheelers / Friends of the Mojave Road (FOMR)
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 30 Sep 1997 22:02:48 -0700
From: Brandon Miller
Subject: Rubicon upgrades?
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
James Brink wrote:
>
> Chris Geiger wrote:
>
> > I think we should pick a few days, put it on the list and see how many
> > toys we can get togeather from the list! I plan to do the Rubicon again
> > next year, I know Scott needs to take his 4Runner on the trail too.
>
> Count me in...Scott told me personally he can't wait to try out his
> Smittybilt bars on the rocks! (Right Scott?)
>
> --
> Jim Brink--Toyota/ASE Certified Technician '86 Std. Bed 22R
> Manhattan Beach, CA 32x11.50/15 BFG M/Ts
> (brinkjm@earthlink.net) soon: 4.88s-Detroit EZ Locker/Downey
> LSD
> ************************************************************************
> TLCA# 6184/ South Bay Roughwheelers / Friends of the Mojave Road (FOMR)
I'll be there...
- --
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Brandon Miller email: sac78483@saclink.csus.edu
Sacramento, CA millerb@gaia.ecs.csus.edu
url:
http://gaia.ecs.csus.edu/~millerb
TLCA #6013
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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Date: Wed, 01 Oct 1997 13:16:11 -0700
From: Scott Wilson
Subject: Rubicon trip!
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
Chris Geiger wrote:
>
> How does Aug 20-22 1998 (thursday-saturday) sound for the Toyota list trip
> to run the Rubicon trail?
>
I vote for 2 or 3 weeks eariler. Thursday-Saturday will be excellent.
Scott
- --
_____
/_/_|_\__ Scott Wilson
| _ _ : Santa Clara, CA
*/_\---/_\' http://www.off-road.com/~swilson
(_) (_)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Date: Wed, 1 Oct 1997 14:22:03 -0700
From: "w. girindra"
Subject: Rubicon trip next year!
To:
A Toyota List trip to the Rubicon sounds great!
Count me in. There are probably 3 or 4 of us
Toyota guys who would come down from Canada for
this. I was planning on doing the Rubicon next year
anyways so this would work out great.
Wil
1981 Toy
5.29's, ARB front and rear and dual T-cases.
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Date: Wed, 1 Oct 1997 09:33:30 -0700 (PDT)
From: Chris Geiger
Subject: Rubicon upgrades?
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
How does Aug 20-22 1998 (thursday-saturday) sound for the Toyota list trip
to run the Rubicon trail?
Chris Geiger 93 4Runner http://geiger.mcl.ucsb.edu/offroad.html
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