Excursions
Throughout the years, I have tried to keep a compilation of what events a I have attended. In the following, you will see a list of years and what events with links that will take you to a image page for these events.
shortcut to specific years:
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Enjoy
1997 Excursions
Rubicon (link coming soon)
This was the year of the Rubicon. I attend the Toyota Land Cruiser Association in a run called the Rubithon. While this was my 1st big adventure with my 4Runner, it was certaily a learing experience. A friend of mine and I drove from ABQ to CA. It was a long drive, but worth it. Little did I know I should have brought spare parts. Fortunately, we didn't need any spare parts, and the trip was a success. With the overloaded 4Runner, 1 dog and my buddy, we concured the Rubicon
My wife and I got signed up with the Rising Sun 4x4 club out of Colorado and hung with them for a few days while we were in Moab. We had a great time with this group, and got to know some good folks.
We also got a chance to Run Gold Bar Rim in our '86 Toyota 4Runner. Back in this time frame, I had a 4" Pro-Comp lift, and lockers front and rear. Indeed, it wasn't the heavest beast out there, but it got the job done for us. Back then I was also running BFG 32" tires, which I thought were pretty large tires back then.
1998 Excursions
During this time frame. My wife and I were living in Mesa, AZ. My Intel job took me out there for a short stint. Again, we were running the '86 4Runner, poking around the trails surrounding the Phoenix area.
1999 Excursions
Kind of a quiet year, not too much happened this year.
2000 Excursions
And, once again, not too much happening this year. Actually, we were involved in the Cerro Grande Fire that wiped out about 400 homes in the Los Alamos area. This fire also burned my '86 4Runner to the ground. I was in the middle of putting in a Chevy 4.3L engine, with a 700R4 tranny. I had also swapped the front IFS out for a Solid Axle. I was working on the wiring issue when the fire came through and burned it all up. No more '86 4Runner.
2001 Excursions
Shortly after loosing my '86 4Runner, I couldn't decide if I wanted to stay in the wheeling world or not. I do love the outdoors, and so I picked up a Yamaha Raptor. Needless to say, this didn't last too long, due to the 4Wheeling bug biting me again.
Afte the fire, we had alos picked up a 1999 Toyota 4Runner Limited. This Runner came with a factory locker in the rear, so it was well on its way to rock-crawling. We loaded up the Raptor and head out to Clifton, AZ (my old stomping grounds) to take in a nice camping trip.
We found a local playground that provided some pretty good challenges. So, we hooked up with a local group and went out for the day to plaly a bit.
Out for the day with the dogs, we stumbled upon a trail and messed around a bit.
2002 Excursions
We hooked up with group from this area and decided to try out the 4Runners new suspension. I used Doetsch-Tech coils, and I must say, they are the worst. You'll have to read up on the debacle that Doetsch-Tech provided me.
Las Cruces - Chili Challenge - Amatista Ledges
After ditching the extremely poor quality Doetsch-Tech coils, I put my stock coils back on and headed down to Las Cruces for the annual Chili Challenge. Las Cruces has some very hard core trails that are always fun to work through.
Las Cruces - Chili Challenge - Hoppin Jalepeno
Found some trails around the Los Alamos area to play on.
2003 excursions
TTORA (Tacoma Territory Off Road Association) puts on an event each year in the Florence Junction area. This was my 1st AzRocks event.
We attended this event with the NM4Wheelers group, out of Albuquerque. Great bunch of people. Avalance Ranch is a great park that has some really great trails. The Camping was also very nice as well.
CO4RJ (Colorado 4Runner Jamboree)
Video of CO4RJ DVD Teaser
Video of CO4RJ slide show
This was my first time at this event. I met a lot of nice folks, and had a great time. This event is a great family friendly event that has had all kinds of Toyotas, and some times other makes as well. Lots of fun.
I attended this event with a group called Wild Yoats, out of Utah. Again, lots of fun, and always great views.
2004 excursions
CO4RJ (Colorado 4Runner Jamboree)
Chinaman's Gulch
Holy Cross
Wheeler Lake
Video of '99 4Runner climbing Whale Rock
This was another interesting event in Colorado.
This is a local trail to Santa Fe, that has some interesting obstacles.
Moab
My wife and I attended the Moab 4Runner Foray (M4R4A). We ran quite a few trails, and did a few by ourselves while we were checking them out for trail leading.
Fins and Things
Hells Revenge
Poison Spider - Golden Spike - Gold Bar Rim
Rock Chucker Video
Pritchett Canyon - This is a rough canyon. I broke two axles in this canyon, and had to drive out in 3wheel drive
Whilte Rim Trail (From the top view point)
Poisoin spider - Golden Spike - Gold Bar Rim (My wife and I did this by ourselves to pre-run the trail)
2005 excursions
Moab Wilderness Parks
Video of running over camera
Video of crossing river
My dad and I went on an adventure through the Maze and the Needles district of Moab. This was quite an adventure. Beautiful scenery.
2006 excursions
AzRocks
Video of Axle Alley, climbing the wall
Video of Upper Ajax, getting-r-done
This time around, my 4Runner was setup with a front D44 Solid Axle and long travel coil-over suspension. Basically, I was ready. Check out the pictures for some awesome flex.
I ran with the NM4W group on this day. You can see in these series of picture just how much flex the 4Runner has with this coil-over suspension. Some of these shots ended up in the Off-Road magazine.
Moab Lions Back
Video
of Lions Back (Camera mounted on 4Runner)
The famous Lions Back of Moab, Utah. This once great ride has now been closed. My wife and I decided to make a weekend trip to Moab to check out some of the trails. I decided to run Lions Back and get some video footage of it, while I was driving up. I mounted my camera to the roof rack, so that people could get a perspective of what it looks like when driving up and down Lions Back. I'm glad I got this done before it was closed.
Moab Pritchett Canyon
Video of Rocker Knocker
As you may have seen from my 2004 experience in Pritchett Canyon, this I had some carnage. This time around, I was setup for the canyon. My wife and I did this trail by ourselves, no fat guys hanging off the highside of my rig when on Rocker Knocker, just the wife and I against the canyon. As you will see, we made it look easy.
2007 excursions
More Pics coming soon.
Disclaimer: What you see on these pages are my own experiences and what changes I have performed on my vehicle. Should you choose to attempt these type of changes to your vehicle, I am not responsible for any consequential damages that may result from these type of modifications. I do not encourage any readers to copy these modifications to their own vehicle. Modifying your vehicle can be dangerous to you and anybody else on the roadway. Please take care in what you do with your vehicle.