Like I said, if you guys go, let me know....I'd love to watch but I don't want to commit myself to helping out. I don't want to be responsible for any carnage.
Stock Tacos (the older gens) have better clearance than the FJC. The big problem I see is that if you stay in the wash, you are going to hang on the sliders in several places and from what I've seen on the trails, if the FJC is on it's sliders with much weight at all.....they don't slide. They're just stuck, so you'll have to winch or stack rocks. Since stacking is now frowned upon, winching come hell or highwater is the option most people take, and that can easily lead to really busted parts.
Sean
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I give SEANK, Larry and the guys who run these difficult (to FJC) AZ trails a lot more credit than they give themselves for excellent spotting. That is precisely the sort of trail the demands an air locker. From what I saw from the photos it looked as if it might be worth a try (with SEANK and friends spotting), but there's no question that the FJ would leave skid and slider paint on the rocks. (even with peerless spotting, acumen and advice aiding the FJC driver)
There's also a weight problem with the FJC (I'm not talking about Jon's or any modified FJ in particular) - in addition to the gear ratio and the clearance. When you armor it to be more survivable, even thought weight can equal traction in some situations, there is just that much more steel to pull up over some of those obstacles.
The Jeeps with less armor, a shorter wheel base, better power to weight, better gearing, front lockers and BETTER TRAIL VISIBILITY do better than the FJ's do when it comes to crawling rocks, driving skills being equal.
Sol Bechtold's FJ would take that trail without much trouble based on what I know of his build-up. I'd LOVE to drive Sol's rig over any of that turf.
Agreed on all counts.
I have a feeling Sol's would do better than most of the Jeeps. The longer wheelbase, SFA, lockers f/r and crawler with good clearance is a tough formula for the Jeeps to beat.
Sean
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Do you need a ladder, so you can get the **** over it?
Location: The desert. And yeah, it gets hot here...
Posts: 553
Re: AZ Trip Report: Elvis
Quote:
tibaal89 previously said:
Haha, I missed that last time I read this.... I'll take that as a compliment!
There aren't many of us who take near-stock FJ's to extremes... but our numbers are growing!
And it was meant as one. Your rig is truly used and enjoyed, and there is nothing wrong with that at all. I am sure mine would look very similar to yours if my wife wasn't such a great shot.
Can I ask why you'd post this on an fj board and say you do not recommend taking any fj there?
I'm down for a weekday. I don't really care if we do this trail or not just want to hit some of the other 'hard for our stockish fj' trails in the area Mike! I bet there are some fun ones.
I changed my mind lets do this one when I come out.
Joking, looks like a killer time with some really hard obsticals.
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www.corva.org "Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
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Can I ask why you'd post this on an fj board and say you do not recommend taking any fj there?
I'm down for a weekday. I don't really care if we do this trail or not just want to hit some of the other 'hard for our stockish fj' trails in the area Mike! I bet there are some fun ones.
Mainly to taunt you into running it!! No, I honestly think it's doable for a properly equipped FJC, but I'm betting a lot of rock stacking will be necessary to get through without damage. I just don't want to be held responsible if someone goes out there, tries it, rolls or really damages his truck. That's why I gave a strong recommendation against it. All of that stuff is possible.
Also, I post lots of runs I do that aren't suitable for an FJC (this one and Martinez are two that come to mind that are on the cusp of being a little too much for the FJC).....not everyone here only has an FJC and not everyone here has a mildly modified FJC either. There are more than a few folks that have or are building dedicated trail rigs and those are the guys that like to see this stuff. Is there an objection to my posting runs like this? If so, say the word and I'll stop. No offense was intended.
Sean
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Do you need a ladder, so you can get the **** over it?
Jon. Now you're just egging him on. 
Your rig is truly used and enjoyed, and there is nothing wrong with that at all. I am sure mine would look very similar to yours if my wife wasn't such a great shot.
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