Thanks for all the info guys!
My main concern is around the tires, the FJ has Bridgestone Duelers H/Ts (265/70 R17) with about 1/3rd tread left on them (I had bought the FJ used). It is mostly all stock and I was thinking of upgrading the tires to Goodyear Duratracs stock size, any recommendations ?
As for the survival gear, I am putting together things that I can stuff in a backpack with a handheld Garmin on my wishlist, maybe a CB radio too. For recovery I got me an axe and a shovel for starters, a 4 gallon Rotopax fuel pack is on the list. This is my first time off roading, so I'm open to suggestions.
Thanks,
- Anish
You DO need good tires with lots of tread. The rocky roads out there will eat up those old tires.
Don't know if you've been to DV before but if you haven't there's plenty to see just off the pavement. Do the touristy things if you haven't been there. "Touristy" here doesn't mean bad cause there's just no bad in DV. It means it will keep you close to others that if anything goes wrong you will have help. Do a day trip from Furnace Creek, hit Scotty's Castle, Ubehebe Crater and then the Racetrack. 25 miles of washboard to the Racetrack - that's where the tires are a concern. Almost every time we've been to the Racetrack we've seen regular passenger cars with highway tires so the trip out there isn't that difficult.
Also if you do the toursity thing, survival gear can be kept at a minimum. And remember, if you have a flat far away from anyplace, change the tire, turn right around and head to Furnace Creek. There's nothing else close. I think the gas station there has minimum tire repair capabilities. I have never stopped for gas there so I don't know for sure. Maybe someone else here can chime in.
With this being your first off road trip, and if you are by yourself, please don't take the Lippencot mine road into Saline Valley from the Racetrack. You WOULD need extra fuel as it takes you out into the middle of nowhere. The Mine road is miles of big sharp rocks. If you're with someone and you have the fuel, it's a extremely beautiful road into the Valley. Go for it.
Another thing, a CB doesn't reach very far, so it probably won't do you much good out there. When we are out alone, we just keep it off.
As for tires, get something like the BFG's AT's, they are great tires.
Your stock FJ will have absolutely no problems, these things are amazing.
The end of February is a great time to head there. Enjoy, take pics and post up your trip.