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Went on an trip with my girlfriend, the silver FJ is hers.
The H1 is a beast, designed from the inside out to maximize off-road capability. It was straight up OP in the trails. Cost the guy $70k in 2006, and it was used
Everyone is airing down in the picture to make the ride off-road more forgiving as well as to increase traction in the loose stuff. Meanwhile he just flicks a switch and the truck does it all automatically, it's crazy.
Visibility was shit at around 4,000 ft and up. We went to almost 7,000 ft, which isn't really that high, but the concern was mud and ice. A couple of roads were blocked off due to flooding and/or boulders.
Wild donkeys. They're actually really friendly and calm. They will let you pet them and will eat right out of your hand. They're indigenous to this campground area, which has naturally occurring hot springs
The group is scattered throughout CA, comprised initially of work friends and neighbors, which swelled to include family, friends, and friends of friends. Largest convoy they've had yet was around 15 vehicles. Everything from Wranglers, 4Runners, and Monteros, to G-Wagens and H1s.
My girlfriend is relatively inexperienced, having gone the past 9 years, but only driving the past 7 and only undertaking 1-3 expeditions a year. She went off-roading when her FJ had only 1,000 miles! I've used the rear diff locker in her rig more than she has though
This is only my second trip. The first one was last year to Mammoth Lakes, just east of Yosemite National Park. It was hard to breathe at the summit, which was around 11,000 ft. It was the coldest I've ever been camping, shivering my ass off in 20-something degree weather. I was slightly unprepared, to say the least.
The trails in Death Valley weren't as treacherous, but it was strange to see so much water in Death Valley and fun sending puddles skyward I want to get my own rig now, considering an XJ (84-01 Cherokee), 80-series Land Cruiser (90-97) or 3G 4Runner (95-02).
So awesome! Also happy to see the standard FJ windshield crack! Mine got really big since some ice hit it last winter, but it's on the passenger side... haven't replaced it yet
So awesome! Also happy to see the standard FJ windshield crack! Mine got really big since some ice hit it last winter, but it's on the passenger side... haven't replaced it yet
Great pics and great trip!
Yeah, it's like the second time it's cracked. I think she won't change it until it's directly in her line of sight.
Originally Posted by 00TL-P3.2
Looks like a good time, all 4WD?
Not a lot of that stuff around Houston, that I know of. Would be fun, but not sure how much I'd do with a 2WD F150.
It's a lot of fun, but yeah, all vehicles have part time 4WD. It's pretty easy to get stuck in certain sections, if you don't have selectable 4WD (high-range/low-range)
Originally Posted by SamDoe1
Awesome! Looks like a lot of fun. You guys should try out SW Colorado next.
Most of the group is from SoCal... we are trying to get them to go up north first at least
They have done Moab and Rubicon before, and probably one or two others I'm missing.
Cool photos! Looks like a great time. I've never been 4x4ing besides a passenger in one of those pink Jeeps that goes through Sedona, AZ. I'm sure it's such a blast!
Looks like a good time, all 4WD?
Not a lot of that stuff around Houston, that I know of. Would be fun, but not sure how much I'd do with a 2WD F150.
You'd get surprisingly far if you got a lift and put some good skid plates underneath. Most of off roading is more about ground clearance and good tires than much else. The more features you have (4wd, lockers, etc), the more you're likely to get into bigger trouble. 4WD would get you much further but you can do quite a few basic trails in 2WD. I did one of the mountain passes in Ouray in 2WD (or auto 4wd that never kicked in) without any issues.
Originally Posted by Costco
Most of the group is from SoCal... we are trying to get them to go up north first at least
They have done Moab and Rubicon before, and probably one or two others I'm missing.
Nice! I'd love to do Moab one day...Rubicon is out of the question for the Jeep I have lol.
Those pics are incredible and your gf seems pretty awesome! The H1 is badass but the two people I know with one says the air compressor feature fails all the time and due to the cost of constantly fixing it or being stranded, they disable it or something. That being said, it was the first thing I asked about ha
I want to get my own rig now, considering an XJ (84-01 Cherokee), 80-series Land Cruiser (90-97) or 3G 4Runner (95-02).
