First 4×4 foray with the new 4runner

20160521_110053I took my new-to-me 4runner out for its first test drive on some 4×4 trails outside Central City today.  My first goal was to get over Yankee Hill and down to Alice.  On the way up the hill, I caught this great view of the continental divide.
20160521_120806Up at the junction with the cutoff road to the Kingston Peak Trail.  This is as far as I made it.  Beyond this point there were some significant walls of snow that were very wet and mushy.  A couple jeeps were stuck in the first 50 feet of the next section of road going over Yankee Hill.  I stopped and offered assistance but they were just about done digging themselves out.

After having a snack, I went to turn the truck on and found that I had no electricals at all.  A bit of diagnosis work later and I discovered that the positive battery terminal lug had some corrosion that made for a low voltage condition to the truck although the battery was fine.  A few minutes of work and away I went down the hill again.
20160521_121644Heading down Yankee Hill to the east.  There was lots of traffic today.  I saw many UTVs, a few ATVs, a couple motorcycles, and some Jeeps.

20160521_122634Great day for a drive!

20160521_122838

Having the Toyota altimeter and angelometer gauge cluster is great.  It’s fun seeing how far I am tilting the truck.  I feel unsafe long before I actually am unsafe.

20160521_123239Further down on Yankee Hill.  I need to mount my winch on the front bumper still and I really need to get a rear bumper tire carrier.

20160521_124311Heading down toward the main junction.

20160521_131148_Richtone(HDR)Next I went down Hamlin Gulch to see what it’s like this early in the year.

20160521_132127_Richtone(HDR)
I took the upper road through Hamlin Gulch which I never had done before.  This was a great spot for lunch on a little side spur.

20160521_134105Tilt, baby, tilt!

20160521_134539_Richtone(HDR)What’s around the next bend?  Will I make it through or will the trees close in?

20160521_143218Coming down through Nevadaville back to Central City.  I aired up and headed back down to Golden.  For the first time out, my 4runner did very well indeed.  Now to do some additional mods to the truck!

Rising Sun 4×4 Rally


20150822_111538

It was a great day out at the annual Rising Sun 4×4 Club Rally today.  Everyone brought their cool rigs and a bunch of goodies to sell at the swap meet.

20150822_111529

A guy bought this truck last week and was trying to sell it this week.  I think he’s a picker?  Nice truck.

20150822_111516 20150822_111509

Land Cruiser city and with a few 4runners and tacos mixed in.

20150822_111425

Beautiful old wagon.

20150822_111402

Great lineup.

20150822_111343 20150822_111331 20150822_111316 20150822_111310

The Slee Offroad truck.

20150822_111306 20150822_111303

 

My truck was by far the smallest and least modified.  That will change soon 😉

20150822_111554