Practice trails for Dusy-Ershim & Rubicon

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by CA Annie on May 1, 2009 at 10:39am

Not much prepares you for Rubicon... It's like preparing for childbirth. You can read and take classes all you like, but it's just not the same. It's a BLAST though, and not much will ever compare.

You'll be ruined afterwards... no trail will ever look hard again! :)

Have your truck in tip-top shape. Bring all the tools, parts (we brought an extra axle), and fluids you could possibly need. GET RIM PROTECTORS for your wheels.

We dinged every wheel on Rubicon, one we had to trash. We just bought a set from Toy Outfitters. Wish we had them for the Rubicon. They have to be welded on, but it's better than loosing an entire wheel. We got the ones with skulls, which looks pretty cool!

Mosquitoes are DEADLY, they come out right when you're cooking dinner (dusk) and get in your face and eyelashes. Miserably hideous! Repellents do not work! Definitely buy one of these:

In fact, if you bring extras, you can probably sell them for $30 each on the trail. :)

Be prepared for the other Toyota folks shooting you dirty looks and cracking jokes. They still do not consider the FJC a 'real' wheeler. Bet there were 12 FJC's or so out of the 250 trucks at Rubithon last year. You will be the red-headed step child of the party. Make friends with the FJC'ers or you'll be drinking alone at night. ;)

Drink lots of coffee in the mornings, stay sharp, and dont move till your spotter says OK and you'll do fine. Have fun!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by daPitbull on May 1, 2009 at 1:54pm

If you haven't already, try Slickrock, Deer Valley, and Niagra Rim. They don't compare to Rubicon or Dusy, but it's not Hollister either.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by potatomutato on May 1, 2009 at 2:38pm

5ANDY, as an FYI, we plan on doing Slickrock and Deer Valley in August. also, there was talk about doing Niagara Rim within the next month or two, but during the week.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by GRM on May 1, 2009 at 3:24pm

Annie has good advice.

I'll also recommend going with someone, or a group who knows what they are doing. Bring a spotter you trust. Know your vehicle, and how its going to dynamically respond to changing terrain. I have many many friends who I will not allow to spot me through sections, due to their lack of understanding that a vehicle will move in 6 directions, rather than the 4 they are used to in town.

If your guide/friend/wheeling buddy who runs the rubicon every weekend has a rig with 1000 dents, or thinks that 'taking a dent' is acceptable, find others to go with. You meet a lot of people on the con who will try and tempt you to try a harder line or 'take a dent' to get out of their way. Be prepared. I recommend bringing some snacks and drinks for them to enjoy while you keep moving to a safe, legal spot you can turn off and let them by.

And as an FYI: deet will take the silver off your dash board, just incase you think its a good idea to spray your open window with bens 100.

My basic vehicle requirements for either trail are:
33's
2" lift
Sliders
Full Skid Plates
Stronger Lower links/link mount skids
Stronger exhaust (TRD works well, stock does not)

Throw away anything shiny, including any after-market cast aluminum wheels.

Bumpers, winch, and front+ rear lockers are HUGE benefits (atrac is great... but it shows its weaknesses in the rocks). I'd also HIGHLY recommend lower transfer case gears with a manual transmission.

If everything goes perfect, I give you a 50% chance of making it through without a major dent.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by 5AND5TORM on May 2, 2009 at 2:56pm

When I do go I'm sure it will be w/ fellow nor-cal FJs. Hopefully we can get a knowlegable spotter to tag along. wink, wink. ;-)

Dents and broken parts are to be avoided as much as posssible, but I know it comes along w/ the territory. I've been involved w/ various types of motor sports (drag, circle track, off road) for the past 20 something years, as they say, "that's racing".

I did know about the need for improved exhaust, I will add that to my list.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Boss73 on May 1, 2009 at 3:58pm

I did find one thing on Rubicon that work great for the Bugs .. Its Called THERMACELL and Cabelas sell it.. This set up worked very well. It is a little butane heater that heats up chemical pads. After you lite it (by pushing a button) and wait for about 5 min you then notice that non of the mosquitos are bothering you. It was funny cuz after the first day eveyone wanted me to sit around them with my little toy. Worked so well the three of them bought the same system for themselves!! Trust me it was the only thing that worked and it worked very well..

X3 on everything else Annie and GRM said..

Boss

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by 5AND5TORM on May 2, 2009 at 2:39pm

Mosquitoes love my, I'm delicious.
I'll have to look into this stuff.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by 5AND5TORM on May 2, 2009 at 2:38pm

Thanks for the suggestions and valuable information.
I will keep watching for the future trail runs in the Sierra Nevada, hopefully the dates will work for me.

• ▶ Reply