October 16, 2010 - Off Road Trip Report

Destination: Goat Mountain : Oregon
Attendees: Jason, Peter, Ethan, Dan
Rigs: 99 Toyota 4runner, 95 Mitsubishi Montero & 87 Toyota 4runner

We met about 2pm near the trail head. This was Jason's first off road trip with his 99 4runner so we didn't want to do anything to extreme. Unfortunately, the trail we chose was far from easy.

Here are a couple poser pictures before hitting the trails:


Flex? Just about non-existent. Desperately needs a front locker.




Here is the trail entrance:




Jason testing the new winch:










[img]http://www.gitout.com/apics/95montero/offroad/10-16-10/IMG_0705.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.gitout.com/apics/95montero/offroad/10-16-10/IMG_0706.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.gitout.com/apics/95montero/offroad/10-16-10/IMG_0707.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.gitout.com/apics/95montero/offroad/10-16-10/IMG_0715.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.gitout.com/apics/95montero/offroad/10-16-10/IMG_0730.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.gitout.com/apics/95montero/offroad/10-16-10/IMG_0734.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.gitout.com/apics/95montero/offroad/10-16-10/IMG_0735.jpg[/img]

Winch hill. About 150 ft section that we all required winching.
[img]http://www.gitout.com/apics/95montero/offroad/10-16-10/IMG_0740.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.gitout.com/apics/95montero/offroad/10-16-10/IMG_0744.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.gitout.com/apics/95montero/offroad/10-16-10/IMG_0745.jpg[/img]

We all survived the trail with no major damage. The Montero needs a front locker. The 99 4runner does much better overall than the Montero.

I bet the locker would help. Go race the runner in the desert, I'm sure you will find that irs much better <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I agree with the locker it would be much better. Was the runner using lsd or locker up front? I'd love to go on a trip with you guys, I'm a virgin, but should have my 87 turbo swb running in a week or so. I'm pretty sure I need to do a body lift before I try going offroad with these wheels I have on it currently though.

Oh boy that looks fun. Great photos!

Removing your sway bars will help your suspension articulate much better. The rear bar is a pain in the a__ so I leave mine off unless I'm going to be towing a trailer - the front bar can be removed in about 10 minutes with hand tools so I remove mine for wheeling trips then reinstall it again afterwards for daily driving.

The 4runner had both front and rear sway bars attached. Factory rear locker and open in front. You are welcome to come out. Get some lift and good tires. You'll want the clearance and traction.

Very true. I removed the rear sway bar just after I bought the truck. It still handles well with the factory adjustable shocks set to hard. I haven't tried removing the front sway bar. Does it help significantly? I'm going to get an Aussie locker in a month or so.

Looks like a lot of fun <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Great pics...looks like greasy fun. You will greatly improve your ability with swaybar off and then a front locker. You will love it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

Awesome pictures! Looks like you guys has a great day.

I'm going to have to head south next summer to check out the area.

~ Jon

Wow you guys had some fun stuff to play on..