Ari and I had a great time wheeling with you guys! The trails were fun and the area is gorgeous (we even saw a black bear on the way up to the campground). I guess I was a bit hard on my truck - I busted an engine mount among other things but we made it back ok. Unfortunately, that kept me from going back Sunday and finishing that steep trail. I'll have pics ready by tomorrow.

<small>[ September 16, 2002, 02:27 AM: Message edited by: dogwater ]</small>

Guys...I saw the directions to the Florida Road but where exactly is that Ice Cream Trail? I looks like that's a milder trail and I think I'd like to run it in my stock Sportage. Would it have enough clearance for the Ice Cream Trail?

I'm in Albany, NY so I'm not that far away.

Thanks! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Good luck with a stock vehicle most of us were running a little above stock but east coaster had 235's I believe and made it with out much issues. There were some challenging areas there you definately don't want to go there alone. Also there are alot of areas where trees will clip your mirrors so watch out. I hit my mirrors and also the rear pillar on a tree when I flexed a little going past a tree.

HEY!!! I'm Back! Thanks for coming along Shad and Greg! It was fun, wasn't it?! And Larry, nice shots! I'll have some up tomorrow-too tired now.

You missed out on the ENTIRE DAY of "Old Florida Road"!!! Doug's Tie Rod broke, and that was that! we made a trip down to the auto parts store after working on it for hours. And then we spent hours working on it again, and finally got it back to the campground. And worked on it for hours somemore!

He called me around 8:00PM and said he was near x19 on I87 and waiting for a friend with a flat bed trailer to come and get him. It was BAD BAD BAD!

He even tried WELDING it on the trail using two car batteries and some wire- it would have worked but the wire just wasn't cutting it. He's like McGyver, that Doug!

Anyway- thanks for making it so much fun on Saturday, and I hope to do it again soon.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by Axe Man:
<strong>Guys...I saw the directions to the Florida Road but where exactly is that Ice Cream Trail? I looks like that's a milder trail and I think I'd like to run it in my stock Sportage. Would it have enough clearance for the Ice Cream Trail?
<img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">I'd be glad to show you the trail, but the trailheads for some of these trails are better off not being given on line. There are many trails that are no longer available, and some that are in danger of closure.

As for the "Stock" Sportage; your tires will give you the most problem, followed quickly by your clearance. You could really rip up your underbody on rocks. This is an "easier" trail than Old Florida Road, however photos never show the full story of the terrain. It is pretty steep in some areas, and it can be very wet. Also, the rocky outcroppings and boulders strewn all over the place makes for tricky going. It is not a place to go alone.

There are, however many other trails that you could complete, and some that you could do parts of. And with some better tires in a larger size, you could handle many of the tougher trails around here.

But never try and go out there alone. Not even if the trail "seems" easy at first. Many of these are very tricky, and become severe very suddenly. Like "Tunnel Road", right guys??

Yeah, it was a great time. I want to go back to that Tunnel Road trail. Doug - two words: spare parts! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />
The danged motor mount is going to cost 60 bucks but it sounds like I might've gotten off easy in comparison!
Pics are up: Florida, Mass Trail Pics

<small>[ September 17, 2002, 01:04 AM: Message edited by: dogwater ]</small>

Hey dogwater - great shots. Sorry to hear about the motor mount. Did Doug make it back to school in time? Flatbed? What a bummer...

In dough's defense, we have NEVER heard of tierod problems with the Monteros. While it is smart to have spare parts, you cannot account for every situation that might occur. Since tierod problems are unheard of, hence no spare tierod. I think dough is entering new territory here as he runs 33's with no swaybar & flipped balljoints.

Yeah, it seems like 33's on IFS tend to do that. Of course, I was just ribbing him - I didn't bring a spare engine mount, either. <img border="0" alt="[Shiner]" title="" src="graemlins/shiner.gif" />
Good wheelin' with ya, Charlie. I was pretty impressed by the way your truck performed with the rear locker. It seemed like you didn't have much trouble with anything we encountered. Makes me pine for a locker or two... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />

Ya Pathfinders and most Hardbody's tend to break and bend tierods easily when you goto 33's too <img border="0" alt="[Hillbilly]" title="" src="graemlins/notooth.gif" /> so Doug H is not alone. From what I have heard it is from worn centerlink bushings they tends to make the tierod pin against part of the frame then it bends easliy. Some guys who keep thier IFS are going to a custom heim steering system the price really hurts it is like $900 but is fairly solid. Anyway it was alot of fun. However I maybe like Guy soon single again I am still feeling the repercusions for being late.... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" />