Will - Here it is in a nutshellà
It sounds like you might possess some of the very same concerns that I had when I initially started 4-wheeling mineà
When I first went to Uwharrie, about 3-or-so-years-ago - I arrived with an almost bone stock 1997 Rodeoà The only modifications I had at that time were a set of Rancho 9000 shocks, and some stock-sized (225/75/16) Pirelli Scorpion A/Ts û No lift, no CB radio, no spare partsà nothing.
Following the group on my very first trail-run, I went from the Falls Dam trailhead -to- Slab Pile -to- Dutch John -to- Sawmill -and back out through the Falls Dam trailhead entrance. --- Along the way, I scraped the bottom of my rig on just about everything in sight!
Mind you, thatÆs not to say that I did any damage to anythingà Not in the least. --- But as a near-novice to the sport of 4-wheeling, every time that I heard my undercarriage make contact with the surface,
I cringed û and
IMAGINED all sorts of mangled metal horrors.
I soon learned that the underside of my Rodeo was a whole lot tougher than I thought it was.
(Anymore, I actually
smile when I hear those same metal-on-rock sounds! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )
When I returned to Uwharrie the following spring, I had added a longer set of shackles, cranked the T-bars to match, and upgraded to a set of slightly larger tires (245/75/16s). --- For
ME, this made all the difference in the world!
With just that additional 1.5-inches of suspension lift, and roughly an inch more altitude from the tires - I went from being a belly-dragger to the Trail Leader on that very same route as before. --- And the added confidence of this had me out trying some of the harder trails (the ones where I was a passenger in someone elseÆs rig on the last trip).
The returning members of this group know ALL of the trails - and more importantly, we know how to gauge whether or not someone (or their rig) is ready for the harder ones. --- If someone demonstrates a natural ability for 4-wheeling, they will be encouraged (but not forced) to push it to the next level. --- Conversely, if they should run into any difficulty, no one ever makes fun of them û instead, we offer tips and advice on how to make it through a given section (and if that doesnÆt work; youÆll find yourself on the receiving end of a tow-strap if necessary).
We take very good care of our ownà
Especially the First-Timers û because we want everyone to feel welcome to return, again and again and again.
It really is like a family (perhaps a bit of a nutty one <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" /> but a family, just the same).
And just so you knowà
All of my spare parts will also fit your 1996 Rodeoà so you wonÆt even have to worry about starting your own collection of spares - this time. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />
Cheers! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
Smiley
