OK, making fun aside, this looks like an amazing trip. If I had 33's, I'd consider it. Even sans-lockers. But, for me, it would require at least 5 new tires plus a re-gear which is not going to happen this year... I'm out but it looks like an epic trail.
flyinbronco wrote:I was thinking of a trip towards Mammoth/June Lake area this summer but body damage was not in the plan. Carry on.
Last summers GFB run to the Eastern Sierra resulted in body damage, , so may not be safe here either!
Rick, happy to line out some great trails around Mammoth that are more go fast and less crawling and brush busting, so let me know.
I'm in the Adopt A Trail club, and communicate with a lot of groups planning trips on the trail. Last year there was a group of full size Broncos, and a 4 door pickup that did a trip. Here's a link.
Big Ed wrote:I'm in the Adopt A Trail club, and communicate with a lot of groups planning trips on the trail. Last year there was a group of full size Broncos, and a 4 door pickup that did a trip. Here's a link.
Good on you Yikes!, Anything can be fixed. From the looks of some of the war wounds, the straight axle guys on the above run weren't too worried about body damage.
From what I know of the trail its not the rocks as much as the trees that get the full size rigs. Its simple math. Bronco is 6'6" wide trees are 6'0" apart with no bypasses. Just kind smash your way through in places I guess. I'm half tempted to back pack the trail just so I can watch. It can be the GFB go ruck challenge. I have no doubt Brian can do it its just the thought of trashing his Bronco to do it that freaks this Nancy out. The guys on the side by sides better have good winches because I think they'll have a tough time of it but then I'm a Nancy so what do I know.
I've driven my full size through the last six years, plus have done some shorter trips. The distance between the trees isn't too narrow, it's the rock on one side that dumps you into the tree on the other side. You need to be able to go slow to keep from getting too much bounce off the rock. Also the turns are really tight. The fact that I have a flat bed has been a big help, because it's thicker metal. It has taken a lot of abuse that a pickup bed wouldn't have.
The side by sides do have a tough time on the trail, there are videos on Youtube.
To be clear, Kelci doesn't know there are mechanical limitations here. I'm told my 31" tires and single factory limited slip are not sufficient for this trail. I don't mind putting my car into places it shouldn't be but I do want to make it out and I HATE working on my car on the trail, so this trip is likely beyond anything I should attempt with my current vehicle configuration.
As long as the cab doesn't get smashed I'm good. If the fenders, quarters and/or top get munched, no big deal. Replacing a hub or u-joint on the trail, not a problem, but I really don't want to make any major repairs either. Regardless, I'll try to be prepared for the big one.