Completed: New England Mini Meet

[ironman_markv]

I can't meet up this weekend I have baby duty my wife is working all weekend now. I'm going back to school next week so it has forced us to make a bunch or changes and yesterday she took a bunch of day at the ambulance station. So I have been talking to nick (Jansey) and we are going to set up a day soon to get every one in or around new England to come up to the berkshires and wheel for the day. That way you guys can get set with ur mods and everything. The basicl trails are fun but I'd rather you guys be able to do the moderet trails too there are a couple really good trails up here. If something changes I'll let you know also I believe that other guy ( nek..) is going to be out of town.

that sounds like a plan, i would say if you could post a list of mods you recommend for those moderate that would be cool so i can continue my build based on the necessities for those trails rather then getting stuff that i wont need for another 6 months on more intense trails.

[DmccartneyFF2TB]

Yea defiantly I suggest you put all ur effort to suspensiOn and tires. Also lockers I am not locked at all I have a winch and recovery points I'll give ya a call today and let ya know what I think I haven't been up to date with my build bit you can get an idea if you take a look at that.

[janesy86]

I also am not able to get out there for a few weekends at the earliest, prob mid July or so really, but I'd go out sometime around then.

But here are some of the tihings I can think of:

I don't know these trails well at all, first time was last weekend, Damian knows more out there that are more stock friendly, but the trails I hit were decently tough, well some of the obstacles on the trail, so if we do these keep in mind there may be some carnage. Don't know how you guys feel about that. I know without my sliders I'd prob have some good dents/scrapes on my doors and rockers. I mean I even biusted my tail light and put a good dent in the rear bumper...

For sure you need recovery points front and rear, ground clearance is really needed, so the bigger the tire you have, the better off you'll be. The factory G80 locker will help out if you got that.

Should disco at least the front sway bar, but I know I'll be disco'd front and rear next time I wheel. Also full size spare is highly reccommended.

I got a bunch of straps and few shackles,, and Damian got a winch and straps, so pretty good there if you guys don't have that stuff yet.

If your going to air down, which for me helped out big time on the rocks, you'll want a compressor (MV50 does a good job). I have one, which I'd use, then after it cools another could use it, but it would help to to have another if everyone is going to air down, as the trip home you'd want higher pressure..

That right now is all I can think of.

[DmccartneyFF2TB]

Yea agreed I forgot about the sliders also possible armor if ur careful I'll be ok but it is something to look in to.

[janesy86]

Oh yea really forgot about armor... since I don't even think about it since I got all Mikes skids on there. Oil pan skid and rad skid are really musts for off roading, if looking to do some serious trails. If they are easier cruising trails, you could get away with not having them, but the peice of mind, knowing your protected is priceless. For rock crawling its a must...

Once again I don't know what other trails are out there or how they compare to the ones I did out there, but I wouldn't want to do those without the armor personally. I know I hit on my rad skid and put the sliders to good use as well.

Btw, as I'm sure you know, but offroading is not a cheap hobby...

[ironman_markv]

well i just got back from a small trail down here with Nakashige and i would have to say it wasnt bad, i did get stuck and it took a lot of time to get it out, but i think im going to mellow down a bit until i get recovery equipment or go with someone who can better navigate the obstacles. it wasnt bad for the most part but it has me realizing i shouldnt go out again until i get those skid plates, cuz i know i hit the bottom a few times.

[DmccartneyFF2TB]

Yea that happens I remember the first time I went our all I had was a shovel in the back of the tb haha and as far as the rubbing and grinding it happens a lot the Rmer is great to have but you will still have some rubbing and grinding.

[bgwolfpack]

Was this trip completed?

[ironman_markv]

yes it was, i wanna try to meet up with someone on sunday if i have the gas to go on a fairly easy trail, but i dont want to go unless someone with a lot of experience and recovery equipment leads the way, as i said i am riding stock. 2.5" suspension lift with 245/75 wrangler authoritys. no locker or sway discos <- (lack of tools to disco) so i would like to do a mild trail with someone experieneced

[Nakashige]

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8& ... ccc6e&z=15

Link to where we were.

[bgwolfpack]

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=203047822019355346995.0004a44647a42503ccc6e&z=15

Link to where we were.

Gotta have proof guys!

[Nakashige]

John has photos after he got stuck and I only have the ones after we finished

[ironman_markv]

yeah i only have pics from when i got stuck and then after we got back out, this wasnt anything more than a trial run for me to get my feet wet and see if this was something i was gunna be into, i dont consider myself trail ready until the next time i go out and are better prepared.

[djthumper]

[steveroche]

If you want to go out again any time soon let me know and we can hit some of the trails around by me. I have compiled about 4 good trails within 20 minutes drive from Ridgefield...which is right below Danbury, CT. Since school is done for the semester i have a lot of free time this month which is most often spent gettin the truck muddy.