Cruzer's Re-Build for the Rubicon

Gonna be in the Tahoe area this weekend, should be interesting wheelin in the snow.

 

Suppose to get some good snow

 

I was gonna say it’s kinda weird cause the smaller tank one they make bolts to the frame

 

I'm supposed to be in Tahoe next weekend so hopefully not to bad.

 

We are actually going to miss a storm by a day.

 

So we should be fine ?

 

Yup.

 

cold as $hi+

 

That would be fun. It’s just now starting where I am. Looks like tahoe got slammed all night though.

 

Went wheelin on the Barney Riley trail from the highway 395 side to the natural hot spring. 20 miles out and back. Went as far as I could without chains but after sliding off the trail numerous times and having to winch out myself and towing others, chains were a must. Was fun as hell and several times I was thinking oh crap I’m really stuck. The hot spring at the end was totally worth it. Had to help 3 others that were stuck. If you’re gonna do this trail with snow make sure you have chains, a winch, extended winch ropes, 3 tow straps, a couple snatch blocks, 6 D rings, and a tree saver cuz that’s what I used today.

 

Is that in the Tahoe area?

 

Yeah, it’s 45 minutes from South Lake Tahoe. Take the 207 over the mountain right behind the Tahoe casinos and make your way to 395.

 

@Cruzer. I couldn’t imagine doing this trail with all the snow on the ground you dealt with. I can see why you needed to use so many recovery tools...this trail was amazing. A lot easier then when you went obviously, but still super challenging. Mud, ice, snow, and water crossings all added to the fun. Thanks for the tip. The views were amazing and the people we met on the trail were awesome also. Followed some Jeeps in and out just so we weren’t alone. Thanks again. Nice getting her dirty today also.

 

Hell F’n Yeah!!! That trail was awesome and want to do it again. Did y’all jump in the tub?

 

Looks like the snow melted down a lot.

 

That looks so fun.

 

Did you have any major obstacles that were super hard?

 

The snow itself was my obstacle. Snow and ice actually. Little hills and inclines became a beatch. If doing this half of the trail in the summer it would be just a fire road. The other half is more fun.

 

I'm here in Tahoe as well but the Family wants to do other things it seems like. So I will please the kids. Next Time it will be my turn. Lol

 

We didn’t get in the tubs. It was packed out there. 3-4 groups of kids camping...too crowded.

 

The inclines were tough with all the mud let alone the snow left on the ground. That one open field area was a blast though.

 

Guess I’m getting myself a Valentines Day gift. Was going north on 101 just south of Salinas @ 70mph when my steering wheel started to pull to the left. Was pulling into the median space when the tire got completely chewed up. Heard some metal grinding. Was able to drive it back across the far right lane to the edge of the pavement and swapped out wheels. Alignment is all whacky now.

Wasn’t planning on getting it this early but Yokohama X-MT are next on the list.

 

Holy shit! Glad it wasn’t any worse! Wonder if the tire was on its way out causing it to pull left

 

Yeah, I think it lost air slowly until it couldn’t hang. I’m just glad that it didn’t happen the weeks before when I was driving in the mountains.
Also, screw the hi-lift jack! It takes too long to lift and lower the truck. All I kept doing was looking and thinking about the oncoming traffic passing by at 70+mph. I think I’m going to carry around my Harbor Freight floor jack with the Pro Eagle extension on it - cheap and quick.

 

I may get a deal on pro Eagle I’m waiting to hear glad you’re good dude

 

Thanks brother! Hope you don’t spend 4 large on the PE floor jack. Harbor Freight $125 + Pro Eagle extension $70 + PE lift pad $40 + 1.5” washer $5 = same thing. Could add the big wheels.

 

That’s not a bad idea they have had some issues I’ve been hearing about so maybe that’s not a bad idea

 

Yea hi lifts suck lol. the pro eagle is really nice and makes jacking super easy but mine will be a garage queen, thing takes a lot of bed space and I need all the bed space I can get... unless I can find a way to easily take the mounting bracket in and out when im not using it

 

That’s the 1 reason I don’t want to go 37s I would loose my bed lol

 

Went for a morning run and found these on my driveway.