What's going on in SoCal Thread

This looks awesome. I've lived in San Diego most of my life and have never wheeled. Now that I am in the market for a 2nd or 3rd gen to get on some trails, I hope to get some advice/feedback from everyone.

 

Thanks Jenn, I look forward to it. If you or anyone has a line on a good 2/3 gen runner under 6k please feel free to send them my way! I appreciate the welcome.

-Brian

 

Holcomb Cr. Trail, 3N93.
Just as an FYI, on June 8 & 9, Adopt-A-Trail members (and myself) from MyJeepRocks (MJR) will be doing some trail maintenance at the narrow shelf road about a mile from the West end gate keeper. From the East entrance on through to Lower Larga Flats, 2N06, there will be no delays but, expect some delays West of 2N06.
I plan to be there with my TJ & trail trailer to haul rocks from the West end gate keeper area to the work site.

Edited, to the correct trail #. 2N06

 

If you're in the market for a 2nd gen beware of the 3.0 V6. They are notorious for blown head gaskets and many owners try to unload them for cheap. 2nd Gens are also the last opportunity to get the legendary 22RE. If you do get the 22RE, make sure it's a stick. They also have a tailgate as opposed to the minivan hatch. If going 3rd gen beware of the 'pink milkshake'(look it up)which is a fairly common problem. The front suspension on them is completely different. 2nd gen being torsion bars(like 1st Gens)and very rugged. 3rd Gen has coilovers and a ton more options. If you can find one with manual hubs and the J-shift transfer case, you've scored! Much stronger than the ADD setup. Good luck!

 

I know that section well. It's sketchy even for narrow track vehicles like mine. I can't imagine getting a big booty Tundra thru there. I'm sure after this awesome winter we had it's pretty washed out and in need of some maintenance. Good on you and your group for stepping up.
Also do you mean 2N06X Lower Larga?

 

Yeah it was late after a hard day of being retired an shit. Damn spell check wasn't working.
I'll edit. And thanks for the heads up Paul.

 

Also does anybody know if FJ Cruisers (of SoCal) is still maintaining their trail, 2N06 Lower Larga Flats?

 

Idk but if they're not I'd love to have 4Runners. com take over! Sign me up!

 

I appreciate the advice. I definitely need it!

 

Well it's been 6 months(6 months!!)since anyone's been in here. We need a run ppl! Who's down to run White Mtn.? I recently led a group of noobs with the Tundras.com group and it was great watching them freak out! But then gain confidence as they conquered the obstacles. The trail was tough but doable by stock rigs. If anyone wants to go, post up here and if there's enough interest, I'll start a separate thread. C'mon SoCal! Let's wheel!

 

That I have Jennifer. I've had a rough past few months. Had to put my beloved German Shepherd Timber down. Then found out my sister was terminal and she hung on for as long as she could. She's been gone a month now and I'm finally feeling like I can talk without breaking down. So enough about me, I see you're holding it down just fine!

 

It's a 4x4? Have you done any trails? I think I remember that you have. If you're not comfortable with White Mtn then we can try something easier. More than anything I just wanted to get out and hit the trail.

 

Thank you for the kind words. All I can say is it gets better with time. I miss them but I know one day we'll be reunited. Where did you camp and trail ride? It looks very familiar...

Awesome! And if it can't, I've got a tow strap!

 

Where is White Mtn? Im guessing close as I too am near “haunted Turnbull Cyn”

I was supposed to be on a fairly epic 4 day 3 night Death Valley trip this weekend. Didnt work out for me.

Ive now been told I need to go out somewhere for at least a day trip.

Just added s spacer lift and 285s so they need to be tested.

 

White Mtn(3N17) is near Big Bear. You're near Turnbull? Nice! We should get together and talk Toyotas. Sorry about your DV trip. White Mtn is tougher than anything you'd face in Death Valley. I ran it in late August with a bunch of noobs in Tundras. Some of whom had never wheeled before. Let's just say it was an eye opening experience! Hopefully some more ppl express interest but if not, no biggie. I'm flexible as far as dates go so post up when you're available. You too @Strandskov ! I'm thinking between 2weeks to a month from now... Lmk. Some pics of our last run.

 

I may have run it before, we got to it from the back side of BB off of Highway 18 if it is the one I am thinking of. I had a built jeep on 35s for years and ran a bunch of the "hard" trails, Holcomb Creek, John Bull, Gold Mtn, up and down Dishpan etc.... Not really interested in doing hard core trails any more but I would still love to get out and play a bit. My Trail was super capable in stock form and now with 285s I am sure it can go more places than I care to go anymore. There is a Coffee Bean on Greenleaf that would make for a great meeting spot. I am currently unemployed so I have plenty of time for everything else. Let's get together and plan something out.

Rich

 

You probably have. It can be accessed from either side off Coxey Truck Trail(3N14). I too have done all the hard trails in BB... JB, Dishpan, Holcomb Creek, Gold Mtn, Lower Larga. I'm also a little burnt out on crawling and slowly destroying my truck. Not that I won't do them anymore, I still will but I would like to explore Anza and Joshua Tree this winter. Never been out there before. Hopefully some others will express interest. We can meet up at my garage if you like. PM your number and I'll text you my address.

 

I'll try not too! I always give at least 2 weeks notice before my runs.

 

I just have my garage, no shop. I wish...
As for electrical... probably my weakest skill. I can wire in lights ok but anything beyond that...

 

Yes!!!! Walked away on May 9th never to return. LOL. Now it seems I have less time than I ever did.

 

Done

 

Members in California, please put off your off road trips until we are out of fire warnings.

 

Good point. I know I have had to cancel trips in the past because the Fire Service said certain roads or trails were closed. Checking right before the trip has become standard practice for me as it should be for everyone in So Cal. We are not going this weekend so I have not checked. Off hand, do you know if the trails in Big Bear are currently closed?

 

Well clearly any planned wheeling trip will have to have a Plan B. By Plan B I mean Uber to a bar, get drunk, lie about past wheeling adventures and then Uber home.

 

The FS will close the gates when the snow gets too deep and they start having to rescue ppl from the backcountry. As long as I've been wheeling there, they've never closed 3N16, as far as I know.

 

What kind of lights did you get? Post a pic of them. I'd be glad to help out if I can. There're a lot of good shops around, where are you located?

 

Hi guys, I'm super new here. I just got my trail edition a few weeks back and am literally just starting out. I've been watching off road videos on youtube for years and couldn't wait any longer. I'm not looking into anything too serious right now as I promised the Mrs. I would do any rock crawling in this because it's my daily driver. I plan on a leveling kit, grippier tires (ko2's) and modifying my rhino rack or trading someone who has a smaller pioneer system that needs this behemoth that's on my rig.

Where the heck are all of these off road meetups planned? I went ahead and even signed up for a FB account again to find meetups and I didn't really find anything.

Also, to my Turnbull Canyon peeps, hello. I used to live in Whittier. Odd that there isn't any off roading allowed in those hills. Such a waste.

 

I'm new here (and to S. Cal) I'm thrilled with my stock 2008 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited! I don't plan on rock crawling, but I'd like to go off-road and learn more about this beautiful state. Any suggestions for some like me? Thanks.

 

You guys have to 1st rush the forum and get hazed. Then if we like you we will vote you in. Be warned though, one "no" vote and you are out and banned forever.

There is no place to wheel in So Cal.

Not really,

Cleveland National Forest
San Bernardino National Forest
Mojave
Ocotillo Wells
Los Angeles National Forest

Literally TONS of trails from the desert to the mountains. Nice easy fire roads to gnarly carnage creators. Pick up a map from AA and it will show a few. Stop by a ranger station and get one of their maps and it will show you more. Join a few forums and just look for open trip announcements.

Welcome.

 

I'll put a run together fosho! I know all the trails in Big Bear from mild(3N16) to wild(3N10)so it's a matter of picking a date. As of now I'm leaning towards 11/30, the weekend after T-day. Other option would be 12/7. Let me know what y'all think.