FR42 (Telegraph Canyon) Trip Report (10/12/03)

[expeditionswest]

Here is the FR42 Trip Report: For the complete report with pics, etc. http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2003/FR42_2003/index.html

We met at the Bartlett Lake pay station at 9:30 and headed down north lake road for 2.7 miles before turning west on FR42. We aired down shortly after entering the trail, and handed out FRS radios. Soon, we were on the trail, enjoying the narrow washouts and cross axles holes. We settled into a rhythm of wheel lifts and traction control. The two Rovers took one of the optional routes, resulting in a major rear wheel lift by John, causing Mike to nearly drop the video camera. The rear bumpers on both vehicles received minor scratches. We made quick time and enjoyed watching the different vehicles perform on the trail. In some cases the Discovery's shorter wheelbase performed better than the Land Cruiser, and in other situations the extra 12 inches of wheelbase and the 315/75 R16 tires on the Land Cruiser made short work of the challenges. The two Discovery's where nearly identical in modifications, with center differential locks, HD OME springs, and 265 tires.
All of the vehicles descended the "edge of the earth", which looks much more intimidating than it is to drive. One of the narrow sections of the trail after "the edge" makes for a great wheel stand. The right rear tire drops into a large hole, shifting the vehicle weight rearward. The traction control systems exaggerate the wheel lift, as the power shifts to the firmly planted left rear tire. All three vehicles had great "air time". I took advantage of the relative safety of the obstacle to make a good show for the video.
We ended the trail playing on the optional hill climbs near the road. We all had a great time, and enjoyed the cooler weather and challenges for lightly modified vehicles.

http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2003/FR42_2003/images/fr42_scott_lift_0001_jpg.jpg

http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2003/FR42_2003/images/DSC00323_JPG.jpg
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Post Edited By Moderator (JackSilb) : 11/17/2003 6:27:49 AM GMT

[BajaTaco]

WOOOHOOO!! http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/hop.gif

Man, that was fun. I just watched all of the vids. A great break from work http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/biggrin.gif Scott, I think that is the best report I have seen on FR42 - very well done. Sounds (and looks) like you all had a blast! Nice vehicles http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/cool.gif


http://www.bajataco.com
Vibram or BFG - getting there on rubber and seeing it all!

[WhiteThaiGer]

Those videos are great! http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/supercool.gif


***************************************
http://www.confluence.org
http://www.usgo.org

[expeditionswest]

Thanks all! I also have the entire trail as a track in Mapsource, etc. I will post it on the site this weekend. Route finding can be a little difficult on that trail. I am going to do some major work on the vehicles/gear for the rest of October, but will plan more trips in mid November that I will post. I should have a schedule finished in the next week or so. That way those who want to attend can plan. I am also thinking about a snow/recovery practice trip in Dec/Jan if there is interest. This is where we purposefully get ourselves in terrain that will get us stuck, and enjoy the extrication exercise. Camel trophy style!

Scott

Scott Brady
2001 Land Rover Discovery II
1998 Isuzu Trooper
1994 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
1977 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
mailto:guide@expeditionswest.com (guide@expeditionswest.com)
http://www.expeditionswest.com
http://www.expeditionswest.com/Roverlaplaya.jpg

[BajaTaco]

Yea I need practice! I never get stuck http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/turn.gif


http://www.bajataco.com
Vibram or BFG - getting there on rubber and seeing it all!

[WhiteThaiGer]

BajaTaco said...
Yea I need practice! I never get stuck http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/turn.gif http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/baja_rofl.gif
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***************************************
http://www.confluence.org
http://www.usgo.org

[JackSilb]

Nice videos.
How did you make them?

Also, another TLC. This one has a TRD sticker on it. After market or original? I saw it had a hard time at one time, then went good in a hill. I am assuming the locker quick in ...

-JACK


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net

[expeditionswest]

I use either MGI (most flexible) or Windows Movie Maker (fastest) to make the videos. I run them at a higher resolution so they play better, but it usually requires a high speed connection or patience.

The TLC is a 2001, and the TRD emblem is just a sticker (no supercharger etc.). His vehicle uses traction control similar to the Land Rovers. With the large tires (he runs 35" BFG's), if you spin a tiretoo fast (throttle), the traction control can't arrest the spinning wheel because of the reciprocating mass of the larger wheel/tire combo. So what you saw in the video was him stop after the tires lost traction, and then climb the hill with a light throttle application which allows the traction control system to control wheel spin more effectively.Sorry about thetechnical version...http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/wink.gif

Scott Brady
2001 Land Rover Discovery II
1998 Isuzu Trooper
1994 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
1977 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
mailto:guide@expeditionswest.com (guide@expeditionswest.com)
http://www.expeditionswest.com
http://www.expeditionswest.com/Roverlaplaya.jpg

[JackSilb]

> Sorry about the technical version...

No need to be sorry. We love tech things here.

So you buddies and you are not planning to get ARB lockers? The factory traction control is all you need?

Thanks,
-JACK


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net

[JackSilb]

One more question. Where the TLC guy got the small driving light he has in the bumper.
Sorry about all the questions. Just trying to come-up with my configuration for when I get a TLC.

-JACK


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net

[expeditionswest]

The bumper comes with the lights. This bumper is part of ARB's Sahara Line of bumpers, intended to coordinate with the style lines of newer vehicles. Here is some more info.

http://www.arb.com.au/ARB_Toyota_bull%20bars.htm
http://store5.yimg.com/I/cruiserconnection_1759_1405913
http://jtoutfitters.zoovy.com/product/ARB3913010
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Post Edited By Moderator (JackSilb) : 10/26/2003 6:00:46 AM GMT

[JackSilb]

Nice information. Thanks.

Nothing better to express 'You get what you Pay' with the ARB gear.
In my opinion they are 1st class in equipment.

-JACK


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net

[expeditionswest]

I have included the .gpx, and .mps GPS files for the FR42 trailon the website for those who are interested.
http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2003/FR42_2003/index.html

Scott Brady
2001 Land Rover Discovery II
1998 Isuzu Trooper
1994 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
1977 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
mailto:guide@expeditionswest.com (guide@expeditionswest.com)
http://www.expeditionswest.com
http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2003/El_Golfo_2003/thumbnails/DSC00417_JPG.jpg

[JackSilb]

Nice Scott,

We were debating if there is an independent format that can be used by diverse GPS units.
Maybe we can continue this discussion on the GPS Thread.

-JACK


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net

[expeditionswest]

JackSilb said...
> Sorry about the technical version...

No need to be sorry. We love tech things here.

So you buddies and you are not planning to get ARB lockers? The factory traction control is all you need?

Thanks,
-JACK
</div>Jack,

I think that traction control is a poor (and unreliable) solution to a mechanical traction device like the ARB locker. John with the 2001 TLC has already bought the ARB's for his vehicle and intends to install them in the vehicle in the next few weeks. I use ARB's F&amp;Rin the Wrangler, and love them. IfI takedecide to use the Roveras a trail vehicle I will install ARB's in it too.

Traction control (with a center diff lock in the T-case) is actually quite capable in most terrain, but it requires wheelspin to engage, which is totally contrary to tread lightly.

Scott Brady
2001 Land Rover Discovery II
1998 Isuzu Trooper
1994 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
1977 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
mailto:guide@expeditionswest.com (guide@expeditionswest.com)
http://www.expeditionswest.com
http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2003/El_Golfo_2003/thumbnails/DSC00417_JPG.jpg

[JackSilb]

Got it.

I saw some of the wheel spinning on your videos before the 'locker' engaged.

Thanks,
-JACK


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net