First offroading trip...WOW (with pics)

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07/22/2009, 09:01 PM
VXorado

First offroading trip...WOW (with pics)

I took the VX (also named Susie) offroading for the first time a couple days ago on a fairly easy trail about 30 minutes away from my house. All I can say is WOW :freek:!!! I sold a 6" lifted Jeep Wrangler with 35" tires for "Susie" and I am so happy I did. The VX totally destroyed my old Jeep, even with much smaller tires (31.5"). I didn't even use 4 low because the TOD was working so well. Since I bought Susie from a member here two weeks ago, I have been dying to take it out and see what everyone has been talking about. THANK YOU VX'ers :bgwb:, I researched through this forum a lot before buying.

The only offroading issue I can think of is clearance and thats why I plan on going up in tire size a little ~32 inches. I just have to decide on 16" or 18" rims. Any ideas?

Here are some pics, It's a difficult trail but I only got through the easier part before running out of time. I will post another set of pictures when i actually go through the hard parts.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/104_1444.JPG
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/104_1439.JPG
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/501/104_1452.JPG
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/501/104_1442.JPG
07/22/2009, 09:14 PM
don moore

weee.. looks like you had fun
07/22/2009, 09:15 PM
Gussie2000

Beast on the wild open

Quote:

Originally Posted by VXorado

I took the VX (also named Susie) offroading for the first time a couple days ago on a fairly easy trail about 30 minutes away from my house. All I can say is WOW :freek:!!! I sold a 6" lifted Jeep Wrangler with 35" tires for "Susie" and I am so happy I did. The VX totally destroyed my old Jeep, even with much smaller tires (31.5"). I didn't even use 4 low because the TOD was working so well. Since I bought Susie from a member here two weeks ago, I have been dying to take it out and see what everyone has been talking about. THANK YOU VX'ers :bgwb:, I researched through this forum a lot before buying.

The only offroading issue I can think of is clearance and thats why I plan on going up in tire size a little ~32 inches. I just have to decide on 16" or 18" rims. Any ideas?

Here are some pics, It's a difficult trail but I only got through the easier part before running out of time. I will post another set of pictures when i actually go through the hard parts.

Very nice shots you got there.

There's a nice thread named : Please post all rims & tires.

In that thread you can tease your self looking at so many set ups by members here & over seas.
07/22/2009, 09:24 PM
Moncha

Absolutely gorgeous! I love the mountains! Congrats on your first trip. Hope to see you on the 21st of August. I'm sure gonna try to get there also!
07/22/2009, 09:24 PM
tomdietrying

Nice pictures.

If you go with 18s, might I suggest going with the Nitto Terra Grappler 285/60/18. It's the perfect tire for the VX. Next, do you have a lift on it already? For about $140, you can purchase larger springs (OME 912 Springs), and crank the torsion bars to give you a 2.5 - 3.0 lift.

Peace.
Tom

p.s.
I might add you got the best color for the VX too!:)
07/22/2009, 09:33 PM
JoFotoz

That head on pic with the blue sky and clouds...

:thumbup:

(maybe lighten it up / adjust contrast just a tad in fotochop...its calendar stuff !)

Welcome to the obsession !
.....

jo
07/22/2009, 09:47 PM
Sprey

Looks like fun and your vx looks great!

Ive done mine 3 times round the coast - gravel round etc
And thats all ive done in the time ive owned it which is around 8 months :o
07/23/2009, 04:28 AM
Riff Raff

Nice pictures, and beautiful scenery. Colorado appears to be more 4x4 friendly than Washington State, as the U.S.F.S. loves to put barricades on access trails to mountain summits in WA.

If you decide to go for 18" rims, a perfect 32" O.D. tire would be the GENERAL - GRABBER AT2 in P275/65R18 (32" O.D./44 lbs). This incredible lightweight AT tire is snowflake/mountain rated; pre-pinned for studs (if desired), has a deep 17/32nds tread depth and sells for only $150 each while giving you 1.25" more ground clearance over stock. If mounted on the stock OEM 18x7 rims; they are bolt-on perfect with only minor front trimming without any lifting or front torsion bar cranks, thereby preventing possible CV issues caused by lifting.

If you're looking for OEM 18x7 rims, I have a complete set of 4 wheels for sale at $290. Congrats on your purchase, and welcome to the addiction. Thanx for sharing your pictures with us and we look forward to hearing more from you in the future.
07/23/2009, 07:53 AM
handeeman

I love the head-on shot too. Plus I am so jealous, my nearest mountain is Mount Dora (inside joke for Floridians) elevation maybe 40 ft above sea level. To scrape a rock here I will have to lower the VX to about curb high.
07/23/2009, 08:17 AM
mdwyer

Well, if you're going to come to Colorado to enjoy our trees, you'd better hurry. Shot 3 looks like the hillside was covered with beetle-killed trees. :(
07/23/2009, 08:36 AM
Moncha

That was from the infestation from about 10 years ago.. That area is making a good comeback..
07/23/2009, 08:41 AM
handeeman

Damn those Beetles, they shoulda never let VW's off-road. Runnin into the trees and s__t. Seriously, I hope those trees aren't dying. Sorry for the:ot::hj: .
07/23/2009, 08:42 AM
nfpgasmask

Quote:

Originally Posted by VXorado

I took the VX (also named Susie) offroading for the first time a couple days ago on a fairly easy trail about 30 minutes away from my house. All I can say is WOW :freek:!!! I sold a 6" lifted Jeep Wrangler with 35" tires for "Susie" and I am so happy I did. The VX totally destroyed my old Jeep, even with much smaller tires (31.5").

A former Jeep owner praising a stock VX over a lifted Jeep. This is something for the records for sure. All last week I had to listen to my friend from Chicago bitch about the Trooper (in that case, rightly so because it is a tired old 2.8V6) but at the same time I had to listen to him tell me that a stock Wrangler could out wheel any Isuzu and how a stock Jeep could do the Rubicon with no problem and how my VX could never do the Rubicon and blah blah blah...

Right on, brutha!

:) Bart
07/23/2009, 09:16 AM
SlowPro48

Every time I see pics of you guys wheeling out West it makes me want to pull up stakes and move there. You get to drive through some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen. It didn't bother me as much when I was able to hike and mountain bike my way back into the few remaining hinterlands around here but now that I am physically unable to do that it sure would be nice to take a "hike" via the VX. Can't do that in a National Park or National Forest here though! Gotta keep it on the road! The Powers That Be limit ORVs to three or four small patches of ground in this state. I call them swill-holes because whenever I've been to one and seen the 4-wheelers playing it always reminds me of pigs confined to a small pen rolling around in the mud.

You guys enjoy the access to wide open spaces while you can. The winds of change are blowing. It seems the Powers That Be are slowly but surely eliminating cross country routes and coralling you freedom-loving little piggies into pens too...
07/23/2009, 09:43 AM
nfpgasmask

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlowPro48

You guys enjoy the access to wide open spaces while you can. The winds of change are blowing. It seems the Powers That Be are slowly but surely eliminating cross country routes and coralling you freedom-loving little piggies into pens too...

Yeah, it's definitely changing. And just as always, its really a result of a few careless bad apples ruining it for everyone else. You have no idea how much it bothers me to find areas out in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE where someone just decided to dump a bag of trash or leave a pile of beer bottles. There is just no excuse for it and it is those people who eff it up for everyone else. Not to mention all the folks who cut new trails in there "thrill craft" and get all the environmentalist fired up.

The truth of the matter is, it doesn't matter how much you try, you still have a negative impact simply by being a living breathing human. So like you said, enjoy it while you can...

Bart
07/23/2009, 09:58 AM
Scott Harness

Quote:

Originally Posted by nfpgasmask

You have no idea how much it bothers me to find areas out in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE where someone just decided to dump a bag of trash or leave a pile of beer bottles. There is just no excuse for it and it is those people who eff it up for everyone else.

Bart

x2:mady:
07/23/2009, 10:28 AM
nfpgasmask

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Harness

x2:mady:

And better yet, for 4th of July I went camping with my dad and brother south of Kyburz along the Silver Fork of the American River (in California). There were 2 organized (fee sites) campsites along the river. Being 4th of July, both were full by the time we got there. But, there are plenty of area around there where you can freely camp in the National Forrest. We found a good spot and spent the weekend there. As per usual, I had a heavy duty trash bag for all of our garbage. A few times during the weekend, I went hiking along the river. As I hiked I would pick up garbage from other people. Beer bottles, cans, plastic water bottles, empty bait tubs, etc. I brought it all back with me to my trash bag. When it was time to leave, we packed up and I found the trash bag to be torn on the bottom and leaking a little. I didn't want it oozing all over my Trooper. Annoying. So, on the way out I stopped in one of the organized camping areas and asked the campsite steward if I could throw my trash out in their dumpster. All I got was SEVERE attitude from the lady. Now, I understand that I was not a paying camper at their site, and they have to pay to get their dumpsters emptied, etc. And all she would have had to do was politely tell me this, and I would have said ok, nevermind, but she turned into a raging beotch when I politely asked (yes I asked, I didn't just do) if I could use their dumpster. I was honestly shocked. Here I am trying to do the right thing and pack out my trash AND I cleaned up after other dirtbags only to be treated like a redneck, white trash scag myself. Nice.

Bart
07/23/2009, 10:47 AM
MSHardeman

VXorado, I didn't get the invite to go wheelin' with you.:p Next time you go let me know and I'll try and get over to you. Which trail did you do and is it over in the Eagle area? Maybe we should pick a day and meet at the top of Cottonwood Pass for a little VX geek out session.
07/23/2009, 11:22 AM
Gussie2000

Quote:

Originally Posted by nfpgasmask

A former Jeep owner praising a stock VX over a lifted Jeep. This is something for the records for sure. All last week I had to listen to my friend from Chicago bitch about the Trooper (in that case, rightly so because it is a tired old 2.8V6) but at the same time I had to listen to him tell me that a stock Wrangler could out wheel any Isuzu and how a stock Jeep could do the Rubicon with no problem and how my VX could never do the Rubicon and blah blah blah...

Right on, brutha!

:) Bart

Seriously,all you got to do is take him to moab next year,
07/23/2009, 04:56 PM
VXorado

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gussie2000

Very nice shots you got there.

There's a nice thread named : Please post all rims & tires.

In that thread you can tease your self looking at so many set ups by members here & over seas.

Thanks for the info, I will look it up and start obsessing over my future rims and tires.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomdietrying

Nice pictures.

If you go with 18s, might I suggest going with the Nitto Terra Grappler 285/60/18. It's the perfect tire for the VX. Next, do you have a lift on it already? For about $140, you can purchase larger springs (OME 912 Springs), and crank the torsion bars to give you a 2.5 - 3.0 lift.

Peace.
Tom

p.s.
I might add you got the best color for the VX too!:)

Everyone seems to have the Nittos, I will probably go with those because they look so sexy on the VX. Agreed on the color, gotta love the ironman!
:yesy:

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoFotoz

That head on pic with the blue sky and clouds...

:thumbup:

(maybe lighten it up / adjust contrast just a tad in fotochop...its calendar stuff !)

Welcome to the obsession !
.....

jo

Thanks, good idea on the pic... a little adjustment and it will be perfect
07/23/2009, 05:29 PM
VXorado

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moncha

Absolutely gorgeous! I love the mountains! Congrats on your first trip. Hope to see you on the 21st of August. I'm sure gonna try to get there also!

Yes, I really want to make it! I'm sure it will be a lot of fun and it would be nice to see some other VXs/members

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riff Raff

Nice pictures, and beautiful scenery. Colorado appears to be more 4x4 friendly than Washington State, as the U.S.F.S. loves to put barricades on access trails to mountain summits in WA.

If you decide to go for 18" rims, a perfect 32" O.D. tire would be the GENERAL - GRABBER AT2 in P275/65R18 (32" O.D./44 lbs). This incredible lightweight AT tire is snowflake/mountain rated; pre-pinned for studs (if desired), has a deep 17/32nds tread depth and sells for only $150 each while giving you 1.25" more ground clearance over stock. If mounted on the stock OEM 18x7 rims; they are bolt-on perfect with only minor front trimming without any lifting or front torsion bar cranks, thereby preventing possible CV issues caused by lifting.

If you're looking for OEM 18x7 rims, I have a complete set of 4 wheels for sale at $290. Congrats on your purchase, and welcome to the addiction. Thanx for sharing your pictures with us and we look forward to hearing more from you in the future.

Thats too bad about the trails in Washington, I bet it would be a sweet place to explore in a VX. Those grabbers seem to be the best tire overall, everyone has em'

Quote:

Originally Posted by nfpgasmask

A former Jeep owner praising a stock VX over a lifted Jeep. This is something for the records for sure. All last week I had to listen to my friend from Chicago bitch about the Trooper (in that case, rightly so because it is a tired old 2.8V6) but at the same time I had to listen to him tell me that a stock Wrangler could out wheel any Isuzu and how a stock Jeep could do the Rubicon with no problem and how my VX could never do the Rubicon and blah blah blah...

Right on, brutha!

:) Bart

I wanted a Jeep for a long long time, but after buying one I realized how uncomfortable, loud, and unreliable they can be (at least mine). I'm glad I came over from the dark side :winko:. Jeep Rubicons are the only stock jeeps that are any good offroad, and they cost $30,000+. Too much money to take off the highway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSHardeman

VXorado, I didn't get the invite to go wheelin' with you.:p Next time you go let me know and I'll try and get over to you. Which trail did you do and is it over in the Eagle area? Maybe we should pick a day and meet at the top of Cottonwood Pass for a little VX geek out session.

lol sorry it was a very last minute decision and the trail is called Grizzley 4x4 trail near Dotsero. I'll let you know for sure next time... but you'd better make it! No excuses lol :smilewink. When I figure out my up coming schedule, we will pick a day tackle cottonwood pass and "geek out"
07/24/2009, 08:36 AM
mdwyer

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlowPro48

You guys enjoy the access to wide open spaces while you can. The winds of change are blowing. It seems the Powers That Be are slowly but surely eliminating cross country routes and coralling you freedom-loving little piggies into pens too...

Oh, it is happening here, too. I blame ATVs. The property up the hill from me started shutting their gate because they were tired of ATVs tearing up the tundra. Most 4x4 drivers are pretty good about staying in their place.

Not so much with ATVs.

I'm not even sure if it is legal to gate the roads. Most of the area is private property, but the roads are county. I'll have a chat with the sheriff one of these days...

I've been supporting Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition to try to get some education out there. I'd really like to think education will work better than fences.

By the way, I'm going to be in Fairplay this Sunday for their Burro Days. It sounds like they're going to stick me behind a radio all day, but you still might see my proton up there, if you're in the area.