Project DD moonlighting as trail rig

[Senor_Taylor]

Ahem* ask for help and I'm sure ye shall receive.

I don't know what it is, but after the complete shit show of putting my lift on, I'm kind of put off by the idea of doing anything similar again to my truck. Trying to get the LCA pried far enough down to get the shock in and out will be such a hassle once there is a 3" lift spring on it. Also, I'm not sure how to adjust the spring seat on my 5100s.

[Senor_Taylor]

Went wheeling today in WV. Went up to Flagpole but got stock on some ice halfway up. Half of the group had to pull a really daring move and reverse down the mountain a way on the ice, turn around, and go back the way we came. I ended up with 3 really cool dudes and we went up to Reddish Knob and went to Flagpole that way.

My truck blew me away. I knew the lift would help, but I really felt like nothing could stop me. Things that I would bottom out on or hit my bumpers on before were a cake walk. The ONLY thing I couldn't do out there was the ice that no one could get by without wenching. Great time, and a great view!







Colton almost slid off

[Jake]

This looks fun, and I want to go sometime.

[Senor_Taylor]

You can get to Reddish Knob by car. Flagpole you need something 4wd. We saw a stock liberty come up there. Next time you're around here and there's a group going, you can ride shotgun!

[Senor_Taylor]

I don't know if Colton plans on posting this, but here's the video of the scary moment on the hill.

[youtube]u7VlIHVhUEg[/youtube]

[Jake]

You can get to Reddish Knob by car. Flagpole you need something 4wd. We saw a stock liberty come up there. Next time you're around here and there's a group going, you can ride shotgun!

Yeah, I did Reddish Knob in my E34 one time. Flagpole sounds very much like a "ride shotgun" trip. Not sure the Yukon would make it, I'd be concerned about the relatively skinny sidewalls and nice paint even if the AWD did get me around.

[Senor_Taylor]

You can get to Reddish Knob by car. Flagpole you need something 4wd. We saw a stock liberty come up there. Next time you're around here and there's a group going, you can ride shotgun!

Yeah, I did Reddish Knob in my E34 one time. Flagpole sounds very much like a "ride shotgun" trip. Not sure the Yukon would make it, I'd be concerned about the relatively skinny sidewalls and nice paint even if the AWD did get me around.

AWD would only make it if there's not snow or ice. Definitely a 4wd or AWD with locking center diff thing. Then again, I've never been when there wasn't snow or ice. This has definitely reignited the mod bug for my truck. Decision between a Miata or new front springs/skids/bumpers for the taco will be a difficult one.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Or save save save and build your rig to how you think it will keep you happy for 6-9 months.. :wink:

*AHEMMMM

[Senor_Taylor]

Or save save save and build your rig to how you think it will keep you happy for 6-9 months.. :wink:

*AHEMMMM

I know, I know. I would like both equally, probably the car a little bit more so.

[V1GiLaNtE]

I bought the WRX and I feel guilty when I shop for parts for that when I know the XJ isn't quite "finished". Granted Spring time I can pull off the mods I want and "probably" be happy in time for Camp Heep in August. :lol:

[Senor_Taylor]

Having never owned a car in my life, I get butterflies whenever I think about owning something 5 spd, RWD, and less than a foot off the ground. I think I know my choice.

Wheeling and the Snowpocalypse have reminded me of why I love this truck.

[SlimKlim]

I had a project I could barely keep up with in school, so instead of doubling down on it I used all, and I mean ALL, my extra money from working the summer between junior and senior year to buy an old fucked up motorcycle.

Ended up spending that summer stripping it to the frame, fixing rust, repainting it, swapping the carbs, swapping the head, blowing out the bottom end, swapping in another motor, rebuilding the ignition system and trying to correctly wire everything. I spent 5-6 hours on it every night after work and it was still barely running by the time I had to go back to school. Sold it later that fall for $400 more than I paid for the bike but $1000 less than I had in it.

Moral of the story, love the one you're with, don't stretch yourself too thin, and be happy and healthy. 'Tis better to have a truck that works than a broken truck and broken miata. :thumbsup:


Or buy the Miata, I don't care.

[Senor_Taylor]

I know the risks, but honestly, every alumni I see has said they've done the same and advise against it. All of y'all turned out pretty okay, so it clearly wasn't that bad of a choice. My truck is in excellent condition, so at worst, I see myself with a broken Miata and a working Tacoma that's not as fully built as I'd like. Then again, projects never really are "done."

Who knows what will really happen. I've been trying to buy a car for 2 years, but it never pans out.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Moral of the story, love the one you're with, don't stretch yourself too thin, and be happy and healthy. 'Tis better to have a truck that works than a broken truck and broken miata. :thumbsup:

I don't know why but makes me think of Andrew Jones.. He had that beautiful reliable Teg' and then sold it for some busted miata which pained him everyday.

[Jake]

All of y'all turned out pretty okay, so it clearly wasn't that bad of a choice.

It wasn't that bad of a choice, but man... if I had just not bought the E30, not bought the E34, and instead DD'd the Miata for another few months out of college, I would have had enough cash to buy a nicer E36. And if I had kept that, sold the Miata the first time the motor exploded, not bought the Focus ST, turned the E36 into a track car and bought a truck to tow it with, I'd still be in a better financial spot than I am now.

Not that I'm in a "bad" spot now, mind you. And I have a fuckload of great stories to tell about the eight cars I've owned that I don't own anymore. But hindsight is 20/20, and I could have made a few better moves. We're just tryin' to make sure you really know your options.

[Senor_Taylor]

But hindsight is 20/20, and I could have made a few better moves. We're just tryin' to make sure you really know your options.

I really appreciate it. I hope I don't seem like I'm being ungrateful to all of your advice.

[Jake]

Just don't take our advice, say thank you, buy a Miata and then bitch about how you're broke and so are both cars. That last bit is what will get a big ol' "we told youuuu" from me

[Senor_Taylor]

Just don't take our advice, say thank you, buy a Miata and then bitch about how you're broke and so are both cars. That last bit is what will get a big ol' "we told youuuu" from me

Considering that's been my plan the whole time, I feel like I'm filling the MM mold pretty well.

[Tyler.M]

or just say fuck it and buy an otter. We all know you will anyways

[JJohnson]

Man that trip to Flagpole looks and sounds like it got sketchy, but at least you guys made it up the alternative way! For the record, when I went up to Flagpole when it wasn’t snowy/icy, we passed a brand new Ford Explorer coming down and it was doing fine (not even close to getting pinstripes down the side). There’s only a few parts where a big, heavy SUV will have a few issues with trail width and clearance angles.


Can’t speak on the advice because I’m still too young and dumb, but I always put my eggs in one basket with projects. Although if I had the extra cash and space to keep a DD, hind-sighted me would have bought a 2005 Jeep LJ and then a nice(ish) car to DD. The thought of breaking something on a trail and relying on my Jeep to DD is pretty freaky and holds me back a bit (which may be good).