New Jeep pickup

[RobertN]

You're not gonna take a stock Tacoma over Rubicon without damage to body panel at least. Yes, lifted mini trucks with 35's or 37's do the trail all the time, but not stock.

Have run it in Jeeps going back to 1970, run it on dirt bikes(thumpers are more fun the 2-stroke), mountain bikes, and hiked most of it.

Ran the rubicon in 1978 with my brand new FJ40, I'm sure a new Tacoma would do it in style, with ease, and no damage if you know how to drive a 4x4. Currently own a 2016 200 series Land Cruiser, loven it...

 

[bcp]

What's so hard about the Rubicon? Even these old Studebakers could make it. Have California roads deteriorated that much?

:laughing:

Bruce

 

[RobertN]

I've seen this pictures before. There are a few books about the trail that show the early history, the lodge at Wentworth Springs etc.

It doesn't look anything like that now I would note, the Rubicon trail is still an "unmaintained county road".

From other books I have seen/read, the "Donner" trail that later became US-40 and then Interstate-80, looked about the same during the timeframe of this picture.

What's so hard about the Rubicon? Even these old Studebakers could make it. Have California roads deteriorated that much?

:laughing:

Bruce

 

[Jstpssng]

Don,t forget GM,Volkswagen,BMW,Volvo,Saab,Nissan,Infiniti,lexus you get the point..

Actually, that was the point I was making. The Toyota frame replacement is and probably has been a subject for it's own thread. In my opinion it was part warranty and part PR; but I'm just envious-no, I'm jealous because I have a 2004 Ranger with 106K miles which would be in the junkyard because of the frame, if I hadn't parked it for the last two winters.

 

[coobie]

Actually, that was the point I was making. The Toyota frame replacement is and probably has been a subject for it's own thread. In my opinion it was part warranty and part PR; but I'm just envious-no, I'm jealous because I have a 2004 Ranger with 106K miles which would be in the junkyard because of the frame, if I hadn't parked it for the last two winters.

Good point.Thanks..

 

[houstonscott]

Well, good luck with your Fiat itialian, Jeep, Ill put my money with Toyota.

 

[ovrszd]

Well, good luck with your Fiat itialian, Jeep, Ill put my money with Toyota.

As you should.

 

[KubotainNH]

Actually, that was the point I was making. The Toyota frame replacement is and probably has been a subject for it's own thread. In my opinion it was part warranty and part PR; but I'm just envious-no, I'm jealous because I have a 2004 Ranger with 106K miles which would be in the junkyard because of the frame, if I hadn't parked it for the last two winters.

Yep, had to replace the rear section on my son's 04 with one from down South. Kinda pitiful, nothing from FORD. My 99 Cherokee has had so many panels welded on to it there's not much original left on the lower section. First the floor boards, then the frame rails (welded frame stiffeners on), rockers & then the floorboards again plus perforation here and there. If it happened all in one year I wouldn't be driving it anymore but it is great at pushing snow in close quarters. On the floor boards I eventually found that a crappy drainage setup in the cowl allowed water to dump under the rug. Brilliant. SIL had a new Jeep, the thing was brought in multiple times because the engine would just shut off with no warning, seems somewhat common. She twisted their arm into getting her into a different model. Sux living in the rust belt, rant off.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Yep, had to replace the rear section on my son's 04 with one from down South. Kinda pitiful, nothing from FORD. My 99 Cherokee has had so many panels welded on to it there's not much original left on the lower section. First the floor boards, then the frame rails (welded frame stiffeners on), rockers & then the floorboards again plus perforation here and there. If it happened all in one year I wouldn't be driving it anymore but it is great at pushing snow in close quarters. On the floor boards I eventually found that a crappy drainage setup in the cowl allowed water to dump under the rug. Brilliant. SIL had a new Jeep, the thing was brought in multiple times because the engine would just shut off with no warning, seems somewhat common. She twisted their arm into getting her into a different model. Sux living in the rust belt, rant off.

It's true. Grew up in Texas. When I was in NC I thought there was a lot of rust... Boy was I ever wrong. Nothing prepared me for New Hampshire road salt! (I'm sure much of the NE and Midwest is just as bad).

 

[Jstpssng]

It's true. Grew up in Texas. When I was in NC I thought there was a lot of rust... Boy was I ever wrong. Nothing prepared me for New Hampshire road salt! (I'm sure much of the NE and Midwest is just as bad).

It's gotten worse since they started using a different formula, that works at lower temperature. While we complain about it though, people like being able to cruise down the road at too fast mph the day after a big snowstorm. I also believe that manufacturers are getting better with implementing rust prevention into their cars; 20 years ago we wouldn't be talking about 15 YO cars because they'd be in the junkyard.