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Chat - The Official Las Vegas/Southern Nevada Chat Thread

2M views 42K replies 144 participants last post by  terrasmak 
#1 ·
I figured since the other thread started out as talking about making a club, and what clubs are available, we should have a thread that's just dedicated to setting up trail runs.

The title says it all, and it'll be less cluttered.

So, the 9/18/10 Run to Potato Ridge was a success!

Next item on the schedule is Logandale on 10/23/10 according to McRoberts. Seems like we have a few interested parties! Who all is planning to attend?

If there is anything in the meantime, or someone local wants another rig to ride with them, just post up and see if anyone is available!
 
#37,521 ·
sirhk100 said:
Doing labor myself, I'm sitting about $8K total into this thing including the original purchase price of TWO vehicles that I combined and then added parts to and tweaked a bit to turn into this. http://s67.photobucket.com/user/sirhk100/media/Death Valley 2014/100_2970_zps4f8499e2.jpg.html I doubt Andy is budgeting too much more for his entire build with purchase...
That is pretty close to what I am budgeting for my build.

If I wasn't going Ranger/Explorer, I would be looking Yota. As it sits, I am looking for deals and the truck.

Side note: I am really excited to see that Hamlet has decided to grace us with his presence. How's your Mom doing? She still turning tricks?
 
#37,522 ·
Gotta love Khris for his in depth advice, much appreciated. With the numbers you mentioned I could probably payoff my LJ after selling and not be too far out of pocket for a comparable build to you guys. Realistically though, I'll end up spending at least 150% of my budget because that is usually the way it goes for me!

I like the F150 that goes up to 2008 but I'm not sure if full size is going to work for me for occasional crawling. At this point I don't know what I don't know so I'm basically doing my reading on it.
My opinion comes more from a performance standpoint... You can spend mega bucks all you want but if you're willing to build something yourself and save the labor costs, you can have an insanely nice rig for under $10K. And it doesn't all have to happen at once, you can build it in stages. These days, I have two dirt vehicle passions. One is going fast and that scratch is itched with the race truck I'm partners in and the truck I'm building for myself currently. My other urge was I wanted a do anything go just about anywhere expedition type rig and when I had my TJ, it just wasn't doing that for me. It was what I thought I wanted but once I got it, it just wasn't... I really feel my exploder has nailed this for me, especially after the last 2 months of finally using it and enjoying it. This past weekend was 100% EXACTLY what I wanted in a vehicle! I will be the first to admit jeeps will out crawl me, hell, a lot will out race me even. Mine won't do anything amazing! But... It does A LOT of things really well. I'm sure a few on here will say they probably have been a bit surprised as to what mine will do compared to what they expected. Then you put the money into it... Sure Garza's jeep will 100% outcrawl the crap out of mine and in the end, he may be faster in the rough then me too. But... I'm pretty sure his jeep and any other jeep similar has more then $8K into it! LOL I factor in the cost to my performance and I'm VERY happy with what I've built. My "want" list on my exploder is very small at this point as it does everything I want it to do pretty damn well!

Thanks for the warm welcome!

So what i have gotten from the last day is to not expect Florida style clubs where anyone and everyone can come out and have a good time with jeeps/yotas/ford/atvs/sidebys/etc... That's pretty sad people can't look beyond the brand.

The SYE goes in next week and then i need a spare and a winch to feel fully comfortable to go out around here (where i did the majority of wheeling the FL it was soft clay and dirt close to 'bama and plenty had the winch if i ever needed it) so the main question here is who around here is a good group of people to wheel with who do a variety of runs? where are the trails to take a few people on random days around here that are not too far? Also is there a quick and easy spot on the west side of town to spot test mods?

I appreciate the help just trying to learn the offroading areas and groups
First off, wheeling with ANYONE on this page won't be a let down. Best bet would be to probably give an overall description of how your jeep is built so that others with similar rides can chime in and that way you're not stuck with a rock buggy on a sight seeing trip or out with the rock buggies in a sight seeing jeep. It'll help line you up with similar capability rigs. I highly doubt you'll be disappointed tagging along with anyone in this group. If your running solo a ton, sure a winch may be nice but if you're typically out with people I wouldn't stress too much. SYE is nice since I'm assuming you're lifted, belly clearance on the trails in this area helps a ton!

West side trails, someone else can chime in...

As for all makes/models clubs... Until I bought my exploder, I didn't realize the scene is kinda what it is. I've been "accepted" cause I met most these people in these local clubs when I had my TJ and they've accepted my mutt of a rig that I wheel now. I actually recently went wheeling with a Toyota FJ group that labels themselves as a FJ group but they said anyone in any make is welcome on their runs, they just have a FJ based club but it's an open invite... Except for Hummer H2 & H3, they have an anti hummer policy. LOL

But yeah, warmachines, desert wranglers, etc... There is the Vegas Valley 4wheelers and they're an anything goes club I believe but I've managed to just deal with the jeep guys cause that's where I started when I showed up here in Vegas. They just now deal with my confusing suspension and mall looking ride.
 
#37,524 ·
First off, wheeling with ANYONE on this page won't be a let down. Best bet would be to probably give an overall description of how your jeep is built so that others with similar rides can chime in and that way you're not stuck with a rock buggy on a sight seeing trip or out with the rock buggies in a sight seeing jeep. It'll help line you up with similar capability rigs. I highly doubt you'll be disappointed tagging along with anyone in this group. If your running solo a ton, sure a winch may be nice but if you're typically out with people I wouldn't stress too much. SYE is nice since I'm assuming you're lifted, belly clearance on the trails in this area helps a ton!

West side trails, someone else can chime in...

As for all makes/models clubs... Until I bought my exploder, I didn't realize the scene is kinda what it is. I've been "accepted" cause I met most these people in these local clubs when I had my TJ and they've accepted my mutt of a rig that I wheel now. I actually recently went wheeling with a Toyota FJ group that labels themselves as a FJ group but they said anyone in any make is welcome on their runs, they just have a FJ based club but it's an open invite... Except for Hummer H2 & H3, they have an anti hummer policy. LOL

But yeah, warmachines, desert wranglers, etc... There is the Vegas Valley 4wheelers and they're an anything goes club I believe but I've managed to just deal with the jeep guys cause that's where I started when I showed up here in Vegas. They just now deal with my confusing suspension and mall looking ride.
Thanks for the advice! Don't typically wheel alone and try to avoid it. My jeep is my DD but its a 2006 TJ with a 2" BB, front fenders highlined a Ford 8.8 rear dana 30 front with chormolys and an arb on 35" mickey thompsons. As for armor i have rock sliders and thats about it i plan on adding more skids as i go! As it is my daily i don't try see its braking point but with that being said i like to use my jeep! Does this sound like any of you? haha I appreciate me jumping in on all this thread!
 
#37,525 ·
Sounds like me, but I have thrown thousands at my rig and don't know how to drive it! Rofl. I like to challenge myself and my Jeep, but don't want to have any serious damage. Paint and scratches are nbd, but caved doors, broken suspension components, axles, etc are not my idea of a fun time. I still cringe a little when I see new rock rash on my wheels. Lol won't be using my moabs, so will likely be selling them once I finish dipping them. I'll probably mount them for pics, but that's about it.
 
#37,526 ·
Thanks for the advice! Don't typically wheel alone and try to avoid it. My jeep is my DD but its a 2006 TJ with a 2" BB, front fenders highlined a Ford 8.8 rear dana 30 front with chormolys and an arb on 35" mickey thompsons. As for armor i have rock sliders and thats about it i plan on adding more skids as i go! As it is my daily i don't try see its braking point but with that being said i like to use my jeep! Does this sound like any of you? haha I appreciate me jumping in on all this thread!
Sounds like 80% of the guys on here. A few here have super clean builds that they use to get to their perfect camping area, others have awesome old school rigs really not ment to beat the hell out of, but still get dirty. Then you have guys like me who's rig is not a DD, but is just a toy, so if it breaks, meh let it sit until I can fix it. But I still like to drive my XJ home after a trail. The harder the trail, the more I like it, if body damage happens, oh well.
 
#37,527 ·
yeah, like Khris and Puck said is true.

Our little group on JF is fairly representative of the larger groups out there. And members of the larger groups cna give better ideas of the stuff they do. Some of us wheel with clubs some of us dont, but at some point in time most of us have wheeled together, and still often times do. If a run gets set up that is too much for some jeeps, those jeeps dont go.

I fall into the ****ty old jeep category. As mentioned, I just try to get out on back roads and camping trips and whatnot, and will often post up in here and the trail run thread if something comes up. I don't belong to any clubs or designated groups. Few reasons for that, but mostly because i have never seen the need to officially belong to a club or group when I have a bunch of friends right here who will hit the trail.

just keep your eyes peeled, and see what works for you. i kind of feel like your approach is like going out and searching for a woman, rather than just meeting the right one by doing the things you already enjoy lol. You don't have to search out a club or a group, lots of clubs allow you to tag along to see if you'll be a good fit before you join, and the random informal groups, well, they are exactly that. Just go with the flow man....yeah!
 
#37,528 ·
You'll fit in. Some of us have jeeps that haven't run for 3 yrs but don't go away. We then show up in our truck to drag broken people home. A bunch of good guys here for sure. Welcome to Las Vegas.
Where on the west side do you live? Not all of us live in the ghetto on the east side. I'm in the 215/Cheyenne area.
 
#37,529 ·
All this sounds awesome! I'll keep my eyes peeled on the trail run thread. I don't mind scratched paint or small dents just need it to drive me to work at the end of the trail.

Where on the west side do you live? Not all of us live in the ghetto on the east side. I'm in the 215/Cheyenne area.
Summerlin 215 and far hills right down the road from red rock casino.
 
#37,531 ·
sirhk100 said:
LOL, who? What?
Sorry, Kansas made a post. Something about an LS powered Prius or some ****.
 
#37,533 ·
Sorry, Kansas made a post. Something about an LS powered Prius or some ****.
Oh you haven't put that dude on ignore yet? That dude got put on ignore well over a year ago. I don't even see his posts anymore which is why I was confused, I was like WTF are you talking about? LOL

You'll fit in. Some of us have jeeps that haven't run for 3 yrs but don't go away.
Or we just flat out don't even have a jeep yet don't go away! This place would be boring without me! :rofl::laugh:
 
#37,534 ·
matthew900 said:
I totally agree with you. Plus, how much original Jeep is left by the time we get them to how we want them? The club I joined in Florida was a general off road club open to all vehicles. There doesn't appear to be club like that around here that wheels hard with built daily drivers.
For what it's worth.. MOST people wouldn't wheel their daily driver "hard" the way you do... In fact most people wouldn't wheel their NON daily driver the way you do.

If you are looking for more difficult trails, go wheeling with Total Karnage
 
#37,535 ·
sirhk100 said:
Yeah, don't get me wrong, I'll joke with the best of them when it comes to this brand or that brand but actually DGAF about what the people I hang out with really drive and what I'm surrounded by on the trail. That marathon run last weekend... I was kinda grandfathered in with my rig cause I've done runs with those guys when I had my jeep. They actually didn't really want any other non-jeeps in the run which I thought was a bit odd. The one thing though, I'm smart enough to know that 99% of the rigs on the trails are going to be jeep so I pack accordingly when it comes to tools and spares knowing there's no chance of someone else on the run having the part I need. LOL I'm far from brand loyal though even though my driveway may speak differently against that. Oh and speaking of that, the 4th ford may show up this weekend...
Careful who you lump in with that "they" statement. Remember I was one of the trail leaders and I could care less what people drove, as long as they knew how to wrench and wheel I was good.
 
#37,537 ·
whalejr31 said:
Thanks for the warm welcome! So what i have gotten from the last day is to not expect Florida style clubs where anyone and everyone can come out and have a good time with jeeps/yotas/ford/atvs/sidebys/etc... That's pretty sad people can't look beyond the brand. The SYE goes in next week and then i need a spare and a winch to feel fully comfortable to go out around here (where i did the majority of wheeling the FL it was soft clay and dirt close to 'bama and plenty had the winch if i ever needed it) so the main question here is who around here is a good group of people to wheel with who do a variety of runs? where are the trails to take a few people on random days around here that are not too far? Also is there a quick and easy spot on the west side of town to spot test mods? I appreciate the help just trying to learn the offroading areas and groups
There are plenty of groups that could care less what you drive, they are just focusing on one of the more active ones right now. WarMachines702.com (despite the negative PR about Jeeps only) really are a good group to wheel with; runs are pretty regular and have a decent variety. Vegas Valley 4 Wheelers is another group, but the politics and cliques drove me nuts. Nevada Backroaders are good but a bit tame, Total Karnage is too extreme for me, and with the UFO's (Unlimited Fun Off-roaders), Pure Crazy 4 Wheelers and Sin City 4X4 all gone.. wM702 has my vote. I don't really consider the meetup folks actual clubs, but there are a lot of those too.
Oh yeah, and there are no mandatory meetings, fees, officers, etc in WM702.

Define 'easy'. There are lots of places to wheel.

You definitely need a spare. Don't waste your time with a winch until you have absolutely everything else. I wheeled for years without one and the only reason I have one now is because it came with my rig.
 
#37,538 ·
4x4Brit said:
Gotta love Khris for his in depth advice, much appreciated. With the numbers you mentioned I could probably payoff my LJ after selling and not be too far out of pocket for a comparable build to you guys. Realistically though, I'll end up spending at least 150% of my budget because that is usually the way it goes for me! I like the F150 that goes up to 2008 but I'm not sure if full size is going to work for me for occasional crawling. At this point I don't know what I don't know so I'm basically doing my reading on it.
Just get an S10
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/vehi...2930-clean-built-s-10-linked-bobbed-tons.html
 
#37,539 ·
Nothing negative about WM702 at all in my eyes, just simply saying, in general with an exception they are a jeep only club. It's what the leading members want and it's totally their decision. I'm stoked they still allow me tag along cause I have a lot of fun on the runs that I have done with them.
 
#37,540 ·
LOL, like I said, not much for Chevy unless you're going super super custom! LOL

At least my suspension is actually bolt on with exception of the upper shock mounts! Or well, you can get very very very capable versions of mine in a "kit" form that bolts right on, mine isn't but they are very common....

Heck, I bet Andy has maybe $1000-1200 all said and done not counting shocks for the front end he's got planned and that includes words like IFS and Dana 44. Shock wise, he could go from cheap to expensive and have decent to mind blowing results with it.
 
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