how are these trucks offroad?

[Forrest Nearing]

I'm looking at buying a trail rig to take up to the cabin in Colorado... I'm not talking about anything too hairy... so I guess I'm about to answer my own question... for example, we did Stony Pass in our bone stock 4wd Suburban one year... we drug the rear hitch a couple times, but it made it just fine. so a truck that sits higher w/ the same wheelbase would be fine too...



I wouldn't mind running some more agressive trails, but just want something I can run over some passes and drive home on the highway.



I've been going back and forth in my head between a straight axle/EFI Toyota 4 runner and a 1st gen



I know the 'yota would probably be the wise choice...



but I have this vision in my head... 5sp w250 club cab w/ the rear frame hacked and the front axle moved forward so that it's just behind the cab and just build a little utility bed for it... some 37-38" boggers, cut fenders, and a stack out the hood... maybe stack it behind the cab, but...



like I said, I know the yota would probably be the best way to go, but I just love that Cummins sound :{ and I just found a good running, rusty, and affordable 1st gen!



so who wheels w/ a 1st Gen and how does it do?

 

[tugboatphil]

but I have this vision in my head... 5sp w250 club cab w/ the rear frame hacked and the front axle moved forward so that it's just behind the cab and just build a little utility bed for it... some 37-38" boggers, cut fenders, and a stack out the hood... maybe stack it behind the cab, but...

Is this close to what you are thinking about, Forrest?



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150043

 

[BHiggins]

The only time I've ever had problems with any first gen is in soft sand, and I'm sure it was because of the weight. If I go on the beach with my truck, I have to air the tires WAAAAAY down, especially the front. Other than that it goes through mud, snow, loose dirt, gravel, you name it. It 'wheels better than most other trucks I've owned, and I've owned alot. If you're asking us here on the first gen forum if we think you should go with a 1st gen or a Toyota, the answer is obvious... GET A DODGE :-laf !

 

[Forrest Nearing]

sorry, to correct my original post, I obviously meant REAR axle, not front...



anyhow, I figured you guys would steer me in the "right" direction



though I see many posts on TDR about people recomending Jeeps, toyotas, etc. as trail rigs vs. a CTD...



and no, I mean, hack the frame and move the rear axle forward to shorten the wheelbase... essentially give you a club cab w/ the wheelbase of a ram charger

 

[pepecat]

well If I wanted to have a good wheeler I would think of a good 4bt powered jeep or similar. I have seen those conversions quite a bit.

 

[MMiller]

I've wheeled my 93 quite a little bit. I really enjoy wheeling a diesel compared to a gasser. The low end grunt, and the fact that the injection pump cares nothing about angles, bumps, bounces, proves to be a very smooth wheeler. The added front weight is a little cumbersome, but not so much. The 90 that Tugger linked to, I'm still working on. I'm going to put the battery in the bed, working on dual 5" stacks behind the cab, and lockers in both ends. In all reality it won't be any heavier then my buddies full size bronce with a 460.



Michael

 

[Idually]

Could just build a Ramcharger CTD like mine...



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Good interior space, driveability, etc.

Just a thought.



Andrew

 

[one_ton]

tuff

heese trucks are the best in the mud and snow. mine only has 35's on it. but the first, and only time i took it out to play, and i mean play real hard. i was the only one who didnt get stuck, out of 12 diffrent rigs. i played tow truck most of the day! there was a couple V-10's. fords and dodges. a couple powerstrokes( cry babies ). and then jeeps and toy's. needless to say i was the only one with the cummins.

but in the sand, its tutch and go.



Bob

 

[BHiggins]

IDually,

That thing is nice, I always wanted to do that.

 

[Idually]

BHiggins: Thanks. It's a "GAS" to drive too!



Andrew

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I'll never see sand... I'm talking about the rockies



and I'd rather cut down a club cab than build a ramcharger... converting a ram charger requires buying TWO trucks... cutting down a club cab requires buying ONE truck... big difference

 

[Idually]

Yep!

Forrest. I'd agree. During my conversion, I took a load of "Stuff" to the scrap yard that happen to include a Reg Cab and a rolling RC frame. I put the cab onto the RC frame and thought... Might be cool to do one someday... Oo.



Good Luck!

Andrew