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One Piece at a Time: My 1985 Diesel Suburban

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GWeakland620 said:
How close do you live to work?
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About 30 feet.

I office from the house and travel a good bit. Weeks like this, where I’m on the computer and conference calls, it’s very easy to get out and grab 15 mins here and there. I can work right up to 730AM, and hit the shop fairly promptly at 4/430PM.

It’s a good gig.

David
 
Loading up my gear to go weld the intercooler end tank, and I just got a look at the trails we're running before SEMA.

Probably somewhat out of order:
  • 21 Road
  • Pritchett and Moab Rim
  • Sand Hollow - Maze, Renegade, Double Sammy
  • Rocky Gap Road
I’m concerned about the stuff at Sand Hollow, and from what I’ve seen the trails can be a bit twisty and narrow. We’ll have a local guide, and I’ll roll with their recommendation to run or skip a trail. Also, Pritchett makes me want to order a backup rear driveline. We’re not running the full length of 21 Road, and supposedly there’s a bypass for every obstacle. Rocky Gap looks like creek bed trails here in Texas.

Seeking input from those that have run the above trails. @muddysub @ktmoutfront @mrk5 @4door99 @Bent77 @blazinzuk ? Tag anyone you think might have some insight.

The truck should be back operational in the next day or so. I miss driving it.

David
 
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AgDieseler said:
Loading up my gear to go weld the intercooler end tank, and I just got a look at the trails we're running before SEMA.

Probably somewhat out of order:
  • 21 Road
  • Pritchett and Moab Rim
  • Sand Hollow - Maze, Renegade, Double Sammy
  • Rocky Gap Road
I’m concerned about the stuff at Sand Hollow, and from what I’ve seen the trails can be a bit twisty and narrow. We’ll have a local guide, and I’ll roll with their recommendation to run or skip a trail. Also, Pritchett makes me want to order a backup rear driveline. We’re not running the full length of 21 Road, and supposedly there’s a bypass for every obstacle. Rocky Gap looks like creek bed trails here in Texas.

Seeking input from those that have run the above trails. @muddysub @ktmoutfront @mrk5 @4door99 @Bent77 @blazinzuk ? Tag anyone you think might have some insight.

The truck should be back operational in the next day or so. I miss driving it.

David
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Rocky Gap is a piece of cake. Especially if you run it downhill from red rock. Hopefully they go from the Pahrump side into red rock. My first time there me and @Desert_K5 ran it at night. With my front and rear lockers and 35’s it was like cheating. I think Marc only had a rear Detroit and no problem. I think the “hardest” part is trying not to get your diff on a rock.
 
When are you planning on doing 21Rd?

I am confused, as I thought that you had to skip BB18, and wouldn't be up this way.
 
Justin V said:
I'm pretty sure @Kay86K5 has done some if not all of those, and @super dave has already spoke up...
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I ran Pritchett at BB 2015. Fun trail, pretty gnarly in a few spots, but fun. I just did 21 Rd at the end of March of this year. That trail is freaking sweet!! Lots of fun, and very scenic. It starts mellow and gets harder and harder as you continue up the canyon. The top is really gnarly, but what is cool about that trail is you can go as far as you want, and turn around whenever you want. Most all the obstacles have multiple lines in them to make them harder or easier. And their is kinda a makeshift road that runs along most of the trail that once you are ready to turn around and head out, you can go a little bit faster on that road so you don't have to hit all the obstacles again on the way out if you don't want to. I think 21 Rd is a bucket list road for anyone into wheeling...its really fun

I haven't done the other trails listed above yet...yet :D
 
Fastereddie said:
Rocky Gap is a piece of cake. Especially if you run it downhill from red rock. Hopefully they go from the Pahrump side into red rock. My first time there me and @Desert_K5 ran it at night. With my front and rear lockers and 35’s it was like cheating. I think Marc only had a rear Detroit and no problem. I think the “hardest” part is trying not to get your diff on a rock.
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My blazer is open diffs front and rear. Even smoked the trans on the way up the mountain so it wasn't 100%. You'll be fine.
 
On Pritchett listen to the spotters. Your rig is capable of doing it very well.

You might have to use the throttle occasionally.
 
Fastereddie said:
I think the “hardest” part is trying not to get your diff on a rock.
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I know what you mean. I seem to always find them. @Spork929
6872xtc said:
When are you planning on doing 21Rd?

I am confused, as I thought that you had to skip BB18, and wouldn't be up this way.
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I have a work conflict during BB18. This trip is scheduled for late October.
Kay86K5 said:
Most all the obstacles have multiple lines in them to make them harder or easier
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That's relieving. I’m down for trying challenging lines, but this is the first trail, and there are several days to go.
blazinzuk said:
On Pritchett listen to the spotters. Your rig is capable of doing it very well.

You might have to use the throttle occasionally.
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Roger that. You know my general aversion to throttle, but I learned a lot last year following Fred to the “Crack and Back.” With the truck being so heavy, I’m always concerned about losing the line and getting in a pinch.

David
 
Well then let me know when you are going to be here!
And Moab Rim should be fun, with only one spot that I can remember being tight for a Suburban. It's not difficult, just gets your attention because of the wall/ trail/ drop-off spacing. It wasn't bad in the old '72 K5. A sub should really wake you up!
Hopefully I haven't forgotten something else.
 
AgDieseler said:
I know what you mean. I seem to always find them. @Spork929

I have a work conflict during BB18. This trip is scheduled for late October.

That's relieving. I’m down for trying challenging lines, but this is the first trail, and there are several days to go.

Roger that. You know my general aversion to throttle, but I learned a lot last year following Fred to the “Crack and Back.” With the truck being so heavy, I’m always concerned about losing the line and getting in a pinch.

David
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Note taken ... spotter (me) will suggest @AgDieseler to USE THE THROTTLE
 
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From what I remember of 21Rd, it's a lot of boulders ranging from basketball to bus size. It's fun to pick your way through. I also remember the side road exit/bypass having a few sketchy spots due to erosion. That will be a trail to keep an eye on your rear driveshaft, easy to roll a boulder up into it. Is your rear shaft 1 piece or 2?
 
mrk5 said:
From what I remember of 21Rd, it's a lot of boulders ranging from basketball to bus size. It's fun to pick your way through. I also remember the side road exit/bypass having a few sketchy spots due to erosion. That will be a trail to keep an eye on your rear driveshaft, easy to roll a boulder up into it. Is your rear shaft 1 piece or 2?
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Noted. One piece shaft, and about 55” long. I can usually do well on ledges up to 2/3 of the tire, so 25ish”. Otherwise, Kurt and I yaw the truck a few degrees to take a ledge one tire at a time.

David
 
As long as a suburban is, the crew cab is still nearly 40" longer in the rear driveshaft. Just what them boulders.
 
mrk5 said:
From what I remember of 21Rd, it's a lot of boulders ranging from basketball to bus size. It's fun to pick your way through. I also remember the side road exit/bypass having a few sketchy spots due to erosion. That will be a trail to keep an eye on your rear driveshaft, easy to roll a boulder up into it. Is your rear shaft 1 piece or 2?
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You are correct on all accounts. There were a few spots on the side road that were just a tad bit sketchy due to erosion, but not too bad at all.
 
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