[VT_Toy]

Had lots of fun at the Yankee Toys Fall Gathering this weekend! I took the running boards off my 4Runner and put on my old 31s for the weekend. Ran a powerline trail in Northfield on Friday, discovered a gas leak that evening and fixed it on Saturday (had to drop the tank), hung out with lots of cool folks Saturday night that I'd met online, then wheeled a trail called Ma Bell today. I took bypasses where it was hopeless without lockers, but still found some challenges. Here's a few pics from today -

<IMG width=500 height=350 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/roger1.jpg">
Roger lifts a tire at the entrance to Ma Bell.

<IMG width=500 height=349 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/todd1.jpg">
Todd comfortably climbs the entrance.

<IMG width=500 height=350 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/roger2.jpg">
Roger climbs a ledge.

<IMG width=500 height=350 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/tj1.jpg">
A group of Jeeps was coming down and we stopped to watch them try this steep climb. None made it.

<IMG width=500 height=350 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/nick1.jpg">
Nick cross a small mudhole.

<IMG width=500 height=350 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/todd2.jpg">
Todd discusses his options with a spotter. He only used his lockers when he absolutely had to, and went everywhere.

<IMG width=500 height=350 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/first_dent.jpg">
My 4Runner got it's first body-dent on the way back down.

<IMG width=500 height=350 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/bumper_damage.jpg">
I brought along my girlfriends son for his first real wheelin' day. He took a pic of my rear bumper, it was spotless before this weekend.

 

[budr]

Thanks for the pics Eli!
Sure wish I was there... Will have to enjoy it all with all of the pics you guys put up!
Can't wait for more...

 

[VT_Toy]

Hi Bud! We missed you this weekend. Wish you could have made it <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0">

 

[bertha]

Still got all that rear 3" lift for ya here. Then you can upgrade to 33's and join in on the real fun <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> Beautiful scenery. Great pics too. Nice cruiser, ant specs on that one? (Black one) aw hell Maroon one too.

 

[Dirty Harry]

Nice pictures Eli! It was good to finally meet you, sorry that we didn't have a chance to wheel together. My pictures should be developed and on the 'net before too long. We ran Beacon on Sunday and Mike let me wheel his 4Runner. I need to wear Depends the next time I drive that thing! I can pretty close to rolling a few times and had to use the winch more than I would have wanted. I still had a blast all weekend though!

 

[VT_Toy]

Bertha-
The black cruiser is a '79 FJ-40 with a 2F, 35" Yokohama Mud Diggers, ARBs front and rear, 8274, and onboard air. The maroon one is a '97ish FJ-80 with dual electric lockers, OME lift, 285/75R16 MTs, ARB bumper with winch and onboard air.

Harry-
Nice to finally meet you as well! I almost needed Depends myself on Sunday when I was coming down a ledge and the left front dropped a lot more than I thought it would. Ended up rocking back and forth on the left rear and right front until some bystanders hopped on my right rear so I could inch down the rest of the way. There was a big rock about 6 inches from my door, just waiting to crunch the middle of it <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0"> 'Wheelin a nice truck sure is a lot more exciting than a beater!

[ 09-25-2001: Message edited by: Vermont_Toy ]

 

[Foxfab]

Ok, I'll bite, here's some of my pics from the harcore runs at the Fall Gathering:

Paul trying his best to get his 40 up without winching.

and Paul finding out how rocks really feel on your fenders

Harry piloting my rig wishing he had worn some Depends.

The Chu Man flexing it up at Beacon.

Henry Cubillan and his sprung over WITH OME's Venezuelan FJ62, 5 speed, locked, and ready to go.

 

[60seriesguy]

Blackntan (that you, Mike?), got any more pictures of my rig? I didn't take a single picture this time...DOH!

One slight correction, Todd's 80 isn't an FZJ, it's either a 1991-92 FJ80 with ARB Air Lockers. He's a great wheeler and he pounds that 80 like crazy!

 

[Dirty Harry]

Originally posted by blackntan:
<STRONG>

Harry piloting my rig wishing he had worn some Depends. </STRONG>

How cool is a guy that will let someone else drive his rig like this?! <IMG SRC="smilies/glasses.gif" border="0"> Thanks Mike! I have to admit that I was pretty scared in a couple of spots. I was "driving it like you borrowed it" and definitely didn't want to toss Mike's 4Runner on it's lid.

Nothing tragic happened while I was driving though. At one point I hopped out to let Mike take a stab at a spot I couldn't get through and he promptly blew a bead. Better him than me!

<IMG width=640 height=480 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/blownbead.jpg">

 

[Dirty Harry]

Originally posted by 60seriesguy:
<STRONG>Blackntan (that you, Mike?), got any more pictures of my rig? I didn't take a single picture this time...DOH!
</STRONG>

Epa! Todos de los fotos de Mike san en el direcion:

http://www.yankeetoys.org/black900rr/FG2001/

There are some good ones of your wagon. I should have mine back at the end of the week and I took some pics of your Cruiser also.

 

[Foxfab]

With all that Espanol going around you must be Henry. LOL there are 5-6 pics in that directory of "The Princess".

 

[miniyota]

thats some sweet shiznit! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/usa.gif" border="0">

 

[Al Kaholick]

"My 4Runner got it's first body-dent on the way back down."

i like the pictures but come one thats not a dent

 

[Firefyter_Emt]

Ahh I missed one spot to place mine to Huh?? <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> Well I gotta tell you, I wished I took better photos myself on Saturdy, Sunday was a little uh, flat..
Here are my photos...

 

[VT_Toy]

Originally posted by no_muff_2_tuff:
<STRONG>"My 4Runner got it's first body-dent on the way back down."

i like the pictures but come one thats not a dent</STRONG>

<IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0"> Spend $10,000 on a shiny vehicle and see how your opinions change. Your sig line is true, now that I've done that one I'm not as worried about more, it looks better now <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

 

[60seriesguy]

Thanks a lot, Harry, 'ppreciate it! Nice pictures, Mike, I still think your assault on the ledge halfway up the rock garden climb was a thing of beauty, and the climb up the the last section of the final obstacle when you leaned against the tree was awesome! Nice wheeling with ya, we gotta do it again soon!

 

[Black_Panther]

I'm sorry that I missed out on the Gathering this year too <IMG SRC="smilies/crybaby2.gif" border="0"> looks like this year's was just as good if not better than last year's. Eli, it's weird not seeing your blue (and rust <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> ) rig in all the pics. glad to hear you got the first ding out of the way - now the pressure is off! hopefully we'll get to wheel this fall before too much white stuff is on the ground

 

[VT_Toy]

Originally posted by Black_Panther:
<STRONG>I'm sorry that I missed out on the Gathering this year too <IMG SRC="smilies/crybaby2.gif" border="0"> looks like this year's was just as good if not better than last year's. Eli, it's weird not seeing your blue (and rust <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> ) rig in all the pics. glad to hear you got the first ding out of the way - now the pressure is off! hopefully we'll get to wheel this fall before too much white stuff is on the ground</STRONG>

Josh-
I just posted on the YT list about doing a run in Vermont in October. Let me know if you're interested!

 

[Cracker]

Hey Eli,
What dates are you shooting for? would it be at least 2 days of wheelin?
I for one would be interested in coming up...
Maybe Bud too....Since both of us missed the FG... <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0">
LMK
Cya!

 

[VT_Toy]

Originally posted by Cracker:
<STRONG>Hey Eli,
What dates are you shooting for? would it be at least 2 days of wheelin?
I for one would be interested in coming up...
Maybe Bud too....Since both of us missed the FG... <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0">
LMK
Cya!</STRONG>

If you guys are going to make a long drive, we can definately make sure it's going to be at least 2 days! It'd probably be a different trail each day, camping on the trail or at Stuart's. We could call it the 4th Annual VT UnGathering, since we haven't had one yet this year!

Send an email to [email protected] and I'll put you on the list and keep you up to date. This could be fun!