Chinook Concours/Baja Capabilities

[mhiscox]

Thanks Sitebunny...good to know. I'd likely pre-run the WABDR before taking a 'Nook on it. Must carry a chainsaw at all times!

My XV-JP is narrower than your Chinook, and the brush on Section 1 (southernmost) seriously pinstriped the side of the truck. I left thinking the vegetation made it pretty much of a moto trail. There wasn't anything difficult about the section, and rather few areas where you got much of a view. Mostly, it was just a slog spent thinking how the truck exterior was getting trashed.

We needed a chainsaw for several branches blocking the road, but there'd have been no way to make a wide enough path to keep the brush off the truck.

I asked to a friend who went through on an XR650R a couple weeks ago, and he thought it was definitely too narrow in spots for a truck. Pre-run it in something narrow, and good luck.

 

[lndhark]

My XV-JP is narrower than your Chinook, and the brush on Section 1 (southernmost) seriously pinstriped the side of the truck. I left thinking the vegetation made it pretty much of a moto trail. There wasn't anything difficult about the section, and rather few areas where you got much of a view. Mostly, it was just a slog spent thinking how the truck exterior was getting trashed.

We needed a chainsaw for several branches blocking the road, but there'd have been no way to make a wide enough path to keep the brush off the truck.

I asked to a friend who went through on an XR650R a couple weeks ago, and he thought it was definitely too narrow in spots for a truck. Pre-run it in something narrow, and good luck.

Guess my Subaru Outback is out of the question then as well

 

[ujoint]

Hey Chris. I didn't know that the Baja's were TTB. To be honest, the only conversion I'd consider is yours! We'll see how to work that out once I move west. We'd really like to wait until after we're back out there but if something drops into our laps before we go, maybe we'll swing by NC on our way.

Do you think the NV271 still provides a low enough low-range for a vehicle this size? I can't help but think that having an Atlas would really slow it down and allow more nimble moving...maybe I just got spoiled with my crawler gears in my Toyota but if you think a stock t-case will be okay, we'll likely go that route.

Yea, the factory units were. And thanks! Glad we're on the top of the list

The 271 does great. Sure, an Atlas can crawl better but at 4x the cost.

 

[BajaSportsmobile]

We did some suspension work on one of these QuadVan Dana 50 TTB's just last week. I was really impressed with the quality of the design and build that they had done, and I was equally impressed with the ride quality and handling. They kept the ride height near stock and kept the front axle center line near stock - I am sure that was important to the project. I would not hesitate to buy one of these if the opportunity arose.

 

[mhiscox]

Guess my Subaru Outback is out of the question then as well

Kinda depends how much you care about it. At ground level, the trail is theoretically wide enough; that, is, there's not vegetation growing ON the trail. But the higher it grows, the more the branches spread out, up to about 8-10 feet.

So it actually would trash a low vehicle a bit less than my tall one. Plus there'd be a lot less surface area. Still, there's no way around the fact that you'll have new marks to remind you of the trip.

Wonder what vinyl wrap costs for an Outback?

 

[86scotty]

It ain't gonna be a showpiece!

BTW, kudos to you for the work you've done on your SMB! I followed along eagerly on the SMB forum and equally loved your trip pics out west.

Usal Road is awesome...just gotta make sure the locals don't spoil it with trash and tearing up the roads...where else on the west coast can you enjoy a secluded beach without diesel pusher motorhomes parked everywhere?

Tnanks Landshark! It'll be a showpiece to you and that's all that matters. :lurk: