"Stock" TRD ORP Trip on Potts Mountain Jeep Trail (onX 7) - It was epic

[MikeD]

Over on the "What did you do to your 6th gen 4runner today" thread I was asked about a recent off-roading adventure that another member remembered I was planning. Administrator Jay asked me to expand my answer to that question and post here. So, here we go...

Starting with a pretty picture on Potts Mountain:

The reference to "stock" in the title is based on a comment heard in the video below. The vehicle is not exactly stock, but it is close. Here are the pertinent things different from when I took it home from the dealer a year ago:

• Tires/Wheels: Toyo A/T III 285/75R18 (34.8" dia.) on 4Runner flat black option wheels (+45 offset)
• Peak 1.25" leveling kit (5/8" spacers)
• Land Cruiser Steel skid plate (TOYOTA embossed but otherwise essentially same as TrailHunter)
• Steel Transmission skid & Rear Diff skid.
• Cali Raised Step Edition rock sliders.
• Also have a GSMR radio (very necessary) and a bunch of recovery gear that luckily was not needed

As a VA resident newly into off-roading (well my truck does literally say "Off Road" on the side so what choice did I have?), I was contemplating Potts Mountain since I first saw that black line on the onX map. onX Offroad - Potts Mtn .

I was thinking Potts would wait until I actually lifted the truck, which I am contemplating (OME MT64 2135 kit or Toyota TRD are my short list) but when I had the chance to join a Potts Mtn ride announced on VA Offroad (501(c)3), I took it.

Before attempting this black (onX 7) trail I had done the several popular green trails nearer my home in northern VA (ran the popular Peter's Mill Run trail a couple times, including once with my son in his 2022 SR5). I realized that blue trails were much more interesting when I did the Walter's Gap extension off of Peter's Mill.

I then parlayed a muddy trip on Dicks Creek to Dark Hallow (eastern TN) (onX 6) into winning the Wolfbox #BornForMud contest (Show us your dirtiest post trail battle scars - that's my TRD ORP on the splash page.) I returned to Dicks Creek this past weekend and thoroughly enjoyed showing my sister and nephew the joys of off-roading through some beautiful woods.

Before attempting Potts Mountain I also did a "Blue Trail Tour" at Rausch Creek Off Road Park in PA. Very worthwhile and quite the adventure - Including my first need to be winched:

... And my first flat on the trail:

I also found my new favorite trail that is relatively close to home: Bald Mountain trail (AKA Big Levels) (onX 5)

And did a group ride (the only Toyota among a lot of Jeeps and a few Broncos, as usual) on the very popular Union Springs trail to Flagpole Knob

And then the "Epic" trip on Potts Mountain Jeep Trail...
The group at the trailhead (Jeeps and me, of course):

The jeepers were impressed with the performance of the "stock" (no lift) 4Runner. (listen at 1:20 or so for a comment from someone in the group behind us) It seems I'm always in a group with only jeeps.

Mike coming down the bowl at Potts Mtn




I don't have a still of me at the top of "the bowl", but this is what it looks like half way from the bottom:

A 25 deg+ off-camber view of the Multi Terrain Monitor (this was not the biggest tilt but was the best I could take a photo of - for obvious (holding on) reasons:>):

Some views looking toward WV from VA:

An optional obstacle ("The Ledge", I think) that I did not try in my virtually brand new 4Runner (someday maybe) Two of the vehicles in my group walked right up this ledge - I don't think this white jeep ended up making it:

Another optional obstacle that I avoided. My new friend in his beautiful (and fairly new) Gladiator on 40s struggled on this one but did make it.

Potts Mtn led to lots of new scrapes on the rock sliders and skid plates. Some of which you can hear in the video. But as it would happen, I think the only skid that did not get abused was the rear diff skid I installed just before this trip after spying this damage from the Rausch Creek outing:

This shot on "Poser's Rock" is where I parked while watching the more adventuresome/capable in my group and several other groups go up that 40" ledge.

It was epic. And I hope the next time I get out there I'm not the only 6G 4Runner.

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[Jade4rTx]

Looks like a great time!!!

 

[TurnerXC]

So how bad is the pinstriping on big levels and union springs these days? Haven’t taken my 6G yet but I was a “Jeeper” for about 8 years. Live in RVA so these are mostly day trip do-able. Great write up!!

 

[MikeD]

So how bad is the pinstriping on big levels and union springs these days? Haven’t taken my 6G yet but I was a “Jeeper” for about 8 years. Live in RVA so these are mostly day trip do-able. Great write up!!

Thanks
Pinstriping was not bad on either Big Levels or Union Springs but it was still "winter" for both (3 Jan and 28 Feb, respectively). I can imagine it will get worse as the growing season moves forward. My worst pinstriping was on Walter's Gap (off of Peter's Mill Run) in August. But nothing that a car wash and wipe down did not eliminate for the painted surfaces. The black plastic fender liners have some semi-permanent stripes that I've not tried to buff out. But only evident if you look closely.

 

[mfoga]

So is your spare tire a full size spare? If not what did you do to deal with the flat tire?

 

[MikeD]

So is your spare tire a full size spare? If not what did you do to deal with the flat tire?

Good question with a somewhat interesting answer.
I NOW have a full size spare that I carry in the back (too big for underneath). But I only had OEM spare when that E load sidewall cut occurred on the 285/75. We attempted to patch but we're not successful. We put the 265/70 spare on, aired it down, and i nervously followed one of the guides back several miles across some rough terrain without issue.
I know it's far less than ideal but I aired up and drove home that way. NO issues with anything. (Kind of surprised me).
I switched back to my OEM wheels and tires when I got home, bought a fifth TRD flat black wheel and a replacement tire. Had the flat tire hot patched on the inside AND got an off road patch kit to have in my kit and patched the outside for good measure. That's now my full size spare.
Lesson learned.

 

[mfoga]

Good question with a somewhat interesting answer.
I NOW have a full size spare that I carry in the back (too big for underneath). But I only had OEM spare when that E load sidewall cut occurred on the 285/75. We attempted to patch but we're not successful. We put the 265/65 spare on, aired it down, and i nervously followed one of the guides back several miles across some rough terrain without issue.
I know it's far less than ideal but I aired up and drove home that way. NO issues with anything. (Kind of surprised me).
I switched back to my OEM wheels and tires when I got home, bought a fifth TRD flat black wheel and a replacement tire. Had the flat tire hot patched on the inside AND got an off road patch kit to have in my kit and patched the outside for good measure. That's now my full size spare.
Lesson learned.

Thanks I saw the tire in one photo and was like how did he fit that big tire under there.

 

[Mattb124]

How well did the Cali Raised slider handle lifting the vehicle with the Hi-Lift? I have those sliders and have not had the confidence to use them as a jacking point like I do with my ‘85.

 

[MikeD]

How well did the Cali Raised slider handle lifting the vehicle with the Hi-Lift? I have those sliders and have not had the confidence to use them as a jacking point like I do with my ‘85.

Worked great. I had no concerns about the ability to lift the vehicle using the sliders.
Those sliders have done their job on several trails. Well marked on the bottom and sides. Example:

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