4-Wheel Drive / Off-Road Vehicles

Years ago I recall reading an article about the pro and con's of 4 wheel drive.  A 2wd drive set up correctly (with a no spin/limited slip/detroit locker).  At the time I thought it was bogus.  But if you think of it, most 4x4's stock out of the box, are really only have power going to one wheel on an axle, unless it came equipped from the factory with some sort of locker.  More than once when I had my old HiLux did I notice only one wheel turning ( yes I am a closet mudder from way back). Whishing I had sprung for the damn limited slip.   Now with gas being what it is, I think I would look at a 2wd with a locker before I ever invested in another 4x4.  My F-150 2x4 plane jane stock no locker truck, on trip back from Ski Apache in Riodoso NM passed many a 4x4 SUV that skidded off the road.  I grew up in the snow of New England and felt comfortable with it.   Lesson learned: a  4x4 can compensate for some things, but it will never compensate for lack of expeirence.

Following up on this...
I made it back to Relief Reservoir during the evening this past week (working a couple miles away).  I am not sure that you can get close enough to get a yak in there.  If you could though, it would be one hell of a trip.  I hiked in and brought two poles and I couldn't get my second one rigged for a while since my first kept catching sm browns.  The off-roading is fairly mild (I used a stock ford expo) but you can't seem to drive all the way down to the lake. 

I plan to check out Donnell lake in two weeks when I am back up there.  Based on what I have read, it looks promising for yaks but I don't know if you need a 4x4 to get there.  I don't plan to take my yak until I know for sure that the trip is worth it since I am in a rental SUV and I need to figure out how to transport without damaging the vehicle.

Any other places that I should recon up there? 

I think a 4X kayak hookup would be so fun! Let's do it. I know a couple spots off Sonora Pass that would work.

Relief Reservoir near the Pass looked promising.  I tried to get there in my F250 last summer but the road was too rough near the end.   I should be working up there again this year so I will be able hike in to most of the lakes around there.  I will try to report my results...

We're headed up to White Rock Lake this coming weekend for some wheeling and fishing; a few clicks west of Jackson Meadows. Some of my son's friends are bringing kayaks, canoes and even little tin can....

Lets hope the fishing is still as good as I remembered back in the day....

This is what im doing to my 4runner.

there you go,you wouldnt have to car top your yak.just hang some hooks on the ladder frame and your good to go

Lock'd and load'd, pulling out at first light tomorrow for White Rock; we'll see how well this jeep holds up against the all the Toyota's I will be going with.....

Brought a small asenal of weapons to also pass the time.....

But, Lets hope the fishing is still good too....

Why aren't you guys heading to Meadow lake?  That way you could really find out how well your jeep wheels.
I'm a toyota guy
Have fun Glen and ALWAYS BUCKLE UP... SHIT HAPPENS!

I saw you post up but unfortunately my junk is down right now-broken.
There's so much great wheeling around there. I'm sure the guys your rolling with know the routine but tread lightly up cause they're closing trails left and right! sssshhhh
Does your jeep have lockers?

If Rockwalker and I can get our stuff rolling again, maybe we can hook-up and wheel/kayak up on the Rubicon before the fall. We should talk @ Albion. Have fun bud

This is what im doing to my 4runner.

Dude how are you going to get your yak up on top???

would have love to go on a trip with my NCKA bros; but since there wasn't anything firm, I opt'd to go with them.

Here's there Toyota World post on the trip: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/northern-california/209603-norcal-annual-camping-trip-july-2012-a-25.html

I'm down for a 4x4 hookup.  I've just got a stock Taco 4x4 dbl cab long bed.  Have been looking for opportunities to ruin bumpers so I can provide plausible justification to the wife, to purchase some new steel I've been eyeballing.  Also, attached a photo of a bass truck just for sh1ts n giggles.

That is one BAD A$$ wrap!