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Toyota Prado and 90's / 120's LCOOL Trip 19 February 2006

The first Perth based Yahoo Groups Toyota Prado and 90's / 120's LCOOL members was immediately notable by the absence of any 120 Series Prados. Come on guys... you know we would have been cracking jokes that those things never get off road! Maybe next time, OK??? Biggest car park envy went to Rudy's triple lifted 90, which had 285/75R16 equivalent Simex Centipedes, a suspension lift and then a 2" body lift. He didn't have the fake chrome though, so I knew I still had something up my sleeve.

The plan was informal, both because I couldn't be bothered and sometimes, it's just nice to go wherever is working on the day. We made a move from the Greenmount Caltex just after 10 and cruised up to Gorrie with John, Chris and I hogging Channel 18, possibly because everyone else was mic shy or otherwise we were less interesting than their stereos. We headed right into Flynn Road for a short time before heading East along the powerline track. There was no delay in getting some serious air time, with Rudy pulling off a monster front end lift that just isn't reflected in the photo. I'm yet to work out if he meant it or not! Chris Bibby had taken control of the Arse End Andy task, and made easy work of the hardest line through the first obstacle with his ARB locker engaged.

The next obstacle was the southern side track with the insurmountable log dropped on it. Fortunately no one wanted to high-centre their truck on that and we all scrabbled around the loose, rutted bend before the climb.

Yowie Hill was next and we all headed down the more difficult fenceline side, watching out for the fairly substantial rut which makes the best line far more difficult to pull. You can't go down without going up... especially when you're meeting Gerry for lunch "over there", so we turned around for the ascent. It's funny how some obstacles are different the other way round, and despite an incident free descent, the ascent saw plently of lifted wheels and dust chucking as the left rear wheel got stuck in the rut. Mark's display was easily the most spectacular.

Warin Road was a nice drive, but the steep pinch around the middle saw a few unusual angles. John decided to test his steel bar on the dirt, which was unfortunately missed by all cameras. That back wheel looked like it was 500mm off the ground from where I was!

Cobb Road couldn't be difficult if it tried (unless you're in a stage coach) and pretty soon we were swinging back onto Flynn Road, then Goods Road to drop into the luch spot. My directions were obviously without compare, because Gerry and his fake chrome soon made an appearance. The competion was getting fierce. After a bit to eat I thought we might make some measurements of some of the suspension systems fitted. Whilst I had remembered my trolley jack, my packers and stuff were chilling out in the shed, so we grabbed my air jack to lift cars and measure droop. Yep... it sounds pretty lame I know, but the results were interesting and worth the effort.

Finished with crawling under perfectly good cars, we cooled them down in Warin Well... some making a bigger splash than others... then did a scenic cruise back to the powerline for some more EMR influenced stupidity. Ngangaguringuring Hill was event free and at the bottom I encouraged some crossing up over a culvert drain just for fun. There was no other reason at all!

We'd almost come full circle when an obstacle I don't think I've ever noticed appeared in the left hand side window. It comprised two steep hills leading down into a gully, with a twisty, rutted track leading out. The entry was no issue, but right next to the deepest rut on the track out was a big mama rock. Because I had no intention of risking it, I convinced Chris and Tash (sorry!) to have a go in their locked up 90. Despite this there was still some scrabbling for traction and realigning of the car to make it happen. Rudy showed us it wasn't just for show by putting his well equipped and presented 90 through the same, and because he followed my line he did it easier than Chris and Tash without a locker (sheesh I'm funny). It was hell close to the rock though, so either Rudy's got a big pair or had no idea what I was doing to him.

There was another pass up Yowie Hill fenceline, and Gerry had a bit of fun with me there. I don't know how you were feeling mate, but your composure was 100% spot on. Very tidy work from the passenger seat too... no screams, no panic and no abuse! Essentially, we cruised out from there the same way we came in... and those that needed to stopped in at Sawyer's Tavern for a well deserved beer or two.

Thanks to all who came and made a great day of it. I will post any additional photos or movies I receive!

Steve's Pix           John's Pix

Owner/s	Front (Ride Height)	Front (Full Droop)	Droop	Suspension System Details
Chris and Tash Bibby	325mm	405mm	80mm	"Daz Special", Lovells and custom valved Bilsteins, Standard / Heavy (F / R)
Steve Barbuto	351mm	414mm	63mm	Ridepro kit.
Gerry Ligtermoet	315mm	390mm	75mm	O.E.M. (That's Toyota factory stuff y'all)
John Humphrey	373mm	437mm	63mm	OME Medium (That's Old Man Emu / ARB)
Rudy N	427mm	480mm	53mm	King Springs, OME Shocks and Struts, 2" Body Lift
Mark Smith	330mm	385mm	55mm	Lovells Medium, KYB Shocks