How much experience you got?

[xaza]

Thought it would be interesting to see the variety of peoples experience levels.

[redneck23ms]

i voted 2-5 as i have had my current rig almost 3 years but i have had several different offroad rigs since about 1997

[xaza]

I would call that 16-20 :2thumbup:

[Jackie]

Great idea, Cliff! I put myself in the 2-5 category even though I've been wheeling a bit longer than that. I'm just not very skilled compared to others, so I feel it's wrong for me to brag! I have nothing to brag about! When I can get out, I Do! When I can't...well...

[RidgeRunner]

Bought my first rig, a '72 FJ40, in '98. Have had a 4x4 ever since then, so that makes 17 yrs and counting for me.

[Chris]

Started after moving to CO in 2001 and found my sedan didn't do well in the Rockies. :D

[javaman34]

Started in 2003 when I bought my Ranger. Just very mild trails though. Didn't get into really going out until I picked up the Bronco

[Tom]

First place I ever drove was off road 4x4 when I was 14 or 15 years old. That was almost 50 years ago.

[The StRanger]

Started in the mid 70s. Utah high country. Had a short brake for drag racing, Then a little SCCA.
Then in the mid 90s, back to the hills !!

[Patrolman]

Started in college at Fort Lewis in Durango which I started 21 years ago. The 1st rig was a Subaru, which got beat on pretty hard for the 5 years I was in college. During college I also bought several Nissan Patrols, with multiple Patrols to follow after college. I still have my 1st Patrol which I believe that I purchased in 1997. My daughter is likely to inherit it!

[Squshiee1]

Well, I started my 4x4 experience here on frontrange and about 3.5 years ago. I have learned alot since then, one of the biggest things; humble yourself. I feel that four wheeling is something that I picked up quick, and am already at my cars limits. I cant wait to unlock more possibility's with my SAS. It has been a while until I could really challenge myself without destroying my car. Though now that I think about it, I guess the 4x4 community is pretty cool too!:thumb: Its not to often that you see a bunch of guys and girls together and not ripping on others rigs because "its not a jeep", and helping someone who is stuck, or in need a help? Jeez what are we? Good people? I mean really, someone asks for a jump and boom, 30 mins later his jeep is jumped. There always seems to be a rescue run twice a year too. I think we need to have a new title... Frontrange 4x4 Offroad Recovery AAA Towing Paramedics Legal Advise Parental Advise Specialists.

So yea, I have about 3 years experience. Mostly a mall crawler!

[Jackie]

Luv you Chase! You summed it up nicely!

[Brian]

Been wheeling my Scout since I bought it in 1993.

[Brucker]

Been wheeling my Scout since I bought it in 1993.

Awesome. First time I ever drove a real licensed vehicle (not an atv or motorcycle) off road was a Scout II in 1994. And I first started working in the industry in 1997. Guess that means I have been at it for over 20 years now. God I feel old.

[Geno]

Bought my first 4wd in 1979 , it was a 1972 chevy k10 lwb pick up.

[Myrtle Turtle]

I agree with Jackie, sometimes it's not the years...it's the miles. I also voted 2-5, leaving off any and all experiences in the Pismo Dunes during high school as not being "learning" experiences.

[Txjkjpr]

The first time I got to drive offroad I was 15 in my dads 1967 Ford Bronco, 3 on the tree. That was 1985, I ran the Rubicon the summer after I turned 16 with my dad and a cousin in his scout. I've been hooked ever since. Now on my 4th rig, been wheeling in Colorado though for about a year.

[94ToyBear]

Started November 2010, this was about a year after I meet Pete Brody while being a passager with my buddy Fred a former FR4x4 member, started with my 94 pick up after my brother rolled it off a high way, moved to my yj, and been building my pick up for a about 3 years now.

[Jackie]

I still have my 1st Patrol which I believe that I purchased in 1997. My daughter is likely to inherit it!

Annika will likely get my Jeep as her first vehicle. She'll be able to "run those boys over"!!! Hopefully, I'll be behind her in a new Jeep to help clean up the carnage! (Gotta take care of the girls)!:p

[Brucker]

I agree with Jackie, sometimes it's not the years...it's the miles.

I think this is true with everything. 3 of the years I spent working at Rockstomper, we spent almost more time on the road competing and wheeling then we did in the shop. Looking back, the learning curve during that time was incredible. I went from having to need a spotter for most of the difficult lines, to taking a 7th, 5th, and a 3rd place finish in national Werock events, all without listening to my spotter at all :D That taught me how to look for driving lines and how to plan ahead. And also how to use the skinny pedal :rolleyes:... Remembering where you are in relation to the trail is key. And now I honestly hate it when someone tries to spot for me unless I ask for it.

[Max]

a bunch of guys and girls together and not ripping on others rigs because "its not a jeep"

I'm glad everyone admits that Jeeps are the best. :D :lmao: :steer: :bowdown: :2thumbup: :cheers:

[Rick]

:rolleyes: lol

[Jackie]

I'm glad everyone admits that Jeeps are the best. :D :lmao: :steer: :bowdown: :2thumbup: :cheers:

Maybe. Maybe not! I'm looking into replacing our van with something... It doesn't have to be an off-roader, but will need 4wd and the chance of going off the pavement for a bit... I'm looking at the FJ's. How's the headroom in there? I've seen them in action and they are awesome! But is there enough headroom for a guy 6' 4"?

[Jackie]

BTW - I've had people in FJ's kick my but! Those suckers rock!!

[javaman34]

I'm glad everyone admits that Jeeps are the best. :D :lmao: :steer: :bowdown: :2thumbup: :cheers:


I'm not admitting anything. Lol

[Chris]

BTW - I've had people in FJ's kick my but! Those suckers rock!!

Rob fits in his, he's not 6'4" but he's on the tall side. FYI, 4Runner and FJC's are pretty much the same chassis & drivetrain so you might want to look at them too. I think the 4Runner _might_ have a bit more headroom.

[BLOODBANE]

Ran my first trail run in 2000, in my Ranger(Chinamans). I had just put the 302 in it, and the front D35. It was locked but still had the 7.5 rear ( I had always had a 4x4 since 1986 and was just used to hunting, wood hauling, that sort of wheeling). It went downhill since 2000. I upgraded the rear axle, put in a better built 302 (60 over) and started doing tougher trails. Fast forward a couple of years. Another upgrade to the motor (347 stroker)and tougher trails (I have done Independence once, but wont go back till my buggy is done). And now I'm building a dedicated Rock buggy (86 Samurai) (been sick this last year, so its kinda on hold). My motto has changed to "its not a matter of if we roll, its a matter of when

[Chris]

I'm glad everyone admits that Jeeps are the best. :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

Fixed it for you Max!

[jayson44]

my wife and I spent our honeymoon in Park City back in 2006. we took 2 days to drive down to Moab to do some rock climbing, but the night we got there it stormed. so the next day, the outfit we were with canceled because the rocks were going to be too slick. we asked what else there was to do in Moab, and were told we should get out on one of the 4x4 trails. we signed up for a Hummer tour of Hells Revenge in the afternoon since it was about the same cost as rock climbing would have been. then, to kill time, we took our Subaru Outback on Gemini Bridges and had a blast. the Hells Revenge ride was enough to get us sucked in.

less than a year later, I bought my first Jeep, an 83 CJ5, and we've been going off road ever since!

J.

[Jackie]

Great story, Jay!

[jayson44]

and I only cracked the front bumper on the Subi twice on Gemini Bridges!

J.

[The StRanger]

I'm glad everyone admits that Jeeps are the best. :D :lmao: :steer: :bowdown: :2thumbup: :cheers:

I love Jeeps. They have made a lot of my mortgage payments !!!

[ColoJeeper]

Been wheeling since "85" but can remember riding all over the mountains in my Dad's Jeep Wagoneer in the late 60's and 70's, so for me its been a way of life.

[Patrolman]

God I feel old.

Yeah, I was getting the same feeling when I was thinking back. Didn't want to admit it though. :)

[Patrolman]

Maybe. Maybe not! I'm looking into replacing our van with something... It doesn't have to be an off-roader, but will need 4wd and the chance of going off the pavement for a bit... I'm looking at the FJ's. How's the headroom in there? I've seen them in action and they are awesome! But is there enough headroom for a guy 6' 4"?

One of my old co-workers was 6'4" or so. He drove an Xterra because he felt it fit his height best. Maybe something to consider.

[dieseldoc]

16-20 years.
I have had many a 4x4, from stock to trailer queen rock buggy.
My favorite type has to be the full size jeeps. the 401v8 is a great power plant that once they have some headers and a better manifold they build great numbers.
My 2004 TJ is my next fave as the things are well built have a reliable engine/drivetrain in a comfortable ride.
I have wheeled all over the south west desert and much of colorando. I am enjoying getting know the trails here again as I left in 2006 to live in saint george, UT and Moab as well.

[Hypoid]

( I had always had a 4x4 since 1986 and was just used to hunting, wood hauling, that sort of wheeling)That experience makes it kind of a trick question. I learned how to operate the ol' Farmall in the early '70s, out in the fields. By the late '70s, my older brothers had parked their trucks out in the field. Guess where I drove them. :D

In '91 my ex and I lived near Watkins. We bought her a CJ-7, and soon after, I bought my F-100. After that, she brought home my Blue Healer pup. Soon as the dog was old enough to need a good run, I put him in the truck and took him out to the fields. Once we got there, I would kick the dog out and drive around. I drove over, and through just about anything that wouldn't ruin my tires. I learned you can get just as stuck, and just as hurt as anywhere else. I guess I belong in the old farts club.

[CS79bronco]

Guess I'm in the old farts club too, Mike. I learned to 4 wheel when I was 16, in the national Guard. I ran some of the tank trails at Fort Hood with an M38A1 on the weekend while most everybody else went into town to drink. That must have been 1959.

[xaza]

Yeah I didn't spread the options out very well for the old farts club, can be improved for a future poll since this is set to expire 2 weeks from start. I have enjoyed reading how everyone got their start in wheeling, thanks. Guess I'll fill in where I got my start. I was a dumb 15 year old (92') on the minimum maintenance roads in Nebraska with friends mom Olds Toronado though I did not count that. Continued to drive in fields, min maint roads and hunting trails on family property until 17 when I moved back to CO again. Enjoyed the off road exploits of very easy areas in a variety of vehicles. In about 2000 got a Bronco II that in stock form got me to many trails until it was totaled by a Semi. Got my Cherokee in 2002 and managed to get a 3.5 lift on it, eventually 31" tires. That was when I began to educate myself to be a more responsible wheeler. Eventually I began to educate myself more on fixing my truck and when the money allowed finally began to get it built, mostly 2011 to now, with the help of the members of this forum.

[NMC_EXP]

I agree with Jackie, sometimes it's not the years...it's the miles.

Reminded me of this...good driving song.

"Snowin on Raton" by Townes van Zandt

When the wind don't blow in Amarillo
And the moon along the Gunnison don't rise
Shall I cast my dreams upon your love, babe
And lie beneath the laughter of your eyes

It's snowin' on Raton
Come morning I'll be through them hills and gone

Mother thinks the road is long and lonely
Little brother thinks the road is straight and fine
Ah darling thinks the road is soft and lovely
And I'm thankful that old road is a friend of mine

Oh bid the years good-bye you cannot still them
You cannot turn the circles of the sun
Oh you cannot count the miles until you feel them
And you cannot hold a lover that is gone

Tomorrow the mountains will be sleeping
Silently 'neath the blanket green and blue
But I shall hear the silence they are keeping
I'll bring all their promises to you

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjnwCQrMUtE

[The StRanger]

Looks like I can expand a bit..
Back in the late 60s my folks where old school members of SkyLine jeep club in Salt Lake City. So I was almost raised on the trails.
My old man was good to let me run the CJ through the empty meadows. We used to always go hunting, So by the time I was early teen (when I wasnt hunting) dad would run to top of the mountain and let me run it back down to camp.
He sold of the CJ and picked up a brand spankin new Commando (Blue) and started to slow down his wheelin, I pick up a 54 chevy 2WD and started getin into runin the sand dunes.
As I spent more time diggin out than sanding it slowly turn into a street rod...
set the clock forward to about 2000, I was racin a SCCA Miata. Got tired of wreckin it and found the StRanger.
Now its just all about knockin trails of the list !!!

[Hypoid]

That must have been 1959.OK, a couple years before I was born. :lmao:

[mandicon]

Other: Less than a year...by a lot. :lmao: I only got my Jeep on Christmas Eve & thanks to schedules, have only managed to get out on the trail once.

TJester (husband) has had his TJ for 2 years now, but learned how to drive on his Dad's CJ.

[CS79bronco]

OK, a couple years before I was born. :lmao:

And you call yourself a grumpy "old man"? hahahahahahahaha

[Hypoid]

And you call yourself a grumpy "old man"? hahahahahahahaha
I think "old" was one of the adjectives the high school kids used, as I shooed them off my lawn. :D

[The StRanger]

Guess I'm in the old farts club too, Mike.

We have one of those now !!!