I finally took my new F-350 off roading a little this weekend. We went up to Crown King and a little beyond on Sunday. It was raining all day long (on and off) but the clouds drifting through the mountians was truly breath taking! I was very happy with the way the truck handled. It did a heck of a lot better than my wife's Yukon or my old Jeep. The steering was firm and solid even on the washboards. Even in the wet road conditions and occasional mud I "slid" only once or twice. The only trouble I encountered was taking the super sharp turns in the CC 8ft bed truck! If I didn't take the turn wide enough I would have to gun it to swing the rear end out in order to avoid having to back up (how embarassing!)

Anyone here ever take the back road to Crown King from Lake Pleasant? It might be fun to get a group from here together to go up and grab a burger and beer. We would have to come back the regular route to I-17 since it is supposed to take 5 to 6 hours to get there the back way.

Anyone interested???

When on two wheels-
FXSTC
Mesa- AZ

2003, F-350, Lariat, V10, CC, LWB, Dark Shadow Grey, 6sp Manual, "get off your lazy *ss" FX4, 4.30, Camper Pkg, Sirius Satellite Radio, Borla cat-back, Granatelli MAF, K&N Gen II FIPK, et. al., ad infinitum, ad nauseum...

 

I'd be interested, sounds like fun.

 

I drove my old courier out that way once. Its a nice drive.

 

Hey I would like to go. i say we ste up a time around Decenber since that is the only time i can go!! I have taken half of th etrail before!!:-X12

 

The back route in to Crowne King is a pretty fun run. I did it several years ago. There were some pretty rough sections, but for the most part it was straight forward. Gotta watch what time of year you head up there though. They can get a decent amount of snow up there in the winter. Depending on when everyone is considering going, I could be in...

 

Would a 4X2 89 F250 be able to make the back road.

 

I took it and I suggest 4X4>

 

There would be some tough spots with a 4x2... Nothing that some careful and selective driving wouldn't be able to overcome though. Provided that the weather was friendly, and that you had some friends along with some pulling power (just in case), you should be able to make it. I wouldn't try it alone in a 4x2 though.

 

Sounds like we have a few takers! I think the sooner the better in consideration of weather.

When on two wheels-
FXSTC
Mesa- AZ

2003, F-350, Lariat, V10, CC, LWB, Dark Shadow Grey, 6sp Manual, "get off your lazy *ss" FX4, 4.30, Camper Pkg, Sirius Satellite Radio, Borla cat-back, Granatelli MAF, K&N Gen II FIPK, et. al., ad infinitum, ad nauseum...

 

With a 460 pulling power isn't the problem, but tire digging is.

 

Not a question of YOUR pulling power... A nice big and heavy truck that is well dug in might as well be a 30' pine tree to the 4 banger Ranger that tries to help... Once you are sufficiently dug in, all the power in the world spinning those tires probably won't help.

To be honest though, it is probably not a factor on the back way to Crown King. I recall some pretty rough sections, and one long, rocky uphill section. Nothing that would really stick a truck. Of course, that was a couple of years ago. And, as I said earlier, I make no promises about the crap that Mother Nature can stir up!

 

I'm a landscaper and she does have a tendancy to through some wild things at ya.

 

I'm in for this trip let me know when.

Wes

 

I just need a few weeks notice to let work know I won't be there. Friday's and Saturdays are best for me.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-Nov-02 AT 00:59 AM (EST)]if i can get my new motor in and my 78 truck back together i'd like to make the run. seems like a good way to break in a new motor. it started out to be just a rebuild. now it's a frame on resto. painting this, sandblasting that, powder coating, new this new that.... you know the deal.

Paul