hey all, just wondering what the limits are on a 04.5 2500 auto 4x4 crew cab short box
just has the cheap and free mods, nothing else
whats the max fording depth? and is there anywhere to offroad in pittsburgh pa?

 

wanna do some wheelin, outside tower city pa, a place called Roush Creek. i have never been there ( i only wheel on the old coal trails), but a bunch of buddies have, and they love it. as far as a stock CR wheelin, not sure, never took mine out. i don't want to scratch the paint just yet

 

Getting stuck.... Thats its capabilities stock I've had mine to the middle of the bumper in water. Just don't get water in the intake.

 

ha ha i guess thats where stacks come in handy, at least they don't look funny on big truck, seen them on jeeps and such, and i don't dig that at all

 

We were at Moab, UT a couple years ago. We took my Ram up to Arches National Park and ended up taking it down the Salt Valley 4x4 trail (not just the improved road). It's a "moderate" trail, a little over 9 miles long, recommended for high clearance 4wd vehicles only. Unfortunately, that sign was NOT posted at the end of the trail we started on.

Got about 2 miles in and went down a set of "steps" about 18" high. After I got to that point, I started think I was going to end up having to have my truck hauled out by a helicopter, as there was NO WAY it would crawl back up those steps! Between the deep sandy washes, slick-rock out-croppings, the steep hills and blind peaks, it took nearly 4 hours to get to the end. Don't get me wrong, it was a blast, but we were about as nervous as a blind *** at a weenie roast! There were sections where 4-low, granny gear, and 4.10 axle gears were still too fast.

The slick-rock literally shredded the tread lugs from the stock BFG's as they struggled to pull the truck's bulk over it, and the skid-plates, rear diff and nerf bars made some cool bumping and scraping sounds.

We eventually made it through, the only damage was a light trail-side pin-stripe down the passenger side. I don't believe I would try that trail with my truck again. It's just too long, too wide and too heavy.

Here at the house, if I get it even close to mud, it sinks straight to the axles and stays there. In snow or loose gravel, it wheel-hops so much, I have to get out and **** blood and the "un-limited slip" differential is a joke at best.

I love my truck, but it definitely ain't an off-roader in stock trim. That's why I'm working on building my 4-BT S-10!

 

Now that funny right there!

 

how far from pittsburgh? ive found a trail bout an hour from me in beaver that has a guide come with you but i wanna do something myself

 

well its up I 81 north of the 78 split. ummmm from harrisburg maybe 45 min, hour if there is traffic. i wanna say its exit 107. i found this web site, don't know if it will help you out.


Rausch Creek Off Road Park

 

so far, i haven't tested the lmits of mine, but i'm sure the limits aren't far from the pavement! of course i wheel a well built xj that does almost everyting so it's hard to compare.
i think the truck is just too wide, long and heavy to do much.
now, with front and rear lockers, some skid plates and rock rails, and a willingness to scratch it up or worse, it would do ok in some terrain. not on the tight tree lined trails i have here though.

 

If you throw a decent set of tires on it you'll go a lot farther than a stocker... Problem is, the Cummins is so heavy the front end sinks in the mud. With a set of lockers, good tires, and a small lift (plus proper trail armor), these trucks will hold there own with the best of em. My truck with the 35's will go anywhere a stock Jeep will go (not a Rubicon). Its not a great truck in the mud, but the big footprint goes a long way.