2012 Lil Sahara Raptor Dune Run - Pics, Videos, and Report

[Allied Offroad]

Literally anytime we would slow down and start messing around in one spot, we would have between 50-100+ ppl watching us. then we would have a random on a quad fly by our campsite and yell "chevy's are better!".... great time guys.

 

[whtrapta]

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

sweet, some more awesome pics

 

[whtrapta]

Lots more to come tomorrow. Photobucket is taking is sweet time.

 

[Allied Offroad]

ahhhh i need my fiberglass!!!! i couldnt air out my truck because of the 37s! ripped inner fenderwell out of driver side on a huge hit, and severed air line for 4wd hub engagement.

 

[pirate air]

Looks like an awesome time!

 

[MotuMute]

ahhhh i need my fiberglass!!!! i couldnt air out my truck because of the 37s! ripped inner fenderwell out of driver side on a huge hit, and severed air line for 4wd hub engagement.

Wow I didn't realize you we're having 4wd issues too. Yep time for glass! My driver side fender liner can't take any more haha

---------- Post added at 04:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:06 AM ----------

Cody's NOW-ANNUAL dune run is definitely a don't miss trip - to get that big air pic/video without trashing your truck - and do some serious pucker dune blasting (or just watch others jumping... absolutely have to see in person - as per usual the pics and video don't do it true justice). Great way to test suspension mods like 3.0's and/or 37's with and without glass fenders.


BEST LIGHTING AWARD goes to WSI. Jimmy's Whelans were phenomenonal for such small lights. Really have to have good aftermarket lighting on night runs unless you need an excuse to get a cool aftermarket front bumper (lessons courtesy Wheela and myself).


Special thanks to Cory (okieracing) for leading the way and picking out the right kind of dune to jump. These dunes shift every season so have to look around and test them to get it right.



LESSONS LEARNED:

(of course a frame kit is always highly recommended)

1) Go faster in smaller increments when you are finally maxing it out. I discovered a little more speed goes a long way if you happen to crest the dune just right (on last run - 5 mph got me 18 more feet so out-jumped the dune slope --> harder on truck and your back

2) With everyone making a go at it, the dune crest gets torn up pretty quick. After 7 to 8 passes will have to move over out of the ruts to get good air, but test run it incrementally because may have a different landing than before - hitting more on left or right side instead of both wheels together (just because you line up your truck for front side doesn't mean that shifting sand dune angle is perfectly lined up on the back side)

3) No one in back seat (courtesy Raptor Wifey's back). Front seats made for it, but back seats are for sight-seeing on smoother adventures. Damn hard lesson!

4) Wear the shoulder belt too - not just the lap belt (courtesy my back).
I had earlier been trying out the philosophy after TRR of just lap belt when blasting around - put that strangling ever-cinching shoulder strap behind me... I then forgot to put the shoulder strap back on because the smaller jumps were so smooth... Another damn hard lesson!

5) Don't out-jump the dune!!! Unless you get "suspension" seats (shock absorbing) and 5 point harness to prevent jerking forward with that sudden deceleration, and maybe even a head restraint tether. Oh, and bring some strong painkillers for back pain lol. And a heating pad... You are not going to enjoy that long ride home... Swedish massage therapist haha

 

[Madcowranch]

Sounds like a blast John. Wish I could've joined you guys.

 

[Allied Offroad]

Luckily when that vacuum line is severed, default is 4wd. I had zero issues, with 4wd, the whole Weekend. It's just that you push the front end the whole way home.

 

[whtrapta]

We also need video or pics of drag racing so we have proof for the disbelievers *cough* Jimmy *cough* that my 5.4 is actually pretty damn quick.