Dirt Road / Off Road Yaris

[NYC-SE]

Cool videos. So you didn't make it up the hill, I'm still impressed. Seems the Yaris can do almost anything.

[justjesus]

Originally Posted by ern-diz

I remember your original thread about this. I think this is pretty cool and enjoyed the vids. Thanks for sharing.

I remember adding to others' threads, not sure I ever started one, until now. Maybe Thanks, and glad you enjoyed.

Originally Posted by aspro

I just watched your videos. Wow that is insanity. I think your first big investment should be a limited slip diff. That would help out big time with getting up those hills.

If I did go LSD, I would also add the FD from the xB. Both of those, and installation, is going into $2k territory! THAT investment would be saved for pretty much last. Tires seemed like a good place to start. If it didn't work out, take them off and sell off to the Baja VW guys. But yeah, didn't want to put 2k into it just yet.

Originally Posted by Jason@SportsCar

15" rally tires are easily sourced, and should be a better fit in your fenders.

I say go with the least expensive coil over kit you can find, maybe Ground Control sleeves on your existing struts, then swap the springs out for taller ones.

You MUST get an LSD for that thing, you are nuts going after that stuff with an open diff.

Rally tires were indeed a consideration. I was speaking with the guys over at Micro Image and was looking at tires. I do forget WHY I stuck with the BFGs, though. Could have been a tire size thing (slightly taller for added clearance?)? Such a long time ago, I forgot.

I was thinking about Ground Controls as well. Also was looking at those coilovers that have the height adjustment in the lower body part, rather than the spring perch that adjusts, that way it can sort of add to the overall height of the coilover.

NUTS. I thought I had my buddy's support (the 4Runner guy) until I was out there, trying some of these "obstacles" and he, too, called me nuts. As did my girlfriend. Okay. So I have to accept that I'm a bit nuts! And as much as I would LOVE and LSD, the price is juuuust a bit off my budget. Though, I will be having a CRX and some parts up for sale after the weekend. If I can make enough, maybe, just maybe, I'll get that LSD.

Originally Posted by Exiwolfman

I find a good trick is to do left foot braking as the wheels spin just tap the pedal works like traction control lol I used this method when taking my Jeep out on trails with an open front diff also hand brake does the trick with open rear diff or when the limited slips to much .

haha...yeah, I tried that as well. One problem that I encountered going up that hill was the RPMs kept dropping low, to where the engine would shut off. That's another argument for getting the xB Final Drive, to keep the RPMs a little higher. The engine shut off at least 10 times. I did the left foot braking, hand braking, etc. I'm not sure if it's in this video clip, but you can see my wipers going on. That's because my arms and feet were all over the place trying to keep it going, prevent it from shutting off, and steering. AutoX was never that hard!

Originally Posted by Exiwolfman

also having throttle control on your shifter old trick on jeeps u wire it so u can use ur hand to control throttle and have ur right foot free to be used on brake pedal.

I remember those little thumb controls on the Jeeps! Old school. I don't think that would work, given our electronic throttle controllers. Not cable actuated, like in the olden days.

Originally Posted by NYC-SE

Cool videos. So you didn't make it up the hill, I'm still impressed. Seems the Yaris can do almost anything.

Thanks. At the end, there were quite a few people gathered wondering if I were going to make it. I tried! But no. In the end, it just wasn't enough



Well, with the holidays upon us, I'll be taking a break from this project. I'll see if I can do some more and post to this thread. That hill is calling my name.