90 replies to this topic

[Mike Kamm]

I am looking for members here from the northeast who would like to join us for some "soft roading." That's mild off roading that a stock 4WD compact can handle. Mostly just dirt fire access and seasonal back roads.

I would like to get a few compact 4WD cars together for such activities. I have put together a few routes in my spare time and have a small group of like minded enthusiasts lined up to go along, including my 4WD Sentra wagon, a 4WD Civic wagon and two Suzuki SX4's.

Boy it would be great to get a classic Suby in the mix as well!

We're not into mud bogging. Just challenging routes where you have to pay attention to stay damage free, but not beyond the capabilities of a compact 4WD car.





There are a few streams that flow across the road to make it interesting.





That boulder is about five times the size of the car!




If this looks like fun let me know. We're looking to head out for our first ever 4WD compact car tour coming up on Sunday, Nov.25th.

[moosens]

I sure will try. I think my wagon can climb that boulder.

Near Albany ?

Jesse , you see this? Brat would complete the picture.

Thanks for asking, Mike !!

[Mike Kamm]

Near Albany ?


Thanks for asking, Mike !!

You're welcome moosens.

Our plan is to also bring a lunch along and take some pictures of our group's cars out on the trails.

Yes just outside of Albany. Do you know of any members here that are near the Capital District of NY, in western MA or VT?

Edited by Mike Kamm, 13 November 2012 - 10:27 PM.

[moosens]

Nobody I can think of. Backwoodsyboy ?

[bonvo]

if you were on the left coast i would be down

[Subafreak]

I never knew they made 4WD sentras too! Sweet!

And I see it Paul. I'd be more concerned with the 3 or 4 Hr. ride to get out there than the off-road part it's self. It does sound like fun though.

[Mike Kamm]

I finished up freshening the rear suspension on my wagon and spent this beautiful day [60+ degrees] in the forest scouting more roads for the 25th.





Some of them had remanants from Hurricane Sandy.....





it was a good outing again today. With the newly discovered roads the upcoming meet will be even more fun now.

Also looking forward to running this route after the first snowfall of the year.

[moosens]

Got a general location in relation to highways ,etc.?

Oh !!! I see it , NICE !!!

Edited by moosens, 14 November 2012 - 01:28 AM.

[Mike Kamm]

Update: I have postponed the event one week and we will now be having it on Sunday, December 2nd. Who knows, we might even get some snow by then.

[Subafreak]

That could be a more doable weekend. Will have to see what the money situation looks like and how the BRAT is feeling around that time.

[Mike Kamm]

That could be a more doable weekend. Will have to see what the money situation looks like and how the BRAT is feeling around that time.

That would be a bonus of you could join us! So far we have a Nissan, a Honda, and three Suzukis, but no Subarus yet.

[moosens]

We'll probably be there in my 78 4wd wagon.

Jesse , the money will be tight and your old Subaru questionable but you'll be going anyways. Lol

[Subafreak]

Rofl! Makeing my mind up for me? I like that.

[moosens]

Sundays are tricky for my schedule so I'll have to leave before dark for sure. Yeah we'll pack a small cooler. And shoot for 9am up around the spot.

[Subafreak]

Can we get an adress of said spot?

[moosens]

Can we get an adress of said spot?

Not in public.

It's up along the MA/NY border.

If we meet in Danbury we'll be there in about an hour.

I'm thinking Mike will contact us with the secrect entrance,

Don't forget its hunting season.

[Mike Kamm]

Just got home from a 12 hour day and am pleasantly surprised to see all of the new interest here. Awesome. I have an email list I use to streamline info exchanges and communicate with everyone at once. Please send me a note to mikek (at] icerace[dot) com and I will add you to my list and inform you with all of the meet details.

If any of you have walkie-talkies, bring them. We can all set them to the same channel and communicate on the trails.

For you guys coming from further away, no need to get up really early and such. We could meet at 10:00 or even 11:00 am or so. It's the weekend, we want to relax and enjoy. :)

Mike

[moosens]

We have it pencilled in. Most likely bringing my son and daughter.

[Mike Kamm]

Excellent Paul. I've never seen your '78 4wd wagon. Looking forward to it. Are there pics anywhere on the forum?

[l75eya]

I'd be interested in this as well. Could somebody post the nearest town to where it would take place? I'd like to get an idea on mileage. My limiting factor will be money...Glad it was post-poned of sorts, that gives me more time to make some extra dough.

I'll keep my eye on this and let you all know!

Edited by l75eya, 18 November 2012 - 09:44 PM.

[Mike Kamm]

I'd be interested in this as well. Could somebody post the nearest town to where it would take place? I'd like to get an idea on mileage. My limiting factor will be money...Glad it was post-poned of sorts, that gives me more time to make some extra dough.

I'll keep my eye on this and let you all know!

Awesome. I hope you can join us. We'd love to have "Magpie" come up for the run!

We'll be meeting in West Sand Lake, NY to start the tour.

[moosens]

Ahh, that name caught our eye. We are used to the sandy trails of the NJ pine barrens.

On phone now but I'll try to post a pic, Mike. Check my gallery. Should be a shot of it over the NJ sand.

Looking forward to this.

Hoboken is probably not much further than my run. Be cool to have a fellow Subathusiast there incase Jesse bails out.

I will post some detailed pics of my 78's underside later. Jesse had it up on a lift recently. You guys can see where I'm at for rust, and general condition. Probably the last year I do this type of riding with it unless I devote time and money - that old formula of divorce. Lol

[Mike Kamm]

Ahh, that name caught our eye. We are used to the sandy trails of the NJ pine barrens.

I have some family down there and have toured a few the sandy fire access roads once. Good fun.

Check my gallery. Should be a shot of it over the NJ sand.

Found it. Cool! Haven't seen one of those in years!

I will post some detailed pics of my 78's underside later. Jesse had it up on a lift recently. You guys can see where I'm at for rust, and general condition.

Us salt belt northeasterners that still drive these classic 4wd compacts definitely pay our dues. How does the saying go, "If it was easy, everyone would be doing it." :-p

[Mike Kamm]

Although my wagon is 11 years newer than yours Paul, it still needed rust repairs. Here's the quick story on my '89 Sentra.

I got the car for $50 back in '99 or so. It was wrecked and was in a barn for five years getting coated in Pigeon poop and looked like this:


In this condition and with 150-k miles on it, surely the next stop would be the junkyard right?



I mean, what fool would try to bring a car like this back into shape?

Well, I figured the price was right and 4WD Sentras don't grow on trees. So I jumped in with both feet.



I had a friend saw off everything ahead of the shock towers with a his gas powered cut off wheel. I secured another wagon as a doner parts car for the project and did the same to it. Then I grafted on the straight front clip. I was able to source the correct colored front end parts from local salvage yards so I did not even have to paint the car! Here's how it looked after many months of work.

[Mike Kamm]

So all was well and I enjoyed the car for many seasons of ice racing and winter rallies and then guess what happened? No surprise, it started to rust. As usual it just seemed like a few bubbles in the paint, but then after some poking and digging.......



Left side.



Right side.



I kept cutting back until clean metal was found.



Rebuilding the inner structure. Remember this is a jacking point for this car.



Replacing the outer skin.



Panels aligned and prepped for final welding.







Back in shape and ready for more winter fun. But as we all know, more of this will be needed again. It's just a matter of time.

[This was in 2008]