Don Carter AKA Big Red

Don Carter

Is there a more appropriate handle for a 6-foot-8 redhead? Big Red cut his youthful backroading teeth while hunting and fishing with his dad and brother in Washington state. In 1984, a friend invited him to ride shotgun on the hard-core TDS Desert Safari 4X4 event. The hook was set and he bought his first 4WD two weeks later.

Red’s current truck is a blue ‘85 Toyota Extra-Cab with a long list of improvements that include tires, suspension, air-lockers, two winches and an ultra-low-range system made by combining two transfer cases. Don has transformed the fuel injected Toy into a very capable rock crawling machine hindered only by the 114-inch wheelbase. Currently, Don leads all of the "most difficult" trips offered in this newsletter. He also enjoys the full spectrum of 4-wheeling from tagging along on "college trips" to looking for tough challenges with his 4Xing friends.

Big Red Sez,

Don't let my black diamond trip pictures scare you off. The shots I use on the site and in the newsletter are often the most extreme things that happened on the trips. This year, I want to touch on vehicle modifications.

Some people are content with the surprisingly adequate stable of stock vehicle now available. Others have the "gotta make it better" disease. If you think you’ve been bitten by this bug, you’d better immediately get down to your favorite off-road shop for a consultation. But before you go, think about the ultimate level of modifications you want. No sense in buying parts twice. For example, almost all new trucks will benefit from a new set of shocks, but stock replacements are often not correct for a new suspension lift.

This is a brief basic lesson in vehicle modifications. It reflects my opinions that are not shared by everyone. First, you don’t need to mess with the motor in modern vehicles. Engine performance can often be improved over stock, but it is not as important as tires, gearing, suspension and a locking differential. If your tire size starts with the letter P, you have passenger-car-type tires. These "P-rated" tires are "P-proned" to failure when subjected to even mild abuse. Upgrade to LT (light truck) rated tires. Bigger tires add traction and make obstacles easier to overcome. Most vehicles, especially those with less than big V-8 engines, become dogs without a gear change, too. This offsets the gearing effect of big tires. Also, larger tires tend to rub in unwanted places. A good suspension lift will add tire clearance and ground clearance, and keep those big tires in contact with the ground. Tires get much better traction while on the ground rather than up in the air! As for lockers, if you don’t know what they are or what they do, you need to order the "Components" newsletter reprint (see page 31), which discussed differentials and lockers.

RUBICON RENDEZVOUS The Rubicon demands only the best-built and maintained rigs. A serious breakdown may require days to get the truck back to pavement. This is not the trail to learn the basics of rock crawling on. This is the graduate rock crawling course. A locker is required for any 4X bigger than a Wrangler, mainly to speed things along. There is no time for someone to get stuck several times in the same day. Full-size pickups can make it through the Rubicon, but we no longer accept them. Once again, improved ground clearance, better tires and a locker will make this very scenic and challenging trip more enjoyable.

ABOUT BREAKDOWNS Mainly, they don’t happen. When things do break, we usually fix them. It is vital that drivers have a working knowledge of their particular truck. If your truck is prone to breaking a certain part, carry a spare! If you don’t know your truck’s weak links, ask someone at an off-road shop. My Toyota’s weak links are the steering arm and the front axles. I carry spares and all the tools, seals and lubricants required to replace them. If we can’t fix it, we’ll try to tow it. If we can’t tow it, we’ll have to leave it. This has only happened once in hundreds of trips. We will get you and your passengers safely to civilization and help put you in touch with someone who can fix it or tow it out.

If you have any questions regarding the trips I lead, please call me at (949) 492-5415 or even better, use e-mail at AKABIGRED@aol.com.