1:1 and full size wheeling

[venomous98]

So i just watched something pretty cool on the Outdoor Network about wheeling in Illinois. The place was called The Cliffs in Marseilles IL. I've been looking to get into full sized offroading and wanted to know has anyone been there or anywhere else that was fun in Illinois or not too far away. I will need to start out on some easy trails due to i only have a Ford Ranger and my other friends don't want to beat up their trucks. I know this is winter and these places might not be open but i was just curious. Thanks everyone

[InFlames]

Ive been there once, not exactly easy trails...

[venomous98]

Well that show was alittle misleading than, cause they said beginner friendly to super extreme. Maybe they ment for dirtbikes and atv's.

[Mnster]

Urg swamp mud no thanks. I like to be able to control where I'm going.


We've done 1:1 rc crawler meets in the past at Badlands it was a blast.
March 17 Champaign Il

[jetboat]

only beginner trail at the cliffs is trail 1... Trails 2 and 3 are fairly easy but very very difficult for a stock rig. That being said, I took my Stock Liberty with street tires out on 1 and 3 but, I knew the trails like the back of my hand and knew how to get around. If you go to the cliffs:
have another rig with you
have a winch
expect body damage
expect to spend half the day winching

As Ben said, Badlands is well worth the drive. Lots of rocks, lots of beginner friendly trails etc.

[addictedtonitro]

I think the cliffs are more of a atv/dirtbike facility.

[Cole82]

You guys need real wheeling rigs if you are scared of the cliffs.

Went on a midnight run with the local offroad club. The smallest tire they were running was 42's. I had 31's on the sami locked geared winched etc.. Mad it to the bottum in pooring rain had to be towed out after brakeing. First time I have ever seen a full tube buggy on mog axles with 52" mich cart wheel down a hill land on it's side. He floored it and got it on it's wheels. Then was told ok it your turn. I was a deer in the head lights. I pin balled my way down the hill off trees rolled onto my side 4 guys rolled me back onto wheel kept going. Def hard core wheeling in that group.

Cole

Here it is at the cliffs


These wouldnot go on the midnight run they chickened out of going with the big dogs.

[jetboat]

I ever get my cj2 done and Ill wheel the cliffs but, I could careless about damage. I wheel the heck out of that place with my atv every summer (and my own place all winter).

Funny story, my neighbors best friends son is the coowner of the cliffs... and no he won't give any deals, I tried

[venomous98]

Ok, sounds like i won't be going there anytime soon with my truck!!! I think that place is way over my skill level, except on a dirtbike i'll tear it up.

[bubbaracing]

Here's my buddies Kaiser, that's what ya need to wheel with!

[LS1Armyboy]

the fountains in crystal lake! check it out, its right bye the old folks home

[venomous98]

The Fountains? Do you have cross streets or an address. I go through there once in awhile to a friends house, might have to stop by.

[jetboat]

The fountains in crystal lake is a sr care facility... there looks to be some construction in the area and several vacant lots...please tell me you are wheeling illegaly....

[AreCee]

All of the places that the Chicagoland 4WD Club used to go to when I was a member are all developed or posted. Only Silver Lake MI and Land Between the Lakes KY are left from where we used to go off-roading. (Yes Jeff, I really did imagine it.).

[k5guy38]

The Fountains is illeagal same with gavers where everyone used to go in woodstock.

[bubba j]

i live by it i have done every single trail]

[bubbaracing]

Originally Posted by bubba j

i live by it i have done every single trail]

You got a crawler too cause you aint to far from most of us!

[GumbyIL]

I've been to the Cliffs a lot. I don't know when I'll be back even though I have a year pass I've barely used. The slippery mud just sucks. It's not really wheeling. Even the really hard stuff is just V-notches and more mud. I hate what the mud does to my truck. It tears up everything and makes wrenching on it a mess.

I hit the Badlands about 3-4 times a year and Washita and Flat Nasty are on the yearly schedule now after a good time last year.

And Cole:

I have a real truck.



Its a 73 Toyota FJ55 Land Cruiser sectioned 21 inches to make it a two door with the stock wheelbase. 4 link rear, 3 link with a panhard in front. coil sprung w/ 14 Fox remote reservoirs, 350 csb/Th400/NP203/Cruiser 16spline case. 36"TSL SX on beadlocks. 80 series fullfloat rear. 78 front with superlongfields and Howe ram assist. Selectable lockers in each. Pic is from last years Chicago Toyota Jambo at the Cliffs.

[Cole82]

Looks nice Gumby any more wheeling pics?

[GumbyIL]

Southern MO Off Road Ranch