Polar Bear Drive-Topless even!

[Erik V]

Decided to head up to the local mountain roads the ATV trails in my area are home to (those trails are closed for the winter/spring). Didnt have anybody with me, so I took my dogs, and overpacked just in case I ended up having any issues. Ended up being so many people doing the same thing, I really wasnt alone afterall. Put on about 15 miles of snowy roads, some black ice on the paved roads on the way up, and ended it with a drive to the local hospital parking garage as I was trying to catch the sunset (and ended up opting for the parking garage trying to gain altitude before the horizon went dark).

Pics anyone?





























All in all I'm really impressed with my very little offroad experience, a 42 year old truck (setup the way it was in the late 70's), on 16 year old new tires, in well below 30* weather not counting wind chill. Best New Year's Day I've had in longer than I can remember.

Erik

[my71gmc]

Looks awesome - great pictures.

[bouncytruck]

Looks like fun. I almost took the Blazer out for a drive around town yesterday. These pictures make me wish I had.

[swyfor5]

Nice pic's man! Sometimes I wish it was just me and my dogs too! How did ya get the pic's from the mudd puddle without getting wet?

[landy]

Very nice! How'd the soft top do in keeping the cab warm?

[Erik V]

Originally Posted by landy

Very nice! How'd the soft top do in keeping the cab warm?

My heater controls are dead, whatever the middle knob does, it doesnt anymore), the fan speed maybe? In HS I hard wired a toggle in, but I think its set on the middle setting. Even then-when on defrost it keeps things plenty warm inside. I dont have a thermometer, but it was very windy, and the snow was frozen anywhere tires compressed it, so I'm guessing high 20's at the warmest?

Once the top came off, even my dogs got low (the mufflers are somewhat close to the rear floorboard, thus creating a warm place to hide.

[Erik V]

Originally Posted by swyfor5

Nice pic's man! Sometimes I wish it was just me and my dogs too! How did ya get the pic's from the mudd puddle without getting wet?

I wanted to be farther out, but after Spiderman'ing across the bedrail and jumping for shore I realized getting back in dry would be a lot harder. Tossed a rock a few feet out from the edge, stepped onto that, then leaped onto the back bumper and crawled back to the front. Honestly, this shot is best made with a 2nd person to take the picture before heading out into the puddle, but neither of my dogs have opposable thumbs, so I had to do it myself.

[SACRAMENTO 71]

Awesome pics Erik, makes me wish I was in WA to tag along

[OldCreek]

Awesome pics. Being bundled up when its cold and the heater blasting can be a refreshing ride when the top is off!

As an aside, I installed electric seat heaters in my front buckets and rear bench and they sure do help a lot!

[Erik V]

I've got cloth covered Volvo vinyl buckets up front, stock seat on custom framework in the back. In the garage I have a pair of vinyl shoulder belt buckets from a 97 Sebring Convertible that I'm going to install up front...but since I plan on running them as is without aftermarket covers, I'm thinking butt heat is going to be a must.

I have yet to the put the top back up (mainly because once its unsnapped and the temp is below the mid 50's or more, its nearly impossible to stretch enough to snap back on), and we're looking at snow down to 500' overnight. Hoping for a short work day tomorrow with snow still on the ground (take a miracle I know) so I can throw on the swim trunks and flip flops and go for a true Polar Bear drive to the grocery store. ...should be worth the hypothermia right?

Erik