721: TLCA Rubithon Recap 2026
About this episode
Hosts Tyler and Jimmy catch up after a grueling but rewarding week at the TLCA Rubithon on the legendary Rubicon Trail. They share updates on their Iceco APL 20 fridge giveaway and dive into the impressive Kickstarter success of the new Iceco VL 45 Plus, highlighting its unique CarPlay integration. The duo also introduces their next partner, Wolfbox, debating the merits of digital rear-view mirror cameras in off-road rigs versus daily drivers. It is a jam-packed recap filled with trail stories, gear talk, and practical off-road advice.
Tyler and Jimmy both attended the Toyota Land Cruiser Association Rubithon this year, but they took different paths. Jimmy went in the 4Runner run and met Lee at Buck Island Lake, and Tyler went down Cadillac. They met each other at the Rubicon Springs on Friday and relaxed. The main event was on Saturday, and they spent the time shaking babies’ and kissing hands.
GROUP BUY: There is a new group buy happening, and this time it is with Wolfbox for their G900TriPro. If we get ten people signed up then we will get $20 off. If we can get 20 people signed up, we will get $30 off, and if we can get 30 people signed up, then it will be $40 off. If you’re interested in joining the group buy, then please email Jimmy or Tyler, or jump on to the Discord.
SnailTrail4x4 Discord: https://discord.gg/yFyFFkQbuy
Come hang out with us on the SnailTrail4x4 Discord — it’s the easiest way to connect with Tyler and Jimmy directly, chat with fellow offroad enthusiasts, and get first access to Group Buys and Treasure Hunt token drops.
MORRFlate Giveaway at 900 Reviews on Apple Podcast. But our next giveaway is when we reach 800 reviews; we are giving away an OnX Elite Membership. We will also give away an OnX Elite membership when we get to 850. However, when we reach 900 Reviews, we are teaming up with MORRFlate for a $1000 MF Product Giveaway. Go over to Apple Podcasts to leave your review now and become eligible to win. Congratulations to A13XMONT, who won a set of tires from Yokohama Tire!
Call us and leave us a VOICEMAIL!!!We want to hear from you even more!!! You can call and say whatever you like! Ask a question, leave feedback, correct some information about welding, say how much you hate your Jeep, and wish you had a Toyota! We will air them all, live, on the podcast! +01-916-345-4744. If you have any negative feedback, you can call our negative feedback hotline, 408-800-5169.
4Wheel Underground has all the suspension parts you need to take your off-road rig from leaf springs to a performance suspension system. We just ordered our kits for Kermit and Samantha and are looking forward to getting them. The ordering process was quite simple, and after answering the questionnaire, we ensured we got the correct and best-fitting kits for our vehicles. If you want to level up your suspension game, check out 4Wheel Underground.
SnailTrail4x4 Podcast is brought to you by all of our peeps over at irate4x4! Make sure to stop by and see all of the great perks you get for supporting SnailTrail4x4! Discount Codes, Monthly Give-Always, Gift Boxes, the SnailTrail4x4 Community, and the ST4x4 Treasure Hunt! Thank you to all of those who support us! We couldn’t do it without you guys (and gals!)!
SnailSquad Monthly GiveawayJuly’s Giveaway is with a company that Jimmy and Tyler have very good experience with, especially after TrailHeroX. This month’s giveaway is with Wolfbox. They are giving away one G900TriPro to a lucky winner. This is the same three-camera rearview mirror setup that they received during TrailHeroX. If you want a chance to win this system from Wolfbox make sure you sign up for the giveaway tier on either Irate4x4 or the SnailTrail4x4 Discord.
This month’s giveaway is with Iceco Freezers. We are excited to work with and share their exciting new releases. One lucky winner has a chance to an ALP20 Fridge. Big thanks to Iceco for sponsoring this month’s giveaway. If you want a chance to win, sign up for the Giveaway Tier on Irate4x4
Congrats to Johnny Freskie, you won the Rusoh Fire Extinguishers. We have one of their 2.5-pound extinguishers to give away to a lucky winner. This extinguisher has an 18-year shelf life and is the best fire extinguisher for any off-road vehicle. To learn more, check out Rusoh.com. If you want a chance to win, sign up for the Giveaway Tier on Irate4x4
Listener Discount Codes:SnailTrail4x4 –SnailTrail15 for 15% off SnailTrail4x4 Merch
MORRFlate – snailtraill4x4 to get 10% off MORRFlate Multi Tire Inflation Deflation™ Kits
4WheelUnderground – snailtrail 10% off
Iceco – SnailTrail 12%off
Ironman 4×4 – snailtrail20 to get 20% off all Ironman 4×4 branded equipment!
Sidetracked Offroad – snailtrail4x4 (lowercase) to get 15% off lights and recovery gear
Spartan Rope – snailtrail4x4 to get 10% off sitewide
Shock Surplus – SNAILTRAIL4x4 to get $25 off any order!
Mob Armor – SNAILTRAIL4X4 for 15% off
SummerShine Supply – ST4x4 for 10% off
Backpacker’s Pantry – Affiliate Link
Laminx Protective Films – Use the Link to get 20% off all products (Affiliate Link)
Show Music:
- Midroll Music – ComaStudio
- Outroll Music – Meizong Kumbang
Wrangler Rubicon
"...s. And of course, hearing about how fantastic the Rubicon is in Toyotas, then this is the podcast for you."
The Jeep Wrangler is a rugged SUV made by Jeep that is famous for its ability to drive over rocks, mud, and rough trails. You can take its doors and roof off to drive in the open air.
The Jeep Wrangler is an iconic, highly capable off-road SUV featuring a body-on-frame design, solid front and rear axles, and removable doors and roof. It is the benchmark vehicle for trail riding and rock crawling, particularly in its off-road-focused Rubicon trim.
Cadillac Hill
"...made it tracking Lee behind me coming out Cadillac and throughout to Tehoma made it very simple and very easy to do."
A very steep, rocky, and narrow hill at the end of the Rubicon Trail that requires careful driving to avoid sliding off the edge.
Cadillac Hill is a notoriously steep, narrow, and rocky climb near the eastern exit of the Rubicon Trail. It features tight switchbacks, off-camber ledges, and a steep drop-off on one side, making it one of the trail's most challenging obstacles.
Saab 900
"...e, the retail price on a G 900 and are they all G 900s? That was my other question. We should have proba..."
The Saab 900 is an older, uniquely styled passenger car made by a Swedish company that is no longer in business. It is known for having its ignition switch on the floor between the front seats instead of on the dashboard.
The Saab 900 is a classic compact executive car produced by the Swedish automaker Saab from 1978 to 1998. Renowned for its quirky aircraft-inspired design, front-wheel-drive layout, and pioneering use of turbocharging, it has achieved a dedicated cult following among automotive enthusiasts.
Bugatti Divo
"...more or less the same way that we did it with the Divos. Perfect. So yeah. And it looks like they have li..."
The Bugatti Divo is an extremely rare and expensive sports car built by a French manufacturer. It is designed to drive incredibly fast on race tracks and is owned by a very small number of collectors.
The Bugatti Divo is a mid-engine, track-focused hypercar produced in an extremely limited run of just 40 units. Based on the Chiron, the Divo features heavily revised aerodynamics, lighter weight, and suspension tuned for cornering agility rather than straight-line top speed.
Rubicon Trail
"...where we get to talk about Rubathon and all the shenanigans that happened out on the Rubicon trail during the Toyota Land Cruiser Association's Rubathon event."
A legendary, extremely difficult dirt and rock trail in California that off-roaders from all over the world travel to test their vehicles.
The Rubicon Trail is a world-famous 22-mile 4x4 route located in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. It is widely considered the gold standard benchmark for off-road vehicle testing and rock crawling.
Rubicon Springs
"It's on a trail that I absolutely love being on in a place that I absolutely love camping in down at Rubicon Springs."
A grassy, forested camping area hidden deep in the middle of the Rubicon Trail where off-roaders stop to camp, swim, and hang out.
Rubicon Springs is a private property oasis located deep in the middle of the Rubicon Trail canyon. It serves as the main camping and event hub for major trail runs like the Jeepers Jamboree and TLCA Rubithon.
Toyota 4Runner
"The run that we typically go on is called the four runner run. But when I originally signed up on this run 4345 years ago, whatever it is, wasn't it the four runner mini truck run?"
A rugged SUV made by Toyota that is famous for being able to drive over extremely rough terrain without breaking down. Older versions even let you take the roof off like a Jeep.
The Toyota 4Runner is a highly popular mid-size SUV renowned for its off-road capability and reliability. First-generation models (1984-1989) featured a removable fiberglass top and solid front axles, making them legendary in the rock crawling community.
Loon Lake
"This run, it goes from Loon Lake all the way to the Springs in one day. And it's not a run typically that is dragging your feet..."
A scenic lake in California that serves as the main starting point for vehicles entering the famous Rubicon off-road trail.
Loon Lake is a reservoir in the Sierra Nevada mountains of El Dorado County, California. Its spillway serves as the primary western staging area and entrance point for the Rubicon Trail.
Toyota Land Cruiser (FJ40)
"I didn't go all the way through the trail, which I was still going to come through with the trail because I got a phone call on Thursday saying that somebody needed an FJ 40 rear axle shaft for a semi-float FJ 40 30 spline short side."
An iconic, vintage off-road vehicle made by Toyota that looks similar to an old Jeep. It is highly sought after by collectors and off-road enthusiasts for its classic styling and durability.
The FJ40 is a classic, short-wheelbase iteration of Toyota's Land Cruiser family, produced from 1960 to 1984. It features a rugged body-on-frame design, solid axles, and a legendary inline-six engine, cementing its status as a global off-road icon.
semi-float
"...somebody needed an FJ 40 rear axle shaft for a semi-float FJ 40 30 spline short side."
A type of axle design where the axle shaft does two jobs: it spins the wheel and holds up the weight of the car. If it breaks, the wheel can actually fall off.
A semi-floating axle design uses a single wheel bearing at the outer end of the axle shaft. The axle shaft itself carries both the weight of the vehicle and the rotational torque, meaning if the axle shaft breaks, the wheel can slide out of the housing.
Jeep Gladiator
"I messaged Nick DeLuca, gladiator on 28th. I messaged Nick when I was leaving the gas station at Georgetown..."
A mid-sized pickup truck made by Jeep that looks like a Wrangler with a truck bed attached to the back.
The Jeep Gladiator (JT) is a mid-size pickup truck introduced in 2019, sharing its platform and styling cues with the Wrangler JL. It is unique in its segment for offering a solid front axle, removable top and doors, and exceptional off-road capability.
Toyota Tacoma
"... all the stuff that they're doing for the fortune Tacoma. I didn't realize they were going in deep on the ..."
The Toyota Tacoma is a medium-sized pickup truck built by Toyota. It is widely used for everyday driving, hauling items in its truck bed, and driving on dirt trails.
The Toyota Tacoma is a highly popular mid-size pickup truck famous for its off-road prowess and strong resale value. The fourth-generation model, introduced for the 2024 model year, features a redesigned high-strength steel chassis, a modern turbocharged engine, and an available hybrid powertrain.
Little Sluice
"When we got to Little Sleuths, I threw on the more flight trash bag. Oh, I went through Little Sleuths."
A famous, extremely rocky section of the Rubicon Trail that used to be filled with giant boulders. It is a legendary spot where only the most modified vehicles try to drive.
Little Sluice is one of the most famous and historically difficult obstacles on the Rubicon Trail. Once packed with massive, vehicle-swallowing boulders, it was partially bypassed and reduced in size by El Dorado County, though it remains a challenging optional line.
Ford Fusion
"...cause they knew Scott. Yeah. And so it was a Ford Fusion. A Ford Fusion. No, it was."
The Ford Fusion is a standard four-door passenger car made by Ford. It was designed for everyday commuting and family transportation before Ford stopped making it.
The Ford Fusion is a mid-size four-door sedan that was produced by Ford until its discontinuation in 2020. It was a highly popular family car known for its comfortable ride, spacious cabin, and variety of powertrain options, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants.
4Runner Forerunner
"...e had, I've had, you know, Stuart black first gen forerunner with the Mad Hatters, um, long hair."
The Toyota 4Runner is a mid-sized SUV made by Toyota that is built like a truck, making it very good at driving on rough dirt trails. The very first versions of this car had a removable plastic roof over the back seats.
The Toyota 4Runner is a highly respected mid-size SUV known for its exceptional off-road capability and legendary reliability. The first-generation model (1984–1989) was essentially a Hilux pickup truck with a fiberglass utility bed cover and rear seats, establishing the vehicle's rugged, go-anywhere reputation.
Ford F350
"Yes. Not in the, not in the F 350. Anyways, continue on."
The Ford F-350 is a very large and powerful pickup truck made by Ford. It is built for heavy work, like towing large trailers, boats, or heavy machinery.
The Ford F-350 Super Duty is a heavy-duty, one-ton pickup truck designed for extreme towing, hauling, and commercial work. It is highly regarded for its robust chassis, high payload capacity, and powerful engine options, including the high-torque Power Stroke turbodiesel.
transfer case
"And so what I did was I dropped, I just did the 228, the two 2.3 gear in the transfer case, my first low, and then locked to the transmission and first gear and just kind of cruised at that pace."
A second gearbox in a 4x4 vehicle that sends power to both the front and back wheels, and provides an extra-low gear setting for climbing steep hills or rocks.
A transfer case is a drivetrain component used in four-wheel-drive vehicles to split engine power between the front and rear axles. It often contains an extra set of low-range gears to multiply torque for crawling over obstacles.
Aston Martin Vanquish
"...ock crawling competition. So, um, hey, buddy's at vanquish. I might need, uh, I might need some gear, some s..."
The Aston Martin Vanquish is an expensive, high-end luxury sports car made by a British company. It is designed to go very fast while keeping the driver comfortable on long road trips.
The Aston Martin Vanquish is a high-performance luxury grand tourer that serves as the British automaker's flagship sports car. Revived for the 2025 model year, it features a powerful twin-turbocharged V12 engine, exquisite hand-crafted styling, and cutting-edge performance dynamics.
front dig
"And I was borrowing Brian Flynn's rig, which had all had front digs and rear steer and all this stuff that I had no idea how to use."
A trick used by rock crawlers where they lock the back wheels in place and spin only the front wheels, allowing the vehicle to make incredibly tight turns around obstacles.
A front dig is an off-road driving maneuver where the rear drivetrain is disconnected (and often locked with a brake) while power is sent exclusively to the front axle. This allows the vehicle to pivot sharply around its stationary rear tires.
Toyota Tundra
"...oing the rear axle setup. Still sticking with the tundra leafs and everything, but just want to change out..."
The Toyota Tundra is a large, full-size pickup truck made by Toyota. It is designed for heavy-duty tasks like towing trailers and carrying large loads in its cargo bed.
The Toyota Tundra is a full-size pickup truck designed to compete in the half-ton truck segment. While newer models have transitioned to rear coil springs, older generations utilized a traditional rear leaf-spring setup, which is highly valued by off-roaders for its simplicity and heavy-load capacity.
axle wrap
"I'm not axle wrapping. Like what, what, why is this? So, I don't know what it was, but I'm assuming it was something to do with all the stuff in my bed."
When you hit the gas in a truck, the force can twist the suspension springs out of shape, causing the truck to hop, shake, or even break parts underneath.
Axle wrap is an undesirable phenomenon in leaf-sprung suspensions where the torque of the axle twists the leaf springs into an 'S' shape under acceleration or braking. This causes the pinion angle to change rapidly, leading to severe driveshaft vibration or broken parts.
panhard bar
"So I was like, immediately I'm thinking panhard bar came loose. Sure. Um, and so I was like, man, that's a, okay."
A metal bar that connects the vehicle's frame to its axle, keeping the axle centered under the car so the wheels don't wobble side-to-side.
A panhard bar (or track bar) is a suspension link that provides lateral location of the axle. It prevents side-to-side movement of the axle relative to the vehicle's chassis while allowing it to move vertically.
drag link
"And so I was like, okay. All right. What about the drag link? It's fine. I was like, that makes sense."
A heavy metal rod that connects your steering wheel's gearbox to the wheels, pushing and pulling them so you can steer.
A drag link is a component of a vehicle's steering system that connects the steering gear box (pitman arm) to the steering knuckle or tie rod. It translates the rotational force of the steering wheel into lateral movement to steer the wheels.
ball joint
"So I checked the, all the links now. So the lower links and the upper link, those are all tight and fine. I'm like, oh, wheel unit bearing, maybe, maybe ball joints."
A ball-and-socket joint that connects your wheels to your car's suspension, letting the wheels turn left and right while moving up and down over bumps.
A ball joint is a spherical bearing that connects the steering knuckles to the control arms or axle housing. It acts as a pivot point, allowing the front wheels to steer and travel vertically with the suspension simultaneously.
torque converter lockup
"No, not really. I still want a torque converter lockup. Yeah. So there was a couple of times I was descending like down Cadillac..."
A feature in automatic cars that locks the engine directly to the transmission, stopping any slipping and making it behave more like a manual transmission for better control.
Torque converter lockup uses a mechanical clutch inside an automatic transmission's torque converter to lock the engine's output shaft directly to the transmission input shaft. This eliminates hydraulic slippage, improving fuel economy and providing direct engine braking.
Jeep CJ-5
"And he was like, Hey, I have selling my CJ five. It's at the Sierra College auto fair. I want it's didn't sell this week."
A classic, vintage Jeep model from the mid-to-late 20th century that is smaller than modern Jeeps and has a very simple, retro look.
The Jeep CJ-5 was produced from 1954 to 1983, based on the military M38A1 utility vehicle. It features a short wheelbase, rounded front fenders, and a simple, rugged design that helped popularize recreational off-roading.
Jeep Wrangler (JL)
"And then on Monday, I changed spark plugs in a Jeep JL for a buddy. Okay. So I am don't know what's happening around me right now."
The modern version of the classic Jeep, which is built specifically for driving over rocks, mud, and trails. You can take the doors and roof completely off.
The JL generation of the Jeep Wrangler was introduced for the 2018 model year, updating the iconic off-roader with modern technology and improved aerodynamics. It retains classic features like solid axles, a body-on-frame layout, and removable doors and roof.
coil pack
"That doesn't go away. We'll figure out the, um, it has the, what are they called the coil packs? Coil packs direct to the spark plugs..."
An electrical part that sits on top of each spark plug, delivering the high-voltage spark needed to make the engine run.
A coil pack is an electronically controlled pack of ignition coils that converts the vehicle's low-voltage battery power into the high-voltage electricity needed by the spark plugs to ignite the fuel-air mixture.
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