The best way to test a build isn’t in a parking lot. It’s on a trail that doesn’t care about your confidence level. A loose shale route did exactly that — and the rig came back with a report card worth sharing.
The Terrain
Shale is deceptively difficult. It looks like solid rock but shifts under load, stacks unpredictably, and punishes lazy line selection. Add a steep off-camber section halfway through and you’ve got a trail that demands both vehicle capability and driver attention.
What Worked
The suspension setup handled the broken terrain better than expected. Aired down to 18 PSI the tires conformed well to the uneven surface, and the skid plates gave enough confidence to commit to lines without tiptoeing. The rear locker was the real hero on the steeper climbs — engaging it transformed sketchy moments into clean exits.
What’s Going on the List
A front locker is now a priority. On the tighter switchbacks, open front diff limitations were obvious. Also airing down the MORRFlate system made the process fast and easy — but getting back to street pressure afterward took longer than it should. An upgraded compressor is next on the build list.
More trail content coming. Follow @p3x_taco for real-time trail updates.