anyone on here done the pikes peak hill climb?

[craveman85]

im looking into doing the pikes peak hill climb in 2013. figure this will give me plenty of time to build a vehicle and get it ready lol. i was wondering if anyone on the sight has done pikes peak and could give me any pointers. im not sure what type of vehicle i would be running. could be anything from a motorcycle to a 4x4 van. not sure just yet. any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[snake]

Did it in June in a rental car. It is no big deal, just an uphill road with some switchbacks for 19 miles. I got to the top and a blizzard hit, and not the kind from dairy queen either.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Run in a lower gear on the way down so you don't lose your brakes, otherwise it really doesn't take much to get up there. I went up once in a 2wd GMC Safari and once again in a '94 Explorer... both 110% bone stock.

 

[colby450xc]

My family drove up Pikes Peak one year on vacation in a ford conversion van, I was young and it seemed pretty cool. But I dunno what the big attraction is besides it having a road going up it and a gift shop on top. Im sure it would be way more fun racing up it.

 

[rockin86ranger]

dad raced it a few time on bikes but cant get him to tell any stories

 

[craveman85]

well i bet theres a big difference between just driving up it and actually racing up it.

 

[robertc1024]

Some of the pictures of the race they have in the lodge on top are pretty cool. I saw a great documentary/show on that race one time years ago. If you do it, take and post videos!!!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

well i bet theres a big difference between just driving up it and actually racing up it.

I suppose, but I didn't see any mention of a race in the original post...

 

[feellnfroggy]

I watched a semi scream up that road at about 90 mph. Does that count? If I was you I would go with an awd version of the exploder. You can find cheap 96+ 2dr 5spd 4wd with the 4.0 that would be a great starting point. Lower it as opposed to lifting it, for stability and get runnin.

 

[crbnunit]

Not much margin for error and the consequences for failure are quite high in a few spots!

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Not much margin for error and the consequences for failure are quite high in a few spots!

Try about 90% of the hill... Lol I just went up it today and the road is like right on the edge of a cliff all the time.

I loved the drive up even though it was slow and boring in a gutless POS rental, just thinking about all the races that have been here was exciting.. That and its a nice change of scenery compared to alaska.