Some adventures are worth the early start. This past July, our team and a group of San Diego-based off-roaders headed out at the crack of dawn to take on the iconic Cleghorn Ridge Trail in the San Bernardino National Forest.
Known for its mix of challenging obstacles and scenic, winding fire roads, the Cleghorn Trail has become a Southern California staple for overlanders and off-roaders alike. Our mission was simple: navigate the route, push our rigs, and showcase the importance of a properly tuned suspension for a perfect day on the dirt.
The Cleghorn Trail is a playground for all skill levels, with easy bypasses for newer drivers and technical offshoots for those seeking a challenge. But as we know, the right gear makes all the difference. Our convoy included a fully kitted-out Lexus GX460 with a Marlin Crawler RCLT kit and King Shocks tuned by AccuTune Offroad. The ability to make quick adjustments to our RIDE Shocks DPA knobs proved invaluable, letting us dial in the perfect settings for every bump, rut, and rocky climb ahead on the Cleghorn Trail.
Trail Prep and Tuning: The Key to a Perfect Ride on the Cleghorn Trail
Before a single tire touched the dirt, our group met up for a safety briefing, reviewing the route and essential gear. A crucial step for any off-road trip is airing down your tires. This increases surface area, improves traction, and provides a smoother ride over rocks and ruts.
It was also the ideal time to fine-tune suspension. Our RIDE Shocks gave us the flexibility to adjust high and low speed compression, optimizing ride quality and control before hitting the trail.
Navigating the Challenges of Cleghorn
The Cleghorn OHV Trail is not for the unprepared. Its steep inclines and sharp turns quickly elevate you into panoramic views of the San Bernardino Mountains, with breathtaking vistas and equally nerve-wracking drops.
Our first major stop was at the High Voltage Transfer Tower, a well-known obstacle with deeply rutted sections that put traction control systems and locking differentials to the test.
What makes Cleghorn appealing is its accessibility. While we enjoyed spotting each other through the most technical areas, the trail always offered a bypass, making it safe for vehicles of all sizes. We tested secondary trails with stomach-turning inclines that demanded patience and precision spotting.
The Lexus GX460, equipped with its Marlin Crawler RCLT kit, glided over obstacles with ease. It was the perfect showcase of how a well-engineered suspension system can transform off-road performance, especially with custom tuned King 2.5 Coilover shocks.
The crew from Checkered Automotive arrived in their freshly built 2nd Gen Toyota Tacoma. This truck was turning heads right away, thanks to a Dirt King long travel kit up front paired with King 2.5 long travel shocks with compression adjusters and AccuTune custom valving. The Tacoma long travel suspension didn’t just look the part — it completely transformed how the truck handled both on the highway and out on the trail.
From the first section of dirt, it was clear this build was designed for more than just looks. The extra travel and control from the long travel kit soaked up ruts, rocks, and washboard roads, while the AccuTune valving kept the ride comfortable and predictable at speed. Even when things got rough, the Tacoma stayed composed, giving the driver confidence to push harder without worrying about the truck holding back.
Although this was a brand-new build, Checkered Automotive clearly had one goal in mind: create a Tacoma long travel setup that could be driven to the trail and wheeled hard without compromise. Mission accomplished
The Summit and the Takeaway
After a morning of challenging climbs, we reached the summit—a small circular clearing offering a stunning 360-degree view of the San Bernardino National Forest.
This was our moment to rest, have lunch, and appreciate the beauty around us. But more importantly, it was a reminder: the joy of off-roading isn’t just the destination, but the shared experience of conquering the trail together.
Whether you’re a seasoned overlander or just starting out, a properly tuned suspension is the single most important upgrade you can make. It transforms a vehicle from a jarring ride into a capable, comfortable machine—letting you focus on the adventure, not the terrain.
Ready to take your off-road adventures to the next level? Don’t let an underperforming suspension hold you back. Upgrade your Tacoma, 4Runner, GX460 or Bronco with RIDE Shocks today and start enjoying more trails in comfort and style. Or, if you already have Fox or King Shocks, get them custom tuned by AccuTune Offroad.