Official Moab 2004 Chitchat Thread

[glfredrick]

What do you guys know about the roads heading that way out of Louisville, KY? Would my 1997 Ex pull my Ranger or do I need a bigger tow vehicle? How bad is it in Colorodo? I've never been there on the ground...

Someone PM me the link for the official Moab sign up thread.

Thanks

 

[410Fortune]

I-70 through Colorado has some very serious passes.

First off a 97 Explorer was available with 3 different engines, the OHV 4.0, the SOHC 4.0L and the 5.0L V8 So that makes a big difference.

Also Rangers changed alot over the years, some are much lighter than others.

So....

Do you use your Explorer often to tow the Ranger? I mean is the Explorer already set up for towing a heavy load like that? Do you tow it on a flatbed or with a dolly?

Lots of variables, but I would really say unless this is something you do often, the Explorer is setup for towing the Ranger, dont do it.

 

[glfredrick]

Thanks 410 - It isn't particularly set up and it is only the 4.0 ohv model... I'll prolly find a different tow vehicle.

 

[Jefe]

Moab Sign-up and Itinerary (may want to throw that in the first post of this thread Gerald)

John and I did Metal Masher and Hells Revenge last year, and since I didn't have my rig, I'd like to run those sometime, and would be willing to lead a run.

 

[Brett]

Originally posted by Msupertek
Anyone wanna meet up for Breakfast on Friday??

We usually hit the Moab Diner for breakfast - Early.

 

[Msupertek]

That'll work for me.

 

[hvac man]

I'm already looking forward to some green chili from the diner mmm, mmm

glfredrick- The mountains in CO are really serious, my 1 ton V8 tow rig has some trouble getting over those mountains sometimes

 

[glfredrick]

I might just drive it... and skip the trailer

 

[John_Rock]

Originally posted by glfredrick
I might just drive it... and skip the trailer

You would have to take I-40 to Albuquerque to miss the serious mountains of Colorado. Take a right turn at Albuquerque and head NW towards the Four Corners area, through Monument Valley and on to Moab.

 

[glfredrick]

I'll check that route on a map... thanks

 

[John_Rock]

Originally posted by glfredrick
I'll check that route on a map... thanks

Mind you, you will have hills, just nothing as huge as what you would find in Colorado.

 

[GJarrett]

Moab Diner Friday morning sounds great.

Yippee glfredrick! We now have our own Moab theologian and trail pastor for the trip.....
.... someone needs to invite ld50 - I'll bring the popcorn and we can all watch the show, lol

Jefe, all I've suggested for Big Dawgs Saturday and Sunday so far is Behind the Rocks on Saturday and Moab Rim on Sunday. I don't know if Behind the Rocks will be too extreme or not though, so those trails might be a better idea instead. Or... I did run Hells Revenge and Moab Rim all in one day, though it was a long day. We could run Moab Rim on Sunday and then do either Metal Masher or Hells Revenge afterwards. We might also have time for a late Friday run and hit Metal Masher for the last trail. It would be great if you would volunteer to trailboss those trails, especially Hells Revenge - I'd get lost for sure during the second half of that run, trail finding is a real bear on Hells Revenge.

Originally posted by Jefe
Moab Sign-up and Itinerary (may want to throw that in the first post of this thread Gerald)

Just did. Thanks for the suggestion

 

[GJarrett]

glfredrick - the easiest route for you will be the one suggested. Stay on I-40 all the way to Albuquerque. In Albuquerque, turn north on I-26 and go about 10 or 15 miles to a little highway (I think it was 555 but the number may have changed, it's been under construction for a couple of years) that goes northwest up to the four corners area and Durango CO, then on to Moab. That route will totally avoid the monster mountain passes you'll encounter going via the Denver route, and the total miles for the trip won't be more than 50 miles or so different, it's almost the same difference either way.

I got your reservation noting your vehicles. Your Explorer is AWD and will be able to do the stocker trails, but the lack of lowrange will hurt you and really tax your tranny. Also, skidplates are a MUST for Moab trails, and I forgot if you said you had them on your Explorer. Your Ranger would be considered a BigDawg and you could pretty much go anywhere you wanted to in it. I hope you can find a way to get that Ranger out there, but if not, even the stocker trails are so good out at Moab you will still have a blast, get addicted, and come back for more next time

 

[Jefe]

Originally posted by GJarrett
Jefe, all I've suggested for Big Dawgs Saturday and Sunday so far is Behind the Rocks on Saturday and Moab Rim on Sunday. . .

Yeah, neither of those trails will take a full half day. (does that make sense?) Metal masher is a long, rather boring trail. 20+ miles if i remember right, so it could be time consuming if not run quickly. There are the two good obstacles I'd like to try my hand at (and watch other explorers do the same). Rock Chucker was a piece of cake for the Jeep, but for the long wheel base Explorer it'd be very tricky, but its an obtional obstacle. Widow Maker on the other hand was very difficult for the short wheel base Jeep, but shouldn't be too bad for a locked explorer. That obstacles bypass is a ways out of the way, so those that run the trail need to know what they're getting themselves into.

Hells Revenge IS a pain for route finding. . and we were doing by ourselves, and the sun was setting. Thought for sure we were gonna end up camped on the trail. Luckily a tour Hummer came up the back way and saved our bacon. This trail isn't too difficult, but has some great optional obstacles. Hells revenge being one of them that we didn't even find. . .but now I know where it is (gives John a reason to run it again )

 

[glfredrick]

More new parts - should make the trip fun

Well, I purcahsed the new 4.10's for the front axle - got the lock rite - and the rear limited slip in hand - and brand new Pro-Comp MT's in 12.50 x 33.

That with the new tranny mount and crossmember and I am ready to ROCK...

Now, to find a line on a tow vehicle so I don't have to drive my stocker out there...

anyone get a discount anywhere?

 

[glfredrick]

Gjarret,
I said the wrong thing - was pulling two days without sleep when I filled out that form - my EX has low range - what I meant to say was that it has the slec-trac and 4.0 OHV.

It is fully armored underneath... But I want BIG DOG stuff - my truck will be ready to rumble...

 

[Randall]

On my small list of things to do are finishing the 700r4/atlas4.3 install, new tranny crossmember, replace a blown hub, tcase skid plate, driveline ebrake, relengthen driveshafts, get a couple of cheap 35's for my drive out, and figure out a way to drag my 36 TSL's and beadlocks out there with no trailer hitch.
Shouldn't be too much of a problem

 

[Michael]

Originally posted by Jefe
Rock Chucker was a piece of cake for the Jeep, but for the long wheel base Explorer it'd be very tricky, but its an obtional obstacle. Widow Maker on the other hand was very difficult for the short wheel base Jeep, but shouldn't be too bad for a locked explorer.

Jeff both of those obstacles are a piece of cake with a locked Explorer. The wheelbase of the four door is perfect for them. You are definately right about Metal Macher being a loooong trail with two really good spots and a good bit of decent stuff.

I am going to shoot for making this run as I'll be a little closer in May, I would like to see the Big Dogs run Pritchett Canyon on Sat or Sunday. I've never done it, but I bet we could find our way through.

 

[410Fortune]

How about for a 1/2 locked BII???? hehehehehe (ARB up front, good L/S in back, 33's)

 

[John_Rock]

glfredrick, here's a more detailed route description from Albuquerque.

Take I-40 to Albuquerque. In the middle of Albuquerque is the Big I. It's the crossroads of I-40 and I-25. Keep to the right for the exit to I-25. Head North on I-25 until you reach Bernalillo. The sign will probably say the exit is for Bernalillo and Placitas. Placitas is East and Bernalillo is West. Head West on Hwy 44 through Bernalillo.
Outside of Bernalillo, Hwy 44 turns into Hwy 550.
Warning when you get to San Ysidro, slow down and do the speed limit. San Ysidro cops have a reputation for handing out speeding tickets.
Keep heading North and Northwest on Hwy 550 for quite awhile until you get to Bloomfield, NM. At Bloomfield take a left onto Hwy 64 and head West towards Farmington. Continue through Farmington until you get to Shiprock, NM.

Here's where you need to make a decision. Keep head North to Colorado or West to Arizona???
When I went in 2002 I took the Western route so that we could take a slight detour up Hwy 160 to the 4 corners area. The only place in the USA where 4 states come together at one point. Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. Then I went back down on Hwy 160 into Arizona. I passed by Hwy 191, which heads North into Utah and would have been the fastest way to Moab. But, I wanted to head further West to take Hwy 163 into Utah. Hwy 163 takes you through Monument Valley. You know, the valley with really tall sheer faced rocks. The ones that used to be in all the old Jeep commericals with the Jeep perched on top of the rock. It was nice. But I think you have to take a side road somewhere in there to get back to the really cool looking rocks.

So, if you don't take the Western route into Arizona from Shiprock, NM you can head North from Shiprock on the Devil's Hwy. Route 666. Ok, my map still shows Hwy 666, but I'm pretty sure they have changed the number in the last couple of years. This Northern route into Colorado will take you close to the Mesa Verde National Park. Mesa Verde National Park is home to probably one of the best ancient indian dwellings in the USA. I love visiting ancient ruins. I haven't been to Mesa Verde yet, but I've been to some Mayan ruins in Mexico and near Los Alamos they have some cliff dwellings. I definitely want to visit the Inca indians dwellings of Machu Pichu in Peru one of these days and Mesa Verde is on the list too. But, I think for Mesa Verde you will need a full day to visit it all.
Anywho back to getting to Moab.
Hwy 666/whatever the new # is will take you North into Colorado and then head West into Utah. It will end when it reaches Monticello, Utah. Take a right onto Hwy 191 heading North all the way into Moab.

If you want to avoid Devil's Hwy, just take Hwy 64 West out of Shiprock, NM. It will turn into Hwy 160 near Teec Nos Pos. Just keep heading West on Hwy 160 until you come to the junction with Hwy 191 heading North into Utah and then Moab.

Just remember, this isn't the East coast and good gas stations will be far and few in between. Make sure once your gauge gets to half or below to hit the next good station.