Official Moab 2004 Chitchat Thread

[Jefe]

Originally posted by Mudd*****
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

And here I thought my list was long

 

[glfredrick]

I probably have you beat - I have to change rear springs - rear axle - front axle to a D 35 - install front gears and Lock rite - find a set of 35 manual hubs (or pack a bunch of auto ones) - get my new tires to stuff without rubbing (hey! bring the saw - watch this!) - finish the new tranny mount and crossmember, finish tearing down the tranny and get the new gears in it - reassemble and get it back in the truck - and then if there is time - bob the bed...

And, that is if I can find a suitable tow vehicle - otherwise I have to drive it out - or take the stock Ex instead... I might put skinny's on it and reconnect the sway bars and drive it - who knows?

Catch ya...

 

[hvac man]

I think you guys should still do "Behind the Rocks" it is one of those trails that has bypasses on it so you don't have to roll or damage the ol' X and it has sand dunes at the end

 

[dtl 2k2 sport]

GJarrett
Your stories crack me up!! Just wanna say that I love your ride, Is there anything new that you've added or taken off lately? Thinking of adding some detail stripes after i saw how it looked on your X. OKAY guys, enjoy your trip! Just wanted to say how much i like the looks of your Xs,

 

[Jefe]

Originally posted by hvac man
I think you guys should still do "Behind the Rocks" it is one of those trails that has bypasses on it so you don't have to roll or damage the ol' X and it has sand dunes at the end

BTW, Just cause I offered to lead "easy" trails doesn't mean I wouldn't be up for Pritchett Canyon or Behind the Rocks

 

[GJarrett]

Yeah, but I had left you out of the "Extreme" category of rigs doing Pritchett Canyon because you didn't say you were willing to take major body damage

The only Explorer I've seen go up RockChucker was Michael and dang if he didn't easily crawl right up it, I nearly tripped over my jaw when I saw him to it.

I do like Clint's idea about Behind the Rocks. We could all go, Big Dawgs and Extreme, and if it gets too much for some of the lesser Big Dawgs (like me) some of us could bail out and go hit Flat Iron Mesa or somewhere while the rest of the group continues on the trail.

John, thanks for the more specific directions out of Albuquerque, I was doing it by memory - one of those things I can drive myself because I've done it so many times, but can't exactly remember how to give directions for. I said I-26 not I-25, I-26 is here in South Carolina and glfredrick would have been WAY off course, lol

Thankfully that highway 44/550 construction is finished now, it was a mutherbear while under construction.

 

[AshliX]

Just wondering if there will be other women on the trail? Didn't know if I would be the only one?!? GJarrett doesn't keep me up to date on things like that

I can't wait - see everyone there!

 

[Jefe]

Originally posted by GJarrett
Yeah, but I had left you out of the "Extreme" category of rigs doing Pritchett Canyon because you didn't say you were willing to take major body damage

"Major Body Damage" seemed a little extreme for me. I think i'd be more in the category of "Major Characher Marks"

 

[Bronco638]

Another camping spot

As much as I would like to go, my truck's not ready. However, I thought I might suggest another camping spot, Dead Horse Point State Park. It's near the entrance to Canyonlands and the trail head of Mineral Bottom Road. I believe the there's also access to Gemini Bridges and Pucker Pass close by. If memory serves, you need to make reservations thru the State of Utah. The over-look is 1500' above the canyon floor and looks into the Maze District of Canyonlands. Below the over-look is "Thelma & Louise Point" where they filmed the ending of the movie (as well as several commercials). It's a little far from the town of Moab but I thought it was awesome. Conditions are considered, "primitive' (restrooms with running water, no showers, no electric).

I hope everyone has a blast and a safe trip out & back. See you next year.

Dave.

 

[GJarrett]

Jefe, the only thing I can think of that would hurt you on Pritchett Canyon is that from all accounts, a winch is required to have a chance to run it: no way it can be done without a winch.... so now you've got another mod to add before the run

 

[glfredrick]

AshliX,

Just wanted to let you know that my personal explorer babe will be making the trip - wouldn't do it without her... she loves to wheel and be outdoors and I might even get her to drive a little along the way...




About that body damage thing... I figure character marks are up to, but not including needing a new cab... in other words, if I can hammer it back out, or cut it off, I am good to go, but I would like to keep the windows and doors working. I already have a few "charater marks" here and there - from rearrangement of sheetmetal on the trial or from my own efforts with saw (or hammer) in hand.

 

[410Fortune]

I am trying to get Allison to join me but I wont know for sure until we get much closer to the date....

She loves Moab as long as I am not spending the entire time doing repairs like our last trip

 

[RangerX]

Originally posted by glfredrick
About that body damage thing... I figure character marks are up to, but not including needing a new cab...

I like it! Using this definition, I've only sustained major body damage twice.

I have not registered yet, but I am planning to make this run.

 

[Positive Vibes]

Originally posted by AshliX
Just wondering if there will be other women on the trail? Didn't know if I would be the only one?!? GJarrett doesn't keep me up to date on things like that

I can't wait - see everyone there!

Bring a some of your friends!!!! I will have an open seat or two.

 

[Perry]

Originally posted by AshliX
Just wondering if there will be other women on the trail? Didn't know if I would be the only one?!? GJarrett doesn't keep me up to date on things like that

I can't wait - see everyone there!

If we are able to make it Teri will be there.

 

[hvac man]

BTW, Just cause I offered to lead "easy" trails doesn't mean I wouldn't be up for Pritchett Canyon or Behind the Rocks

Jefe- I'm sorry I didn't mean anything by that comment. I just think "Behind the Rocks" and "Prichett Canyon" are a few trails that should not be missed by anyone with a capable vehicle I think the only spot on prichett that would cause major damage is the entrance where you have to drop straight down off about a 5ft. ledge

I just want to wheel so I am down for anything

I know it's a jeep but it is still another Moab pic

 

[GJarrett]

Originally posted by glfredrick
...if I can find a suitable tow vehicle - otherwise I have to drive it out - or take the stock Ex instead... I might put skinny's on it and reconnect the sway bars and drive it - who knows?

Catch ya...

Guy, you wouldn't have to put "skinny's" on your Ranger and swap tires once you arrive out there to wheel at Moab. It is nothing like what this eastern US wheeling is like. Moab slickrock is a misnomer - it got it's "slickrock" designation from the old west days when Conestoga wagons rode over it on their metal-rimmed wooden wheels. Yeah, they slipped on this stuff. Not rubber. Moab slickrock is like driving on 180-grit sandpaper - you will never encounter more traction even on a city street. That's why you see Moab photos of incredibly steep shenanigans such as this one of me hitting the Launch Pad on the Golden Spike trail:

I'm sure you'll agree that you'll never see someone doing that at Tellico Warning: just one day of wheeling on this stuff is absolutely addictive.

What I am saying is that IMO for Moab, a good AT tire is probably better than a Swamper or mud tire - you won't encounter a need to claw through mud or gumbo for traction, and as a matter of fact, the more tread you can put on the ground the better, and a good AT tire like a BFG or etc will provide that. Don't misunderstand - Moab is still offroad with sharp rocks and you need good sidewalls that won't rip out on you, but as long as you have that, the more rubber on the ground, the better. You will not be encountering the traction issues we face out east - it is a totally different wheeling experience out west.

What that means is that you could dump whatever swamper or bogger or MT tires you have on your Ranger that you don't want to suffer through on a 4,000 mile roundtrip, and instead install a set of very streetable AT tires to make the trip and do fabulously on the trail when you arrive. If you don't have good AT's with you, swap tires with one of your wheeling buddies for the week.

 

[John_Rock]

True true.

But you may need to have them rebalanced after Moab.
I should of hit a Discount Tire Co. before making my long trek home in 2002.

 

[GJarrett]

... and realigned. There is nothing better than the nationwide Firestone $120 realignment deal that gives you lifetime wheel alignment at any Firestone dealer in the nation..... I have more than gotten my money's worth out of that deal, lol Dead Link Removed

Originally posted by Perry
If we are able to make it Teri will be there.

It has been a long time, my friends. It would be great to see you again! I still remember the first time we met... and you were afraid of little 'ol me, lol.

Originally posted by 410Fortune
I am trying to get Allison to join me but I wont know for sure until we get much closer to the date....
She loves Moab as long as I am not spending the entire time doing repairs like our last trip

Tell her you've fixed the BII's weaknesses and all you have to do now is wheel, wheel, wheel in great scenery
I think it would be great to see lotsa women at Moab and don't know why we don't get more.... it's a wonderful place, speechless scenery, and a great fellowship!

 

[Randall]

Hmmm, maybe I need to get my winch installed then. I've got a milemarker E9000 sitting in the closet, but I've ben holding out for a bigger winch so I could throw this one on the rear. Oh well, add one more thing to the list.

Oh, and Amber will be there if I am.