Post by broncocraigellis on Apr 18, 2009 21:56:55 GMT -5
During work Friday I decided to load up and head to Hot Springs for an impromptu maiden voyage for the new(ish) Rubicon.
I've installed 2 inch spacers w/ out changing shocks and added a Warn 9.5ti. That's the extent of my mods thus far.
Border Patrol ran 32s instead of 31s, so tire size isn't completely stock.
First thing at the park, I hit Four Fingers alone. A group of guys there for a Wheelers for the Wounded ride sponsored by a club in Memphis caught up with me and spotted/helped pull cable as I worked through the trail. In all I used the winch 5 times, I think, after I got high centered.
At least a couple of guys thought I was over my head and asked if I knew what I was getting myself into when I turned on the trail. Yes, I knew. I've burned a lot of rubber on the rocks over the years, but not on 32" tires.
The lack of ground clearance is pretty obviously the greatest difference in what I'm used to on the trail. I really think with a flatter skidplate and a more underbody protection/rear bumper, the Jeep would go anywhere the tires could climb over. Axle clearance is somewhat low with the 32s, and some rocks are just too large to climb on with them, especially ledges.
I was reminded of a couple of things today: the importance of picking a good line, having good people on the trail with you, being willing to pull cable, how cool having a top and doors is when it rains all day on the trail
, and getting tense on an obstacle because I knew I have to drive home tomorrow, and how capable a mostly stock Rubicon really is. It wasn't pretty, but I drove the whole trail.
After Four Fingers the rain really began, so I rode half a dozen of the 3-rated trails which were a lot of fun and actually relaxing.
Since I haven't been on the trail in about a year, I was rusty. After the first trail or so I also began getting the feel of the Jeep and how it behaves off road.
Next on the list is finding some sort of soft top/bikini thing so the hard top won't get demolished, control arms and taller coils, either 33s or 35s, a flatter skidplate, and front hoops for the cage.
I'm buying in to the small-tire renaissance.
I've installed 2 inch spacers w/ out changing shocks and added a Warn 9.5ti. That's the extent of my mods thus far.
Border Patrol ran 32s instead of 31s, so tire size isn't completely stock.
First thing at the park, I hit Four Fingers alone. A group of guys there for a Wheelers for the Wounded ride sponsored by a club in Memphis caught up with me and spotted/helped pull cable as I worked through the trail. In all I used the winch 5 times, I think, after I got high centered.
At least a couple of guys thought I was over my head and asked if I knew what I was getting myself into when I turned on the trail. Yes, I knew. I've burned a lot of rubber on the rocks over the years, but not on 32" tires.
The lack of ground clearance is pretty obviously the greatest difference in what I'm used to on the trail. I really think with a flatter skidplate and a more underbody protection/rear bumper, the Jeep would go anywhere the tires could climb over. Axle clearance is somewhat low with the 32s, and some rocks are just too large to climb on with them, especially ledges.
I was reminded of a couple of things today: the importance of picking a good line, having good people on the trail with you, being willing to pull cable, how cool having a top and doors is when it rains all day on the trail
, and getting tense on an obstacle because I knew I have to drive home tomorrow, and how capable a mostly stock Rubicon really is. It wasn't pretty, but I drove the whole trail.After Four Fingers the rain really began, so I rode half a dozen of the 3-rated trails which were a lot of fun and actually relaxing.
Since I haven't been on the trail in about a year, I was rusty. After the first trail or so I also began getting the feel of the Jeep and how it behaves off road.
Next on the list is finding some sort of soft top/bikini thing so the hard top won't get demolished, control arms and taller coils, either 33s or 35s, a flatter skidplate, and front hoops for the cage.
I'm buying in to the small-tire renaissance.
