because you know i'm not gonna miss this next one because of a GD wedding.. (although it was with folks i'd prefer over you jokers :D :D :D :D :D j/k)

i figure sometime next year i'll be regearing to 4.88's and 35's, which should be plenty for the 'con. hell.. the 31" AT's ive got havent failed me yet. :D

Next July.

Let's add another day this year, and maybe make it late July since moab is at the end of May. whadaya think?:confused:

Alex, the con is doable on 31s, in a rubicon anyway.:D

rubicon-schmoobicon all i need is a bald set of AT's and i'll go anywhere.. never seemed to have a problem on holcomb.

you planning on coming home????

holcomb is a dirt road.:rolleyes: ;):D

i mean the end of it.. you know.. where tammy managed to get high sided for 45 mninutes? that boulder field

yeah well Alex...Youve NEVER takin the line I took up that day...in fact, Id venture to say noone in this group had at that point.

Id like to see you make it through there on your 31" BFG All Terrains :P

Im sure youll show me up on the Rubicon when you come...Im looking forward to it!

Tam :)

OOOOH! that sounds like a challenge! :wave:

Alex missed it last year because of a wedding, and I'm not going to miss it this year because of one!!

I am in a wedding July 24.
Let's go the week before ... :) Please? hehe

Originally posted by sarah


I am in a wedding July 24.


Are you fianlly getting married???

LMAO!! NO!!
It's my best childhood friend. And I'm one of those girlies that stands up in front of everybody in the cute dress. :P

If you could only do one or the other witch would it be. Moab or Rubicon:confused:.I did Moab last year.What do ypu guys think?

Originally posted by scubatch
If you could only do one or the other witch would it be. Moab or Rubicon:confused:.I did Moab last year.What do ypu guys think?

that's a tough one Jeff. The rubicon is kinda like 20 some miles of coyote lake like stuff. A little harder. nice camping at some great lakes.

If I had to choose it would probably be Moab, just because there are trails there that I haven't done yet.

Both places are a blast.

Do we have a date for this one as well? I have racing on July 18 . . . I really want to make this one . . . IN MY JEEP!! :D :D

Originally posted by Dukes69
Do we have a date for this on as well? I have racing on July 18 . . . I really want to make this one . . . IN MY JEEP!! :D :D Looking at that weekend, but we can look at the weekend after if it doesn't confilct with the Jamboree.

lets just put this into a little perspective here Crickett...

I started wheeling like you in September of last year. I didnt get my 33's and do more serious stuff till April or May...and the Rubicon trip was in July.

So you are about the same place I was last year...a newb...:)

33's would do it for you, but I know how hard it is to get there.

Tam :)

The Rubicon really isn't that tough. Yea, it's tough and relentless, and long, and unforgiving, and has some awesome scenery, and probably my favorite single trail I have ever been on, but it is not as difficult as some people think. I ran it with 31's, as have countless others. Granted I was locked at each end, which helps make up for lack of driving skillz, but dont' get scared off so early in the game! You have almost a whole year to get some rocks under your belt, and possibly some 33's, or maybe a locker or two under you jeep. Hang out with these guys (and gals!) enough and they will have you in good shape to run it in no time!

Remember, every Jeep vehicle sold (prior to the Liberty) has been able to pass the Rubicon in it's stock form. Admittedly, that has been with pro drivers behind the wheel, but even the lowly 2.5L TJ has done it.

The Jeep KJ made it through the Rubicon but it did require taking all the bypasses and using a hi-lift to jack up and stack rocks under the tires.

After that little fiasco made the 4x4 press, Daimler-Chrysler dumped the Rubicon as it's performance benchmark and came up with "Trail Tested" marketing bullcrap.

If you keep wheeling and learning, you should be able to take that TJ with 31's through Rubicon, just make sure you have good armor in case you decide to "learn" a few things while there.

It's not the lockers, tires, or the skids, it's the nut behind the wheel. ;)

let's put it another way... if by then you've done dishpan, holcomb and john bull... and you think they're all easy... then your ready for the rubicon. At that point you can drive a kia for all I care.:D

Originally posted by blkTJ
let's put it another way... if by then you've done dishpan, holcomb and john bull... and you think they're all easy... then your ready for the rubicon. At that point you can drive a kia for all I care.:D

great analogy ... i hope those trails are still open. :(

the lottery would be great but a little at a time pays off. I can't believe how far I've gotten in less than two years.:D

I guess what I meant was... without winning the lottery... I look at my Jeep now and say... "Damn, I'm closer than I thought I'd ever be!":D

Concerning the setbacks we had last year, I think we should post the minimum requirements for each Jeep to have before even thinking about doing this run or posting in this thread.

i.e.
No trailers
At least 31's and a rear locker
A pair of wet socks
etc.

I think one wet sock will do.:D

Originally posted by jmbrowning
but even the lowly 2.5L TJ has done it.



Lowly 2.5?So it wont do 90 mph on the highway.But it still has 4.10 gears.

Originally posted by qwiksilver
That leaves me out...no locker...and no wet socks.

Can I apply for a co-pilot's slot? Coffee poured, maps read, chips opened, fuel costs shared...etc.

Wet socks? i definately musta missed something...im so outta the loop:rolleyes:

Originally posted by JeepJunkie
Wet socks? i definately musta missed something...im so outta the loop:rolleyes:

not really.:)

personally, i think 31" tires are a bit on the small side for this run... i'd suggest 33" minimum tires. if someone goes with 31's i dont want to be the one in front of them the whole way with the strap:eek: .
just a suggestion.

per our ratings system
Black Diamond Run:
A few experienced hardcore off-roaders with highly modified vehicles desire runs that will push their vehicle and driving skills to the limit, and that is what these are. At least one locker is REQUIRED, (front & rear lockers, 33" tires and low gears strongly recommended).Mandatory safety and recovery equiptment Some body damage is almost guaranteed, and severe drivetrain failure (axles, driveshaft, etc.) is quite possible. Driver error on some obstacles may result in a rollover. Some runs may require additional equipment.

nailer, you're right. i was just offering a suggestion and after i thought about it for a while i was hoping that someone would say 33s. :D

Originally posted by NAILER341
personally, i think 31" tires are a bit on the small side for this run... i'd suggest 33" minimum tires. if someone goes with 31's i dont want to be the one in front of them the whole way with the strap:eek: .
just a suggestion.

I think 31's are just fine on this trail, provided you are locked up. I only took a strap one time on the last trip, and don't think I slowed the group up too aweful much. :)

goodtimes, we'll take you along on 31's, but i think as a general rule, if someone hasn't been wheeling with us before, they're gonna need 33's.

IMHO...its either locked on 31's -OR- 33's ...


Tam :)

Originally posted by sarah
goodtimes, we'll take you along on 31's, but i think as a general rule, if someone hasn't been wheeling with us before, they're gonna need 33's.

:8

I tend to agree with Tam this. In fact, the trail runs I organize out here I don't limit vehicles strictly based on tire size. I restrict the runs based on how the vehicle is set up in whole, as well as drivers ability. But I do agree that 33's are a much better choice for this run. It would have made the trip a little more relaxing that it was with the 31's. There weren't too many stretches of the trail that I could relax and enjoy the scenery on, because I was constantly picking lines that I could get over.

Yeah, I think I shifted out of 4lo twice on the entire trail, and once was after we were finished.

Originally posted by igofshn
Yeah, I think I shifted out of 4lo twice on the entire trail, and once was after we were finished.

You came out of 4-lo??? I was in low for the whole trail, at least until we got up Cadillac Hill.

I think it would be kinda cool to run that trail as a passenger sometime, just so I could enjoy the scenery. Kinda like the drive up Hwy 1. Cool drive, but you are so busy paying attention to the road that you can't enjoy the scenery.

Originally posted by goodtimes
You came out of 4-lo??? I was in low for the whole trail, at least until we got up Cadillac Hill.

I think it would be kinda cool to run that trail as a passenger sometime, just so I could enjoy the scenery. Kinda like the drive up Hwy 1. Cool drive, but you are so busy paying attention to the road that you can't enjoy the scenery.

John said he would never be a passenger again. He had to walk about half the trail because he was my spotter all the time.

Originally posted by igofshn
John said he would never be a passenger again. He had to walk about half the trail because he was my spotter all the time.
he was everyones spotter.. and a damn good one, until he slept that tree on seaphans fender!:eek:
but i guess it is all a numbers game. you spot 15 jeeps for 3 days... you are going to blink at some point ;) he can spot me any time on any obstical :wave:

People should have no misconceptions about the Rubicon. It is truely a beautiful trail. But it requires constant attention. we wheeled about 8 hours per day for the first two days. I was exhausted by the end of those two days. The trail lives up to it's reputation as difficult and completely relentless. The mandatory obsticals are not so difficult to cause major headaches, it is just that the whole trails is like one big, long obstical. It never stops. If you and your jeep are not up to it, you are better off hitching a ride on this one. Total damages from our last trip probably exceeded $20K. It is not a trial for the under-equipped or in-experienced.

BUT...on the same note...

I took my Jeep with no lockers and 33"MT/r's....had no real stucks (HUSH ERIK) or damage... my experience is limited to what weve done in the last year, I only started wheeling my Jeep in Sept/Oct last year. Of course, it was thru the crash course of Chris, Al, Kirk, Erik, Jim and Alex...:P :D Trying to keep up with them has been quite an experience!

Tam

Originally posted by goodtimes
Total damages from our last trip probably exceeded $20K. It is not a trial for the under-equipped or in-experienced.

Hmm, I wouldn't value that TJ at $20k... I think maybe $15k or so would cover it...

The only folks out there on 31's were experienced drivers with lockers front and rear and appropriate skid protection.

I think as long as we lay down the ground rules and vehicle requirements, we should limit the carnage this year. I for one will not hesitate this time to tell somebody that is either clearly not prepared or clearly not going to make it to go home, or at least make a very clear argument that they are making a long drive for a disappointing experience. Just my $0.02...

I can't tell ya how many trail rides I have been on when the trail leader or someone should have said something when people were not prepared. This one time at band camp....I mean Deep creek, there was this guy in a pretty stock cherokee with no lift, street tires and a snorkel :D ....and I dont even want to get into the guy in the grand cherokee with no lift and street tires who popped his front drive shaft. 5 hours later.....

Just giving chris a hard time :D

Originally posted by Chris_L
I can't tell ya how many trail rides I have been on when the trail leader or someone should have said something when people were not prepared. This one time at band camp....I mean Deep creek, there was this guy in a pretty stock cherokee with no lift, street tires and a snorkel :D ....and I dont even want to get into the guy in the grand cherokee with no lift and street tires who popped his front drive shaft. 5 hours later.....


:D :D :D :D

Ooops. Thats was a learning experience. :rolleyes: :D

HAHAHAHAH! I can only imagine...So tell us Chris L....How many times did you have to yank him out? And you know what? Even after he got his Jeeps (XJ and TJ)more modded...we still YANK HIM OUT all the time :) Ya gotta love it :D

The other side of this is that this group thinks you can do stuff that you don't think you can and then in order to protect your sensitive male ego you do it and are so completely shocked that you could do it you think you can follow Tam around while wheeling and load your shorts every time she takes an obstacle at speed.....Or maybe that's just me.:D

This sounds like fun. I'm gonna try to make it. If I'm not floating in the gulf or something equally exciting. I will have 33's and I should have a locker or two by then. Oh, and btw who wants to help me install a no-slip?:D

Nah, the time I'm thinking of it wasn't stationary rock, it was stationary cliff. She hit a little woop fast and was up on two wheels for a brief second. Yeah, I loaded my shorts a little.:D

Originally posted by mikeythefireman
Nah, the time I'm thinking of it wasn't stationary rock, it was stationary cliff. She hit a little woop fast and was up on two wheels for a brief second. Yeah, I loaded my shorts a little.:D

I remember that . . . WOW!!! :D

I was skeered. I've decided since that I won't follow too closely to her. You know, like 30-40 yards back.:D :D Unless she breaks 15 mph, then I'll have to back up a little more.:D

Now after my trip to last last chance, to get a good feel for the XJ, I'm looking forward to now driving the Con. Of course is was fun riding/spotting, I need to see it from the drivers seat.

BTW if everyone agrees the first rule should be "No gatekeeper=No Con". It's better to turn around at the start then to realize it when it's too late.

Originally posted by mikeythefireman
I was skeered. I've decided since that I won't follow too closely to her. You know, like 30-40 yards back.:D :D Unless she breaks 15 mph, then I'll have to back up a little more.:D

Was it YOU that was behind me? :P

I remember this vividly...I was too bullheaded to ask you to back up...and knowing full well I was taking the wrong line, proceeded ahead...sigh...live and learn.:D My passenger said she was looking out the door (no doors) at the ground:P

Its funny, but part of learning to drive offroad, and especially in rocks, is learning to take your foot off the gas. Its a sign of inexperience more then a sign of stupidity. Im a lil bit better at that now...just a little.

Tam :)

Got the 33's, now I need the locker. Hadda bail the brother-in-law outta jail (don't ask, she made me) so I don't have the dough right this second, but I should have it before July. Hopefully.

I would like to be included in this trail ride.
I think that this trip should have a trail boss, one or two of the longtime MJR guys or gals.
Also a selection process to see who is included as breakdowns or not properly prepared jeeps will be difficult for all. Maybe a prerun meeting would be helpful too.
For me this is a longtime dream to run and proper planning will only make it a better and safer experience. I would trailer my jeep to Tahoe so we could get home a broken rig.

be glad to see you there terry.:wave:
you have reinforced some points made earlier in the thread.
this will likely be broken into groups. i think 2 should do the trick. it seems there is a lot of intrest in this run [as there should be]
it could not be more clear that unprepaired rigs have no business on this trail. a broken rig makes the trip HELL for everyone. not just the people in your group... sometimes for everyone on the rubicon. there are places that are impassible if a jeep is broken in the right place.:wave:
lets DO this!:D

Is there a date yet?

Look up.. It's a sticky.......

Rubicon Trial Planning (http://myjeeprocks.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=13364#post13364)

Alright so I'm a little blind. :D I'm not gonna make this one. My father is coming out for two weeks with his new lady friend (Yay Dad!:D:D) to visit so I'm gonna have to pass. I'm going with some guys from Jeepaholics the first week in August if anyone wants to check that one out.

I also would love to be included for this trip. My jeep is
ready and I can't wait to check out the scenery. TJ terry
and I have been talking about it and prepping the Jeeps.

Originally posted by JPyj
I also would love to be included for this trip. My jeep is
ready and I can't wait to check out the scenery. TJ terry
and I have been talking about it and prepping the Jeeps.

Hey Joe,
If Tam does not go can I be the one to Pull Strap you when you get stuck.
T

*yawn*..

so 33's eh?

lol. i'm thinkin.. just regear and re-clutch and i'd be cool. maybe a hack-n-tap and new U'joints. maybe 33's if i could afford em. we'll see.

went to pickup my HP d60's from the yard today. $200 for both.. course.. they both need a complete rebuild, balljoints, gears, brakes, etc. so. i doubt they'll be ready for the con w/ tires and SOA.

BUT, i WILL have my onboard shower, and OBA fixed once and for GD all..

Originally posted by EvilPsych
...BUT, i WILL have my onboard shower, and OBA fixed once and for GD all..

MY FRIEND...Ol buddy Ol Pal...:P Youre getting the heated one right?

Tam :)

yes. heated water, like this guy, course.. gotta have a water source, like thelake or creek..

http://www.justjeep.rockcrawler.com/Image01a.jpeg

Whats the difference between this run and the run dated 16-18? Just the dates and groups going?

Thanks for bringing that to our attention...

I fixed it. Its one and the same.

It should be July 16-18.

Tam :)

Does this mean Tam and Chris will be going to the Rubicon on 8-16 too? Are you both bring your own Jeeps?

ummm, unfortunately no.

Chris is supposed to be in El Mirage...Land Speed Racing on the 18th.

We dont know how its going to work out yet.

If we both go, then both Jeeps are going...Im not sharing my Jeep on the Rubicon again :P

I havent decided if Im going without him. Im leaning towards going <bracing myself for the response to that from Chris>

Tam :)

...interesting...read my last post, then click "quote" to reply...I had posted something at the end, WHEN I posted the original post, that simply doesnt show up...hhhrrmmnnnn

Ill have Sarah take a look at that.

Tam