Rubicon Trail, 7/18~20/2003

[GoodTimes]

Ok, I know we were talking about a trip up north sometime this summer, this is not meant to be that trip (so Jack's not off the hook http://www.rxtx.com/4wdtrips/forum/emoticons/tongue.gif ), but a few of the jeep guys that I run around with are in the early planning stages of this trip. There are rumors of this trail being closed in the next year or two (how much truth there is to them, I don't know).

I hear mixed reviews about the difficulty of the trail. Some people say it is getting easier every year, and is now passable with a stock, high clearance, 4x4. Others say you must have at a minimum a small lift and 33" tires with one locker to make it through. Personally, I don't trust either of those, and am willing to bet that the reality of the trail is somewhere inbetween. I know that DaimlerChrysler used the Rubicon trail as a proving grounds of sorts for all jeep vehicles. Supposedly each vehicle that carries the "Jeep" name is supposed to be capable of traversing this trail, in the vehicles stock trim. I find that hard to believe whenever I see a jeep liberty going down the road (especially a 2wd model)http://www.rxtx.com/4wdtrips/forum/emoticons/eyes.gif .

Anyway, the run is there if anyone is interested. I am planning on going, and will be taking my stock jeep with me (hopefully I will be bringing it home with me too http://www.rxtx.com/4wdtrips/forum/emoticons/shocked.gif )

Tentative schedule (stolen from jeepforum.com):

Proposed run dates 18-20 July

Leave Loon lake spillway at 0800 on the 18th.
spend first nite at Spider lake

Leave Spider lake 0800 on the 19th
spend second nite at Rubicon Springs ($10 fee)

Leave Rubicon Springs A.M. for Cadillac hill and home


Post Edited By Moderator (JackSilb) : 8/3/2003 4:35:33 AM GMT

[Rockcrawler]

I'd love to go, but I don't think I can squeeze it in with my summer school schedule. :(


"Paved Roads: Another example of wasteful government spending." KD7UEH

[GoodTimes]

Summer school schedule??? BAH! don't need no stinking summer school! :D

olllllllo

KG6OWO

Price is soon forgotton, quality is not.

[BajaTaco]

I've never been on the Rubicon trail, but if stock 4x4's with street tires, no lift, and no lockers (let alone IFS)can do the rubicon trail, there must be alot of bypasses making it an (optionally)fairly tame trail overall. I have always been curious if someone saying "I ran the Rubicon" really has any merit, or if it is a question of how many bypasses were taken. Anyone know?

Hereare some pics of the Puberty... I mean... Liberty... on the Rubiconhttp://www.rxtx.com/4wdtrips/forum/emoticons/lol.gif (C'mon - if I can call my truck a TuRD, I can poke fun at this one too! No offense to Liberty owners - just a lil' fun)

http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/roadtests/16086/
</div>

http://www.bajataco.com
Vibram or BFG - getting there on rubber and seeing it all!
KD7UUS

[JackSilb]

I am in.
I hope that means less than 10 hours drive for me. FINALLY.
Lets keep talking, and please add it to the Forum calendar.

-JACK

So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...

[PaulD]

Can I go? You can strap me through the tough parts, right???
I have been reading alot about this trail, it's definitely on my 'to do list.'

[Rockcrawler]

[quote]
GoodTimes said...
Summer school schedule??? BAH! don't need no stinking summer school! :D
</div>I do if I want to graduate in May.... I've had enough of this school BS. I need to get out and start working full time.I'm in serious need of Mod money!!! :)


Kyle




"Paved Roads: Another example of wasteful government spending." KD7UEH

[GoodTimes]

Paul....sorry, your blazer isn't getting through this one.....unless you get that 5' lift....then it would probably get through. Just bring a spare front driveshaft, spare U-joints, Ilder arm, ball joints, pitman arm, 2 inner CV joints (left and right sides are different), one spare half shaft, and one outer CV joint (the outers are the same on both sides).

Kyle, I'm sure that you can sneak away for a long weekend.......

olllllllo

KG6OWO

Price is soon forgotton, quality is not.

[PaulD]

Wow Brian! You mean I'll could have the opportunity to break at least one (if not more) of those parts on one trip through the Rubicon? Next year then, it's you and me runnin the Rubicon!

[GoodTimes]

Paul, yes. The Rubicon is supposed to be a very tough trail if you take on some of the obsticals. And knowing you, you will (as will I).

I am taking a full set of steering arms and ends, upper and lower control arms, ball joints, U-joints, spare front axle shafts (if I can find some), in addition to the normal stuff. That is probably overkill, but you gotta be prepared. The trail will take us over two full days to run. There is no parts shops along the way. So if you break down in the middle, you have a full days ride out to get parts, then a full days ride back to your rig, then fix it, and then another full days drive back out! So you can see why I recommend the spare parts. And all those listed, are high wear parts on S-10's, especially when you push the limits of it off road (which you do).

olllllllo

KG6OWO

Price is soon forgotton, quality is not.

[MrS]

THANKS for the invite, but I won't be able to make it.


The closing of the route has been an uphill battle to a few groups of 4Xers,there are a few pending issues. I see a permit system coming with a daily limit, before a full closure coming, if we are lucky.


IMO (aka soapbox) I would say to add to your parts list a memebership toone of the local 4X group that has been working on keeping the route open.



KF6YSB

[GoodTimes]

[quote]
SteveS said...

IMO (aka soapbox) I would say to add to your parts list a memebership toone of the local 4X group that has been working on keeping the route open.

</div>Good idea, already done!http://www.rxtx.com/4wdtrips/forum/emoticons/wink.gif

olllllllo

KG6OWO

Price is soon forgotton, quality is not.

[JackSilb]

Hey GoodTimes,

Can't Paul just go around the main challenges?
When you need a definitive answer from us?


-JACK

So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...

[Bighorn]

Rubicon is really not for the stock vehicles. Although there are bypasses for most of the obstacles, sometimes they are worse than obstacle itself, and there are few places with no bypass. At least, that was the stand in the early 90's.
I did it in the Grand Cherokee with 4,5' lift and 32' tires and lockers front and rear. I've stripped both front axles, couldn't open the door (body damage), smashed the gas skid including the tank, lost rear bumper, etc. But that's normal on Rubicon.

So if you go there, you'll damage the vehicle no matter what, that is the part of this trail, the only way not to break anything is to hike the trail (just kiddin'). In any case, Rubicon has been and still is very heavy on the vallet.

If you go, have at least rear locker, lots of spare parts, and winch. Tires? The bigger the better. And avoid Little Sluice by all costs, when you see it you'll know why (there's a bypass).

[GoodTimes]

Jack, I don't think Paul has the break-over angle or departure angle to get through. I am probably about the lower limit of what can get through. I am confident that I can make it (Daimler-Chrysler took several jeep rubicons through the trail). I may put the lift and bigger tires on before I go....all depends on $$$ (or the lack there of). I do know that I will be adding some more skid plates though......

I don't know of any restrictions on group size for this trip, so I really don't need a definate answer on you going until I leave home the day before the trip.

olllllllo

KG6OWO

Price is soon forgotton, quality is not.

[PaulD]

Brian,
I would love to go on this trip w/you guys! But, like you said-things do break, and I don't have the clearance-yet. Next year I'll be game for a crack at it! I didn't think that I pushed my truck all that hard....
Next year I'll have the departure angle issue properly addressed! It's only money!
</div>

[GoodTimes]

Paul, get the lift and a set of 32's, and you will problaby be OK on this trail (I say probably because I am just going off of second hand info....I'll know more in a few months when I see it first hand.

John Bull is about the limit of your blazer right now. You need more clearance. Lower gears would be nice too, but with the auto, you have a little more flexibility with the gears.

olllllllo

KG6OWO

Price is soon forgotton, quality is not.

[JackSilb]

Hey BigHorn,

You surprised me. I have no idea you had such Toys in the past. No idea you did such trails.
Nice. We need to get you on one of our trips. Most of them are not much technical. Well Utah had some more tech things.

-JACK

So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...

[Bighorn]

Oh well, I did some crazy staff when younger. Yeah, if I ever find the time, I would gladly join one of your trips. At the moment less technical trips are perfect due to the lack of appropriate vehicle.
Did I mention there's no Big Sluice bypass? Anyways, claims that trail is easier each year is FALSE. It's true however, that every stock 4x4 Jeep can make it, but that doesn't mean it can make it un-harmed.
GoodTimes, 2 days is very little time for those 17 miles (can be shorter), in fact, stock vehicles have very little chance of making it through in two days only. Most people take 3 days (some can do it in one). Besides, it would be pitty to rush through all this beautiful scenery.

[GoodTimes]

Bighorn, thanks for the info! Keep it coming.

The plan is to have 3 days available to us (3 full days). Full days on Fri. and Sat., and finish up on Sunday. It wouldn't bother me a whole lot if it ran over into Monday too. Heck, I would probably be OK with it taking all week long..but my boss probably wouldn't understand. hahaha......

So far, the group that has shown interest in going is well aware of the strong possibility of body damage, and even drivetrain damage. Many of us are in the process of gathering spare steering and drivetrain components.

olllllllo

KG6OWO

Price is soon forgotton, quality is not.

[GoodTimes]

http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/jumpin.gif9 hours till I leave! http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/jumpin.gif

sorry....just had to share. This trip is gonna ROCK!!!!http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/supercool.gif We have 13 jeeps and 15 people going. The fun starts Friday morning at 8:00 am.

I'll see 'yall when I get back! Don't plan too many "limited space" trips while I am gone....http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/joker1.gif


olllllllo <---- If you can read that, roll me over.

KG6OWO

Price is soon forgotton, quality is not.

[WhiteThaiGer]

Enjoy http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/hop.gif We'll be here working....</div>
Don't forget to take cool Jeep pics and show them here. It looks like you don't have many extra people, i.e, photographers, with that almost 1:1 car/people ratio.</div>


***************************************
http://www.confluence.org
http://www.usgo.org

[BajaTaco]

GoodTimes said...


... We have 13 jeeps and 15 people going. No Toyotas?? Where are you going to fit the two extra people? http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/joker1.gif

HAVE FUN AMIGO!!!!!!!!!!!!


http://www.bajataco.com
Vibram or BFG - getting there on rubber and seeing it all!

[Ursidae69]

Looking forward to your trip report and pics Brian!

A few Pictures of my 2001 GMC Sonoma ZR2.
106k and still running strong...
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4290567759
Please Tread Lightly: http://www.treadlightly.org/

[JackSilb]

Without Toyotas they may not be able to make it back. Someone need to pull the Jeeps out of trouble. I mean I know they are very capable, therefore the risks increases.

-JACK

So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...

[JackSilb]

Thread locked.
It continues on the Trip Report.

-JACK

So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...