I'm a few days away from my first expedition...

[04silverrubicon]

I won an essay contest to spend a week on the trails of Montana and Wyoming with "Superlifts Off-Road TV" and "4WD and Sport Utility Magazine" from June 12-16 (but it will take 4 days out and 4 days back in addition).

I am driving this vehicle:

with these modifications:

Alloy USA rear axle
Alloy USA front axle w/seals
Rubicon Express control arms front/rear, upper/lower
Goodyear 285/75/R16 MTR tires
Old Man Emu HD springs (2.5&#8221
Old Man Emu bumpstops
JKS 1.25” body lift
Rubicon Express ¾” front spacers
JKS front adjustable track bar
JKS rear adjustable track bar
M.O.R.E. motor mount lift
Warn Rockcrawler front bumper
Warn Rockcrawler rear bumper
Warn fuel tank skid
Big Daddy Offroad HD tie rod
Bestop Oversize Tire Carrier
Skidrow steering box skid
Skidrow lower control arm skids
Warn front differential cover
Warn rear differential cover
JKS disconnects
K&N drop-in filter
Monroe steering stabilizer
Jeepers and Creepers throttle body
Optima yellowtop battery
Jeeperman trail skids
Rock Hard Ultimate Sports Cage Straight Across Rear Bar
MORE body lift steering linkage bracket spacer
Tuffy Jumbo rear security box
NoLoss Captive tire valve caps
48” Hi-Lift Jack
Fire Extinguisher
Warn 9.5ti thermometric winch w/hawse fairlead
VIAIR 400P Portable Air Compressor Kit
Cobra 19 DX III CB
Firestick antenna
JeepMedic Engine skid
JeepMedic Oil Pan skid
Tom Woods 1350 driveshaft

from New York state all the way out and back. I'm bringing a buddy of mine (wife can't take 2 weeks off from work at such a short notice).

Not too sure about exactly where we will be off-roading other than the hotel locations (Lewistown and Billings,MT and Lovell,WY). I was told that we will be on private land most of the time, lots of water, snow and brush can be expected.

I will post the url to a blog we will have completed and the end of the trip.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a wonderful and safe trip!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to ExPo........!

 

[goodtimes]

Depending on what kind of terrain you are expecting, you may consider taking a spare drag link. I know of several people who have installed a stronger tie rod, only to have the draglink become the weak point in the steering system.

Personally, I replaced both with 1.25" chro-mo from Currie, and carry the OE parts as spares.

Be sure to load up the camara gear, and have fun! That is what it is really all about!

 

[datrupr]

Welcome to the ExPo!, and congrats on your win. You should have a great time up there, it is truly beautiful country.

 

[ChuckB]

Sounds awesome, congrats!

 

[articulate]

Yeah, sweet. :beer:

Montana.....

I'd love to keep an eye on the blog when you are out there.

 

[kcowyo]

Nice!

Welcome to the Portal and welcome to Wyoming, whenever you get here! :beer:

The Big Horn Mountains around Lovell and Billings are amazing. June is the perfect time of year to be out here and yes you may see some snow up there. I did last week.

Don't forget to pack some sunscreen and bear spray. And I'm not kidding....

Enjoy your trip and congrats on winning the contest too!

 

[Scott Brady]

Congrats! have a great time and let us know how the adventure goes.

 

[Dave Bennett]

LUCKY!!!

 

[04silverrubicon]

Thanks all, early tomorrow morning we're off. I went ahead and ordered an additional set of tie rod ends and placed them in the parts box, hopefully they will stay locked away there for the trip. We are taking lots-o-pics for the blog and will post accordingly. See you all "out there".

Jeff Patterson

 

[BajaTaco]

Nice Rubicon! Have a blast :archaeolo

 

[04silverrubicon]

Just got back home from a great trip, will have pics posted in a day or so...

 

[articulate]

**********' sweet my man. **********' sweet.

Montana.....
Mountains.....
Wilderness travel....

Corazon contento.

Mark

 

[BajaTaco]

I am going to close this thread and you can start a new one for the trip report. The pics look fantastic!