IN to UT, AZ, CO in a stock JK Unlimited

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: A wonderfully choreographed portfolio, John and I've truly enjoyed every page

My thanx and also my thanx to your family, for adding spark to the Flora and Fauna of Utah, even provides me with more persuation to go on that MOAB trip, that Hilldweller (Bill) has mentioned

I'll hope to see more of your photographic talents, wherever you guys may go--Thank you

--:safari-rig::safari-rig:JIMBO

 

[scarysharkface]

:sombrero: A wonderfully choreographed portfolio, John and I've truly enjoyed every page

My thanx and also my thanx to your family, for adding spark to the Flora and Fauna of Utah, even provides me with more persuation to go on that MOAB trip, that Hilldweller (Bill) has mentioned

I'll hope to see more of your photographic talents, wherever you guys may go--Thank you

--:safari-rig::safari-rig:JIMBO

You are too kind. Glad you liked it! I hope I am fortunate enough to post many more!

John

 

[The Swiss]

This made for an excellent 3 hours reading; very inspirational. I have two boys that have about the age of your kids. Thanks John for sharing this trip with us.

 

[Rexsname]

Thank you, I very much enjoyed your vacation.

REX

 

[twolost]

EPIC... on so many levels. Thanks for taking the time to share this.

:victory:

Cheers,
---TWOLOST---

 

[MisterTinkle]

Wonderful! Thanks for the post and putting all of this together. I just love that area. It has been too long since I've been out to some of those places.

 

[scarysharkface]

I can see now there are a few things I need to do to the Jeep to make it more suited to my ambitions.

A couple of inches of lift to keep the middle off the ground, while maintaining the stock 31" tires (I only scraped once, which was plenty). Are the spacer lifts (with shocks) okay? I'm not building a rock-crawler, I just want a little more clearance..

A roof rack. The Congo Cage looks like the answer to me, with the largest basket that fits. Maybe big enough for a couple to sleep up there?

Winch up front, which may or may not require a new bumper. I don't need pretty, I just need a place to mount the WARN 8274 that's sitting in the garage. The existing mounting plate (for a CJ) isn't wide enough to bolt to the frame, so might it be possible to fab something from a couple of 2" square tubes?

Rock rails would be nice, since I'm staying on the *little* tires and don't plan to raise the unit more than a couple of inches. They appear to be relatively inexpensive, which means they're probably very easy to fabricate if one had the skills, time and materials? (none of which I have)

An expedition trailer of some ilk. Nothing hardcore, although enclosed with a tent platform on top does have its appeal. Something that could double hauling a couple of bikes (my KLR and Tracy's V-Strom) would be even better. Ex-military? I guess I really need to learn how to weld. You guys are ruining me, btw, but Tracy doesn't seem to mind so far...

John

 

[Rexsname]

The trailer you described sounds just like the 'Jumping Jack'. Not particularly expensive if I remember correctly.....


REX

 

[scarysharkface]

The trailer you described sounds just like the 'Jumping Jack'. Not particularly expensive if I remember correctly.....


REX

That looks pretty cool..

Tracy suggested a bit ago that I take a welding class, so I can make stuff for the yard. I think that's a spectacular idea.. (stuff for yard = adventure trailer, as far as I'm concerned)...

John

 

[skibum69]

wow John, I got through the whole thing and it looks like you all had a great trip!

I have to say you do an amazing job of photography and of writing trip reports. I've sent quite a few TLH travelers to your RR for further information on what to expect up there. My RR doesn't give much info and I didn't stop f*#$ all for photos when I went.

All the best to the family-are you bringing them up? A good friend of mine and her family are coming for the Soiree from Montreal in their new to them Westfalia.

:rockon:Rock on my friend:victory::rappel::roost:

 

[scarysharkface]

wow John, I got through the whole thing and it looks like you all had a great trip!

I have to say you do an amazing job of photography and of writing trip reports. I've sent quite a few TLH travelers to your RR for further information on what to expect up there. My RR doesn't give much info and I didn't stop f*#$ all for photos when I went.

All the best to the family-are you bringing them up? A good friend of mine and her family are coming for the Soiree from Montreal in their new to them Westfalia.

:rockon:Rock on my friend:victory::rappel::roost:

Thanks! Hopefully we'll be able to come up there one day soon. Maybe next summer. :smiley_drive:

It really feels strange to not be riding the KLR to The Rock and back this year, and I miss all my friends and family in the Maritimes.. I need to do something about that, and we need to go riding! :bike_rider:

It's always good to hear from you. :ylsmoke:

John

 

[The Swiss]

I can see now there are a few things I need to do to the Jeep to make it more suited to my ambitions.

A couple of inches of lift to keep the middle off the ground, while maintaining the stock 31" tires (I only scraped once, which was plenty). Are the spacer lifts (with shocks) okay? I'm not building a rock-crawler, I just want a little more clearance..

A roof rack. The Congo Cage looks like the answer to me, with the largest basket that fits. Maybe big enough for a couple to sleep up there?

Rock rails would be nice, since I'm staying on the *little* tires and don't plan to raise the unit more than a couple of inches. They appear to be relatively inexpensive, which means they're probably very easy to fabricate if one had the skills, time and materials? (none of which I have)

An expedition trailer of some ilk. Nothing hardcore, although enclosed with a tent platform on top does have its appeal. Something that could double hauling a couple of bikes (my KLR and Tracy's V-Strom) would be even better. Ex-military? I guess I really need to learn how to weld. You guys are ruining me, btw, but Tracy doesn't seem to mind so far...

John

John,

What you are thinking about pretty much matches my plans or what I had done to my JK.

I have a Teraflex 2.5 spacer up front and a Daystar 1 3/4" in the rear. Levels the Rubi nicely out. Works perfectly and rides as good as stock. Got them both on the JK forum from fellow members.

I will be most likely pulling the trigger on a Congo Cage this week. Seems to be the best bang for the buck. My Maggiolina RTT will then go from the trailer back on the Jeep.

Not a fan of winches myself (well, the Rubi has lockers so I have an advantage there) mainly because of their weight. I just don't like weighing my JK down with stuff I then most of the time don't need. When going off-road, I do carry my Hilift jack and a come-along with me, which both can be used for short distance winching.

Good thing the Rubi comes with rockrails! One of the first mods I added to all my previous Jeeps, worth every penny.

I use a simple carry-on utility trailer with a spring over axle lift and 13" tires. Good enough for fire roads, but not much more. Currently my RTT is on the trailer, but I will move it back on the Jeep as it is getting bombarded on gravel roads with rocks and stuff. Advantage of a light mesh trailer is that it is very light, can be lifted around by two guys if needed. I was looking into more off-road worthy trailer, but i don't really have a place to store it (the low carry-on fits under our deck). The one I think offers good bang for the buck is the Outlander Sherpa http://www.outlandertrailers.com/Sherpa2Rear.html

 

[scarysharkface]

I carried a come-along and straps with us. I really didn't want to need to use it though!

John

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Great report, I enjoyed reading it.

...and I thought I posted a lot of photos in my reports

 

[skibum69]

Yeah John, seems strange not to be reading your RR's on RTR. Whenever you want to bring the family up feel free to camp out at my house for as long as you like. :elkgrin: