An older gentlemen in his first jeep (JLU), mostly stock, followed me through fins and things. I coached him through some rough spots and although he scraped the belly pan once or twice the smile on his face just got bigger the further we went.
What can my TJ handle at Moab?
- Thread starter Tob
- Start date
One of my fondest memories on fins was catching a new Tacoma on the trail.
We had to sit and watch from a distance as they had trouble with a small sandy climb, they finally just went full send to get up it. I crawled it like nothing.
a little further we got to a very steep climb and the Tacoma was sitting at the base of it considering it. They eventually backed up and pulled over.
My turn, pulled up beside them hit the switches on the ARB’s, waved and walked right up the climb. No problems.
They then chose the bypass. They did finish the trail though.
Yeah, and fins is easy, boring actually till you get to the very end. Took 2 hours to do the whole thing. These Jeeps with lockers are crazy capable.
It's sad that they don't have minimum requirements categorized by model. It seems to me that a TJ on 33's will have less difficulty than a JLU on 35's. 10 years ago 33's were "recomended" for trails with a #6 rating. I'm betting TJ's will be a significant minority during the event. I guess the organizers don't want to anybody outperforming the JL drivers with their full wallets.I've been looking at their website, and the difficulty ratings say 35+" tires are considered a plus on level 4, and required on 5 and 6. The 265/70R16's are only 31.6". Are you sure about running a level 6 trail? Or do you mean I could make it by using bypasses on the obstacles?
Also, on the trail description page, under Trail Notes, even for the level 4's, 35" is listed as the minimum size tire.
At this point I'm a bit confused, I'm getting mixed info
One more important note, my TJ is not only my daily driver but it will need to be able to make the 1300 mile road trip back home.
xxdabroxx
TJ Addict
And some LCOG'er running 35's on a stock TJ is a lot more likely to run into issues than a TJ with 31's on a 2" lift.
If you were going to Moab I would hope you have brains. I went so far as to axle swap a Dana 35 for a Dana 44 simply because being stranded out on a trail due to breaking a Dana 35 shaft and possibly damaging the goods in a differential can be as much as a $2,000 tow bill (+ repairs and a ruined week). But then again, the tow companies are in business for a reason, so if you want to help keep them in business, be stupid.
I agree to some extent that TJ, JK, JKU, JL capabilities vary based on tire size and departure angles/clearance. I.e. a TJ on 33's is probably as capable as a JKU on 35's, maybe a tad more, but other issues are involved. I've seen JKU's without lockers do pretty amazing stuff just because of the extra weight and the traction control system or the hill descent button. There are other factors, but the bottom line is I've come to think it's more complicated than simply tire size.
Once you get locked you are on your way to glory, but tire size does matter, larger tire rolls easier over obstacles, and those with an overhang are only overcome by a tire that can avoid getting pulled under the lip, then there is tummy clearance, which can be a factor on certain obstacles. I have been high centered and my Jeep twisted like a top until a tire hit a rock.
I agree to some extent that TJ, JK, JKU, JL capabilities vary based on tire size and departure angles/clearance. I.e. a TJ on 33's is probably as capable as a JKU on 35's, maybe a tad more, but other issues are involved. I've seen JKU's without lockers do pretty amazing stuff just because of the extra weight and the traction control system or the hill descent button. There are other factors, but the bottom line is I've come to think it's more complicated than simply tire size.
Once you get locked you are on your way to glory, but tire size does matter, larger tire rolls easier over obstacles, and those with an overhang are only overcome by a tire that can avoid getting pulled under the lip, then there is tummy clearance, which can be a factor on certain obstacles. I have been high centered and my Jeep twisted like a top until a tire hit a rock.
OP
I sure will! I'll be sure to update the thread or make a new post afterwards. I'm really looking forward to going, no doubt in my mind it will be worth the 2600 mile round trip!
OP
I am definitely going to be staying in my comfort zone, considering I have to drive it 1300 miles back home. I'm not one to send it with my own stuff, especially after watching sobering crash/fail videos.If you were going to Moab I would hope you have brains. I went so far as to axle swap a Dana 35 for a Dana 44 simply because being stranded out on a trail due to breaking a Dana 35 shaft and possibly damaging the goods in a differential can be as much as a $2,000 tow bill (+ repairs and a ruined week). But then again, the tow companies are in business for a reason, so if you want to help keep them in business, be stupid.
I agree to some extent that TJ, JK, JKU, JL capabilities vary based on tire size and departure angles/clearance. I.e. a TJ on 33's is probably as capable as a JKU on 35's, maybe a tad more, but other issues are involved. I've seen JKU's without lockers do pretty amazing stuff just because of the extra weight and the traction control system or the hill descent button. There are other factors, but the bottom line is I've come to think it's more complicated than simply tire size.
Once you get locked you are on your way to glory, but tire size does matter, larger tire rolls easier over obstacles, and those with an overhang are only overcome by a tire that can avoid getting pulled under the lip, then there is tummy clearance, which can be a factor on certain obstacles. I have been high centered and my Jeep twisted like a top until a tire hit a rock.
As far as skid plates go, I'm considering getting at least a steering box skid. Without going all out, are there other super vulnerable areas that I might want to get skid plates for?
We went there last Oct & had a great time.I rented a 2-Dr Rubi Jeep from Twisted Jeeps it had a 3.5" lift & 35's & went on Schafer,Fins & Things ,Porcupine & Top of the World.It scraped some on the last 2 trails.
Rough patch @ Top of the World here.You can see why you need at least 35"
Rough patch @ Top of the World here.You can see why you need at least 35"
Oil pan. If you have a welder, or access to one, those weld on skid plates for the lower control arm mount would be a good idea. Fairly cheap also.
I’m sincerely not trying to be a troll, but can you describe why that necessitates 35s? It’s hard to tell via pictures the real scale of things.
edit: the images from trails offroad show more, though I’d think 31+. https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails/607-top-of-the-world-utah
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I was hoping for your thoughts, it looks relatively tame to me. At least enough where a moderately built Taco looks to do it fairly easily.
I have little doubt there, I think most TJ capabilities run out far after many of our guts.
i was absolutely shocked at how well my unlocked Tj Sahara did down there. The first day was terrifying, it was my first time doing anything like that. I just followed a couple of newer stock-ish rental Jeeps, figured if they could do it I could too. After I got comfortable it was a hell of a lot of fun.
I got to watch an early Porsche Cayenne run up a long set of good sized steps on the trail that runs west out of Arches into town. It did just fine with it's traction control. The thing about Moab is that the slickrock makes many difficult things really easy because of the traction.