What can my TJ handle at Moab?

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" View attachment 139229
I did Top of the World on 33's. 😉
 
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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.
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?
You should be good on 3" spring lift. I wouldn't worry too much unless you get into some of the most difficult trails like BFE, don't go out there. Moab is more about the mystique and views than being super tough. Don't get me wrong, there are tricky spots. Knowing how to drive by KEEPING YOUR RIG LEVEL is the best advice I can give. IF you have a reliable spotter, watch him and do what he says. If not, drive by feel, it's an art to develop.

Of course, under armor is always compelling. I would love to have all of mine armored up. But in Moab I only had the stock TCase skid and a raised rear stock Gas tank skid. Next time I will probably have a Savvy Tuck. Not that I will need it there, but I could find places to use it. 🤣
 
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My first time there (not EJS) I followed a friend who knew the trails. Only finding out later they were rated much higher than what I would have picked on my own. And had no issues running them. You'll be amazed at what you can climb with so much traction.
They don't close all the trails, all the days. You should be able to hook up with some other jeepers on those trails you want to run. The last time I went (EJS), I signed up for one trail and didn't even go. We spent all our time on trails where the big groups weren't.
Seven Mile Rim has a good mix of everything. I saw Jeep testing 'stock' Cherokees and Renegades there a few years ago.

I too had a 1300 mile drive home.
 
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I just looked at the EJS guide book. 35s are not required for 5 & 6. Only lockers, which you have. Obviously, easier trails will make the trip less stressful and still be very rewarding.

You should be able to google any of the trails listed and get a better idea of what you would be comfortable doing.
 
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
That's a cool website, I'll have to look into it more closely.

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.
The plan is to do the easy stuff the first day and go from there, feeling out what I can handle (I have no doubts of my vehicle, only my own lack of experience).

Thanks everyone for the input so far!
 
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You should be good on 3" spring lift. I wouldn't worry too much unless you get into some of the most difficult trails like BFE, don't go out there. Moab is more about the mystique and views than being super tough. Don't get me wrong, there are tricky spots. Knowing how to drive by KEEPING YOUR RIG LEVEL is the best advice I can give. IF you have a reliable spotter, watch him and do what he says. If not, drive by feel, it's an art to develop.

Of course, under armor is always compelling. I would love to have all of mine armored up. But in Moab I only had the stock TCase skid and a raised rear stock Gas tank skid. Next time I will probably have a Savvy Tuck. Not that I will need it there, but I could find places to use it. 🤣
Is tummy tuck/belly up with 1" body lift, 1" motor mount lift, and SYE the only way to gain tummy clearance? I am just now realizing that those shiny little bushings between the frame rails and transfer case skid are a transfer case drop to go along with the 3" coil lift...
 
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Is tummy tuck/belly up with 1" body lift, 1" motor mount lift, and SYE the only way to gain tummy clearance? I am just now realizing that those shiny little bushings between the frame rails and transfer case skid are a transfer case drop to go along with the 3" coil lift...

Larger tires and taller springs are also ways to gain belly clearance. A combination of all three is the best way to get the most with the fewest compromises.
 
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Is tummy tuck/belly up with 1" body lift, 1" motor mount lift, and SYE the only way to gain tummy clearance? I am just now realizing that those shiny little bushings between the frame rails and transfer case skid are a transfer case drop to go along with the 3" coil lift...
As per @jjvw above, those are other ways to get belly clearance.

Further, I can't remember how soon you are going to Moab, but there are a couple of things you can do if you want to get rid of some or all of the TCase lift. A 1" MML might allow you to lose all or some of your TCase drop. It raises the engine and drops the rear of the TCase so that the driveline angle is reduced, reducing vibes and sometimes eliminating them. If it doesn't eliminate vibes altogether, you can at least reduce the TCase drop to gain some more belly clearance. This is a quick and dirty way if you don't have much time.

In the end, just keep your tires on the big rocks, pick good lines, if you're doubting a line, don't take it, stop, look closer, be smart.
 
Hi y'all!
I'm planning on making my pilgrimage to the holy land at Easter Jeep safari this year, and I'd like your input on two questions I have:

1. What difficulty rating of trails can my TJ (and myself with not much offroad experience) handle at Moab? (without damage, because it's my ride home too)
It's a Rubicon with a 3" coil lift, 265/70 17 Duratracs, otherwise stock.

and 2. What equipment should I seriously consider bringing with me or adding to my Jeep to be better prepared for the trails?
-tool set, water, recovery points, recovery straps, CB radio?, oil, coolant, ATF for PS, fire extinguisher already on the list

I don't want to miss anything, and as I'm doing my homework for the trip, I'd like to hear some advice from people with experience at Moab/EJS. Thanks!

I am sure this is not the answer you are looking for, but you might want to ask the question of what "YOU" can do as a driver before you ask what the Jeep can do. I say this thinking of safety. I am pretty sure you know what you are doing, but never overestimate your skill level, especially in MOAB.

Cheers and be safe
 
I am sure this is not the answer you are looking for, but you might want to ask the question of what "YOU" can do as a driver before you ask what the Jeep can do. I say this thinking of safety. I am pretty sure you know what you are doing, but never overestimate your skill level, especially in MOAB.

Cheers and be safe
Oh of course, I am 100% on the same page with you on that. Like I said, I am less concerned about the limits of what my Jeep can do and more about what I can handle as an inexperienced wheeler. I will definitely keep this in mind (y)
 
Now that I will try! Good call! I can just imagine going straight up on some of those inclined staring into space!
It's far worse to be staring into space going down hill.

LevelTerrainAtLast.JPG
 
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That's a cool website, I'll have to look into it more closely.


The plan is to do the easy stuff the first day and go from there, feeling out what I can handle (I have no doubts of my vehicle, only my own lack of experience).

Thanks everyone for the input so far!
Here's a view you should not miss from Top of the World

TitanFromTopofthe World.jpg
 
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Well, it turns out you can't register for level 4 trails unless you have atleast 35" tires, which kinda sucks since I have to miss out on the fins and things, seven mile rim, hell's revenge, top of the world trail runs, but I understand why they did that. On the bright side, I did get to register, so I'm happy.

Hopefully I can find someone to run some level 4 trails with during the couple days after EJS that I'm staying. Besides the RR4W club, are there any other groups I should check out for organized trail runs in case I want to do more wheeling after EJS?
What dates will you be there? I will be there April 17 &18 if you wanted to meet up to do Finns & Hells Revenge.
 
What dates will you be there? I will be there April 17 &18 if you wanted to meet up to do Finns & Hells Revenge.
April 10th thru 17th(?) - I have a 2 day drive back home and have to be back before that Monday (20th). Not sure exactly when we'll be heading back, we were thinking about taking the scenic route through El Paso. The 17th would definitely be my last chance for any wheeling that week though.
 
Well, it turns out you can't register for level 4 trails unless you have atleast 35" tires, which kinda sucks
Moab Rim, Golden Spike, Amasa Back, Kane Creek, are Level 4. I've done all in my XJ on 31s. Moab Rim, 5 times, once descending at night, Golden Spike twice. 4+ are Pritchett, Upper Heldorado and possibly Rusty Nail. Have Video of 5 doing Pritchett on 33s. One of those 5 had 32s on his Cherokee. All do require lockers on rear and limited slip fronts, there should be 2 with winches. None broke down. I've never been in Moab during Jeep Safari and don't plan to. Live close enough to avoid the mayhem, you know, that insurance guy.

Rose Garden Hill is 1/4 mile of 40+º off camber pitch with 2 + foot steps. Did that twice on 31s. Dirt bikers zoomed passed us on the approach. It was a riot seeing them lay their bikes over half way up sliding back 10-20 yards down hill before being able to stop their involuntary descents. They soon walked them down then we climbed without incident. Son had a new Rubi 2 door LJ. The belly pan before tuck gave him fits getting over a couple of the steps. But he completed it stock.
 
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Here's a view you should not miss from Top of the World

View attachment 139799
I can easily say that the view there is the most awesome view I have ever seen. The drop is terribly awe-inspiring. A well-named and fitting destination to a hard day of wheeling.
The Top of the World trail is looking really, really tempting. From what I keep reading about it, I'm leaning towards thinking it may be out of my skill level.