First Trail in Big Bend National Park (and a final hurrah to my shocks)

[aaronzachary]

I went on a trip (far before quarantine) to Big Bend National Park, here in west Texas. The trip was about 8 hours and we started in the middle of the night to get a camping spot. The drive was loud, uncomfortable, and generally miserable (we've done it before - not with a soft top Jeep, and it's usually unremarkable until the sun rises and you're in the high desert near Marathon).

Fast forward, we've made camp, I cooked some lunch, I've had a nap and we jump on the trail - my doubt of my recent purchase of this LJR, the miserable drive that my ears are still ringing from, etc, all feel justified immediately.

Found a bonus Willy's in Marathon, who I found out later is actually owned by a friend of a friend - I'm trying my darnest to get it from him.

 

[Chris]

Wow, awesome photos, and great looking Rubicon.

I've taken long trips in my TJ Rubicon with a soft top, and man was it unbearable. Loud and noisy to say the least! The hardtop is a lot better for long trips by a long shot. Unfortunately it takes a lot of the fun out of traveling in a Jeep!

 

[Kris M]

Wow, awesome photos, and great looking Rubicon.

I've taken long trips in my TJ Rubicon with a soft top, and man was it unbearable. Loud and noisy to say the least! The hardtop is a lot better for long trips by a long shot. Unfortunately it takes a lot of the fun out of traveling in a Jeep!

A good fix for the noisy soft top is a hot heads liner they are amazing at cutting sound.

 

[Chris]

A good fix for the noisy soft top is a hot heads liner they are amazing at cutting sound.

I didn’t realize they made them for soft tops

I started wearing ear plugs

 

[Kris M]

I didn’t realize they made them for soft tops

I started wearing ear plugs

They sure do I have one I love it.

 

[Kris M]

They sure do I have one I love it.

They sure do I have one I love it.
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View attachment 155255

 

[aaronzachary]

A good fix for the noisy soft top is a hot heads liner they are amazing at cutting sound.

Looks like they don't make one for LJ's I would've bought it immediately.

 

[Kris M]

Looks like they don't make one for LJ's I would've bought it immediately.

I would give them a call and see if the liners are interchangeable. They are pretty long and I’ll bet they would custom make one if needed.

 

[Apparition]

I've taken long trips in my TJ Rubicon with a soft top, and man was it unbearable. Loud and noisy to say the least! The hardtop is a lot better for long trips by a long shot. Unfortunately it takes a lot of the fun out of traveling in a Jeep!

My LJ took three of us to Moab last year with the soft top and trail doors. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I am considering an intercom for when it’s topless though.

 

[Chris]

My LJ took three of us to Moab last year with the soft top and trail doors. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I am considering an intercom for when it’s topless though.

An intercom, a good stereo, and some ear plugs is all I'd need. My stereo on my TJ was great at highway speeds.

 

[texvet]

I had a trip planned to BB, prior to all this crap breaking loose. I was not to keen on driving my LJ 8 hours to get out there as well; plan was to trailer. I'm guessing you are somewhere in Central Texas?

 

[RobertJ]

I've been on those same trails when I was living in San Antonio. That park is beautiful and amazing to explore. I owned a '94 Grand Cherokee at the time and it was a nice trail/travel vehicle.

 

[Kris M]

I had a trip planned to BB, prior to all this crap breaking loose. I was not to keen on driving my LJ 8 hours to get out there as well; plan was to trailer. I'm guessing you are somewhere in Central Texas?

South of FTW. You will have to meet up with us at Hidden Falls sometime when we go.

 

[texvet]

South of FTW. You will have to meet up with us at Hidden Falls sometime when we go.

Not a problem, it's a 45 minute drive for me; and I'm at the shooting club out there quite often. Actually way more trigger time than trail time.

 

[sourbluff]

Thanks for the flashback! Years ago drove from Houston to Big Bend, Guadalupe, White Sands, El Paso and I’m sure a few place I’ve forgotten on a spring break camping, hiking trip. Riding with the soft top never bothered me. Having to sleep overnight in the TJ because I didn’t pay attention leaving Big Bend and ran out of gas sucked. We actually payed a guy to fill us from farm supply tank the next morning as it was a Sunday.

I‘m sure it is gone but was place in Big Bend you could pay like $5 for them to row you across river where guys happily enjoying cerveza muy fria drove you into a little town in beat up trucks to eat tacos and buy trinkets.

 

[RogerH]

Thanks for the flashback! Years ago drove from Houston to Big Bend, Guadalupe, White Sands, El Paso and I’m sure a few place I’ve forgotten on a spring break camping, hiking trip. Riding with the soft top never bothered me. Having to sleep overnight in the TJ because I didn’t pay attention leaving Big Bend and ran out of gas sucked. We actually payed a guy to fill us from farm supply tank the next morning as it was a Sunday.

I‘m sure it is gone but was place in Big Bend you could pay like $5 for them to row you across river where guys happily enjoying cerveza muy fria drove you into a little town in beat up trucks to eat tacos and buy trinkets.

Now you need a passport to go.

 

[ToddDerrArtist]

I'm new here... so this is my first reply to any threads.

Two years ago, I made a 1300 mile, 24 hour straight through drive to Big Bend from my previous home in Kentucky with my '98 Sahara with a soft top. I'm 51 now and it was a little rough. But, tons better than back in my Air Force days as a younger man driving cross country in my '79 CJ-7...at least it had a hard top, though. I guess that prepared me for a life of Jeeps.

Nice LJ Rubicon you got there and loved your pics. That old Willys was sweet.

I don't know how this all works and don't want to hijack your thread, but if your interested, I could message you a link to my YouTube video from my trip. It's not much 4 wheelin. I'm an artist and went out there to paint and camp out.