Rusty nail is an alternate trail that can be run as the trifecta (usually run in reverse)
You can also go in and run Rusty Nail to Golden Crack and then come out on Gold Bar Rim. Makes for a much shorter day that way.
Utah Moab in May 2025
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Rusty nail is an alternate trail that can be run as the trifecta (usually run in reverse)
You can also go in and run Rusty Nail to Golden Crack and then come out on Gold Bar Rim. Makes for a much shorter day that way.
Nothing is set in stone, these are what has been suggested so far. Although Pritchett will be a definite trail for those that want to run it.
We can make a secondary list for alternate trails if some aren't up to all them. Just need suggestions on what everyone would like to do.
I think we saw the sign for Rusty Nail last time. I’d like to do it in reverse. We talked about it last time but just went the Poison Spyder route.
Didn’t I see pics of you, Mike and Victor doing it last year?
Forsure... I do not actually have any input until I figure out if I'm going haha. Working on that.
I was there too! (I had no business on that trail haha)
Apparently you are able to do things above your rig level Trevor.
What would it take to get your rig where you want it?
Definitely thanks to Victor's spotting more than anything! I was pretty freaked out for No Left Turn in all honesty (the pic app just sent)
Money! Haha, really though. I think I have hit the limit of what I am comfortable doing out there with my combination of tires (33"), gear ratio (3.55), tcase ratio (2.72), only a front lunchbox locker, and manual transmission.
I really need to regear it and get selectable lockers, and that is the only logical next step for my build (35" tires with 3.55 gears? Atlas tcase with no lockers? Both silly directions to go). I just need to save up the money to do it, and I was distracted by another project this year.
Not saying I wouldn't enjoy doing the same trails again, or maybe riding along if the group does a trail I don't think I should be on! Last year because of the dog I really didn't do very much wheeling and it was still a really fun trip with everyone.
Bring the dog to Moab and I’d be willing to pay his/her lodging for a day so you could wheel with us. Just an offer. Maybe others would do the same. Of course, you’d have to want to put the dog up. I know that can be hard sometimes. We have a dog too, and I prefer him to be with us!
P.s. There are some Revolution 488’s around here for sale on FB. NIB asking $600. I could probably get for $500. I don’t know what ratio you are looking for, but if you want let me know.
I am going to be first time on many of those trails, if I do them. My prior trips to Moab were in my JKU on 35's or rented rented similar rigs in which I've done Hell's Revenge, Moab Rim, 7 Mile Rim, Poison Spyder and similar level trails from the "Difficult" list in the Wells guide. The last several years I've been by myself in my daily driver 2 door JL, so had to keep it tame to manage my risk and ensure my ability to drive it home to MN.
Now I have more rig to bring to the party but I've just built this thing and need to build up my confidence with it and thus a bit gun shy about tackling some of the hardest trails, at least as they are described by Wells. Let's see who all ends up coming and I trust we will find a way for everyone to have fun and bring along those of us who are not yet double black diamond certified.
Now I have more rig to bring to the party but I've just built this thing and need to build up my confidence with it and thus a bit gun shy about tackling some of the hardest trails, at least as they are described by Wells. Let's see who all ends up coming and I trust we will find a way for everyone to have fun and bring along those of us who are not yet double black diamond certified.
gasiorv
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My opinion would be to do it in this order:
1. Regear and lockers (even if you just go with cheaper lunchbox in the rear as well). Lockers are the key, you never want to give them up or sacrifice them.
2. 35s (and whatever BL and mods needed to run the 35s)
2.5. Armor up the body.
3. Then TC. You may be able to find a 4:1 out of a Rubicon, prices are starting to come down on them. Or go with the Atlas, you really can't go wrong with the Atlas for reliability.
If you went with cheap lockers, you can upgrade to selectable sometime later.
Again, just my opinion, but don't get wrapped around everything needing to be done at once. The regear and the rear locker will have you outshining most, the rest just makes things easier.
Thanks for the offer!! Really appreciate it Jeremy. Last year I used the vet a few times, they were nice and he seemed like he enjoyed it. The only issue was a 4pm pickup time, pretty hard to guarantee I can make it for most trails. Once I figure out if I my jeep will be up for the trip I will see what I do with him.
Ideally someone in my family could watch him. There was also a lady that does sitting with a later pickup time, but I was too short notice for her last year, might be a good option. In all honesty he is a pain in the ass 4wheeling and it's much worse in Moab than the stuff out here. I do not want to bring him along on any trail runs. Love him but he whines the entire time and I can't stand it haha.
Thank you! I am looking for 5.13s, I think I want the lowest gears I can get for my 30/35 and manual. I'll have a trailer eventually
Realistically... I spent more than the regear/lockers would've costed on my MR2 last year. I guess a lack of focus is more accurate than lack of money, but with more money I could do both! Once I turn my focus back to it I should be able to afford it this year, just not before the Moab trip unfortunately.
Also I am considering coming out for maybe a few days if my jeep won't be ready, maybe do a ride along or two? It would be cool to see everyone and this is the 5th year in a row, I'd hate to miss it. Plus I gotta see wildmans jeep. Buut I'm banking on it hopefully being fine when I get it back together today or tomorrow!
That's a good selection of trails that you can make as hard as you want to.
Pritchett is the one where you have to do, or winch, the hard stuff or you don't get through.
Moab Rim, Cliffhanger and Rusty Nail also do that to a lesser extent although a fear of heights can come into play on parts of them.
Main goals are to wheel, have fun, get home safe and meet some cool people. Peer pressure is only to be used on Basket, there's no point in pushing anyone past their comfort or capability.
This sounds about what I'm thinking. I am just new shocks/springs/tires away from fitting 35s as far as I know, but I am not gonna do that with 3.55s. I also agree that adding a rear locker and better gears will be the hugest noticeable improvement. That would likely open up enough new stuff on its own, it's definitely obvious in Moab where an open rear is hurting me.
I haven't really thought about going lunchboxes, I was excited about the ability to drive in the snow a bit better with selectable lockers, the lunchbox makes snow driving suck unless it's like 15mph. An Elocker is a new carrier so if I did decide to change my mind I'd be redoing the gear setup entirely I think?
But yeah, the gears feel a lot like a "roadblock" because it all kinda has to be at once (I also intend going to the 30spline shafts at the same time) which just makes it a lot of money at once, as opposed to most other things you can do.
Sounds good. I am happy to winch thru where needed and not afraid of some body contact as I am armored up appropriately. I want to keep all 4 wheels aimed at mother earth and know that is in large part my own driving but certainly trail selection and spotting (and following spotting)!
Metal masher was the first trail I did out there the first year, I still think it's a good introductory trail for people new to Moab to get an idea of how much traction to expect and all. That or fins and things, but I think metal masher is more fun.
Fins and things is one I seem to do every year time I go. Close to town, easy to add on if you have a couple of free hours after something else and also good fun. Metal Masher looks good, but far more of a chunk of time. Looking forward to this!
More challenge to Metal Masher especially a couple obstacles. One of which I've never put wheels on.
I missed Metal Masher one year because I decided to do Arches with the family, so it's still on my list.
Elephant Hill is just a fun day of anyone is interested, but it's not a hard trail.
Thanks for the offer!! Really appreciate it Jeremy. Last year I used the vet a few times, they were nice and he seemed like he enjoyed it. The only issue was a 4pm pickup time, pretty hard to guarantee I can make it for most trails. Once I figure out if I my jeep will be up for the trip I will see what I do with him.
Ideally someone in my family could watch him. There was also a lady that does sitting with a later pickup time, but I was too short notice for her last year, might be a good option. In all honesty he is a pain in the ass 4wheeling and it's much worse in Moab than the stuff out here. I do not want to bring him along on any trail runs. Love him but he whines the entire time and I can't stand it haha.
Thank you! I am looking for 5.13s, I think I want the lowest gears I can get for my 30/35 and manual. I'll have a trailer eventually
Realistically... I spent more than the regear/lockers would've costed on my MR2 last year. I guess a lack of focus is more accurate than lack of money, but with more money I could do both! Once I turn my focus back to it I should be able to afford it this year, just not before the Moab trip unfortunately.
Also I am considering coming out for maybe a few days if my jeep won't be ready, maybe do a ride along or two? It would be cool to see everyone and this is the 5th year in a row, I'd hate to miss it. Plus I gotta see wildmans jeep. Buut I'm banking on it hopefully being fine when I get it back together today or tomorrow!
That offer still stands for a open seat anytime. As of right now I don't have anyone to fill my passenger seat. And highly doubt I will by May... not like women are lining up for a shot at me.
I'm with Victor's suggestions as how to modify your rig. It's about how I did mine back when I bought my Jeep.
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