Great trail riding in the Jeep

[berettafan]

Took the family to an off road driving 'class' this weekend in the mountains (hills to those of you out west) of PA. We had a great time and are ready to go back soon. This was the jeeps first real off roading test (other than muddy woods trails near home) and once I got the hang of staying off the clutch in 4 Low and using the hand throttle (bike shifter) it got pretty fun.

The rest of our group were newer JK wranglers and one Cherokee. The leader of the class had a TJ as well. Lots of 'holy cow are we really going to do that?' moments. It's funny some of the hills we went up and down felt crazy steep in person but look mild in pics and video.

I'll say this, you can not believe what a mildly modified or even stock Jeep can do. Just amazing. Ours is a '99 Sport with 4" lift, 33" BFG AT tires, some armor and True-Trac diffs front and rear (mechanical limited slip...no clutches).

[jwhcars]

Off roading is lots of fun with the family along. Check on your vehicle's systems and watch out for leaks....the wife put a hole in the trans pan of her Land Rover and I didn't know it until I saw trans fluid coating the driveway. Oops

[Dantilla]

A few days ago I had the Rubicon in a couple places that would make most 4x4s whimper for their mommy.
Having air lockers front and rear sure inspires confidence.

Thanks for posting.

[911SauCy]

It's good to see someone using their Jeep for what it's intended!! Looks like a blast!

Around CT, Jeeps are mostly d-bag transportation devices. People spending thou$ands to modify them to wax 'em up, put bottles of tire shine on the big rubbers and parade around their bad financial decisions at or under the speed limit.

[IROC]

Four wheeling - to me - is a lot like track events/DEs. Lots of camaraderie with people who share your passions mixed with some adrenaline rushes. My recent daily driver utilization (mine's in front):

[vash]

can you please explain the hand throttle?

never heard of this before.


and this is my next chapter of my life. i will sell my 911 to build a trail rig. hopefully either an early bronco, or early FJ40.

[vash]

one year in AZ. i needed to get some cell coverage, so i drove uphill.

i went up this steep trail, and followed a bunch of modified jeeps. they coasted up this this thing. my 4x4 tacoma with "street tires" was a more slippery affair, but i eased up in 4Lo with my rear end locker activated. no fanfare. the jeep guys were impressed..i didnt think it was that difficult. in my mind, i was thinking if i got into trouble, a jeep could rescue me.

that same trail at night, JIM saved me. i almost drove straight off a cliff, when jim said.."stop!! you really really want to start turning left"...hahhaha.. i dont know what i was thinking.

[berettafan]

Vash it's just a bicycle shifter and cable run to the throttle lever. I keep mine somewhat tight so I can just set it and let the Jeep do its thing. Keeps you from doing the bounce-lurch-bounce-lurch-bounce-lurch thing on rough terrain. Very much like the throttle on a tractor.

This pic isn't mine but same thing.

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by vash

one year in AZ. i needed to get some cell coverage, so i drove uphill.

Reminds me of the time I took the old Jeep to work, then changed my mind on the way.
Ended up in the mountains, standing on top the roll bar to get (very poor) cell service to tell the guys I wouldn't be in that day.

....Good times.

[vash]

Originally Posted by berettafan

Vash it's just a bicycle shifter and cable run to the throttle lever. I keep mine somewhat tight so I can just set it and let the Jeep do its thing. Keeps you from doing the bounce-lurch-bounce-lurch-bounce-lurch thing on rough terrain. Very much like the throttle on a tractor.

This pic isn't mine but same thing.

ahh..i thought so! same logic for ATV's.

thanks.

[Josh D]

Originally Posted by berettafan

I'll say this, you can not believe what a mildly modified or even stock Jeep can do. Just amazing.

If you are amazed by what a mildly built Jeep can do, you'll be astounded by what a highly modified Jeep can do!

Here's a few pics of my two.

[berettafan]

Wow! You get a bit desensitized to pics like that online...then you actually try a steep hill and realize stuff that looks like that in your pics is just crazy. Must take a lot of trail time to get used to feeling the jeep tilted like that and not panic.

[berettafan]

Iroc this is my track time now. Just don't have the budget or time to do wheel to wheel racing and the 911 is gone so I have found this as a fun motorized hobby. Arguably safer and definitely cheaper. There surely are some rushes to be felt and getting dirty is as much a part of a boys dna as is racing.

[Josh D]

Originally Posted by berettafan

Wow! You get a bit desensitized to pics like that online...then you actually try a steep hill and realize stuff that looks like that in your pics is just crazy. Must take a lot of trail time to get used to feeling the jeep tilted like that and not panic.

Like others have mentioned, it's a lot like DE or racing in that you develop a feel with your vehicle and know it's limits and when you are approaching them. I've been fortunate to live in some of the best states that 4 wheeling has to offer (NM, CO & AZ). It would be like having a bunch of great tracks at your disposal and building your equipment and developing your skill.

I haven't yet tracked my 911 because I know what will happen!

[grendiers]

Prichett Canyon, Moab, UT. Back in the day, 2001, home-built, using junkyard parts. 1991 YJ, shortened ford axles, spring-over axle, detroit lockers front/rear, '88 Mustang 302, low gears. Was fun, now I have a mall-crawler 2012 Wrangler for easy forest service roads in Arizona. And, plenty of track time!

[berettafan]

beautiful YJ! looks very clean.

found a few more pics. ours is the red TJ.

they sent all of us down the short but very steep hill at the end. it felt like when you go over the falls on a log flume ride!

[grendiers]

Thanks, didn't stay that way for long~! We ran T-18 Ford top-loader transmissions back then, with the 6.32:1 granny first gear. Lots of restarting the engine, and in the rocks, lots of banging around when the engine quit~! My next built YJ, was an automatic, much better, but, I had moved on and the build-up was overkill and I sold it. Now I build cheap track cars, 924 turbo and 924S platforms for fun. Still with the junkyard/used parts mentality.

[berettafan]

Researching an auto swap for mine right now. Looks like 32rh is the easiest but no overdrive.

[quicksix]

Are automatics more desirable for off roading? I just bought this 2001 xj,auto, rebuilt head and transmission. I am new to the jeep scene,always wanted one, finally pulled the trigger. It has a 3.5" old man emu lift, rock sliders, brush guards,came with a set of procomp wheels with 33x12.50x15's.

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by quicksix

Are automatics more desirable for off roading?

In some situations, yes, but just like sports cars, I find a stick more entertaining to drive.
Current Rubicon is an auto as a concession to my wife.