New to NAXJA, need trail advice

[dard1324]

First of all, let me introduce myself. My name is Darrell and I am a 17 year old (hence no red name) high school senior absolutely loving the XJ world. I got my 88 XJ in May and didn't start modding it until January or so. It has a Rough Country 3" add-a-leaf lift, 31x10.5x15 BFG Mud-Terrains, JKS Quicker Disconnects (waiting to be installed), a Carr light bar, 6 Hella 500's, and a Cobra CB radio with 4' whip antenna from Fry's. All of the parts have been installed by my father and I and sometimes some buddies. I'll tell you what, this hobby is a hell of a lot of fun :worship:, unfortunately, it's also too expensive :flamemad:. Went from this:


To this:



Now down to buisiness :laugh:. Some buddies and I are hoping to go wheeling in the Sierras for 2 or 3 days during our spring break which is the second week of April. I was hoping you guys could suggest some trails that are good, moderately difficult, and also open this time of year. Thank you :cheers:

 

[scottmcneal]

Let me be first to say, NICE looking jeep... Did a good job...

 

[Bryan C.]

Cool Jeep. But I hate to break it to you, the lift and tires are the cheap part. It only gets worse from here on out. But I will tell you this, once you get out on the trails you will become hopelessly addicted, and you will spend the money.

 

[dard1324]

Hahaha I've already become hopelessly addicted. I just got a job a month or so ago just to fund my jeeping. Thanks for the comments. Any advice about the trails?

 

[AIbandit]

Hahaha I've already become hopelessly addicted. I just got a job a month or so ago just to fund my jeeping. Thanks for the comments. Any advice about the trails?

like ummm.... when in doubt stomp the skinny pedal?

 

[dard1324]

like ummm.... when in doubt stomp the skinny pedal?

no :laugh:. Advice on what trails are open in the Sierras. You missed the last section of my original post.

 

[AIbandit]

i dont know your area but google is your friend =P

Sierra National Forest Service recommended trails
just google the trails u find there the sierra's are huge theres alot of places to go

also keep the following in mind... written by Jes

Summer is just about here and trips to the mountains will be in the minds of many of the locals.
If you plan on running the Rubicon(or other local trails) please carry the proper equipment which includes some sort of portable toilet system and a vehicle fluid spill recovery kit.

I highly recommend this system...PETT for dealing with human waste. It's not a big deal hauling out a WAG BAG or two with your garbage.

For vehicle spill kits I recommend one of these Trail Pails.
Sales of these help support the Blue Ribbon Coalition.

Thanks.

Thats not just for the Rubicon =P

 

[XJ_ranger]

Great looking rig! :greensmok I was in your shoes once! Now I drive a pickemup truck to tow the jeep with! (it gets outta hand real quick :bawl

We're having a Hollister Hills run on April 12 - and I know you said Sierra's, but this is on the weekend - so maybe you and your buds can meet up with us?

Hollister Hills Run


As for sierra trails - the two famous ones - the Rubicon and Fordyce are still going to be under snow in April, as will all the trails near Shaver Lake (about 1 hour drive from Fresno). Fordyce has quite a bit of 'off camber' sections at the beginning that would make me skiddish of running it under snow.

We recently had a snow run up to Bald Mountian - a Sierra trail near Shaver lake - here is the thread about that trip -
http://naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=931597

Bald Mountain trail is open year round to Green Sticker vehicles and regestered, street legal vehicles - and is a great destination trail - a lot of fun... the rest of the trails in that area (swamp lake, mud lake, coyote lake, dusey/Irsham... etc) close for winter, and open with the help of the Fresno 4 Wheel Drive Club in the spring after enough snow has melted, and the trails have been cleared of fallen tree's and brush.

This book -
http://www.amazon.com/Northern-Cali...=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205477820&sr=8-5

known as the 'Wells guide' is a pretty good source of LEGAL wheeling trails and has a wealth of information in it - and is well worth the price.

Welcome to the Sierra Chapter! :rof:

 

[sik4wheeler]

Welcome and I believe that I saw you this morning; I recognized the lights. I was just up in the sierras this past monday to go skiing , and could not help myself to check on fordyce and another trail up there, but I have to say good luck if you are heading up there early next month. There is still lots of snow. Have you started purchasing goodies for a re gear or atleast a locker for the rear?
-Nick

 

[dard1324]

Welcome and I believe that I saw you this morning; I recognized the lights. I was just up in the sierras this past monday to go skiing , and could not help myself to check on fordyce and another trail up there, but I have to say good luck if you are heading up there early next month. There is still lots of snow. Have you started purchasing goodies for a re gear or atleast a locker for the rear?
-Nick

Was that you I waved at at Moorpark and San Thomas? I'm unsure about what I want to do reguarding lockers because I've read about so many horror stories about the Dana 35. If anything, I think I'd lock the front first so I don't have to deal with an axle swap.

 

[sik4wheeler]

no you were going a different way than I was and I was in my work truck.

 

[Letterman]

I live less then 1/2 mile from San Thomas and Moorpark, for trail advice head south to Snake Bait till the snow melts.

 

[Phil]

Great looking rig! :greensmok I was in your shoes once! Now I drive a pickemup truck to tow the jeep with! (it gets outta hand real quick :bawl

We're having a Hollister Hills run on April 12 - and I know you said Sierra's, but this is on the weekend - so maybe you and your buds can meet up with us?

Hollister Hills Run


As for sierra trails - the two famous ones - the Rubicon and Fordyce are still going to be under snow in April, as will all the trails near Shaver Lake (about 1 hour drive from Fresno). Fordyce has quite a bit of 'off camber' sections at the beginning that would make me skiddish of running it under snow.

We recently had a snow run up to Bald Mountain - a Sierra trail near Shaver lake - here is the thread about that trip -
http://naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=931597

Bald Mountain trail is open year round to Green Sticker vehicles and registered, street legal vehicles - and is a great destination trail - a lot of fun... the rest of the trails in that area (swamp lake, mud lake, coyote lake, Dusey/Irsham... etc) close for winter, and open with the help of the Fresno 4 Wheel Drive Club in the spring after enough snow has melted, and the trails have been cleared of fallen tree's and brush.

This book -
http://www.amazon.com/Northern-Cali...=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205477820&sr=8-5

known as the 'Wells guide' is a pretty good source of LEGAL wheeling trails and has a wealth of information in it - and is well worth the price.

Welcome to the Sierra Chapter! :rof:

Wow Opie, that's some good advice! What about maybe taking a run up to Strawberry Creek off of highway 50 in May, or Shark Mark's Deer Valley and Slickrock
run in June?

 

[AIbandit]

i ordered that book looks interesting might find somthin i dont know about =P

 

[EvanH]

You weren't feelin the tire carrier?

 

[dard1324]

You weren't feelin the tire carrier?

Oh no I was more than feeling it. It broke off unfortunately :laugh:. I'm in the process of trying to figure out how to "un-bend" it and get it back up there with enough strength to hold a 31".

 

[AIbandit]

lol my 96 xj has the stock tire carrier holding 31's but its a lil different then yours and im pretty sure no one has even wheeled on this rig (stuck in germany would if i could =P)

id go with a roof rack though your going to need one for long trail trips anyway you can never have enough room, and theres always some annoying buggy that wants you to carry stuff in for them =P

 

[Rob D]

There are a lot of trails that range from easy enough to drive the family mini-van thru to "need at least 33 inch tires and lockers front and rear to get thru" trails. Go to a Borders or Barnes & Noble store and see if you can find "Guide to Northern California Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails" by Charles A. Wells. It cost $25 but it's free to look thru at the store . It lists the easy to hard core stuff and describes each trail fairly in well.
By the way, nice jeep. One thing you might want to look into before hitting anything too challenging is a set of rocker guards. It'll keep the area below your doors from getting crushed. They cost some money but save a lot more in the long run. Have fun out there and always remember to Tread Lightly.

 

[american_zero]

Nice looking Jeep.

How does that RC kit ride? Did you use the supplied shocks or upgrade to the 9000's?

 

[dard1324]

Nice looking Jeep.

How does that RC kit ride? Did you use the supplied shocks or upgrade to the 9000's?

It's a little bit stiff but I don't mind at all. I just used the supplied shocks. It was a world of difference compared to my crapped out stockers from 1988 :laugh:.

Thanks for the book recommendation Rob.