Rubicon June 17 through 19

[Phil]

Brett, sounds good. I've always wanted to run the Rubicon in an MJ!

Jason, I don't think anyone wants to be done with this more than me. I'll let you know as soon as I know.
Also, if anyone wants the engine block, that'll comply with their "no engines" rule, and I can hide the tranny under the cab.

 

[Big Red]

Brett, sounds good. I've always wanted to run the Rubicon in an MJ!

Jason, I don't think anyone wants to be done with this more than me. I'll let you know as soon as I know.
Also, if anyone wants the engine block, that'll comply with their "no engines" rule, and I can hide the tranny under the cab.

I think they're more worried about the engine fluid, namely the oil, radiator fluid, gas, etc leaking out, but I think the fire took of alot of the fluid, especially the oil and gas. The fire was right in that area. You could probably keep the engine in there, rather than pulling it out and having to deal with it. Heah, did you get my message yesterday? Rob (Maximus) wanted to talk to you.

 

[CRASH]

Phil, is the throttle body OK? I may not be able to get my Renix one bored, so I may convert to the Chryco system. I assume the throttle cable melted?

Edit: Jes is gonna need a rebuildable block once he rides in my stroker and deems his power level to be inadequate. I can store it at my place if he wants it for later use......I'll ask him when I see him tonight.

CRASH

 

[Big Red]

Heah, Phil since you have the 94' xj now, are you going to run the trail with us how it is setup, or do you have to strip your mj and give Kevin his stuff back? I hope that Kevin let's you test that rig out, and there is no better place than the Rubicon. I'm going to ask for friday the 18th off of work, so if all goes well I'd like to meet up with you guys thurs night somewhere. I'll keep you posted. Let's also exchange cell#'s so we can keep in touch to meet up. I will try to have my cb working as well.
Troy

 

[Kejtar]

Good idea: 714 612 0668
Btw, how is cell coverage for spring like in the area? and how is analog covereage in teh area??

Let's also exchange cell#'s so we can keep in touch to meet up. I will try to have my cb working as well.
Troy

 

[Big Red]

Good idea: 714 612 0668
Btw, how is cell coverage for spring like in the area? and how is analog covereage in teh area??

We should be able to get a signal off of the highways I-50/I-80 etc, but it is probably going to get a bit iffy when we get rural like Georgetown etc. I have never ran the rubicon, but I'm ready for it now. I'm just finishing up installing my dana 44 with 4.56 gears and a detroit locker and my front rev dana 30 with 4.56 gears, 297 u-joints and a arb running on 35" mtrs. Can I have a show of hands as who is most likely going to make the trip? :dunno:
I should know monday whether I can get friday off, but I more likely than not should be able to, it doesn't interfer with my acct schedule at work. How many of you guys that plan on coming have done the rubicon? We should plan on meeting at a restaurant/gas station etc on the highway or somewhere where we know we can get a cell phone signal and then once we all meet up then, make our way together to the trail/campsite.
I'm really looking forward to this trip, I moved from Chicago about 1-1/2 yrs ago and have heard of the rubicon for maybe 6 yrs now and have never done it yet. It honestly is 1 of my dreams to do this trail and later ones like it, Fordyce, Barrett Lake, etc. My cell# is (916)396-8841 or my wife's cell (Serena) (916)396-8824. Let's keep in touch and hook up, safety/fun is in #'s.

 

[CRASH]

Still touch and go for me, though it's a great target to shoot for. Motor should be all together by the end of the month, then it's down to paint and creature comforts (like carpet and A/C).

CRASH

 

[Phil]

It COULD make it, but it wouldn't be as fun of a trip as it could be if I was really set up right. 3.55s open/open on 35s isn't the way I want to make my first run on the Rubicon. I'd rather wait and do it right. That, and I'd rather have my MT/Rs instead of the BFG ATs.
Once I swap my axles and tires over, it's basically ready.

Andy, I think the intake manifold melted, and that's about all I know.

 

[Kejtar]

then it's down to paint and creature comforts (like carpet and A/C).

OK, I can see the AC.. but paint?? carpet??

 

[Big Red]

Still touch and go for me, though it's a great target to shoot for. Motor should be all together by the end of the month, then it's down to paint and creature comforts (like carpet and A/C).

CRASH

You don't need no stinking carpet :guitar: Herculine the interior and then hose it out after wheeling. This is your wheeler and not your dd as well right? I Herculined 5 jeeps, 3 wranglers & 2 cherokees with good results. The stuff is not expensive (around $80) and takes about a weekend for prep and putting it on. I'm going to be putting red, smooth, uv protected Durabak to my exterior body. I found a price error on the Durabak website and bought a gallon for $57 to my door! That is the quart size price, the gallon goes for $160+tax+shipping. Since I know you have done the trail many times, where is a good place to meet up and have a good chance of getting a cell phone signal? Can you get 1 decently in Georgetown? I have Cingular nationwide, but with the elevation, etc I don't know if I will be able to get a signal. Where have you meet in the past a restaurant. Is there a good 1 in town?

 

[Big Red]

OK, I can see the AC.. but paint?? carpet??

Kejtar, are you going to have your lockers, 4.88 etc in your jeep by the rubicon run? Are you building a dana 44 rear? I'm almost done putting mine in. There isn't a whole big diff between the 8.25 and the dana 44, but I know the 44 is stronger and more desireable, stronger housing, axles, flange axle (no c-clip). But the 8.25 should hold up o.k. too. I just bought the dana 44 because it had 4.56 gears, was totally rebuilt when it was went through and has a detroit locker. I have a 8.25 29 spline that has 4.56 gears, spare shafts, and a no-slip with a few broken parts that I'm going to replace. The very fact that the dana 44 was ready to bolt in and I know I can get some $ for a somewhat built 8.25, I made the change. I already have firm leads on selling the 8.25 complete axle and the shafts, and am working out getting quotes on replacing the few parts I need to complete the no-slip.
Troy

 

[CRASH]

First of all, I would NOT start the trail in Georgetown, from Georgetown to the 'Con is all a paved road that is pretty darned curvy. That is the way I go from my house, but if you are anywhere in the valley, even Rocklin, you should head up 50, and make a left on Icehouse Rd. From that turnoff, it is about a 1 hour drive to the trail, and you may have spotty cell service the whole way. The first 20 minutes for sure.

The best place to meet is either in PLacerville, or the trailhead. There is a store along Icehouse Rd (Icehouse Resort) that would also serve as a meet spot, and you could top off fuel there. It is about 20 minutes from the trailhead.

CRASH

 

[Big Red]

It COULD make it, but it wouldn't be as fun of a trip as it could be if I was really set up right. 3.55s open/open on 35s isn't the way I want to make my first run on the Rubicon. I'd rather wait and do it right. That, and I'd rather have my MT/Rs instead of the BFG ATs.
Once I swap my axles and tires over, it's basically ready.

Andy, I think the intake manifold melted, and that's about all I know.

Come on Phil, I know that's not how you want it, but you could still do the trail. You have 35's and a lift on it, I have a winch & I know others in the group will help you. There are bypassed etc. You have a chance to do the con with the group. The bfg at's should do pretty good on the rock, At's in general I think would do good, especially the bfg which is 1 of the better if not the best at in it's class.

 

[Kejtar]

Kejtar, are you going to have your lockers, 4.88 etc in your jeep by the rubicon run? Are you building a dana 44 rear? I'm almost done putting mine in. There isn't a whole big diff between the 8.25 and the dana 44, but I know the 44 is stronger and more desireable, stronger housing, axles, flange axle (no c-clip). But the 8.25 should hold up o.k. too. I just bought the dana 44 because it had 4.56 gears, was totally rebuilt when it was went through and has a detroit locker. I have a 8.25 29 spline that has 4.56 gears, spare shafts, and a no-slip with a few broken parts that I'm going to replace. The very fact that the dana 44 was ready to bolt in and I know I can get some $ for a somewhat built 8.25, I made the change. I already have firm leads on selling the 8.25 complete axle and the shafts, and am working out getting quotes on replacing the few parts I need to complete the no-slip.
Troy

It all depends on timing.... Best case scenario I wil lbe running by then on 4.88's with front and rear detroits and 31's. Worst case it will be 4.11's with 8.25 in the rear and no slip on 31's

 

[loop]

reading this thread is cracking me up. i have a 3" lift and 31" BFG AT's and have made it across 3 times fine...2 times solo vehicle(punctured 1 tire). you guys will have a blast....stop fretting. all this talk of "must haves"....35's.....MTR'S.....low gearing....as amusing at it is...is much ado about nothing. put it in 4lo and enjoy yourselves
:guitar:

 

[Big Red]

reading this thread is cracking me up. i have a 3" lift and 31" BFG AT's and have made it across 3 times fine...2 times solo vehicle(punctured 1 tire). you guys will have a blast....stop fretting. all this talk of "must haves"....35's.....MTR'S.....low gearing....as amusing at it is...is much ado about nothing. put it in 4lo and enjoy yourselves
:guitar:

Thanks. I have only seen pics, video, etc about the Rubicon and have developed quite a respect for this trail. A big part of moving to Sacramento from Chicago was being able to run this trail and many more like it. I live for this stuff. Thanks for the advise on not to worry about it, but until I have done it, then I'm going to have fun but also watch my lines and get through it. How is it running solo? How long did it take you to complete? Did you during the weekend and get behind people that broke down?
Troy

 

[Big Red]

First of all, I would NOT start the trail in Georgetown, from Georgetown to the 'Con is all a paved road that is pretty darned curvy. That is the way I go from my house, but if you are anywhere in the valley, even Rocklin, you should head up 50, and make a left on Icehouse Rd. From that turnoff, it is about a 1 hour drive to the trail, and you may have spotty cell service the whole way. The first 20 minutes for sure.

The best place to meet is either in PLacerville, or the trailhead. There is a store along Icehouse Rd (Icehouse Resort) that would also serve as a meet spot, and you could top off fuel there. It is about 20 minutes from the trailhead.

CRASH

Thanks for all the details Andy. I have been down Icehouse rd a bit and knew the Rubicon trail was close by. By taking Icehouse rd to the trail and then the trail east to Lake Tahoe, does this shorten the rubicon quite a bit and/or take out some good parts to the trail, or does it just avoid the paved road and get to the good stuff quicker? Is this the way you go to get the trail and then it takes you 5 hrs, a newbie 12 hrs or so from your earlier quote? Maybe the group can also do Fordyce if we finish the con with enough time.
Troy

 

[Kejtar]

Maybe the group can also do Fordyce if we finish the con with enough time.
Troy

I like the idea

 

[Big Red]

I like the idea

Us northerners got to show you southerners a good time. Maybe you can do the same when we come down to Johnson Valley sometime. :laugh:

 

[CRASH]

It is going to take a group of newbies all of two very full days to get through the 'Con, if you don't get lost, break, roll your junk or get caught in complete clusterfawk of a weekend traffic jam.

You are not missing any section of the Rubicon by taking Icehouse all the way to the trailhead.

CRASH