Rubicon rig requirements

[Zebaru]

Dont want to muddy up the announcement, so I pulled this out to discuss here. I know it says more on this later but...

Minimum requirements are one full locker, 32" tires, low gears, adequate spare parts, and a working knowledge of their rigs. More to come on this subject later.

Trying to get things nailed down for the summer, and I noticed that this is somewhat different than previous years. I beleive the old standard was 31" tires and one locker or two limited slips... Being one of those with 31" tires and two limited slips, I got in under the old requirements, but would be left out by the new ones.

I have been through the Rubicon twice with this setup - two years ago I went through with the SoCal group and last year I went through with a local group. Although I have had the smallest rig each time, I have not had signifcant problems, and have never had any serious breaks, required significant rock stacking, or gotten stuck to the point of needing a strap.

I guess my point here is that unless the trail has changed significantly, I think that we should consider allowing 31" tires and a pair of limited slips (at least on the Rubicon portion) so long as the driver is aware of and prepared for the extra difficulty the trail presents to small rigs.

FWIW I have not and will not try Fordyce with this setup...

Travis

 

[BrettM]

my personal opinion is that you should be allowed with that setup, especially since you've driven the trail before. the Rubicon should be easier if anything since Gatekeeper was blasted. And I also agree, Fordyce would be a bad idea with that setup.

but it's up to the powers that be, perhaps they want better equipped rigs to keep the group moving faster...

 

[Bryan C.]

Dont want to muddy up the announcement, so I pulled this out to discuss here. I know it says more on this later but...



Trying to get things nailed down for the summer, and I noticed that this is somewhat different than previous years. I beleive the old standard was 31" tires and one locker or two limited slips... Being one of those with 31" tires and two limited slips, I got in under the old requirements, but would be left out by the new ones.

I have been through the Rubicon twice with this setup - two years ago I went through with the SoCal group and last year I went through with a local group. Although I have had the smallest rig each time, I have not had signifcant problems, and have never had any serious breaks, required significant rock stacking, or gotten stuck to the point of needing a strap.

I guess my point here is that unless the trail has changed significantly, I think that we should consider allowing 31" tires and a pair of limited slips (at least on the Rubicon portion) so long as the driver is aware of and prepared for the extra difficulty the trail presents to small rigs.

FWIW I have not and will not try Fordyce with this setup...

Travis

The last line of your post is really what drove the minimum rig requirements. I have seen plenty of people run with 31" tires on the Rubicon and do OK. I think there is and will be some lattitude on the rig requirements. Fordyce is a tough trail even with running 33's, so in the interest of keeping the group moving at a reasonable pace the 32" min tire size was thought to be acceptable.

Since there are some changes that need to be done to the schedule I think it would be wise to revisit the min rig requirments. I have not run the full Barrett Lake trail so I cannot judge what would be acceptable in the minimum rig requirements. Fordyce is definately a one full locker type trail.

Any comments from those more experienced than I would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Jes]

I would set the minimums for BLT the same as for what is set for Fordyce.

 

[Matt S.]

I am kinda considering joining part of the event. I was thinking Fordyce the first weekend.

I have seen only a handfull of photos of the place, and dont know much about it other than a water crossing.

Since rig requirements are being discussed, let me throw a question out there.

I am trying to get the LJ ready for this summers wheeling. Its got about 4.5" with 31s (i might beable to borrow some 33s). Flat belly and bumpers and etc. Could I make it through Fordyce alright? Or would I have a ton more Beating on the XJ?

 

[Jes]

Matt, you will not make it through Fordyce on 31s, 33s yes.
It would not be worth it to mangle your rig trying to get it through on 31s, there's just too many obstacles that don't have bypasses. Even the bypasses on some are difficult.

 

[Matt S.]

So maybe I should plan on towin the XJ up there.

It is now green stickered... is there alot of road driving for Fordyce? My dad I both agreed that the less the road driving, the better. Mainly for legality reasons.

 

[Jes]

So maybe I should plan on towin the XJ up there.

It is now green stickered... is there alot of road driving for Fordyce? My dad I both agreed that the less the road driving, the better. Mainly for legality reasons.

If you're towing I'd leave the tow rig at Cisco Grove camp ground and you'll have exactly 1 mile of I80 to drive to the Eagle Lakes road exit and maybe 1 more mile to the trailhead.
If you want to run the whole trail you'll have to back track from the end(at Meadow Lake), go back down the trail a few miles and go out the "Commite crossing". Then it's about a half hour drive on a dirt road back to the tow rig.

 

[Bryan C.]

Matt, if you were to drive on 89 to 80 going back to Cisco Grove it takes about 45 mins. You could hitch a ride with someone leaving and they could drop you at your tow rig and go back to get your Jeep.

 

[Jes]

Matt, if you were to drive on 89 to 80 going back to Cisco Grove it takes about 45 mins. You could hitch a ride with someone leaving and they could drop you at your tow rig and go back to get your Jeep.

It's easier and quicker(asuming your junk isn't junk) to just go back down the trail and hit the Commite crossing.

 

[XJ_ranger]

I am trying to get the LJ ready for this summers wheeling. Its got about 4.5" with 31s (i might beable to borrow some 33s). Flat belly and bumpers and etc. Could I make it through Fordyce alright? Or would I have a ton more Beating on the XJ?

FWIW - We took a stock TJ on 31's to the first water crossing...

now the gas tank wont fill past 3/4, the oil pan is in scary shape, and the steering box took some bad hits...

The rockers would have taken it hardcore if we hadnt put the rocker skids on...

this was 2 years ago on a wednsday - it took us so long - i think we would have pissed everyone behind us off if it were a friday, saturday, or sunday...