Moab trip report Trifecta + Where Eagles Dare, Top of the World, Steel Bender

[RCSDJeep]

We ran Poison Spider; Golden Spike; Where Eagles Dare; Gold Bar Rim; Top of the World; and Steel Bender April 19-21. Our 2 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicons (1 is a mostly stock XR; other has an AEV 2.5 lift, 35 BFGs and 4:56 gears) and my little brother’s 2 Door Badlands Sasquatch Bronco w/ manual transmission handled these trails without issue. Trifecta took 10 hours, TOW took 7; Steel Bender took 6; not including travel time to/from TH. Front trail camera on WED was useful. Last obstacle on GBR was a surprise (Wall), but we made it up with a little extra throttle. Older CJ on 40’s and 1 tons actually had lots of trouble with that obstacle due to lack of wheel speed needed, but eventually made it. We did not attempt Double Whammy or Body Snatcher on GS. Views from TOW make the effort to get there worth it. We did complete The Wall (left side) on Steel Bender. We did not continue on to the flat pass trail / Dragons Tail obstacle. Video below shows some highlights. My Exposed Racks by SMS setup with iKamper Mini didn’t move an inch - rock solid. Feel free to post questions below or send me a DM. Happy trails!

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[Richard_JL]

We ran Poison Spider; Golden Spike; Where Eagles Dare; Gold Bar Rim; Top of the World; and Steel Bender April 19-21. Our 2 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicons (1 is a mostly stock XR; other has an AEV 2.5 lift, 35 BFGs and 4:56 gears) and my little brother’s 2 Door Badlands Sasquatch Bronco w/ manual transmission handled these trails without issue. . . . . . [/MEDIA]

See.... As the world moves to 37's, it seems 35" work too.

 

[yokramer]

See.... As the world moves to 37's, it seems 35" work too.

Yea its wild how many people are like "You NEED 37s or bigger to go do these trails in Moab or the Rubicon". Its like buddy shit box XJs on 33s have done those for years calm down

 

[UTME]

This is very interesting. Cool that 35” can do golden spike and top of the world.

 

[rcoe]

When we did top of the world last week a guy ran an old extended cab Ranger on 29" tires to the top. There was some pushing and pulling but he made it to the top.

 

[RCSDJeep]

When we did top of the world last week a guy ran an old extended cab Ranger on 29" tires to the top. There was some pushing and pulling but he made it to the top.

Now that’s impressive!

 

[sadlerb_98]

I am the other brother with AEV 2.5 lift, 35 BFGs and 4:56 gears. It was an epic trip! I did end up replacing my stock drag link bar due to slight bending. While I was at it I replaced the tie rod bar and relocated my Teraflex Falcon steering damper upwards. I replaced the stock version with Teraflex HD versions.

 

[Rubi SoHo]

This is very interesting. Cool that 35” can do golden spike and top of the world.

top of the world hasn’t been bad. We have gotten my 18yo son up that trail unassisted twice in an unlocked YJ on 33’s. In my JLUR on 37’s it was a piece of cake.

 

[Explorer]

top of the world hasn’t been bad. We have gotten my 18yo son up that trail unassisted twice in an unlocked YJ on 33’s. In my JLUR on 37’s it was a piece of cake.

We took a 2wd Ford Explorer Sport up to TOTW. He had a lunch box locker in the rear and nitrous. And yes he used the nitrous to launch himself over a couple obstacles. LOL.

My friend's Eddie Bauer grocery get'er with IFS and 33s also ran Poison Spider, Golden Spike and Gold Bar Rim. The trails in Moab can be run with a lot less than a lot of people think.

Looking forward to making some new memories with the new Willys.

 

[RCSDJeep]

We took a 2wd Ford Explorer Sport up to TOTW. He had a lunch box locker in the rear and nitrous. And yes he used the nitrous to launch himself over a couple obstacles. LOL.

My friend's Eddie Bauer grocery get'er with IFS and 33s also ran Poison Spider, Golden Spike and Gold Bar Rim. The trails in Moab can be run with a lot less than a lot of people think.

Looking forward to making some new memories with the new Willys.

 

[wibornz]

Those trails do not require 37s. 37s, just make it easier. There are usually many different lines so the obstacles that require 37s can be avoided. For instance, Top of the world can be run easier if you stay to the right all the way up. If you take the loop to the the left and run the rail clockwise, with 33, it will be a long day.

 

[RCSDJeep]

Those trails do not require 37s. 37s, just make it easier. There are usually many different lines so the obstacles that require 37s can be avoided. For instance, Top of the world can be run easier if you stay to the right all the way up. If you take the loop to the the left and run the rail clockwise, with 33, it will be a long day.

Agree - 33’s / stock Rubicon can make it, 35’s were a bonus, 37s not required. I hope Jeepers see this thread and decide to take the trail to the top!

 

[Sublime]

We took a 2wd Ford Explorer Sport up to TOTW. He had a lunch box locker in the rear and nitrous. And yes he used the nitrous to launch himself over a couple obstacles. LOL.

My friend's Eddie Bauer grocery get'er with IFS and 33s also ran Poison Spider, Golden Spike and Gold Bar Rim. The trails in Moab can be run with a lot less than a lot of people think.

Looking forward to making some new memories with the new Willys.

Nearly anything is doable if you don't have to care about the vehicle.

 

[wibornz]

Agree - 33’s / stock Rubicon can make it, 35’s were a bonus, 37s not required. I hope Jeepers see this thread and decide to take the trail to the top!

It is just that if you do have 37s or larger, you are far less likely to take body damage and or Jeep damage in general.

 

[Explorer]

Nearly anything is doable if you don't have to care about the vehicle.

Gerald drove his EB to Moab from Texas several times. No trailer and never stranded.

I had the big dog rig in our group and it was only on 35s. 37s were just becoming the latest fad. Today 40s are the new 37s. The more tire the more weight, traction, and breakage. It's a vicious cycle. Bigger tires, bigger axles, etc.

The 285-70s on the Willys will definitely get the job done on trails such as those discussed here. The selectable rear locker makes a huge difference. I chose a 4 door for the long wheelbase making it a good climber and a more stable rig overall. Looking forward to getting it out on the trail.

This is our friend's 2 door Wrangler on Upchuck. Whoops... He's balanced on the spare tire in this photo.

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