Arizona owners - please check in!

[47Jeepster]

Howdy all from Apache Junction. ... I've come to the conclusion that JLWranglerForums will be a huge danger to my bank account balance.

Welcome to the forum. Yep, almost everything is a danger to your bank account when it has "Jeep" in it.

Are you through defending?

Full or part time AJ?

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[JL MADDOG]

Welcome to the forum. Yep, almost everything is a danger to your bank account when it has "Jeep" in it.

Are you through defending?

Full or part time AJ?

LOL...I haven't given up defending the cash just yet but it's hard...so damned hard...

I started small with the mods I've done but my experience tells me it will all lead to more and bigger mods. My rigs don't stay stock for long!

First full year in AJ ended a few days ago. We relocated to AJ from Orygun last February. We have a few friends down here + the wife's oldest daughter, son-in-law and 4 grandsons live in Fountain Hills so we're comfortable here.

I have NOT acclimated to the summers here though.

 

[Howardlv22]

Howdy all from Apache Junction.

Purchased a new 2021 Snazzberry JL from Courtesy on 2/5/21.

I've come to the conclusion that JLWranglerForums will be a huge danger to my bank account balance.

you are correct in your assumption unfortunately haha

 

[47Jeepster]

LOL...I haven't given up defending the cash just yet but it's hard...so damned hard...

I started small with the mods I've done but my experience tells me it will all lead to more and bigger mods. My rigs don't stay stock for long!

First full year in AJ ended a few days ago. We relocated to AJ from Orygun last February. We have a few friends down here + the wife's oldest daughter, son-in-law and 4 grandsons live in Fountain Hills so we're comfortable here.

I have NOT acclimated to the summers here though.

The defending question was not directed towards the cash, but was a round about way of asking if you were retired. The ribbon, after all, is a National Defense Service Medal ... yes?

Have you hooked up with any Facebook group yet? Here is what I posted a couple of months ago:

About two years ago, a group from this forum organized a run through Box Canyon - Florence. It was a success, but was hard to organize. One of the members said it would be easier to handle on Facebook, so he started the "Four Corners off-road Adventures" Facebook Group. In hindsight, the lack of "Jeep" in the title has allowed folks to skip over the group when searching for fellow Jeepers. It currently has 162 169 members. A little later, AZ Newbie Jeepers was formed as a Facebook group. With "Newbie" and "Jeep" in the title, folks seemed to find it a little easier when searching. Newbies is currently at 940 958 members. This past spring two other groups sprang up - "State 48 Jeepers" and "Arizona Jeepers" - and grew very rapidly. State 48 Jeepers has just passed 1000 1.3k members and Arizona Jeepers have 849 808 members. Each of the groups has a slightly different personality, energy for organizing trail rides, and helpfulness towards fellow members.

There are a few other virtual groups on Facebook and the internet that cover Arizona, but these are the four that I've joined and continue to follow. The thing that makes all four stand out is the positive attitude displayed in the postings. There is NONE of the "negativity", "that's a stupid question", and "read the manual" crap that shows up in many Facebook groups.

 

[JL MADDOG]

you are correct in your assumption unfortunately haha

Yup...as I figured it will be.

A couple of Ram forums did the same thing to me on three different 2500 trucks!

 

[JL MADDOG]

The defending question was not directed towards the cash, but was a round about way of asking if you were retired. The ribbon, after all, is a National Defense Service Medal ... yes?

Ahh...sorry for misunderstanding the reference. Yes, that is the National Defense Service Medal. Former SAC Trained Killer here, USAF 1972 - 1976, 8th Air Force, 93rd Bomb Wing; Castle AFB, CA.

Have you hooked up with any Facebook group yet?

No, I have not and that interests me. I'm a total Jeep Noob and I'm sure there are folks out there who wouldn't mind showing a Noob such as myself how to use my Jeep.

Here is what I posted a couple of months ago:

About two years ago, a group from this forum organized a run through Box Canyon - Florence. It was a success, but was hard to organize. One of the members said it would be easier to handle on Facebook, so he started the "Four Corners off-road Adventures" Facebook Group. In hindsight, the lack of "Jeep" in the title has allowed folks to skip over the group when searching for fellow Jeepers. It currently has 162 169 members. A little later, AZ Newbie Jeepers was formed as a Facebook group. With "Newbie" and "Jeep" in the title, folks seemed to find it a little easier when searching. Newbies is currently at 940 958 members. This past spring two other groups sprang up - "State 48 Jeepers" and "Arizona Jeepers" - and grew very rapidly. State 48 Jeepers has just passed 1000 1.3k members and Arizona Jeepers have 849 808 members. Each of the groups has a slightly different personality, energy for organizing trail rides, and helpfulness towards fellow members.

Now that's the sort of thing me and the Mrs. would enjoy. She mentioned today she'd like to go exploring and spend a night out in the desert gazing at the stars. I'm all for it.

There are a few other virtual groups on Facebook and the internet that cover Arizona, but these are the four that I've joined and continue to follow. The thing that makes all four stand out is the positive attitude displayed in the postings. There is NONE of the "negativity", "that's a stupid question", and "read the manual" crap that shows up in many Facebook groups.

I guess a bone stock Jeep can still do what's needed for some easy trail rides. I'm just not going to try a boulder field on my first outing. LOL

Thanks for the awesome information. I'm going to FB to do some searching!

 

[47Jeepster]

... Now that's the sort of thing me and the Mrs. would enjoy. She mentioned today she'd like to go exploring and spend a night out in the desert gazing at the stars. I'm all for it.

I guess a bone stock Jeep can still do what's needed for some easy trail rides. I'm just not going to try a boulder field on my first outing. LOL

Thanks for the awesome information. I'm going to FB to do some searching!

There are a number of folks on those Facebook groups who love to camp. You'll fit right in with them. My missus thinks a credit card is all the camping equipment she needs, so we no longer camp under the stars.

Which model Jeep do you have? We had a bone stock JL two door Sahara on a couple of moderate trails earlier this year and he did great. Just have to be a little more careful and pick your lines with more care.

What are you going to use for mapping? If you have a mapping device that uses .gpx files, I'll share a track with you that is easy, and yet, very neat. I think it has some dispersed camping on it also.

 

[JL MADDOG]

No mapping devices here yet although I've been wondering just how folks find their trails and trail information.

We've done camping and even considered an RV on several occasions but never pulled the trigger. I don't see us overlanding or going on extended trips in the Jeep. Getting out onto the trails for one or two nights is more our style.

We have a 2021 JL 4 dr Willys Edition.

Truthfully we have NO idea how to do this but I think it will be great to learn.

 

[47Jeepster]

No mapping devices here yet although I've been wondering just how folks find their trails and trail information.
...
We have a 2021 JL 4 dr Willys Edition.

Truthfully we have NO idea how to do this but I think it will be great to learn.

Here's your first assignment ... read this webpage for some info on mapping programs :

https://www.jeeptheusa.com/use-gpx.html ... three suggested mapping programs. I have Gaia and Locus Pro. Locus Pro has a steep learning curve, but since we also geocache, it is the best app for us. Gaia is the app of choice for Overlanders. I use it for developing trails into .gpx files ... I then load it into my wife's smartphone and my 8" Samsung tablet when we go off road. Locus Pro ONLY functions on Android devices, so if you use Apple products exclusively, it isn't a good choice. Gaia works on both Android and Apple products.

If you have an old Smartphone, that's a good unit to start with. I started with one and then upgraded to a 7" tablet and about a year ago jumped to an 8" tablet with more memory.

Second assignment is to read this webpage to start understanding trail ratings:

https://www.jeeptheusa.com/difficulty-ratings.html Jeep the USA uses a 5 point scale, Funtreks uses a 3 point scale, and Trails Offroad uses a 10 point scale, but you'll get the idea easily enough. Start with a few easier trails to get your bearings and then work from there.

And your last assignment is to read this webpage to familiarize yourself with some of the other websites that offer .gpx tracks for the local trails:

https://www.jeeptheusa.com/other-websites-with-tracks.html The main ones I use are Jeep the USA, Funtreks, Trails Offroad, and AZ Offroad. Not listed on the website is Arizona Highways.com ... it has a mix of asphalt and dirt.

If you come up with any specific questions, drop me a PM ... no problem supporting a fellow Air Force vet.

 

[Tdkrum5]

Yes it well.

 

[JL MADDOG]

LOL @47Jeepster Now I feel as though I was back in Tech School at Lowry!

I'll do some reading and if I have any questions I'll send you a PM. I know neither my old Smartphone or Android tablet are connected to a network but I suppose I can still use them. I just have to download .gpx files to my PC then transfer them over to one of those devices.

Seems these days maps and compasses have been passed by.

 

[Macrocosmcwh]

Hello Zonies!!!!! Christian here! Just purchased this Pumpkin 2019 JL... Excited to go find some trails with my family and some of you I am sure.

I live in Eastmark in Mesa.

I look forward to meeting you all.... Don’t hesitate to send messages.

 

[thumperer]

I have some great recommends, in AZ and beyond :-D

 

[beechfront]

Hi Everyone. New to Jeeps & new to AZ. Just picked up a JL a couple weeks ago and looking for suggestions on trails, etc. Thanks!

 

[JJJEEEEEEPPP]

Hey Folks, New to AZ (Phoenix), moved here from VA.
I have done a couple of easy (green) trails and a 101 class at Rausch Creek Offroad park in PA.
Hope to find a few groups to join for exploring trails in AZ. Please let me know if you know any easy group rides coming up soon.