First Off-Road vs Now, Biggest Change?

[SUPAREE]

Thinking back to our first off-road trip, it was about two years ago. It’s been a while, and honestly the biggest change is probably the mindset. Skill-wise, we're definitely not on the same level as a lot of you here.

Overall though, we feel more confident, more relaxed, and just enjoying it way more than before. At the same time, we’ve gotten way more careful. Like, moooooore careful.

What about you guys? What changed the most for you? Could be mindset, skills, upgrades on your rig, or maybe just your wallet getting lighter lol. Curious to hear all kinds of answers.

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[3TV]

I started out in 1974 when I was 14 years old with a 1961 CJ5 that had a flathead 4 cyl engine. The Jeep had been rolled before and needed some work. I bought it for $600 and spent two years fixing it up. When I was done it purred like a kitten and had a shiny new coat of bright yellow paint. I drove it all over and did a lot of fun four wheeling. One event stands out in my mind. I tried to climb a very steep and long hill, and almost at the very top the Jeep couldn't make it. I pushed in the clutch and stood on the brakes. But drum brakes don't really work in reverse, so all the way down the hill I went, backwards, steering like hell the whole way.

I've owned a Jeep ever since my first in 1974. Wheeling is far different now than it was then, as the Jeeps are far more capable. None of that matters though, it is the challenge and going someplace new that makes it fun. I can have just as much fun in an old classic on a moderate trail as I do in a new Jeep with 40s on a serious trail.

 

[Ratbert]

Level of confidence, especially after doing The Rubicon Trail.

 

[grimmjeeper]

After a little bit of experience, your confidence does grow. But keep in mind, your skills still can improve...

 

[SlickRicksWilly]

My ability to judge if I can go up or down an obstacle has changed drastically. I recently tried obstacles that if it were my first time again, I wouldn't have even considered I could do. I have probably not gotten close to the Jeeps limits but I enjoy slowly learning it's capabilities. Having rolled almost every type of vehicle I have driven has lowered my willingness to go "full send".

 

[wibornz]

I started out in a dirt bike at 5 years old, t

Level of confidence, especially after doing The Rubicon Trail.

The Rubicon trail forces a person to learn how to wheel better. Stuff that we used to get out and spot for, we just drive through now.

 

[wibornz]

Back in the eighties and nineties, we wheeled Jeeps and trucks in Michigan. Michigan is easy wheeling, mostly sandy trails with small hill climbs and or mud. There is nothing on the trail that requires a spotter. It was not until we started Jeeping out of state in areas that have obstacles that require a certain skill set, did I start learning how to wheel. While traveling with the Jeep, we started wheeling four to six time a week for multiple months at a time. There are years that we wheeled more in a couple months than many off roaders did in 10 years. Our skill level grew fast as we experienced wheeling on every type of terrain.

For instance, many people go to Moab to wheel. They are there for a few days to a week, We go to Moab and wheel everyday for 35 days straight the last time we were in Moab. We just did Easter Jeep Safari. We arrived in Moab on March 25 and left on April 9th.

This is why our Jeep travel looks like this on the map. Mind you the pic is from mid summer of 2024. It does not include the travel for the last two years. Google changed how they keep location data and how long they keep it.

 

[SUPAREE]

Back in the eighties and nineties, we wheeled Jeeps and trucks in Michigan. Michigan is easy wheeling, mostly sandy trails with small hill climbs and or mud. There is nothing on the trail that requires a spotter. It was not until we started Jeeping out of state in areas that have obstacles that require a certain skill set, did I start learning how to wheel. While traveling with the Jeep, we started wheeling four to six time a week for multiple months at a time. There are years that we wheeled more in a couple months than many off roaders did in 10 years. Our skill level grew fast as we experienced wheeling on every type of terrain.

For instance, many people go to Moab to wheel. They are there for a few days to a week, We go to Moab and wheel everyday for 35 days straight the last time we were in Moab. We just did Easter Jeep Safari. We arrived in Moab on March 25 and left on April 9th.

This is why our Jeep travel looks like this on the map. Mind you the pic is from mid summer of 2024. It does not include the travel for the last two years. Google changed how they keep location data and how long they keep it.

That’s seriously amazing! I honestly have so much respect for that. The amount of time you’ve spent on the trail and the experience you’ve built is just on another level.

 

[SUPAREE]

I started out in 1974 when I was 14 years old with a 1961 CJ5 that had a flathead 4 cyl engine. The Jeep had been rolled before and needed some work. I bought it for $600 and spent two years fixing it up. When I was done it purred like a kitten and had a shiny new coat of bright yellow paint. I drove it all over and did a lot of fun four wheeling. One event stands out in my mind. I tried to climb a very steep and long hill, and almost at the very top the Jeep couldn't make it. I pushed in the clutch and stood on the brakes. But drum brakes don't really work in reverse, so all the way down the hill I went, backwards, steering like hell the whole way.

I've owned a Jeep ever since my first in 1974. Wheeling is far different now than it was then, as the Jeeps are far more capable. None of that matters though, it is the challenge and going someplace new that makes it fun. I can have just as much fun in an old classic on a moderate trail as I do in a new Jeep with 40s on a serious trail.

Your writing is really great. I really admire how you’ve been able to stick with a hobby for so long and still stay passionate about it.

 

[SUPAREE]

After a little bit of experience, your confidence does grow. But keep in mind, your skills still can improve...

Perhaps this is why 'the more you know, the less you know.

 

[2nd 392]

I started out in 1974 when I was 14 years old with a 1961 CJ5 that had a flathead 4 cyl engine. The Jeep had been rolled before and needed some work. I bought it for $600 and spent two years fixing it up. When I was done it purred like a kitten and had a shiny new coat of bright yellow paint. I drove it all over and did a lot of fun four wheeling. One event stands out in my mind. I tried to climb a very steep and long hill, and almost at the very top the Jeep couldn't make it. I pushed in the clutch and stood on the brakes. But drum brakes don't really work in reverse, so all the way down the hill I went, backwards, steering like hell the whole way.

I've owned a Jeep ever since my first in 1974. Wheeling is far different now than it was then, as the Jeeps are far more capable. None of that matters though, it is the challenge and going someplace new that makes it fun. I can have just as much fun in an old classic on a moderate trail as I do in a new Jeep with 40s on a serious trail.

Hey- if original only half flathead, the exhaust. The Hurricane intake was in the head. We still have Dad’s 3A that was upgraded from a 60 HP Go Devil to a 72 HP Hurricane ~1970.
I had a 63 MD, Hurricane upgraded to a HP Chevy with 5X the power

First off road just mentioned. Rode in it, taught to drive it when I could reach the pedals, solo well before licensed, first vehicle driven with a license, first ticket in it by a Ranger for going around a log across a closed trail (yes, I ignored the sign) $25 and loss of Jeep privileges for a while.

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