Our trip out West with open diffs

[1quick1]

Awesome, I was just out in Ouray and did most of the same trails.

There was a similar water crossing coming down Red Mountain mining area or Corkscrew, I can't remember which it was. Looks like the snow on Ophir is exactly the same. We didn't even bother with Immogen as they said an avalanche had it blocked 1/4 mile in from the Ouray side. Also you're not exaggerating about the avalanches. They were crazy on Yankee Boy Basin.

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[robaw]

Thanks @mgroeger, very nice pics/vids and sounds like you had a blast! I'm headed out that way in a few weeks (a little closer to Denver than where you were), hopefully I'll be OK without lockers/disco too!

 

[AlamedaJeep]

Yankee Jim’s crossing on the north fork of the American River near Auburn CA.

Thanks! I've heard of it but haven't been there (yet).

 

[Ksvette]

Question for the OP. You got open diffs, but do you have the anti spin limited slip? Curious how much of a help it is. Also, anything that you think you could not have accomplished with stock height?

Reason is, eventually I would like to hit a few not to crazy trails but don't want to pay for Mopar to lift to keep my warranty. Mine is a sport S, 2.0t, with the anti spin. Curious what it can do (which truth be told is likely more than me).

 

[robaw]

Question for the OP. You got open diffs, but do you have the anti spin limited slip? Curious how much of a help it is. Also, anything that you think you could not have accomplished with stock height?

Reason is, eventually I would like to hit a few not to crazy trails but don't want to pay for Mopar to lift to keep my warranty. Mine is a sport S, 2.0t, with the anti spin. Curious what it can do (which truth be told is likely more than me).

Excellent question! I have SelecTrac with LSD, I would assume I'd be as well off (if not better than) @mgroeger but not totally sure.

 

[Kluk Ztopolovky]

And the videos...

enjoy the trip, thanks for sharing

 

[TexRivers]

Excellent question! I have SelecTrac with LSD, I would assume I'd be as well off (if not better than) @mgroeger but not totally sure.

I have SelectTrac and LSD and I’m very happy out on the trails.

 

[chevymitchell]

Nice work Mike! I'm so happy you guys made the trip out there and it sucks I couldn't make it, but duty calls. Colorado will change the way you look at wheeling, for sure.

 

[mgroeger]

Thanks @mgroeger, very nice pics/vids and sounds like you had a blast! I'm headed out that way in a few weeks (a little closer to Denver than where you were), hopefully I'll be OK without lockers/disco too!

Great! Hope you have a blast too. If you are doing the passes you should be OK connected. If you are doing crawling around slick rock I highly recommend you disconnect. It will take you about 15 mins and you will need 18mm or 19mm wrench and two zip ties. Having that articulation makes you much more planted.

 

[mgroeger]

Question for the OP. You got open diffs, but do you have the anti spin limited slip? Curious how much of a help it is. Also, anything that you think you could not have accomplished with stock height?

Reason is, eventually I would like to hit a few not to crazy trails but don't want to pay for Mopar to lift to keep my warranty. Mine is a sport S, 2.0t, with the anti spin. Curious what it can do (which truth be told is likely more than me).

I wise man named @chevymitchell once told me usually it's the driver that is the reason the Jeep doesn't go over an obstacle

Nope, no LSD, that's what's meant by open diffs. There is no traction control at all in there. Interestingly enough Rubis are open diffs too, until they engage their lockers. I have heard very good things about the LSD on the JL so you should get good traction.
I can tell you that the BLD (brake limiting distribution) system worked great. When I was climbing the top of the waterfall on Poison Spider both back tires took turns spinning, meaning as one would slip the BLD kicked in and applied the brakes to it and transferred power to the other one.
You will be fine on Fins-N-Things stock height, maybe scrape a little if you try challenging lines. Hell's Revenge you will def scrape but might be ok (others feel free to chime in) with the right lines. If you are super confident I'd stay off Hell's and don't even think about Poison Spider unless you really want to rough up your belly on the waterfall.
I can tell you this... Fins is a BLAST, the end of it is like and amusement park roller coaster, climbing all over slick rock and stuff. You are going to look at rocks on that trail and think no one can I climb them... you can. Fins will really boost your confidence since it's a great all around trail. Don't forget to sign up for Badge of Honor and badge it.

 

[mgroeger]

Nice work Mike! I'm so happy you guys made the trip out there and it sucks I couldn't make it, but duty calls. Colorado will change the way you look at wheeling, for sure.

Yeah, maybe one day we will wheel together considering you live an hour or so away and all... lol

Moab and Colorado are two different planets IMO, both beautiful in their own way. Personally I LOVED running the slick rock and fell in love with UT. The Mrs. loved them both but CO was her favorite due to the Alpines and scenery.

 

[fat_head]

I wise man named @chevymitchell once told me usually it's the driver that is the reason the Jeep doesn't go over an obstacle

Nope, no LSD, that's what's meant by open diffs. There is no traction control at all in there. Interestingly enough Rubis are open diffs too, until they engage their lockers. I have heard very good things about the LSD on the JL so you should get good traction.
I can tell you that the BLD (brake limiting distribution) system worked great. When I was climbing the top of the waterfall on Poison Spider both back tires took turns spinning, meaning as one would slip the BLD kicked in and applied the brakes to it and transferred power to the other one.
You will be fine on Fins-N-Things stock height, maybe scrape a little if you try challenging lines. Hell's Revenge you will def scrape but might be ok (others feel free to chime in) with the right lines. If you are super confident I'd stay off Hell's and don't even think about Poison Spider unless you really want to rough up your belly on the waterfall.
I can tell you this... Fins is a BLAST, the end of it is like and amusement park roller coaster, climbing all over slick rock and stuff. You are going to look at rocks on that trail and think no one can I climb them... you can. Fins will really boost your confidence since it's a great all around trail. Don't forget to sign up for Badge of Honor and badge it.

Which trail takes you to Top of the World? And is that where you took your picture?

 

[beachbumm78]

And the videos...

That tipsy Jeep sure isn’t representing Texas well

 

[Ksvette]

I wise man named @chevymitchell once told me usually it's the driver that is the reason the Jeep doesn't go over an obstacle

Nope, no LSD, that's what's meant by open diffs. There is no traction control at all in there. Interestingly enough Rubis are open diffs too, until they engage their lockers. I have heard very good things about the LSD on the JL so you should get good traction.
I can tell you that the BLD (brake limiting distribution) system worked great. When I was climbing the top of the waterfall on Poison Spider both back tires took turns spinning, meaning as one would slip the BLD kicked in and applied the brakes to it and transferred power to the other one.
You will be fine on Fins-N-Things stock height, maybe scrape a little if you try challenging lines. Hell's Revenge you will def scrape but might be ok (others feel free to chime in) with the right lines. If you are super confident I'd stay off Hell's and don't even think about Poison Spider unless you really want to rough up your belly on the waterfall.
I can tell you this... Fins is a BLAST, the end of it is like and amusement park roller coaster, climbing all over slick rock and stuff. You are going to look at rocks on that trail and think no one can I climb them... you can. Fins will really boost your confidence since it's a great all around trail. Don't forget to sign up for Badge of Honor and badge it.

Ty! Something like this is still a bit off. Mostly I use mine for DD, some camping, and bouncing around some ranch roads etc. But, definitely want to get more off grid.

 

[mgroeger]

Which trail takes you to Top of the World? And is that where you took your picture?

It is where I took the picture that is my avatar.
You leave Moab and make a right off of 191 onto 128. Go for 29.7 miles and you will see an old abondoned suspension bridge on your right. Make a right there and you will see a bathroom and gravel parking lot. Follow that road, it becomes Entrada Bluffs road and it will take you right to the top of the world trail.

I highly recommend the Third Edition Guide To Moab, UT from funtreks, it was a great off road companion to have.

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