PNW 2025 Activity

[gp1058]

Hello,

My apologies for starting yet another thread, but I haven't seen much posts about 2025 activity.

Seems that with colder temps coming in, even low altitude trails (1,000ft - 2,000ft) may get some snow and should make trails a lot more challenging.

I am curious if folks are planning any trail runs in the next few months.

Sponsored

 

[AcesandEights]

Nope. Just you.

 

[21JLURDG]

There's something always going on, but rarely does anyone post runs on this forum. If you want to do regular runs, I suggest you consider joining a local club. Not only will you find like-minded folks but also help add to the numbers of people fighting to keep our trails open. I know you're somewhere close to Seattle so start with Region 1 at:
https://www.pnw4wda.org/clubs

If you detest clubs and are social media-only, Facebook's "Washington 4x4 Fun Runs" regularly posts events with easy runs for beginners. Tahuya is popular with Seattle crowd.

There are not too many snow runs advertised for beginners. Most people prefer going in small groups with people they can depend on.

One popular snow event is Snow Jam in Elbe. It's hit-or-miss on actual snow.
-https://www.facebook.com/events/451949144585700/- (Remove dashes for link to work)

 

[gp1058]

There's something always going on, but rarely does anyone post runs on this forum. If you want to do regular runs, I suggest you consider joining a local club. Not only will you find like-minded folks but also help add to the numbers of people fighting to keep our trails open. I know you're somewhere close to Seattle so start with Region 1 at:
https://www.pnw4wda.org/clubs

If you detest clubs and are social media-only, Facebook's "Washington 4x4 Fun Runs" regularly posts events with easy runs for beginners. Tahuya is popular with Seattle crowd.

There are not too many snow runs advertised for beginners. Most people prefer going in small groups with people they can depend on.

One popular snow event is Snow Jam in Elbe. It's hit-or-miss on actual snow.
-https://www.facebook.com/events/451949144585700/- (Remove dashes for link to work)

Thank you for the reply! It is helpful! I do see that Facebook is where it is at now. I am a bit "old school", we used to post on forums and meet in the parking lots. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction though!

 

[21JLURDG]

Thank you for the reply! It is helpful! I do see that Facebook is where it is at now. I am a bit "old school", we used to post on forums and meet in the parking lots. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction though!

One more thing. If you haven't upgraded the fuel filter skid plate, I'd recommend carrying a spare filter and housing on the trail with the ability to swap it out. The OE skid plate will bend and push up on the filter housing, breaking off the plastic connections on top. Have fun.

 

[gp1058]

One more thing. If you haven't upgraded the fuel filter skid plate, I'd recommend carrying a spare filter and housing on the trail with the ability to swap it out. The OE skid plate will bend and push up on the filter housing, breaking off the plastic connections on top. Have fun.

Any recommendations on the skid plate vendors? I am always trying to broaden my exposure to aftermarket and aftermarket vendors.

 

[21JLURDG]

This a long and detail subject that depends much on how you want to use your Jeep and how much are you willing to pay for performance. Price is probably your best determinant for quality.

If you take your 3.0L JL on anything off-pavement, you need a strong fuel filter skid plate, and probably a DEF tank skid too.

Coming from a TJ I originally thought the OE skid plates were good enough, and a flat-pan (full belly pan bottom skid plate) was an unnecessary luxury. Then I found out about all the vulnerable electrical connections, plastic transmission pan, etc. If you're only going to be doing dirt forest roads occasionally, then the other OE skids are good enough. Or you can selectively protect additional areas such as the T-case with skids from companies like MORE or ASFIR.

If you're going to regularly be scraping the bottom on rocks on places like Walker Valley or Evans Creek, then a full belly pan is recommended. Steel is cheaper, stronger, and heavier. Aluminum is expensive but much lighter. There are different levels of strength that correspond to price.

After regretting the amount of weight I added to my TJ in the form of armor, I decided to spend more on aluminum for the heavier JL.

I looked at different options, comparing price, weight, and clearance. New Venture is top of the line. I went with Artec Industries. One thing I really liked is that theirs replaced the OE fuel tank skid (many just add another skid under it). This resulted in a minimum weight gain for the whole belly pan, and it increased the ground clearance under the fuel tank and fuel filter.

I did go with a cheaper aluminum DEF skid from an unknow ASFIR. It's a much softer aluminum (gouges easy). I definitely recommend this Israelite company.

 

[gp1058]

Thanks for the info! I heard from various people that stock skid plates are not ideal. It sounds like 3.0L diesel requires some extra considerations.

Sponsored