I finally get to toss my hat into the ring! I just got back from a week long trip to do the OBDR route #3. I was in my JK with a friend towing a modified bantam T3-C trailer, and my buddy and his dog rode in his built up '99 nissan pathfinder. The discovery route was an awesome, albeit fairly mild trip, with some beautiful views. After making the run, I'm going to have to revisit the design of the rack on the trailer, as it is very top heavy, and came very close to rolling down the side of the mountain a couple times. I'm hoping with the addition of some shocks and the lowering of the center of gravity will cure that problem though! the jeep's spare is in the trailer due to the tire carrier not mounting it high enough to clear the tongue under certain articulation of the hitch. Anyways, here's the pics!

 

Awesome. We have a gaggle of more than a dozen vehicles running WABDR next year. We have folks pre-running it right now, and some of it looks a bit challenging--at least for downed trees and rock falls. Can't wait to see those beautiful mountains!

 

My friend who spent 2 years in a TJ between Alaska and Argentina (and is planning/saving for an Africa trip) went. He had a blast... however it's a very commercialized event. Other than a neat place to check out everyone's gear, I honestly do not know if the average Joe would get their money's worth. If I was anywhere near it (or even kinda near it) I'd go check it out, only because it's not normally something I could do/go to. However I wouldn't be flying down just to go to that like my buddy did.

 

Well my Rancho Dif skid is installed, and my ARB compressor and LF lights are all wired up. Thank goodness for my sPOD. Compressor took 10 minutes to wire in (easy when it's right beside the spod and all in the engine bay). Unfortunately for the LF lights, because they're HIDs and I wanted the ballasts inside the engine bay (safer, cleaner install) I used some Chinese HID extension cables... I'm pretty certain they're why the lights only intermittently both come on when I flick the switch. First 7/8 times, 1 or the other would come on. Occasionally both. The last 7/8 times both came on. So as I'm leaving on Friday, and I'm staying up north and don't really expect it to be that dark, I'll suck it up. But it is annoying. I'll see about sourcing some north American cables before I leave to re-wire them... otherwise I'll have to completely re-wire the lights with the ballasts in the bumper. Which will be a pain in the *** to deal with.

But I'm glad it's all done. Now just need to wire in the 10" Rigid LED bar I bought used (wiring is all in place, so that should only take a few minutes), and I'm good to go for my trip. Will deal with my reverse LEDs when I come home (and before I do my wheeling trip in BC in August).

 

I've heard the WABDR is a cool trip. I know a few guys out here who are planning on running it later this summer, but I unfortunately spent the majority of my vacation time on my trip so I'll be living vicariously through them!

 

I would be down for a trip this summer if anyone is going: depending on when, if course.

 

My son and I have been through most of the WABDR already this summer. We have not yet done the first couple of sections, from Oregon.

Ran most of it in our Jeeps, but I did Chelan to Canada on my motorcycle. It's been a lot of fun, and interesting. Pre-Running it for Mark's group. Got stuck in a soft, deeper-than-expected snow drift earlier... Thankfully my winch was up to the job of getting the little JK out!

I still need to hit the southernmost sections.

Guy

 

Some final work today before leaving for Alaska Friday afternoon/evening.

Had a small box made to attach my trailer wiring plug - thing is damn stout... could likely bash the crap out of it, and it'll still be there. Didn't dare use the weak pos that it came with (that cost me a wiring plug end after wheeling in the mud - pre lift).

Then decided that I needed to paint the rear bumper (and my rock rails) before leaving tomorrow on my road trip to Alaska. Decided that since I finally painted the bumper (have had it a year) that I could put on a pair of decals. My friends business that sells some neat jeep and lighting products (yes I'm pimping it), and Expo! The only two sites/places I would advertise (sorry JKF).

The black on the rear bumper turned out to be more of a satin black than the dark black I thought I was buying... but it turns out I really like the color (which is good I guess lol).

Also finished up all the wiring (mainly just the Rigid SR LED bar).

 

Your Jeep looks really nice with the midwidth bumper and the cut fenders. You just don't see that very often.

 

Just a driveway shot, but got it cleaned up and was such a nice day threw on tube doors and went for a ride ...