Expedition Modded Jeeps - Let's see 'em!!
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: FL
I will echo what Mark said on the Gila NF in New Mexico and Big Bend also....just awesome. Back when I lived in Dallas we would do Big Bend frequently as well as many different areas in New Mexico and Colorado. One thing that we found helpful were maps from a company called Benchmark. They always had really good detail for all the small dirt roads that you don't typically see on other maps. We hit a ton of roads in New Mexico that we would never have known were there had it not been for the maps....my disclaimer is that I wheeled that area 15+ years ago and still had a flip phone 
so today's map technology may be different! Sounds like an amazing trip!
so today's map technology may be different! Sounds like an amazing trip!
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Glendale,AZ
Thanks
Space and weight are a premium. Although I have a number of spare parts due to replacing OEM components, I don't really carry anything beyond a few fluids and, when I think necessary, a second spare tire. I do carry tools and am prepared to pull a front axle shaft, if need be. But, if I break a front lower control arm (I know of one case where that happened), my replacement is back at the house in the attic. Who has room to carry all of that stuff? 
As for the second spare, some would say that's overkill. Well, I started that after in the first 100 miles of a nearly 500 mile trip I ripped open the sidewall of one of my tires. All of a sudden I was traveling without a spare. What is the chance that you'll have a second tire so damaged that a tire repair kit won't work? Well, the motto at Big Bend Ranch State Park (in west Texas) is "Bring Two Spares". And with good reason. As for tire repair kits, I recommend getting a really good one. I carry this one:
Ultimate Puncture Repair Kit - Adventure Trailers Store
It isn't cheap, but it has way more parts than the much more popular ARB. It even has a sewing needle and thread to sew up that tire sidewall (should you have an inner tube to still hold the air--another spare piece of kit that's worth carrying, if you can find one). The tools in this kit are exceedingly well-crafted. When you handle them, you realize that this is top quality gear made for serious work.
As for where you might go, places I've been in west Texas include Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. Both have plenty of off-road opportunities. Big Bend Ranch State Park you can go pretty extreme. Last time I was there a ranger was trying to convince us to take a particular road that no one had successfully driven in the past couple years. We had other plans, but even the Road to Nowhere that we took showed little signs of recent usage.
Big Bend National Park has Black Gap Road, which is a lot easier now that the NPS has put a bypass and blocked off the highly off-camber stuff. Before you never saw anything on this toughest section of trail in the park. Now you see cowboy Cadillacs on it. Still, incredibly beautiful park, with a good amount of solitude. But nothing like BBRSP: Have never seen anyone else in this park, and a couple years ago they had a grand total of 2500 visitors: All year long.
In New Mexico check out the Gila National Forest. Plenty of Forest Service roads wind through the area. You'll run across the occasional, charming mountain towns, depending on your route. There's even a ghost town up that way. Do be sure to check out your planned route on the MVUMs to ensure that you're staying on legal routes for your vehicles (available for free on the web).
Colorado is easy. Pick up a copy of Wells' Colorado backroads and 4WD trails book and choose your routes.
I have a variety of videos on multiple trips into these areas. You can view them on my YouTube page:
youtube.com/c/digitalbydoiron
As for the second spare, some would say that's overkill. Well, I started that after in the first 100 miles of a nearly 500 mile trip I ripped open the sidewall of one of my tires. All of a sudden I was traveling without a spare. What is the chance that you'll have a second tire so damaged that a tire repair kit won't work? Well, the motto at Big Bend Ranch State Park (in west Texas) is "Bring Two Spares". And with good reason. As for tire repair kits, I recommend getting a really good one. I carry this one:Ultimate Puncture Repair Kit - Adventure Trailers Store
It isn't cheap, but it has way more parts than the much more popular ARB. It even has a sewing needle and thread to sew up that tire sidewall (should you have an inner tube to still hold the air--another spare piece of kit that's worth carrying, if you can find one). The tools in this kit are exceedingly well-crafted. When you handle them, you realize that this is top quality gear made for serious work.
As for where you might go, places I've been in west Texas include Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. Both have plenty of off-road opportunities. Big Bend Ranch State Park you can go pretty extreme. Last time I was there a ranger was trying to convince us to take a particular road that no one had successfully driven in the past couple years. We had other plans, but even the Road to Nowhere that we took showed little signs of recent usage.
Big Bend National Park has Black Gap Road, which is a lot easier now that the NPS has put a bypass and blocked off the highly off-camber stuff. Before you never saw anything on this toughest section of trail in the park. Now you see cowboy Cadillacs on it. Still, incredibly beautiful park, with a good amount of solitude. But nothing like BBRSP: Have never seen anyone else in this park, and a couple years ago they had a grand total of 2500 visitors: All year long.
In New Mexico check out the Gila National Forest. Plenty of Forest Service roads wind through the area. You'll run across the occasional, charming mountain towns, depending on your route. There's even a ghost town up that way. Do be sure to check out your planned route on the MVUMs to ensure that you're staying on legal routes for your vehicles (available for free on the web).
Colorado is easy. Pick up a copy of Wells' Colorado backroads and 4WD trails book and choose your routes.
I have a variety of videos on multiple trips into these areas. You can view them on my YouTube page:
youtube.com/c/digitalbydoiron
Wow. Thanks for another productive day of clicking and adding to cart. Should have not clicked the link. Who knows whats going to happen now.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: United States
I'm loving this thread. I just wish I knew more places to overland/expedition up here in PA. I love the idea of over landing and off-roading to get somewhere instead of just going up the trail.
I got the roof rack for Christmas to use for snowboards in the winter and camping/kayaking stuff in the summer!
I got the roof rack for Christmas to use for snowboards in the winter and camping/kayaking stuff in the summer!
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 14,800
Likes: 374
From: Midwest City, OK
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: United States
JK Newbie
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 78
Likes: 1
From: Les Canoubiers, France
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: United States
I've been debating Canada for a bit! All my friends are more of the rock crawling type though...I would love Canada/Alaska and down in the southwest too.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,813
Likes: 0
From: Nokesville, Va
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: United States
JK Super Freak
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,813
Likes: 0
From: Nokesville, Va
