I am starting to sweat it. Called the "Stealer" this afternoon and "..well we need to keep it overnight". I reminded them that I was going out of town with it and they assured me it would be done by noon. We shall see.

 

Good luck in your repairs..
I'll be there at the Best Western with GrassSeed JK too..
We hope to see you there.

 

Well....1 p.m. and still no Jeep. Not a good sign at all. I only post this so if I don't show, you will know what probably happened.

 

Have they said why you don't have your JK back yet? Tell them you want to borrow Rudi for the weekend since they still have yours. I hope to hit the road in a half hour or so. Just got back from getting the rubber and wheel mounted!

 

I presume Spokane is too far away?
If not, you are more than welcome to come up here and try out our 600 acre ORV Park. It has everything a 4x4er would want. From simple places where a car could travel to hills that require lockers front and rear!

More information here: http://www.xmxpro.com/Catalog/WSP-RVSP-ORV%20Area.htm

If this interests you, let me know ahead of time and I can get a couple other Jeepers together to wheel with you!

 

Well...it's 5 a.m. in Baker City. The Jeep got done within about 10 minutes of my planned departure time yesterday. We made it here around 6 p.m., hit Pizza Hut, and when we got back saw a white Rubi parked next to us. Weed is here!!!!

I am going to walk the parking lot before breakfast to see who else might be here.

Interestingly, despite a mountain pass, and some city miles on this tank, we averaged 18.6 mpg on the drive over here at about 70 mph. I had gotten 20 to 20.5 before, but somewhere between the lift and the winter gas formula I lost some mileage, but this is still better than I was getting (17 to 17.5) so I am wondering if the water leak was causing a vacuum leak or warm up problems....don't know, but I am not unhappy.

Paul....we get to Spokane every once in a while (my wife is from Spokane), so we may have to give it a whirl.

After seeing Weed's Rubi, I am envious of some serious rubber. My Duellers look like they may not be up to the task of even moderate Jeeping.

 

Yeah, know what you mean -- my Duelers, as nice as they are on the street, gotta go. I'm hoping to cut a deal with GrassSeed JK for his Rubi wheels and tires now that he is lifted and on bigger treads. Have fun out there today -- wish I could be there.

-meljr

 

If you are here for several days, we could always do one of the 4x4 trails in the Colville NF. Unfortunately due to their distance from Spokane (over 75 miles), each trail is probably a one -day event.

Here's some information on the Twin Sisters trail: http://www.xmxpro.com/Catalog/USFS-CNF-109.htm

 

Well, I get to make the first update as I quit first (had to get home kind of early). A total of 12 Jeeps by my count...maybe 13....showed up. From a bone stock Rubi Unlimited (great to meet the "Weed" and his lovely bride), to my small lift, stock tired Unlimited Sahara (more later) to a very radical big tire/lifted monster and all in between.

This was my first REAL jeep trip. The weather was dry as a bone and it got to mid-50's by noon when I bugged out. Everyone was stopped for lunch at a rock quarry when we departed.

Some things I learned. The bone stock JK (even our Sahara) has NO issues on the blue trails we drove. We managed to get up the first black diamond trail. I was pumped so full of adrenaline (FEAR :o) by the time we finished that one that it took me 5 minutes to quit shaking. However, no damage, and I learned a lot about the capabilities of the JK even on the stock Bridgeston Duellers (street tires). Climbed up and over the obstacles without spinning a tire.

Second black diamond trail...not so lucky (The Step maybe?). This is where the Sahara seemed to climb up the first step fine, but as the front settled, she showed that she needed a bit taller stance and NO running boards. Rocks 1, my wifes running board negative 1. It is still servicable for now until I decide to replace it or upgrade (yeah....everyone is rooting for upgrade, but still need to keep the wife happy). Backed out of that one (sorry to the two Bronco's following me. I really should have let you all go first).

After that I resolved....enough black diamond trails. I know what she will do now, but my desire to trash her, just isn't enough to pull that again. Of course I wasn't finished. As I dropped out of the quarry to head back to the staging area, I snagged a rock and bent my lower sway bar bracket. Oh well....son-in-law with a hammer will help me fix that tomorrow.

Some things I learned.

1. The JK is way more capable than me as a driver. I was shocked and amazed at where it would go when you pointed it. Similar places had backed down my Tacoma 4x4 in the past (no aired down however).
2. Need beefier tires. While the Duelers did amazingly well for what they were, I was constantly sweating taking out the sidewall. Aired down to 18 (my first time airing down too), they just didn't have much support.
3. First time I disco'd. It was easy (RC Quick Disco's) and yes, the zip ties to hold the sway bar worked just fine.
4. The JK drives just fine on the highway disconnected. Paid closer attention in the corners, but I was pretty surprised that I wouldn't have even known it was disconnected.
5. MOST IMPORTANT. What a Neat bunch of people. While it was lop-sided toward the male gender, every man was a gentleman and this was definately a "family quality" event. I have been to Goldwing meets, and other events over the years where it was just too crude to stick around for my tastes. Maybe it is only this group, but you are all a fantastic bunch of people and a total pleasure to meet and know.

Sorry I won't remember everyone's names this time, but going forward I will try to be better at that. Hopefully will get some pictures going tonight or tomorrow, but I am bushed and taking the rest of the day off.

 

Been home long enough to unload, Had a great time today.
GrassSeed JK is still there, he went up a nice hill climb just before I left. That was cool, Nice job GrassSeed Jk..
Had a great time meeting Weeds and JeffD, and of course their co-pilots too.. And GrassSeed JK great people... And of course the
L4J group members that I already know, and the new to me members I got to meet today.
That one trail we went on in the gulch brought my already known weak points to bear right off the bat.. I took the bypass on that one you guys tried.. I really did not want to lose a brake line..
Things needed asap crown brake lines and bump stops for my new OME HD lift with the Long travel shocks.. I literally rubbed my 33's! on the fenders on this trail... I know my stock offset wheels don't help either. I got a few pics and I'll post tomorrow as well.
I'm glad I went, next March I'll stay longer..
Again nice meeting everyone here...