JKU X offroad capabilities.....
 

This summer my wife wants to go on a road trip to Colorado and Utah. I wanna take advantage of some of the off roading while I am in these area. There are two trails that I want to do. Fins N' Things and Engineer Pass 4x4 are the two trails I want to hit while I am out there. My questions is if a JKU X with 3.73 gears 2.5 lift on stock goodyear tires capable of doing these trails? I am waiting for the tires to go bald before I upgrade them. But they are not going to be bald any time soon they only have 13,000 miles on the tires. Any input would be great Thanks.

I don't know about engineer pass but Fins and things will be a cake walk. I am heading there myself on Feb 27th for 4 days in Moab. first time I had a basically stock JKU sport this time I have a Rubicon with 2" lift and 34" tires, winch etc so will be able to hit some more challenging stuff.

I don't know about those trails, but your jk can do way more than you think as long as you go slow and pick your lines well.

now is your time to learn how to do it without stomping on the skinny pedal, so later when you go bigger/take on harder trails, you will have the advantage of being in the habit of reading the trail well!

Matthew

A stock JK can do Engineer Pass no problem. Same with Fins and Things. And there are many other trails in the area that you could explore without any difficulty at all.

Engineer Pass from Lake City is just a dirt road. Outstanding scenery, however. When you get to the top don't be surprised if you see xTerras, Suburbans, etc, it's that easy. If you go through Ouray, it does become a lot rougher. Expect to scrape the bottom of your Jeep. If you don't want to do that, stay off that part of the trail. Never have done the way through Cinnamon Pass (Alpine Loop), but pretty sure it's more like up from Lake City.

Here's a video of last year on Engineer Pass, Lake City to Ouray ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1dvPQyn3og Fins and Things is a blast--think of a slow motion roller coaster. After a very short distance into it and you get to an extremely steep, but short descent, take it. Your Jeep will be fine. I mention that because twice I've had people driving my Jeep who stopped there and said the Jeep will never make it. Yes it will! I've seen stock Rubis run it. Don't think it would be a problem for an X/Sport, though there are a few sandy spots you might wish you had better tires. As you drive in you'll see Lion's Back (closed) and Baby Lion's Back. take a good look at Baby Lion's Back. If you think only a nut would drive up there, well, you'll be on stuff just as challenging on Fins and Things.

Haven't been on Fins and Things since I started shooting video, but here are a few stills ...

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...73231372_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/...88174299_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/...79747047_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/...73547518_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...80606592_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/...42574867_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...96055497_n.jpg

Because of this particular drop off, recommend that you run this with the front sway bar disconnected. This is especially so for those small OEM tires. That way the axle can swing down and give you some stability as you cross this. If you don't have quick disconnects, take the hand tools and time to do the job (about ten minutes before and after). Use zip-ties to secure the swaybar up out of the way.
https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/...32624986_n.jpg

This is Kenny's Hill. There's a bypass.
https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/...40356579_n.jpg

Going up Kenny's Hill.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...02092661_n.jpg

Be careful coming off Kenny's Hill (even if you take the bypass). It's difficult to see the lay of the land and you could end up like I did. You pass right below this on the way to Kenny's Hill, so give it a good look-over so you know where you cant to come off it, especially with those OEM tires.
https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/...18385413_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/...74340305_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/...06910293_n.jpg

Finally, the Charles Wells books for Moab and Colorado are very helpful on both of these trails. Strongly recommend that you pick up and take with you and follow along in the books mile-by-mile.

I have Well's book and I think he is ultra conservative on the trail rating. Many of his moderate trails should be rated easy and some of his difficult should be rated moderated at most. He has fins and things as difficult. Your stock jeep should be a match for a crown vic.


Crown Victoria Tackles Hell's Revenge Trail In Moab | Motor City Muscle Cars

What about Hell Revenge?
 

Thanks for the input. That really helped me. I have seen that Fin N' Things is a short trail. Am I capable of doing Hells Revenge and Fin N' Things in one day?

I can't speak for those trails, but my X has gone everywhere that every other model has gone without hesitation! Go have fun, you'll know your limits when ya get there

If you have time, I'd do the Shafer/Potash trail from Moab to Canyonlands because it's super scenic. Not much of anything technical, but the sights are amazing, just make sure you have a full tank of gas, lol.

I did parts of Fins when I was BONE stock and had no problems.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...9/100_1041.jpg

Like every one says - no problem.

Putting on your lift with swaybar discos makes for a huge improvement (biggest in my mind).

I've taken my x with only a 2.5" lift there twice and have done plenty of trails - you'll be very capable.