PDA

View Full Version : Moab



zelatore
01-15-2010, 01:14 PM
Any of you guys experts about Moab and the surrounding area?

Since Michele has Monday off, she told me we HAVE to go somewhere this weekend. We're about to get pounded with rain here in CA, so she suggested we burn a few Alaska miles and maybe head out to Moab since we've often talked about it. Catch is, we really don't know anything about the area.

Looking around on-line it looks like we'd have to fly into SLC early tomorrow morning then drive to Moab and rent a jeep to mess around with for a couple days. Also looks cold - highs in the mid 30s, lows in the mid teens, but we can deal with that. I know it's the off season of course, but that's fine as well - we often try to travel in the off season to avoid crowds.

What I'm looking for is some first-hand experience about the area. Is it a total wash in the winter? Everything closed? Or is it just that people get scared off by a little cold? We'd be looking to do some hiking and 4-wheeling (granted, I'm a novice off-roader and we'd be in a rental, so it's not like we'd be playing king of the mountain). For that matter, can you take a rental jeep into interesting places, or do you really need your own rig and more experience to know what to do/where to go?

Pretty short notice I know, but I do know a few on this board are into wheeling so I thought I'd ask. The only dumb question is the one that isn't asked, right? :wink:

Cuda
01-16-2010, 01:54 PM
I thought that Moab was the bomb they used in Iraq.
The Mother Of All Bombs.

CJmike
01-16-2010, 11:47 PM
Great town. Lots of jeep trails. Moab Brewery is the only good beer in town. Arches national park is very cool. Scenary in the area is just awesome. Haven't been in a few years but was making it out there ever other year for the Jeep Safari for awhile. Dan Mick's offers guided Jeep tours. He is defiantly the guy to go to if you haven't been there before and want to experiance some real off roading.

zelatore
01-18-2010, 12:23 PM
Ended up renting a Rubicon w/3" lift and just heading out with a trail book.

Ran Dome Plateau yesterday. Had 6-8" of snow on the ground to make finding the trail a little challenging, but the real concern was that it was warm enough to start everything melting, so it was really soft and slimy under the snow. Had a couple places that were tough and took a few tries to get through. I wasn't going to get to crazy running alone with so much as a shovel.

Did fins n things this morning wih snow coming down pretty good. Trying to find the trail under snow accros rock was, uh, interesting. I also learned that slickrock isn't, unless it's covered by snow.

Getting ready to head back to SLC to meet some friends then fly back to Sacramento. Good trip except that I'll be checking craigslist for wranglers and cherokees for the next two weeks and I can't afford to put the Donzi back together right now much less start a new hobby!

CJmike
01-19-2010, 08:50 AM
Fight the urge. Its addictive. I once thought I needed a Jeep. Then after I got the Jeep I needed a lift kit. Then I needed bigger tires. Then it needed more motor so out came the 6 cylinder and in went a V-8. Then I needed new bigger axles becuase with the bigger tires and bigger motor the axles couldn't take the added stress. Then I thought it was done so I went 4 wheeling. Then I needed .....

Well you get the idea. The Jeep is never done. But have lots of fun traveling the country 4 wheeling the back country and meeting great people along the way.

CJmike
01-19-2010, 08:59 AM
This is my old website http://www.bc4x4.com/thbsjeep/

Kind of chronichles my earlier addiction. Had lots of fun in that old Orange Jeep. But years of wheeling tooks its toll and it got sold off in 2004 to facilitate building the new rig.

Cuda
01-19-2010, 11:48 AM
I figure my guess of Mother of all Bombs was wrong. :(

zelatore
01-20-2010, 01:49 PM
I figure my guess of Mother of all Bombs was wrong. :(

well, not entirely; it could end up being a pretty big bomb to my wallet...

zelatore
01-20-2010, 02:06 PM
Fight the urge. Its addictive. I once thought I needed a Jeep. Then after I got the Jeep I needed a lift kit. Then I needed bigger tires. Then it needed more motor so out came the 6 cylinder and in went a V-8. Then I needed new bigger axles becuase with the bigger tires and bigger motor the axles couldn't take the added stress. Then I thought it was done so I went 4 wheeling. Then I needed .....

Well you get the idea. The Jeep is never done. But have lots of fun traveling the country 4 wheeling the back country and meeting great people along the way.

I'm quite familier with that path to finacial destruction. Whether it's a boat, car, or bike, I seem to find stock to be little more than a good starting point.

Not that I'm in a position to act on the impulse at the moment, but I've been thinking along two routes-
First, and easiest, would be buying a late-model Rubicon, lifting 3 or 4 inches and going with about a 33-34" tire. Add bumpers, a winch, some aux. lighting, and a few other minor goodies and I'd be ready to go. Problem is, they don't exactly give late-model Rubi's away, so that would have a high buy-in price

The other thought is that I want something I can drive on the trails anyway, so why spend the coin on a new(ish) rig that'll likely get scratched up at a minimum and maybe dented or worse if I get more agressive? I could start with an older rig, do axles, lockers, lift, bumpers, etc... but that means a much bigger project and will probalby end up as a less road-worthy rig in the end. And I don't really want to open up a new wing in the garage to accomodate Jeep stuff.

I don't see myself doing anything extreme; the Rubi would do all I'd need. Oh well, off to daydream at craigslist.....

Some pics from the trip-

BUIZILLA
01-20-2010, 03:04 PM
was that a stick or auto Rubi?

zelatore
01-20-2010, 05:29 PM
Auto. I think all the rental stuff out there was auto, but I didn't actually check. There are at least 3 places in town renting Rubi's in 2dr and 4dr, plus some standard Wranglers, and some 'yoda FJs, not to mention quads, side-by-sides, and dirt bikes.

With no crawling experience, I was fine with the auto. Normally I'd shun a slushbox, but for this work it might actually be better. I'd have to try the manual to see; it would certainly be better on the road, as the Rubi is pretty much a slug and I'm sure the auto doesn't help in that department.

CJmike
01-20-2010, 09:52 PM
Auto is the only way to go. Don't even think about a stick anymore.

CJmike
01-20-2010, 09:55 PM
Easiest route is to find someone who has spent way to much money upgrading one already. People get in and out of the sport all the time. Pick up someone elses rig as they exit the sport. You get almost all the upgrades for free. Rubicon's are nice but almost all the goodies can be had aftermarket for less cash.

BUIZILLA
01-20-2010, 10:03 PM
the Rubi has Dana 4.10's std front and back, it is an option, but extremely rare on a Sahara... those gears make an anemic engine peppier... I believe auto/4.10's is the ONLY way to go

CJmike
01-21-2010, 07:31 AM
One of my sponsors could take care of all your power issues. Pick up a fully built hemi powered Jeep. Get your choice of hemi's. All the way up to complete custom builds. He has built many rigs that have been at sema.

http://www.burnsvilleoffroad.com/

zelatore
01-21-2010, 10:02 AM
Oh sure, I'd love to call him up, or somebody like AEV and have a full Hemi JK built. You got a spare $50-60K laying around I can borrow?:wink:

Sad part is, on the trail the stock V6 is enough for me. It's the highway were I'd want more. It felt like work maintaining 65 mph, and there's no way you're goint to pass anybody.

It could use another 25-50 hp, but I'm not seeing much aftermarket for that motor. Heck, I'm not even sure what size it is....after they got rid of the inline 6 I sorta lost track.

CJmike
01-21-2010, 03:47 PM
3.7 liter V-6
No aftermarket support at this time. But it is brand new. In a year or two there might be some options for add ons.

BUIZILLA
01-21-2010, 03:48 PM
Benz motor?

CJmike
01-21-2010, 04:38 PM
http://www.allpar.com/mopar/37.html

The Hedgehog
01-21-2010, 04:47 PM
Auto is the only way to go. Don't even think about a stick anymore.

Are you suggesting that creeping around the side of a gorge in Tn hoping that you don't stall might be scary? Hmm, sounds like a couple of weekends ago.

zelatore
01-21-2010, 07:41 PM
So Mike, any thoughts on TJ vs JK for a combo street/trail rig? Think about 3-4" lift on 35s. I know a lot of people seem to give the JKs crap because they're so big, but then again I understand they are more civilized on the road. And I figure I'd be driving as much as 3-4 hrs on the highway to get to the areas we like to hike/camp (and eventually, wheel) + I'd probably want to drive it to work here and there.

I've been looking half-heartedly at JKs, but if open it up to include TJs the prices get more reasonable and I won't mind a little trail rash so much.

Don't get me wrong - this is a long-term project. Gotta land a new job, finish the Donzi, THEN think about a Jeep. It's purely informational at this point.

But on the plus side, Michele's slowly warming to the idea. That's half the battle. :wink:

CJmike
01-21-2010, 09:07 PM
TJ Unlimited Rubicon would be my choice if I was in the market at this time. More my idea of what a jeep should be. Although most disagree with me as JK have been selling like hotcakes. But there is so much aftermarket out there on teh TJ it makes building one super easy. Plus I think its the last of the good ones. The new ones I am still on the fence.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=271646610&dealer_id=50876528&car_year=2005&rdm=1264129277167&lastStartYear=1981&model=WRANGLER&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=2005&keywordsfyc=__dW5saW1pdGVk__&keywordsrep=117110108105109105116101100&engine=&certified=&body_code=16&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&sownerid=1135823&showZipError=y&first_record=51&make=JEEP&keywords_display=unlimited&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&body_style=SUV&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=2&sort_type=priceDESC&address=55387&advanced=y&end_year=2006&pager.offset=50&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=445&standard=false

or

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=268873156&dealer_id=64619981&car_year=2006&rdm=1264129277167&lastStartYear=1981&model=WRANGLER&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=2005&keywordsfyc=__dW5saW1pdGVk__&keywordsrep=117110108105109105116101100&engine=&certified=&body_code=16&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&sownerid=1135823&showZipError=y&make=JEEP&keywords_display=unlimited&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&body_style=SUV&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=2&sort_type=priceDESC&address=55387&advanced=y&end_year=2006&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=1373&standard=false

this is my favorite color in the rubicon

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=271930788&dealer_id=581412&car_year=2006&rdm=1264129277167&lastStartYear=1981&model=WRANGLER&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=2005&keywordsfyc=__dW5saW1pdGVk__&keywordsrep=117110108105109105116101100&engine=&certified=&body_code=16&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&sownerid=1135823&showZipError=y&first_record=51&make=JEEP&keywords_display=unlimited&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&body_style=SUV&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=2&sort_type=priceDESC&address=55387&advanced=y&end_year=2006&pager.offset=50&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=1000&standard=false

zelatore
01-21-2010, 09:23 PM
Still trying to get my head around the long wheel base of the TJ Unlimited. Just doesn't look right to me for some reason.

I don't doubt it's actually a benefit when climbing though. And it would look better up in the air with some rubber under it.

Certainly plenty of them to be found around here.

CJmike
01-22-2010, 07:55 AM
http://www.twincityoffroad.com/members/images/jeff.jpg

CJmike
01-22-2010, 07:56 AM
http://www.burnsvilleoffroad.com/images/articles/LibertyDiesel/white1.jpeg

CJmike
01-22-2010, 07:58 AM
http://www.burnsvilleoffroad.com/images/articles/monthly_02_17_07/newshopviperpics%20020.jpg

CaribouLou
02-02-2010, 11:41 AM
http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthread.php?t=57464

http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac203/cariboulouwj/heep.jpg
http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac203/cariboulouwj/jeep1.jpg


I'm very willing to make a killer deal on it....

Cuda
02-03-2010, 08:08 AM
So, what does MOAB stand for?

CJmike
02-03-2010, 08:48 AM
http://www.moab-utah.com/

Cuda
02-03-2010, 01:04 PM
That site still didn't say what MOAB stands for, although it refernced it in nearly every sentence.

zelatore
02-03-2010, 08:41 PM
I don't know that it stands for anything-it's just the name of the town. It's a name from the bible - Moab was a 'lush valley in the desert just shy of the promised land'. As far as I know, a group of Mormons from Salt Lake moved down there around 1855 to start ranching. The local indians wiped them out, but they came back a few years later and built a fort. Then in the 50's they discovered uranium and the place became a big mining area. Now it's a tourist town concentrating on outdoor sports like you saw in the link.

I heard the city actually complained when Bush used the MOAB name for the Mother Of All Bombs. No doubt this was when they ran their own acronym contest. Some of the responses they got:

massive outdoor adventure beckons
multitude of awesome blessings
merriment overcomes all boundaries
majesty of artistic brilliance
mystical outpost of ancient beauty
mindful of all beings
mecca of audacious backpackers
mostly outdoor adoring bodies
marvelous offerings abound benevolently

Mind you, I didn't make any of these up myself. I read it in a hiking guide to the area. Apparently, hippie hikers. (that adds a certain irony to the fact that they mined uranium there)

Ghost
02-03-2010, 09:48 PM
Mounds Of Acronym Bull$hit

<ducking, not from Don, from hippie hikers>

zelatore
02-04-2010, 10:24 AM
When reading the acronyms, it's best to picture it in the voice of the father from The Goode Family.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18muodGQccc

Cuda
02-04-2010, 12:55 PM
I go nuts until I find out what an acronym stands for. :(

zelatore
03-02-2010, 03:45 PM
ah crap, I think I'm hooked.

I was out in Sedona last weekend. Know what? You can rent a Rubicon there too....

CJmike
03-02-2010, 03:53 PM
http://www.mn-jeep.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22431

I know a guy that could deliver this one to you. :wink:

BUIZILLA
03-02-2010, 03:59 PM
gotta have a RubiTrux...

RubiTrux Jeep Conversions in Boone, NC (http://www.rubitrux.com/home.html)

High Country Auto Sales - Boone, NC - Vehicles (http://www.high-countryautosales.com/vehicles.html)

zelatore
03-03-2010, 10:45 AM
Mike, time for the delivery I've got. It's the cash for a new toy I'm a bit short on. :nilly:

The RubiTrux are pretty cool, no doubt! And resonably priced as well. I might actually consider it. I wonder if they make one for the Unlimited? With the long wheelbase, it really would feel like a Scrambler!

BUIZILLA
03-03-2010, 11:54 AM
I think the Rubi conversion is only for an Unlimited chassis..

zelatore
03-03-2010, 12:05 PM
I did some reading on their website. Looks like they build on TJ unlimited chassis. I was thinking if they took a JK unlimited and made a 2-door truck cab they'd have a larger bed. Sounds like they are planning a JK version for this spring but will retain the 4 doors. That would probably be more popular anyway.