Half day at the clifs 4/30

[grub]

Any one care to join me at the Cliffs on Sunday 4/30. Will be my first time out this year with the off season mods. Will be taking it easy. Have to be off the traiils by 2:00.

Anyone? I dont mind going out with the new folks, as long as they meet minimum safety requirements.

Let me know

- grub

[Ben91YJ]

im up for it possibly... my TJs not gonna be as ready as i'd like, i'll need to disco the swaybar up front (id need help to disco and reconnect it there), and my CB wont be installed yet.... and ill probably still have my stock mudflaps and steps on... theyre comin off the 6th. I should have my MTs on by then though... so, i dunno, if no CB is ok and you wouldnt mind helpin me with the swaybar, count me in

[Ben91YJ]

if the condition of my jeep is ok with you, im in. my dad might be along for the ride too, let me know

[grub]

Hey Ben,

I dont mind helping with the disconnects. CB we can do without, but you have to have:

tow strap (no hooks)
front and rear tow points
full size spare

If you know of any things that your rig has a cronic problem with, then bring the appropriate tool/fluid to address. (ie. if you have a weak battery, please bring jumpers, etc)

I am not worried about your mud flaps and stuff, but you may mess them up.

Anyone else?

[Ben91YJ]

ive got the mopar hitch on the back... will that count? or do i have to haul *** to put on my hooks?

[Ben91YJ]

actually, my wrenchfest has moved, and the jeep will be as ready as i want it, so we're on!

[grub]

tow hooks, front and rear. How ever you can pull it off. If I get stuck somewhere, I want you to be able to pull my wide load out of trouble.

[Ben91YJ]

ill have real hooks in the back, as i said my wrenchfest got moved to saturday, so ill be all set sunday... where ya comin from if ya want to caravan? let me know pm me a # and we'll work out details. (gettin my stuff done means no mud flaps either! and hopefully a CB)

[grub]

post up on Saturday to confirm that you are ready to go.

I am out in the western burbs, so I will just take back roads and meet you there.

[Ben91YJ]

sounds good, im wrenchin with missouri and hickory, so we'll get it ready. see ou sunday

[grub]

get those guys to come with you on sunday...

[Ben91YJ]

im pretty sure they read these boards.... guys come out sunday

[missouri]

Ben actually your reciviever hitch, if rated above 3000 pound would work just fine. Two ways of working it. #1 remove the hitch ball and replace with a shackle and add your strap #2 remove receiver and then slid hitch pin through eye of strap. If it can puul a 3000 or above load it would suffice as a tow point. On my XJ I use the hitch and a special aluminum reciever with a shackle with no worries.

Also easier to get to in the mud, hooks can geet buried in crap or have the back end fall into a hole and try to ust those hooks.

missouri

[Ben91YJ]

yeah, but we're gonna put hooks on on saturday anyway... i have the (POS) mopar 1.5" hitch, which im planning on removing saturday as well. it really takes away ground clearance, and since its the 1.5 incher, im not sure its rated for 3000lbs. i'd feel much better with a 10,000lbs tow hook and grade 8 hardware anyway... the departure angle is the main reason i want the hitch gone

[nozzleram]

Ben, FYI, my hitch is the only thing that prevents my gas tank from being destroyed! I slam, scrape, and drag my hitch down rocks and dig trenches into the mud with my hitch but my gas tank seldom hits. That POS sheet metal "skid" covering your gas tank will not protect you. Your 1.5" hitch may serve no useful purpose other than hitting the ground first as you slide down a rock or traverse a sharp drop off and quick climb like pulling through a ditch. So until you get a real skid for your gas tank I'd keep the hitch in place. It costs you nothing and it does provide some protection. Otherwise that "departure angle" you want to improve may cost you a gas tank, potential fire, damage to the environment dumping 10 gallons of gas onto the ground, and nowadays about $30 bucks in gas alone.

Thats my $.02 worth

[Ben91YJ]

thats a good $.02, but im gonna respond to this in the section bout my wrenchfest... this threads for wheelin... come out on sunday people!

[Ben91YJ]

picked up a hard top hoist from slater today, he said he might be joinin us... dont want to speak for ya, but let me know if you want to caravan

[Slater]

I think that I might be able to goon Sunday

[grub]

Slater, will be great to see you. Had a blast with you last time on the trails.

[missouri]

Ben, FYI, my hitch is the only thing that prevents my gas tank from being destroyed! I slam, scrape, and drag my hitch down rocks and dig trenches into the mud with my hitch but my gas tank seldom hits. That POS sheet metal "skid" covering your gas tank will not protect you. Your 1.5" hitch may serve no useful purpose other than hitting the ground first as you slide down a rock or traverse a sharp drop off and quick climb like pulling through a ditch. So until you get a real skid for your gas tank I'd keep the hitch in place. It costs you nothing and it does provide some protection. Otherwise that "departure angle" you want to improve may cost you a gas tank, potential fire, damage to the environment dumping 10 gallons of gas onto the ground, and nowadays about $30 bucks in gas alone.

Thats my $.02 worth

not to meition the pump that sets almost on the bottom of the tank!! :eek:

missouri

[Slater]

Weather man is calling for rain, is everyone still planning on going????

[grub]

will need to make a call on it Saturday. Lets see how much Ben gets done, and what the forecast looks like Saturday evening. I am still planning on it, as of right now.

[Slater]

OK 30% chance of SUN!!!



30% odds at the boats is good.

[Ben91YJ]

ill post up once im done today... i dont mind a little mud, but we'll see how people are feelin tonight

[grub]

I am doing my bes tto get all my crap done as well. I am optimistic I will be ready.

[Ben91YJ]

my TJ is as ready as it will be... in terms of making the call due to the weather, just get a hold of me before 7am tomorrow if we are not going. email me at

basiegel@umich.edu

and ill check that. If i dont hear from you guys, ill assume we're on. Hopefully see you tomorrow

[grub]

Hey Ben, gimme a call when you get this... 630 305 3506

[Ben91YJ]

in terms of the re-schedule... i can go either on thursday or saturday, but im out of town next sunday... let me know when you guys wanna go,

[Hickory94]

I will be in LA on the 5th thru the 9th...so maybe I will catch you guys on the next trip.

[grub]

the park is not open on Thursday, we would have to go to Badlands and I think that would limit the number of folks who could join.

I am good Saturday or Sunday. Lets see if anyone else cares to join.

- grub

[Ben91YJ]

well, lets say saturday the 6th then... post up if you wanna join

[Slater]

I think that I can do the 6th

[paracutin]

Are you guys still talking about a 1/2 day or what?
If I go it would be my first time out. Do you think there would be too much mud for a stock TJ? Are there bypasses at the cliffs?

[grub]

If we go on Saturday I have more time available and dont need to just do a half day. We can spend the day out there.

You are welcome to join.... gotta have required gear (good running order, flag, strap, spare, fluids, CB, FRONT AND REAR TOW POINTS). If you got it, and are looking for some fun, then lets do it.

It will be plenty muddy but we will have a couple experienced drivers (me and Slater), and we will pick the trails/obstacles based on the abilities of the rigs in our group.

We will plan on being in the parking lot when the park opens. Look for my blue scrambler, on the red trailer, towed by the black Tahoe.

[RangerPaul]

I'd love to join you on Sat. I'll look for you Grub.

[Ben91YJ]

I'll be there too, and im in a very stock TJ as well.. I took a stock susp YJ to the cliffs on 30" GSAs and did fine till i hit a puddle too quick... and you all know that story. Theres plenty of ways around/over/through different things, and the guys here will def help you out. It'll be my first time in the TJ, and im lookin forward to it... what time on saturday? and slater, still want to caravan down? if anyone else is comin from the north suburbs, youre welcome to join the caravan

[grub]

I jsut started a new thread for this saturday. this one is a mess.