AOAA/Rausch October 19/20

[Jacob]

Jacob, I run a stock Mojave, have been at Rausch Creek but not AQAA , but had a great time, I am not lifting or big tires on mine so relax if you show up we can just go off and kick ass stock. I am skidded though and that’s a good idea, including a hitch skid….Jack

I have the skids that come stock on the Rubicon and a hitch skid from BodyArmor. You guys convinced us to come out.

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[AmishMike]

I have the skids that come stock on the Rubicon and a hitch skid from BodyArmor. You guys convinced us to come out.

I don't run a hitch skid (maybe I should) but definitely LCA skids. Rusty's are heavy duty, just sometimes have to open up one hole. My factory Rubicon skids are tried and tested!

 

[TheOpa]

I am happy to lead if necessary. I have been through the BoH trails at both places and know my way around the parks reasonably well.

 

[Jaxmax]

I have the skids that come stock on the Rubicon and a hitch skid from BodyArmor. You guys convinced us to come out.

Oh Jacob you have so much to learn and thousands to spend , as Mike said the Rusty’s rear front LCA skid is the one you should get at least and I think Rusty’s are the best, as they use three bolts to hold them, then next would be Rockhard rear axle lower control arm skids and rear shock skids , then after that in order would be the set of Rockhard front and rear skids for front control arm, then there is always the engine oil pan skid not as important, and last but not least cast differential covers or perhaps differential skid such as New Venture. That’s where I am , there is a sense of security with that, being I am unlifted, my next thing will be a bigger tires 34” perhaps but skinny ones, a lift and tall tires are not in my future at this time, I tow a lot and love how my Mojave handles now and am happy with the gas mileage and power I have. If you get no skids at all I’ll hang with ya and you will do fine…..Jack

Badge of Honor Trail11 at Rausch Creek was easy!

 

[TheOpa]

Oh Jacob you have so much to learn and thousands to spend , as Mike said the Rusty’s rear front LCA skid is the one you should get at least and I think Rusty’s are the best, as they use three bolts to hold them, then next would be Rockhard rear axle lower control arm skids and rear shock skids , then after that in order would be the set of Rockhard front and rear skids for front control arm, then there is always the engine oil pan skid not as important, and last but not least cast differential covers or perhaps differential skid such as New Venture. That’s where I am , there is a sense of security with that, being I am unlifted, my next thing will be a bigger tires 34” perhaps but skinny ones, a lift and tall tires are not in my future at this time, I tow a lot and love how my Mojave handles now and am happy with the gas mileage and power I have. If you get no skids at all I’ll hang with ya and you will do fine…..Jack

Badge of Honor Trail11 at Rausch Creek was easy!

Jack gives good advice here, although I might amend it slightly. The first thing I recommend that people do even for mild off road driving is this bracket from forum sponsor @Metalcloak . https://metalcloak.com/jt-gladiator-rear-sway-bar-reinforcement-bracket.html

The rear sway bar pulls out of the frame so easily it’s disappointing. This fix is inexpensive, easy to do with hand tools, and one of the most effective things you will do with a giant return in peace of mind.
Then, come on out and see if you even like climbing around on all those rocks. If you do like it, you should then go with Jack’s advice on the skids. If you aren’t going to be bashing the underside of your JT off of rocks, you may not need all that stuff.

 

[Jacob]

I appreciate the advice and input @Jaxmax and @TheOpa, truly. I have a lot of parts to include a MC lift I want to get for the truck but we have been focused other stuff like exploring this part of the country AND we want to see where the military will move us in a year before throwing 10k at parts. I have those skids for LCA and shocks in my north ridge account wishlist since we got the truck last year, glad the community is suggesting them!

 

[AyeCantSeeYou]

I would love to join in on the fun, but I am not sure how well a stock JTR would fair on some of the trails out there.

My Willys is stock as well. As long as you don't freak out when you hear rocks scraping skid plates, you'll be fine.

Trail maps, color coded for rating:
https://www.aoaatrails.com/maps

 

[AmishMike]

My Willys is stock as well. As long as you don't freak out when you hear rocks scraping skid plates, you'll be fine.

Trail maps, color coded for rating:
https://www.aoaatrails.com/maps

A pre-trail meeting will be good. That way we can find out what everybody is comfortable with.

 

[Hockeypop]

Just found out my boys have a tournament this weekend, so bummed. Was looking forward to meeting you guys. Would you guys be heading home early on Sunday?

May get lucky and be somewhere in PA, if so I might be able to make it for half of Sunday.

 

[AmishMike]

Just found out my boys have a tournament this weekend, so bummed. Was looking forward to meeting you guys. Would you guys be heading home early on Sunday?

May get lucky and be somewhere in PA, if so I might be able to make it for half of Sunday.

My thoughts were one location Saturday and the other on Sunday.
Keep us posted.

 

[Alpine Warthog]

I'm down to go tentatively. Have to see how the finances and school situation looks closer to go time

 

[Jaxmax]

Well I’m still in but my lovely copilot is heading to Florida to watch grand kiddos, I might just have to take one of JTBurns boys with me! Still a one day thing with me perhaps, but sleeping in back of Glady is an option I guess. Guess I need to work on my kitchen setup ha!

 

[HannahWCU]

Hello everyone, I want to see if you mind a Gladiator from North Carolina tagging along? I would really like to hit a few BOH trails.

My Rubicon is armoured up pretty well and sitting on 37" tires. It is not afraid of a few rocks. But I will need to be able to drive the Gladiator 8 hours home on Monday!!

 

[Jaxmax]

Steve, I don’t see any problem hanging out with you, decent bunch of guys here. There is costs at parks involved nothing is free anymore…Jack

 

[AmishMike]

A month away. @TheOpa said that he will lead. I will bring up the rear. I have a pair of radios (that I kind of know how to use)
Are we getting involved with the event at AOAA on Saturday? Then Rausch on Sunday? Thoughts?

Are we headed mild or wild?
Personally, I would like to get the new BoH trails at AOAA.

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