What are the realistic expectations from a stock Sport?

[PyrPatriot]

Indeed. I've taken my stock overland off-road about 5 times since purchasing in July and it's always done great.
To be fair, most of the trails I've run have been dead easy, forest service roads, but I did do at least one fairly moderate trail where I was concerned about break over on one obstacle (just a dirt hill with a steep peak). Even stopped the truck to scout if first, but it cleared it with a few inches to spare. Also crossed a stream lined with 6-8" rocks, a couple of feet deep, against a fairly swift current. That same trail proceed to climb about 1000 up to a ridge top over fist sized rocks, tree roots, shallow ditches, and mud puddles. This was all completely stock, down to the street tires. Actually rescued a lost hiker at the top too, and gave him a ride back down to his truck at the bottom. Nothing close to rock crawling on the rubicon trail, but the Overland handled it all easily with room for more.

What were the forest service roads like?!

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[ATLalien]

What were the forest service roads like?!

In north Georgia, most are just gravel roads that are "relatively" well maintained going through mountain woods. In good weather, I'll even see a few nutters out there in street cars. The roads are easy enough that cars can make it (in good weather), but you're going to be slinging gravel against the paint and scraping against the ground in places. Summer downpours can make them muddy or flooded in low lying areas, but even a 2WD truck would usually be fine.

 

[futzin']

In KY, the Daniel Boone Forest roads are traversable in any damn thing. That being said, the scenery is better enjoyed with a convertible!

 

[PyrPatriot]

In KY, the Daniel Boone Forest roads are traversable in any damn thing. That being said, the scenery is better enjoyed with a convertible!

Really? In anything? Hopefully a stock Gladiator can pull through this terrain



I mean, a stock Trailhawk managed, mostly






Not to self, bring some boards for tougher spots.

 

[futzin']

Those are NOT Nat'l forest roads, dude.

 

[PyrPatriot]

Those are NOT forest roads

But they're roads, in a forest

 

[futzin']

I spent substantial time this summer on DB forest roads. My Venza (which I almost hate) fared no worse than my buddy's JK. Just gravel roads (but they lead to better trails!).

 

[PyrPatriot]

This is as close to a map of where to go in KY as I can find. Seems doable

 

[Lou3.6]

You bring up good points that the JT isn't quite comparable to a JK or JL. However, there are plenty of trails that are accessible to long pickups. I cited several above. I didn't mention others that I've driven because by then my Jeep was pretty heavily modified with lift, tires, etc. Of course, I also didn't recommend others that I've driven because of the stock JT limitations--including Blanca Peak, Fins and Things (though that's been driven in a 2WD car) and Poison Spider Mesa. And there are places at Disney that probably none of us here on this forum would tackle--such as climbing Viagra. I think it's fair to say that OP will need to choose his trails carefully, pick his line truly (often aided by walking it first), and use a spotter where wheel and body parts placement is especially critical. Some other specific "trails" I'd recommend:

Engineer Pass
Ophir Pass
Imogene Pass
TransAmerica Trail
Georgia Traverse
Oklahoma Adventure Trail
Dempster Highway (if driving to the Arctic Ocean interests OP)
Dalton Highway (ditto the Arctic Ocean comment)
Dollhouse (Maze District, Canyonlands)
Roads around Uncompahgre National Forest and Grand Mesa, CO
Croton Road
Hole-in-the-Rock Road (west of Lake Powell, not east, which is quite technical)
White Rim Road
Mojave Road (one short, steep downhill was pretty worn earlier this year, but easily bypassed. And crossing the Mojave River at Afton Canyon can be quite deep)
Alpine Tunnel
Tin Cup Pass
Washington Backcountry Discovery Route
Oregon Backcountry Discovery Route
Black Gap Road (and all others in Big Bend National Park)
Puerto Blanca Drive
And many, many others that are 4WD recommended (despite the word "road" in their name).

All of these, and many others, are well-documented on my YouTube channel for anyone who'd like to see what the experience is like. Sometimes you'll even see a full-size Chevy pickup out there on the trails with me. Just select the video tab, and be prepared to scroll down through the nearly 200 videos on the channel ...

Hey, NICE PLUG . . . and thanks for all these ^^^ Great Trip Ideas . . . not that I haven't seen them ALL on your YT (as you call it). THANKS

 

[Lou3.6]

This is as close to a map of where to go in KY as I can find. Seems doable

I keep seeing a WK leading the pack . . . this is So Encouraging as I have a 2016 WK2, that IF I keep (or trade for a JLU/JT), I plan a mild Lift/Level (Eibach) . . . time will tell ! ?

 

[Lou3.6]

Well, since my Gladiator delivery is scheduled for tomorrow (I"m so excited!), please let me share some photos of a mostly stock 2007 Jeep JK X (which is these days called a Sport) on the stock Goodyear SRA tires with no lift.

At Disney, OK ...

And at Moab on Gemini Bridges Trail and White Rim Road ...

And at Sedona, AZ on Schnebly Hill Road ...

Don't let your lack of mods slow you down. Your Jeep will amaze you at what it can do. But, like kids, they do have a way of growing up. ;-)

Wow . . . is thought? Mark is that really you behind the wheel? Looking Soooo-Young & spritely! Now I'm gonna have to Rehash some of your Early Vids . . . just so's I can look in the mirror and smirk/smile at Myself . . . for not aging all that badly (??) from when I Retired from the Navy in 2004 ! Though I did go from Salt-N-Pepper to 99.5% White now !

 

[Mark Doiron]

Wow . . . is thought? Mark is that really you behind the wheel? Looking Soooo-Young & spritely! Now I'm gonna have to Rehash some of your Early Vids . . . just so's I can look in the mirror and smirk/smile at Myself . . . for not aging all that badly (??) from when I Retired from the Navy in 2004 ! Though I did go from Salt-N-Pepper to 99.5% White now !

That is my kid.

 

[Lou3.6]

That is my kid.

. . . , oops bad guess ? SO handsome . . . just like his dad .

 

[Bacon_00]

You bring up good points that the JT isn't quite comparable to a JK or JL. However, there are plenty of trails that are accessible to long pickups. I cited several above. I didn't mention others that I've driven because by then my Jeep was pretty heavily modified with lift, tires, etc. Of course, I also didn't recommend others that I've driven because of the stock JT limitations--including Blanca Peak, Fins and Things (though that's been driven in a 2WD car) and Poison Spider Mesa. And there are places at Disney that probably none of us here on this forum would tackle--such as climbing Viagra. I think it's fair to say that OP will need to choose his trails carefully, pick his line truly (often aided by walking it first), and use a spotter where wheel and body parts placement is especially critical. Some other specific "trails" I'd recommend:

Engineer Pass
Ophir Pass
Imogene Pass
TransAmerica Trail
Georgia Traverse
Oklahoma Adventure Trail
Dempster Highway (if driving to the Arctic Ocean interests OP)
Dalton Highway (ditto the Arctic Ocean comment)
Dollhouse (Maze District, Canyonlands)
Roads around Uncompahgre National Forest and Grand Mesa, CO
Croton Road
Hole-in-the-Rock Road (west of Lake Powell, not east, which is quite technical)
White Rim Road
Mojave Road (one short, steep downhill was pretty worn earlier this year, but easily bypassed. And crossing the Mojave River at Afton Canyon can be quite deep)
Alpine Tunnel
Tin Cup Pass
Washington Backcountry Discovery Route
Oregon Backcountry Discovery Route
Black Gap Road (and all others in Big Bend National Park)
Puerto Blanca Drive
And many, many others that are 4WD recommended (despite the word "road" in their name).

All of these, and many others, are well-documented on my YouTube channel for anyone who'd like to see what the experience is like. Sometimes you'll even see a full-size Chevy pickup out there on the trails with me. Just select the video tab, and be prepared to scroll down through the nearly 200 videos on the channel ...

Just checked out the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route -- that sounds like something I might want to eventually do! Do you really think a mostly stock Sport S Gladiator could handle it?

 

[Mark Doiron]

Just checked out the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route -- that sounds like something I might want to eventually do! Do you really think a mostly stock Sport S Gladiator could handle it?

Yes. Just be aware that sometimes parts are closed due to fire or washouts, so be prepared to reroute where needed. You can see what it looked like the time I drove it, which was a particularly bad year for both. Here's the teaser, but there are six parts total for the series ...

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