hanging tree is not super hard but its the kind of trail that with one bad bounce you can get into alot of trouble and do some pretty wicked body damage. You are crawling up a ravine the entire time and if something happens its pretty hard for people to get around you in most spots the last time we ran that trail the smallest tire was a 39 and we were all built about the same and it still took 5-6 hours to complete of course stopping for lunch and that kind of thing
Rubicon Shakedown Run #3: Hanging Tree Trail
- Thread starter sixstringsteve
- Start date
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
I had lunch with my wife today, and I started rambling about the difficulty of HTT and how this trip would have been a great warmup for our Rubicon run in September if only my Jeep were capable enough to try it. She asked me what it would take for me to be able to run HTT. I said I figured I'd at least need my 4" lift, 35" tires, 4.56 gears and another Air Locker (all of which are in my long-term plans for this Jeep anyway). She asked me how much all that would cost, and I tried not to wince as I told her. After a brief pause, she looked at me and simply said, "You know, if you want to go ahead and build up the Jeep now with all that stuff before you go run the Rubicon, I'll fully support you in that."
Words cannot express how much I love this woman.
I'm not sure if I can pull it all off, but I'm gonna give it my very best effort. I've got a lot of work to do!
WOW! Remember the value of taking your wife to lunch everyone.
clfrnacwby
Recovery Addict
- Location
- NV
While two air lockers would be nice, you could save yourself some money and go with a Grizzly or Detroit - great street manners and very capable off road. Either way, I'm not too far from you and would be more than happy to give you a hand putting your rig together.
Too cool, she sounds like a great wife. Those changes will make HTT and the Rubicon so much more enjoyable. Congrats. BTW, sorry for the detour on the thread. Back to #3 Rubi warm up run.
Now where's my cane and the MBryson whipper snapper?
Now where's my cane and the MBryson whipper snapper?
Oh, gotcha.
I had lunch with my wife today, and I started rambling about the difficulty of HTT and how this trip would have been a great warmup for our Rubicon run in September if only my Jeep were capable enough to try it. She asked me what it would take for me to be able to run HTT. I said I figured I'd at least need my 4" lift, 35" tires, 4.56 gears and another Air Locker (all of which are in my long-term plans for this Jeep anyway). She asked me how much all that would cost, and I tried not to wince as I told her. After a brief pause, she looked at me and simply said, "You know, if you want to go ahead and build up the Jeep now with all that stuff before you go run the Rubicon, I'll fully support you in that."
Words cannot express how much I love this woman.
I'm not sure if I can pull it all off, but I'm gonna give it my very best effort. I've got a lot of work to do!
TJDukit
I.Y.A.A.Y.A.S.
- Location
- Clearfield
What a great wife Turbo. I know what's it like to have a supportive wife when it comes to how expensive this hobby is. I'm sure there are quite a few things you can do to make your rig capable or at least more capable and not have to drop all that coin. But you are right you have a lot of work to do if this is your plan, luckily you already have a good idea of what your needs vs wants are for being capable enough for the rubicon and possibly HTT. Hopefully you find the balance and get it done in time.
TurboMinivan
Still plays with cars
- Location
- Lehi, UT
Hello again, everyone. Since my last post, I have dropped $2000 on a full set (read: five) of 35" BFG KM2s and 15x8 alloy wheels. Now I need to alter the Jeep so they'll fit. Speaking of which:
I have thought about the DIY Highline conversion many, many times. There are some things I really like about it, such as the low cost and resulting lower center of gravity (compared to a ~4.5" lift). There are also inherent downsides with running shorter coils, such as less suspension flex.
In short, I am really torn and having a hard time deciding between the two strategies. Looks like I better make up my mind soon. What do you guys think?
I have thought about the DIY Highline conversion many, many times. There are some things I really like about it, such as the low cost and resulting lower center of gravity (compared to a ~4.5" lift). There are also inherent downsides with running shorter coils, such as less suspension flex.
In short, I am really torn and having a hard time deciding between the two strategies. Looks like I better make up my mind soon. What do you guys think?
TJDukit
I.Y.A.A.Y.A.S.
- Location
- Clearfield
I am a huge fan of the small lift big tires and tube fenders. You get the protection the fenders provide, you get the extra ground clearance of the larger tires. Plus you stay low for better stability. You can get a good set of bolt on flat tube fenders for less than you would pay for a good quality lift that would be worth your time and money. I would spend $1600 on fenders before I spent $600 on a cheap lift that is going to ride and perform like crap.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
Awesome, congrats. In my opnion, TJs flex pretty well for a stock rig. Since you have such a short wheelbase, you can get away with less lift. I'm always a fan of keeping a rig as low as possible, but there are definitely trade-offs. Either way, congrats.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
I think the height you have it now is great, but I would replace the spacer lift with something higher quality.
TurboMinivan
Still plays with cars
- Location
- Lehi, UT
My first TJ (a 2001 Sport I factory ordered) was lifted with a 4" TeraFlex long arm system. I absolutely loved how it rode and performed, and no Wrangler I've owned since has felt as good to me. Ultimately, I would be very happy to recreate that setup.
I am leaning heavily in that direction rather than the highline fender conversion. For budget reasons, I may have to go with a short arm system for now and upgrade to long arms later.
TurboMinivan
Still plays with cars
- Location
- Lehi, UT
Steve,
So I am going full speed into modifying the Jeep. I should have it done in time to make this shakedown run. Since that means I ought to be able to run it, can you put me on the (waiting) list?
So I am going full speed into modifying the Jeep. I should have it done in time to make this shakedown run. Since that means I ought to be able to run it, can you put me on the (waiting) list?
clfrnacwby
Recovery Addict
- Location
- NV
With so much interest, maybe we split into two groups? We all camp together and then early birds leave @7:30am and the rest at 8:30 or so? We would need another local, or someone who could lead the second group out the top.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
turbo, I'm going to put you on the "committed" list since you're going on the Rubicon, and the purpose is to prepare for that run.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
I'd personally like to limit it to one group this day. I don't own the trail, so I can't limit that, but one break in group one would still affect group 2. Remember, anyone can plan a run for another day if this day doesn't work out for them.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
Actually, I take that back. I don't mind if a second group materialized. That way you can still camp with us, you'll just head out a little later. But I'd put 2-3 hours between the two groups.
TurboMinivan
Still plays with cars
- Location
- Lehi, UT
So how are you envisioning this happening? I'm told there are no passing spots on the trail, so that introduces a traffic conflict, as it were. The way I see it, there are two possible scenarios:
#1: group A goes all the way up the trail, then waits at the top (relaxes? has lunch?) until group B arrives at the top. At that point, group A heads back down; group B hangs out and kills time on their own until they are eventually ready to head back down.
#2: group A goes all the way up the trail, maybe takes a quick break, then heads all the way back out. Once they are off the trail, group B then starts their own in & out run.
What do you think?