We have returned from the back country!

Christopher and I spent the night at "Devil's Kitchen" a remote 4x4 camping spot only accessible by going over the infamous "Elephant Hill". It was a 70 mile drive to the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. Then we entered the park and Elephant Hill starts at a paved parking lot. Many people come to just watch the 4x4's try to make it up and over the hill. We had to climb the hill, then cross the top of the mesa then down the other side, neither of which are easy going.

Our only issue is having a manual, 3 speed transmission with all stock gearing. Several times the Jeep would stall trying to "jump" up over a tall ledge or obstacle but we made it, both directions!

Here is an un-edited 18 minute video coming up the back side. (fast forward through the stopped parts): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5YvG1WqmeY&feature=em-upload_owner

Starting up Elephant Hill

At the top of Elephant Hill

Starting down the back side of Elephant Hill

At our camp site in Devil's Kitchen

Christopher prowling on Devil's Lane

In the morning, before packing and heading out!

New Tire, Some Trails and Some Maintenance

It turns out that we had a tire failure that appears to be a factory defect in the tire. Nobody had one in stock and it was 3-4 days to get one in our size. So, we opted to buy another brand in our size that was instock in Moab. After spending 1/2 day messing around with that, we were able to take in part of "Fins and Things" a slickrock trail. Then afterwards we did some preventive maintenance, to lubricate, tighten and just go over everything.

Having a Blast in Moab!

Christopher and I made it to Moab, UT late on Sunday September 21st. Monday we unloaded and we planned our 4x4 off-road trails for our first adventures with the new Jeep.

We started with some easier ones to see how the Jeep would do, what kind of gas mileage we would get, etc.

One day one we did Gemini Bridges, Hell Roaring Rim Trail and Long Canyon Trail. In total from Moab, through all of those trails and back to Moab it was about 80 miles.

On day two, we did Chicken Corners, which was an all day trip. In total from Moab out to Chicken Corners and back to Moab it was about 65 miles and took about 6 hours.

All in all the Jeep is proving to be able to handle the more mild trails so far. We appear to have a tire going flat, that we will get checked out tomorrow.

We did have one problem on the way out, the alternator went out on the truck. In the end, we pulled it, got a new one and were back on the road in 1 hour and 10 minutes!

Stopped for lunch in Vail Colorado

Just arrived a base camp in Moab, UT KOA.

On the route to Gemini Bridges, the scenery "off road" is amazing!

Gemini Twin Arches

Coming down Long Canyon, you had to drive under this fallen rock.

Great shot of the Jeep on the way to Chicken Corners.

At the end of the Chicken Corners trail, overlooking the Colorado River.

Ready to Go!

The Jeep is ready, we are ready, just need to get 5 days of work out of the way and we will be headed to Moab, UT! We will post on the blog from time to time on our trip so keep an eye on it!

Almost Done! - Back on the Road Again!

We had a goal of having the Jeep back on the road over Labor Day weekend and we made it. We had a few small issues and took care of all of them. As you can see it looks like a completed Jeep.

Just need an exhaust system and to button up a few more items and we will be ready for Moab. Going to go try it out at a place here in Ohio next weekend to see how it performs and shake out any other issues we may see before we head West.

Here is what we completed since the last update:

• Installed outside mirrors
• Painted seat brackets
• Wired ARB compressor to dash
• Wired differentials to dash
• Mounted CB antenna on bumper
• Wired under hood light & switch
• Connected water temp gauge
• Connected oil pressure gauge
• Mounted & wired fuse block
• Wired +12v to new dash items
• Mounted dash panel
• Installed steering wheel
• Tested dash electrical
• Installed short exhaust pipes
• Test started Jeep
• Installed rock sliders
• Lube seat brackets
• Installed seats
• Bled brake system
• Installed wheels/tires
• Tempered exhaust manifold paint
• Test drive Jeep
• Test gas & temp gauges
• Installed interior lights
• Wired interior lights to dash
• Installed CB PA speaker
• Adjust clutch
• Adjusted steering stops
• Installed new top and doors