Moab Late Spring Early Summer 2014

Haven't made it to Moab yet, and would really like to cross it off my list this coming year in either late spring or early summer(Late April to early June). With my new job it seems that I am able to actually have the ability to take a few days off and have a life. So i was thinking somewhere between either a trip of 5-7 Days depending on how work is, and if there is any participation interest on the group..

Im also interested in the long overland trails near Moab.

For those of you who have been to Moab, what type of set up drive-train wise would you recommend? Can you be open F/R on 33s and still have fun? Or is this somewhere you would have more fun with at least a locked rear?

I'm currently considering using one of two vehicles. And may even trailer them down there with the new truck if need be. What are your thoughts?

Option 1.
77 F150 Long Bed
35"s with a Spooled Rear
Mechanically New Drivetrain
But Very Long and Wide, wheel base alone is 133"

Option 2.
84 FJ60
33"s Open F/R
Mechanically New Drivetrain
Lower Ground Clearance than the F150, but Narrower and significantly shorter. Wheel base is 107"

Thanks for the input, and if anyone has ideas on a time frame or recommendation that would be great!

I'd go with the FJ60. Ground clearance isn't the same issue in Moab on a lot of the trails as it is here in CO. Just my 2 cents.:redface:

My first trip to Moab was with my FJ62 Chris, 100% stock but I added sliders at the last minute which was a good thing. It's not necessary to have a "built" truck though it would obviously eliminate some trails but there's a great variety. Take whatever would do the best driving to a from there!

I think you would be more than fine with either option. I will say that I did like having a longer WB in Moab, lots of high angle assents and descents.


If I still have the truck by then I would be interested in going back.

I really want to make it out there during that time too.

I think you would be fine driving either vehicle honestly. Toyota might fit in a bit better, but does that really matter? I'd say whichever one was more reliable and leaked the least. I did a bunch of the major trails in the moderate range in my stock height 4runner last year and had just as much with it as I did with the more built rig the year before. I didn't hit my underbelly very much, but tagged the rear bumper ALOT with the 4runner so I definitely recommend a stout rear bumper and sliders wouldn't hurt either.

FJ60 for sure, crusiers do great in Moab. :thumb: I'm heading out there at the end of April, we're going from Montrose to Grand Junction on the Uncompahgre Plateau then from Grand Junction to Moab on Castleton Gateway rd.

Easter Jeep Safari is [COLOR=#444444][FONT=arial]April 13 - 20 this year so the following week is always a good time to go. I plan on heading out to Grand Junction on Sunday the 20th and taking Kokopelli trail into Moab on Monday. Will probably hotel it for the week and head back Friday or Saturday. I'd take the FJ60, the long wheelbase will eliminate some trails such as Poison Spider or Elephant Hill.[/FONT][/COLOR]

I would try to make a run with you around that time Chris!

[QUOTE=GaryG;249419]Easter Jeep Safari is [COLOR=#444444][FONT=arial]April 13 - 20 this year so the following week is always a good time to go. I plan on heading out to Grand Junction on Sunday the 20th and taking Kokopelli trail into Moab on Monday. Will probably hotel it for the week and head back Friday or Saturday. I'd take the FJ60, the long wheelbase will eliminate some trails such as Poison Spider or Elephant Hill.[/FONT][/COLOR][/QUOTE]
When you get ready to do this, post it up Gary and I think I will be able to pull this off and join you. Sounds like a fun trip and April is a great time to be in Moab.

Which rig? Whichever you trust more for a 700+ mile round-trip on I-70. Seriously. 2nd consideration for an older rig would be availability of spare parts (what you bring or can buy in town).

You said both had mechanically new drivetrain. Do you trust one more than the other? If they're really the same, take the FJ.

As for time of year, avoid the Easter Jeep Safari as has already been mentioned. Check the event calendar here and avoid the busy weeks like EJS, Car Show, UTV Rally, etc or plan on a trip to coincide with something that sounds interesting (Unicycle fest?),

[URL]http://www.discovermoab.com/calendar.htm[/URL]

As for weather, and camping. It's f'n hot in summer. Check here for monthly average high/low dailyl temps. Click the checkboxes to turn on the record high/low.

[URL]http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/84532[/URL]

Buy this book now and start your research, watch youtube videos, and trip planning,

[URL]http://www.funtreks.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&view=productdetails&virtuemart_product_id=6&Itemid=32[/URL]

Good luck!

Come on Charles, Chris has way too damn many hobbies without you suggesting Unicycles!! Now he is going to have 12 of those in various states of modification!

[QUOTE=scout man;250883]Come on Charles, Chris has way too damn many hobbies without you suggesting Unicycles!! Now he is going to have 12 of those in various states of modification![/QUOTE]
Ha ya, I am a bit heavy on the hobby side of life. However I am really hoping to fix that this year and get back to having fun with them, instead of beating my head on the wall. Sweet I should know what my work picture will be like around that time here in a few weeks or so, so I could start some preliminary planning.

Any ideas on dates?

I really wish I could go out there at that time. I will likely be going the first week of June, since that is when I get done teaching and have the summer off. There is a large TacomaWorld meet that I try to go on, but I will miss most of it (they go May 27th-June 3rd). I would love to do a FR4x4 meet out there, perhaps I will try lining that up closer to the middle of April.

To answer the OP's question, I agree with the idea of whatever is more reliable to get there and back. A locker isn't necessary for many trails in Moab. The Slickrock allows so much traction that I had to turn the locker off to make many of the tight turns on the sandstone. I used the locker a ton on Kane Creek but that is because it is so sandy that I was always spinning a wheel, but when I did Fins and Things I was climbing the steepest stuff I had ever climbed with no locker. I am on 33s. The sliders are a good idea, but you can usually pick trails or lines that allow you to avoid large rocks.