Just curious.

I think I'll be attending (as long as I get a commitment from atleast 1 of the 2 friends I called), and I see all these modded ZJ/WJs. Are there any ZJ/WJs that don't have much more than a BB for a lift, or no lift at all? I know Brad (CincyZJ) went last year and only had a BB on his ZJ...even that didn't help him get through the water. hehe ;)

I'd hate to be the only ZJ confined to the bunny trails. :D Based on the number of vehicles attending (I don't know the number), does it look like there will be different groups heading out? Will everyone pretty much be running the same trails? Will my front CV driveshaft buckle under the pressure when I disco the swaybar? ;) Other than my potential driveshaft issue, have all these questions been discussed in another post and I just wasn't paying attention?

Dave

I don't think that anything less than a 2" BB lift & 31" tires & rocker protection & Skids would be a good idea on any Grand Slam. Most of these types of events are for persons with at least a minimum of off-roading experience form what I've gathered, and trying to get a totally stock ZJ/WJ through these trails would only hamper the progress of the other vehicles involved.
Personally, we'll probably have more problems than most because we only have a BB & UC springs, 31" tires and rocker protection. Our front CV jointed DS almost gave out on the end of the first day, so we passed on the second day of trails.

Anyone else care to chime in?

John

Hmmmm, not good. I was sort of afraid of that. Thanks for the info, John. BTW, did you get my PM message to you? I'm not sure if it went out, although it might not be relevant anymore at this point. :cry:

Looks like a Jeep Jamboree is calling my name. :(

And I just bought a set of JKS discos. :v8:

The trails that we went on last year didnt seem that tough. We got everyone through w/ good spotting. Even though we will have some bigger guys, I like teh trails we ran last year. Still not sure if we will split up or stay as 1 group. But, I do know that there were a lot of bypasses last year. BTW, I may be on 35s, but I for one won't be wheeling hard. No $ in the bank and I gotta have a way to classes on Monday. Plus, I don't want to be too hard on the d35. Guess that didnt really answer your question. Sorry....

I think it really depends on your trail leaders. Last year, I can't remember if anyone wheeled stock, but we had some awesome trail leaders. We could've gotten one through there if we didn't.

I know at GSE they have different runs. A stocker run, intermediate, and advanced.

Depending on the amount of vehicles, that may or may not be an option.

Though I haven't been to GSMW, I did do GSW in a totally stock ZJ. That got me started doing mod's which I would never have attempted otherwise. I would highly recommend that stock vehicles come. Hey, we were all stock at one point!!

But, I wouldn't do it unless I had tow points, full-size spare, and skids. Now that I have 5" of lift, I hardly ever hit my skids anymore, but I know when I was stock that I always was grinding on them.

Dave

If you can find someone to ride shotgun with , you may still be able to enjoy the event, and if you do change your mind on the second day , you can always saddle up & join the group!

There were a few shotgun riders last year ( Tron/Brett & his female accquaintance for example)
and he seemed to enjoy himself well, although Anton pretty much skeered the bejeezus outa his GF as she was riding shotgun with him when he tried to play U -Boat commander
http://216.40.241.68/otn/other/bulbool.gif

Put up a post for shotgun space-maybe someone will have you as a passenger.

John

In all honesty with the exception of one or two spots (that could be bypassed if you really wanted to), you could easily run the exact trails we did last year with just a BB ZJ on 30's. The trails are not really all that hard but are lots of fun none the less. There's bypasses around just about everything, and the hard stuff is left to to people that think they can follow the little red willy's wherever willy wants to go. :) Or you can try to do stupid stuff like taking your jeep up a ledge that luxury SUV on 31's should not go up (see video of my jeep falling off that same ledge).

Seriously though, as long as you have a t-case skid plate, and hopefully rocker protection, at least some all-terrain 30" tires, and proper tow points, there's no reason at all that you can't go.

Almost everyone last year was running 3-4" of lift (many were UC + BB) and had 31" tires...Terpy had 32" BFG AT's and then Anton and Adam had the Barbie WJ's on 33's and one became a submarine and the other had to be winched DOWNhill. :D And that was it...if it were back in the day of before i lifted my ZJ and i had my 235/75/15 firestone wilderness AT's and no lift at all, i wouldn't hesitate at all to take it on the trails at GSMW. seriously...i'm not BS-ing you.

Only 3 winchings took place last year...one was getting Anton's U-boat back on shore, another was getting BonnJohn's WJ up a tree root/rut that his mopar rock rail got caught on, and the other was pulling a WJ through a tight spot to keep it from scratching the side on a rock face it was too close to, and there was a bypass around that route anyway.

So come join us, you'll love it!

I am planning on going but I have 2 problems: I work Saturday and have class until 11 on Friday. Would it be possible to make it from Bowling Green in time to catch the trails on Friday? Also I have no rocker protection.

Skip your class and work man! I'm skipping work and class on friday to make it. If you were to leave after you got out of class on friday, you'd probably have a hard time finding us out in the middle of the woods once we're already out there.

Also, rocker protection is strongly recommended. We only had one ZJ last year that didn't have rockrails, and of course, he destroyed his rocker. It's up to you, but i'd say if you want to come for just one day, at least take the day of off school on friday or the day off of work on saturday.

I will have to see then if I can afford to go. I am kinda in a financial bind b/c utilities for this month were $245 and I just got a motorcycle. I will lose $50 to take off work, plus gas and the cost, and then rocker protection and all by next week. Maybe I could make some rock sliders my self and save a bit, I will just have to see. I have some issues that need attention with the rear tires tucking too.

Essentially, the only thing I don't have is rocker protection, but I guess that's just one of those things that if it gets damaged won't leave you stranded on the trail. It's just possibly a big dent in the body that I'm not really in favor of, but some might call it a beauty mark. ;) I have the skids, tow hooks, and warn receiver shackle (just in case).

If, for some reason, I do go and feel under equipped, any invites to ride along with someone are greatly appreciated (assuming I come to GSMW alone of course).

Dave

I guess if you feel comfortable in driving your rig as is, then give it a shot.

You may regret it if you end up with body damage from no protection in spots, but that's a judgement call that you'll have to make.

We'll have enough vehicles & winches to get people unstuck if needed, so give it a try if you want.

:spam:

John

I have a 2001 WJ that is stock with just upcountry package and slidders.