XOR - Xtreme Off-Road Builds
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BDS Suspension
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Edwards Ironworkers
55 TON EDWARDS IRONWORKER with Hydraulic Accessory Pack option; 10 Ton Bender, 15 Ton Horizontal press,Tubing Roller and 40 Ton Shop Press.
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Episode Transcript
(ANNOUNCER)>> MOAB, UTAH,
IS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO GO WHEELING AND THE
MOST EXCITING TIME TO BE THERE IS DURING THE
EASTER JEEP SAFARI. TODAY ON XTREME OFF ROAD
WE VISIT THE 50TH ANNUAL EJS, MEETING NEW
FRIENDS, DRIVING TOUGH RIGS, AND TAKING
THEM TO THE LIMIT. PLUS WHAT COULD BE MORE
RENEGADE THAN DRIVING A RENEGADE ON
EASTER JEEP SAFARI?
(IAN)>> WE'RE IN A SMALL TOWN IN SOUTHERN UTAH CALLED MOAB.
NOW THIS PLACE IS BEST KNOWN NOWADAYS FOR THE EASTER JEEP SAFARI THAT HAPPENS EVERY SPRING, BUT A LONG TIME AGO WHAT ORIGINALLY PUT THIS TOWN ON THE MAP WAS SOMETHING VERY DIFFERENT.
THAT SOMETHING WAS URANIUM. IT HAD BEEN DISCOVERED IN MOAB NEAR THE BEGINNING OF THE 20TH CENTURY BUT THE POST WAR NUCLEAR BOOM BROUGHT IN THOUSANDS OF MINERS AND OTHER LABORERS, WHICH MORE THAN TRIPLED THE POPULATION BETWEEN 1950 AND 1960 TO OVER 4,600 CITIZENS. AS THE DEMAND FOR URANIUM FADED MOAB TURNED TO TOURISM, BECOMING A HOT SPOT FOR ALL KINDS OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES INCLUDING THE EASTER JEEP SAFARI. [ engine revving ]
(IAN)>> THE INAUGURAL EVENT TOOK PLACE IN THE SPRING OF 1967, ORGANIZED BY THE MOAB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. THE RED ROCK FOUR WHEELERS CLUB HAS LED THE EVENT SINCE 1983.
IT'S GROWN INTO A NINE DAY CELEBRATION OF THE JEEP, THE OFF ROAD COMMUNITY, AND THE SPECTACULAR DESERT SCENERY OF THE MOAB REGION.
(JAKE)>> MOAB'S THE PLACE TO BE. THE SOUTHWEST IS JUST A GREAT PART OF THE COUNTRY AND THERE'S NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT. THE SCENERY CAN'T BE BEAT, THE PEOPLE ARE GREAT. THERE'S NO BETTER PLACE IN THE WORLD IF YOU WANT TO RIDE AROUND IN A JEEP OFF ROAD.
(BILLY)>> THIS IS MY FOURTH YEAR TO MOAB. IT'S JUST AWESOME YOU KNOW. WE'RE FROM ARKANSAS, AND WE HAVE TREES, AND YOU COME OUT HERE AND THE SCENERY IS UNREAL BECAUSE THE ROCKS AND IT'S JUST BEAUTIFUL.
(MIKE)>> I LOVE EASTER JEEP SAFARI. I'VE BEEN COMING FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS. THE BEAUTY OF IT IS YOU KEEP MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO YOUR JEEP, TO YOUR RIG, YOU CAN DEFINITELY TEST IT OUT OUT HERE.
(IAN)>> FOR THE NEXT FOUR DAYS WE ARE WHEELING JUST FOUR OF THE 38 TRAILS THAT MAKE UP EASTER JEEP SAFARI. IT ALL STARTS WITH ONE OF MY PERSONAL FAVORITES, KANE CREEK CANYON. LOCATED JUST 10 MILES FROM DOWNTOWN MOAB, THE KANE CREEK TRAIL EXPLORES THE APTLY NAMED KANE SPRINGS CANYON, AND IS A WONDERFUL MIX OF DRY, DUSTY ROCKS, LONG SLOW CLIMBS, AND CLOSE TO 50 RIVER CROSSINGS TO EXPERIENCE WHILE COMPLETING THIS 13.7 MILE TRAIL. THE TRAIL STARTS ON A DRY, DUSTY ROAD THAT HAS A FEW EASY OBSTACLES ON IT, BUT YOU DON'T RIDE KANE CREEK LOOKING FOR DIFFICULT OBSTACLES. YOU RIDE KANE CREEK FOR THE SCENERY.
(MARTIN)>> HONESTLY THE SURROUNDINGS THAT MAKE IT THE BEST IS BECAUSE OF THE ATMOSPHERE. WE'VE GOT A CREEK DOWN THERE, WE'RE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CANYON, AND THERE'S HILL CLIMBS, AND YOU'RE DRIVING THROUGH WATER FALLS, AND GOING UP DRY WATER FALLS. I MEAN HAVE YOUR PICK, YOU GET IT.
(MIKE)>> KANE CREEK IS KIND OF A MORE LONG WINDED TRAIL.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT EASIER TRAIL. THERE'S SOME OBSTACLES THAT ARE KINDA FUN BUT THEY'RE NOT OBNOXIOUS. THEY DON'T SCARE PEOPLE.
(IAN)>> ONCE PAST THE INITIAL ROCKY LEDGES, THE TRAIL DROPS DOWN ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE CANYON, AND
WE START RUNNING THROUGH THE BEST PART OF KANE CREEK, THE WATER. DURING EASTER JEEP SAFARI KANE CREEK WATER LEVELS ARE MODERATE AND VERY EASY TO CROSS, AND OF COURSE TONS OF FUN. EASTER JEEP SAFARI IS THE BEGINNING OF THE FOUR WHEELING SEASON FOR MOST JEEPERS, AND EJS HAS PROVEN TO BE THE PLACE TO BRING YOUR NEW BUILD OUT TO SHOW IT OFF.
(MARTIN)>> THE COOL THING IS THE SHARING OF IDEAS OR THE SHARING OF BUILDS. YOU GET TO SEE SO MANY DIFFERENT BUILDS THAT PEOPLE CARRY OUT AND THEN THEY WHEEL THEM HERE, AND
THEN THEY SEE WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T. IF YOU'D JUST STAY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA YOU WOULD JUST HAVE, I DON'T KNOW. IT HELPS KEEP IT FRESH, HELPS KEEP IT ALIVE.
(IAN)>> ONCE OUT OF THE WATER, WE'RE BACK INTO THE RED ROCKS AND THE DIRT THAT MAKE MOAB SO FAMOUS. THE TRAILS AROUND MOAB ARE OFTEN REFERRED TO AS SLICK ROCK, BUT THE REALITY IS WITH THE AMOUNT OF TRACTION YOU FIND IN MOAB IS SIMPLY AMAZING.
(COREY)>> THEY CALL IT SLICK ROCK BUT THERE'S
TONS OF TRACTION. YOU CAN GO PLACES AND BE SURPRISED AT WHAT
YOUR VEHICLE CAN ACTUALLY DO HERE. THERE'S A LOT OF TRACTION HERE, IT'S NOT SLICK ROCK. IT'S LIKE DRIVING ON SAND PAPER.
(IAN)>> NEARING THE END OF THE TRAIL, RIGHT BEFORE THE FINAL TWO OBSTACLES, THERE IS AN AMAZING SPOT TO BRING YOUR GROUP TOGETHER AND PARK ALL YOUR RIGS, TAKE A PHOTO, AND OF COURSE TALK ABOUT HOW GREAT THE DAY HAS BEEN.
(ARTIE)>> IT'S KIND OF THE KICKOFF TO THE SEASON FOR US REALLY, AND GETTING OUT HERE IN THIS AMAZING SCENERY, JUST UNBELIEVABLE. GETTING IN THE WATER DOWN IN KANE CREEK, THROUGH SOME AMAZING ROCKS ON CLIFFS, AND I MEAN JUST EVERYTHING.
(IAN)>> THEN IT'S A SLOW CLIMB UP THE EDGE OF A 1,000 FOOT CANYON OVER A FEW ROCKS, AND THE FIRST TRAIL IS DONE. JUST ANOTHER DAY IN MOAB AS PART OF THE EASTER JEEP SAFARI. GREAT WHEELING, GREAT FRIENDS, BUNCH OF WATER, AND RED ROCKS, WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR!
(ANNOUNCER)>> UP NEXT A TRIBUTE TO AMERICA'S SERVICE MEMBERS AT THIS YEAR'S PATRIOT CRAWL.
(IAN)>> WE ARE BACK ON XTREME SPENDING FOUR DAYS IN MOAB, UTAH, CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE EASTER JEEP SAFARI. FOR DAY TWO ON THE TRAIL WE ARE HONORED TO RECEIVE AN INVITATION TO THE SECOND ANNUAL PATRIOT CRAWL, GATHERING SERVICE MEMBERS FROM AROUND THE
COUNTRY TOGETHER FOR A DAY OF WHEELING AND CAMARADERIE.
(RAY)>> I'VE GOT 21 YEARS IN THE MILITARY AND I WANTED TO GIVE BACK TO MY OTHER FELLOW SERVICE MEMBERS, AND SO THIS WAS MY WAY TO DO THAT. NO BETTER PLACE THAN THE EASTER JEEP SAFARI. ONE OF THE PREMIER EVENTS IN THE UNITED STATES. SO STARTED LAST YEAR AND KEEPS GROWING.
(IAN)>> LAST YEAR'S EVENT DREW 40 PARTICIPANTS. THIS YEAR 60. THE DAY BEGINS WITH A MOMENT OF REFLECTION.
(RAY)>> BEFORE WE TAKE OFF, WE DID IT LAST YEAR, PROBABLY ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS. IF EVERYBODY REMOVE THEIR HATS, A LITTLE MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THOSE THAT WE'VE LOST. I'M PRETTY SURE ALL OF YOU HAVE KNOWN SOMEBODY. SO WE'LL GIVE THEM A MINUTE.
ALRIGHT!
(IAN)>> TODAY'S RIDE TAKES PLACE IN AREA BFE, A 320 ACRE PRIVATELY OWNED OFF ROAD PARK. FOR THE PAST 13 YEARS AREA BFE HAS BEEN OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE WITH DONATIONS ACCEPTED. THE PARK FEATURES EVERYTHING FROM GENTLE
SUNDAY DRIVES TO HARDCORE TRAILS FOR MORE SERIOUS RIGS. OUR GROUP'S RIDE BEGINS ON SOME STEEP BUT MODERATE SECTIONS, ALL GUIDED BY THE EXPERT HANDS OF STEVE NANCE, WHO'S BEEN BUILDING, RACING, AND WHEELING RIGS IN MOAB FOR YEARS.
THE TRAIL PROVIDES PLENTY OF FUN FOR HARDCORE RIGS, YET REMAINS ACCESSIBLE TO STREET LEGAL VEHICLES. THE HILLS SOON GIVE WAY TO AN OPEN RIDGE WITH SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF SOUTHEAST UTAH THAT GO ON FOR MILES AND MILES. THE TRAIL THEN DROPS DOWN INTO AN AREA FULL OF JUNIPER TREES. A DAMAGED VALVE STEM CAUSES AN UNPLANNED STOP BUT GIVES THESE SERVICE MEMBERS, MANY WHO HAVE NEVER MET EACH OTHER BEFORE, A CHANCE TO LAUGH
AND TALK TOGETHER. ( )>> YOU ALREADY GOT ONE OF THOSE.
(RAY)>> WE'LL STOP, BREAKS DURING THE TRAIL, AND PEOPLE WILL JUST START TALKING, AND THEY DON'T KNOW EACH OTHER, BUT YOU JUST LOOK AT THEM AND YOU'RE LIKE, WOW! THEY'VE BEEN FRIENDS FOREVER, AND IT'S JUST THAT BOND THAT COMES THROUGH SERVING IN THE MILITARY. GOING THROUGH THOSE TRIALS AND THOSE HARDSHIPS THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE EXPERIENCE OR THEY DON'T GET THE EXPERIENCE TO GO THROUGH.
(IAN)>> WITH THE TRAIL FIX TAKEN CARE OF, THE GROUP ROLLS ON THROUGH THE FLOWING ROCKS AND RED DIRT, ALL WITH SMILES ON THEIR FACES.
FOR PARK MANAGER CHRIS BRUNNER, HOSTING THE
PATRIOT CRAWL IS A GREAT HONOR.
(CHRIS)>> ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO HELP OUT, AND ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THE GUYS THAT HAVE PUT IN THEIR TIME AND HAVE REALLY PUT THEIR LIFE ON THE LINE, AND HAVE THE INJURIES TO SHOW FOR IT. I MEAN ANY WAY WE CAN HELP THEM OUT WE'D REALLY LIKE TO DO IT.
(JOHN)>> THESE GUYS ARE PRETTY GREAT LETTING US COME OUT HERE AND ENJOY THEIR LAND, AND YOU KNOW, ALL ABOUT THE WHEELING EXPERIENCE. THERE'S NO BARRIERS THERE ALMOST. IT KIND OF, REAL FRIENDLY RIGHT OFF THE BAT, AND I ENJOY THAT JUST AS MUCH AS WHEELING ITSELF.
(IAN)>> ACCORDING TO RAY, THE EASTER JEEP SAFARI IS THE PERFECT EVENT TO BRING THESE SERVICE MEMBERS TOGETHER.
(RAY)>> ONE THING ABOUT MOAB, YOU'RE FIVE MINUTES AWAY, YOU CAN BE IN THE MOUNTAINS. FIVE MINUTES ANOTHER DIRECTION YOU'RE IN THE DESERT OR YOU'RE IN THE JUNIPER TREES. JUST BEAUTIFUL SCENERY. SO I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE DRIVING FORCES TO UTAH, AND EASTER JEEP SAFARI. PEOPLE JUST KEEP HEARING ABOUT IT, AND THE FUN THAT THEY HAVE, THE HOSPITALITY THAT MOAB GIVES US, AND IT JUST HAS A DRAW FOR ADVENTURE AND GETTING PEOPLE HERE.
(IAN)>> AS THE FOUNDER OF AN EVENT ONLY IN ITS SECOND YEAR, RAY IS THRILLED WITH THE TURNOUT AND ENTHUSIASM OF THIS YEAR'S PARTICIPANTS. WHEELING, ESPECIALLY WITH FELLOW SERVICE MEMBERS, MEANS SO MUCH TO HIM.
(RAY)>> IT BRINGS A SMILE TO MY FACE. REDUCES THE BLOOD PRESSURE, AND
IT'S MY RELAXATION. WE WANT THIS EVENT TO GROW. WE WANT PEOPLE TO PUT THIS ON THEIR CALENDAR EVERY YEAR, AND TO COME AND ENJOY THE BONDS, THE FRIENDSHIPS, AND DO A LITTLE CRAWLING.
(ANNOUNCER)>> UP NEXT!
(MIKE)>> I LOVE THIS TRAIL. THIS IS THE BEST TRAIL EVER!
(IAN)>> MOAB, UTAH, IT IS AN ICONIC FOUR WHEELING DESTINATION, AND ONE OF THE LONGEST RUNNING EVENTS HELD IN THESE RED ROCKS IS THE EASTER JEEP SAFARI. A NINE DAY CELEBRATION OF EVERYTHING JEEP AND ALL THINGS OFF ROAD. WITH CLOSE TO 40 TRAILS AT YOUR DISPOSAL DURING EJS, THERE IS ONE TRAIL THAT IS
CONSIDERED THE BEST.
(MIKE)>> I LOVE THIS TRAIL. THIS IS THE BEST TRAIL EVER. I CALL IT MY BENCH MARK TRAIL. IF YOU CAN RUN PRITCHETT, YOU CAN RUN ABOUT ANYTHING IF YOU'RE COMFORTABLE RUNNING IT.
(CARTER)>> THE QUINTESSENTIAL JEEP TRAIL.
(JAKE)>> GOOD TEST OF MAN AND MACHINE.
(IAN)>> WHAT MAKES PRITCHETT CANYON SO AMAZING? IT ISN'T THE SCENERY, IT ISN'T THE VIEWS, AND NOT THE DISTANCE TRAVELED. PRITCHETT CANYON IS AROUND FIVE MILES START TO FINISH, BUT IN THOSE FIVE MILES YOU WON'T JUST HIT ONE TOUGH OBSTACLE. YOU WILL HIT SECTIONS OF THE TRAIL THAT EVEN THE MOST WELL BUILT RIGS HAVE TROUBLE WITH. PLACES LIKE CHEWY HILL, THE WATERFALL...
...ROCKER KNOCKER, AXLE HILL, ROCK PILE, YELLOW HILL, AND NUMEROUS LEDGES THAT AREN'T EVEN GIVEN NAMES, ALL LOCATED DEEP INSIDE A CANYON SURROUNDED BY THOUSAND FOOT CLIFFS. IF YOU BREAK, YOU BETTER HAVE TOOLS, PARTS, OR A RIDE BACK TO TOWN.
THAT MEANS YOU HAD BETTER BUILD YOUR RIG TO THE FULLEST IF YOU PLAN TO RUN PRITCHETT CANYON, HAVE A BAG FULL OF TALENT, AND WHEEL WITH A GROUP THAT HAS DONE THE SAME. LUCKILY WE HAVE. CARTER REED FROM BDS SUSPENSION BROUGHT WHAT ON THE SURFACE LOOKS LIKE A JEEP THAT SHOULD BE HEADING TO THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY FOR BRUNCH, A JEEP LIBERTY, BUT THIS RIG IS FAR FROM STOCK.
(CARTER)>> IT'S GOT A TWO POINT EIGHT LITER CRD
DIESEL ENGINE IN IT. 45 RFE, 241 ROCK TRACK, RUNNING ON 40 INCH TIRES. IT'S GOT A FOUR LINK KIT THAT WE PUT TOGETHER WITH FOX COIL OVERS. IT DOES AWESOME OUT ON THE TRAILS.
(IAN)>> THE LITTLE DIESEL STRUGGLED ON A FEW OBSTACLES BUT HAD WHAT WAS NEEDED TO GET THROUGH PRITCHETT, EVEN IF THAT MEANS PICKING A DIFFERENT LINE. JAKE ODUM'S LJ HAS VERY LITTLE LEFT OF THE FACTORY JEEP UNDER ITS SKIN, AND HAS NO PROBLEM HITTING AS MANY HARD LINES AS HE CAN.
(JAKE)>> I'M DRIVING A 2006 JEEP LJ, ONE TONS, FULL HYDRAULIC STEERING, 43 INCH STICKY INTERCOS.
HEMI VEIGHT, ATLAS TRANSFER CASE.
(IAN)>> MIKE PARISI HAS BEEN COMING TO MOAB FOR YEARS, AND HIS RIG HAS CHANGED A LOT. HE ATTRIBUTES MOST OF THE MODIFICATIONS HE HAS MADE TO HIS JEEP TO THIS ONE TRAIL.
(MIKE)>> THE FIRST TIME I COME OUT HERE I WAS ON THE HOOK ON THIS TRAIL FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES. AND WENT HOME, MADE A FEW MINOR IMPROVEMENTS, CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER WHAT NOW, COME BACK, WAS ON THE HOOK THREE TIMES THE FOLLOWING YEAR, AND SELDOM AM I ON THE HOOK SINCE THEN. BUT MAYBE AT THE ROCK PILE TODAY. OVER THE YEARS I KNEW I NEEDED TO BE LONGER. SO I EXTENDED THE BACK ONE YEAR. A COUPLE, TWO OR THREE YEARS LATER, EXTENDED THE FRONT. I HAVE A THREEEIGHT ATLAS AND BEFORE IT WAS ALL OVER I ADDED A TWOSEVENTWO TO ONE NORTHWEST FAB BLACK BOX IN FRONT OF IT. SO I'VE GOT SOME REALLY DEEP REDUCTION THERE.
(IAN)>> MIKE HASN'T JUST MODIFIED HIS JEEP TO PERFORM BETTER OFF ROAD, HE'S ALSO MODIFIED IT TO CARRY EVERYTHING HE WOULD NEED TO BASICALLY REBUILD HIS RIG OR A FELLOW WHEELER'S RIG IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. ALL THAT EXTRA GEAR DOES ADD A LOT OF EXTRA WEIGHT
TO THE RIG, BUT IS IT WORTH IT WHEN YOU'RE ON A TRAIL LIKE PRITCHETT?
(MIKE)>> IT DON'T HURT NONE. WE'VE ACTUALLY USED THE WELDER JUST PROBABLY ABOUT AN HOUR AGO DOWN HERE. WELDED UP A DRAG LINK, AND THREE OR FOUR DAYS AGO WE USED IT TO WELD A GUY'S STEERING KNUCKLE OR SOMETHING TO GET HIM GOING. BUT YEAH, IT DON'T HURT.
(IAN)>> THE OBSTACLES ARE DAUNTING AND CAN BE DIFFICULT, BUT THEY ALL OFFER WINCH ANCHORS AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS IF THINGS GET A LITTLE SKETCHY. AS WE NEARED THE END OF PRITCHETT CANYON WE ONLY HAD ONE MORE SERIOUS OBSTACLE TO TACKLE, A
TALL LEDGE RIGHT BESIDE THE ROCK PILE. ONCE UP THIS WE'D BE ON OUR WAY TO YELLOW HILL AND OUT OF THE CANYON, BUT THINGS DIDN'T GO AS PLANNED. [ metal clanking ]
(ANNOUNCER)>> WITH OUR RIG OUT FOR REPAIRS, WE GET
BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A RATHER UNEXPECTED LOANER.
(IAN)>> FOR OUR FINAL DAY AT THE 50TH ANNUAL EASTER JEEP SAFARI WE'VE BEEN INVITED TO THE DAYSTAR GROUP RIDE ON SEVEN MILE RIM. ONE OF THE MOST MAJESTIC PLACES IN UTAH, AND A TRAIL NOT TO BE MISSED. UNFORTUNATELY A BROKEN RING AND PINION HAS PUT OUR KAISER OUT OF COMMISSION.
SO WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF TROUBLE WITH LOCKJAW YESTERDAY. SO IT IS DOWN AND OUT FOR TODAY TO GET FIXED, BUT THE COOL THING ABOUT EASTER JEEP IS THERE'S ALWAYS GONNA BE SOMEBODY TO EITHER GIVE YOU A PASSENGER SEAT TO RIDE IN, OR EVEN LOAN YOU A RIG. AND MY GOOD BUDDY MARK HAS HOOKED ME UP WITH
SOMETHING COOL TO DRIVE, RIGHT BUDDY?
(MARK)>> MAN I'VE GOT SOMETHING YOU CAN DRIVE FOR SURE.
(IAN)>> AWESOME, LOOK AT THAT THING MAN! WAIT, REALLY, A RENEGADE?
(MARK)>> ALL JEEPS ARE WELCOME AT EASTER JEEP.
(IAN)>> LET'S GIVE IT SHOT, RENEGADE! I'VE GOT THE SONG IN MY HEAD NOW, JUST SO YOU KNOW.
SEVEN MILE RIM IS A 12.5 MILE LONG LOOP TRAIL
JUST NORTH OF MOAB OFF HIGHWAY 191. IT IS RATED DIFFICULT BY MOST GUIDE BOOKS, AND TACKLING IT IN A RENEGADE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD NORMALLY SEE HAPPEN, BUT THIS RENEGADE, IT'S NOT STOCK. IT HAS A SET OF DAYSTAR ROCK SLIDERS, FRONT TUBE BUMPER AND WINCH MOUNT, A ONE AND A HALF INCH SUSPENSION LIFT, AND SOME LARGER TIRES AND WHEELS,
BUT A FAR CRY FROM THE REST OF THE RIGS IN OUR GROUP. HOWEVER THAT BRINGS UP A GOOD POINT. PEOPLE ALWAYS SAY TO ME THAT THEY WOULD LOVE TO GO WHEELING IN MOAB, BUT THEIR RIG JUST ISN'T BUILT UP ENOUGH. THAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT MOAB. YOU DON'T NEED A CRAZY BUILT RIG TO ENJOY A LOT OF TRAILS AT EASTER JEEP SAFARI. TRAILS LIKE SEVEN MILE RIM ARE RATED DIFFICULT, BUT
THERE ARE BYPASSES FOR THE MORE DIFFICULT SECTIONS, AND MY PLAN IS TO HIT AS MANY HARD SPOTS AS I CAN, BUT I KNOW THAT I'LL BE USING A LOT OF THOSE BYPASSES. I DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF FAITH IN THE LITTLE RENEGADE, BUT I WILL ADMIT IT. THIS RIG SURPRISED ME. THERE IS NO QUESTIONS THAT THE ROCK SLIDERS ARE GETTING A WORKOUT ON THE TRAIL. AND EVEN THOUGH THIS ONE AND A HALF INCH LIFT IS NOT HUGE, IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
THE SMALL TIRES AND FACTORY LIMITED SLIP TYPE LOCKER, AND NO LOW RANGE, WELL THAT MEANS I HAVE TO CONCENTRATE ON DRIVING THIS LITTLE RENEGADE. AND TO BE HONEST, THAT IS A LOT OF FUN. COME ON RENEGADE, YOU GOT THIS RENEGADE, OH YEAH! THE RENEGADE COULD BE CALLED AN ENTRY LEVEL JEEP, BUT EVEN WITH THAT THIS RIG HAS PROVEN THAT WITH JUST A FEW MODIFICATIONS ITS READY FOR THE RED ROCKS OF MOAB, UTAH. MARK THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE LOAN. I HAVE TO SAY I ACTUALLY HAD FUN IN THIS LITTLE CAR.
(MARK)>> WELL HOW DID IT DO FOR YOU?
(IAN)>> I MEAN, I THINK IT DID PRETTY GOOD. WE DID THE WHOLE SEVEN MILE RIM. WE NEVER PULLED CABLE ONCE, AND I LIFTED THE REAR TIRE PROBABLY A GOOD, I DON'T KNOW, TWO DOZEN TIMES.
(MARK)>> SO I CAN USE THE REAR TIRES A LOT LONGER THAN THE FRONT TIRES?
(IAN)>> ABSOLUTELY, HALF THE MILEAGE ON THE BACK.
(MARK)>> OUTSTANDING!
(IAN)>> THANKS AGAIN!
(MARK)>> APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
(IAN)>> ALRIGHT, HAVE FUN WITH IT, IT'S NOW ALL YOURS.
(MARK)>> I WILL DRIVE IT HOME.
Show Full Transcript
(IAN)>> WE'RE IN A SMALL TOWN IN SOUTHERN UTAH CALLED MOAB.
NOW THIS PLACE IS BEST KNOWN NOWADAYS FOR THE EASTER JEEP SAFARI THAT HAPPENS EVERY SPRING, BUT A LONG TIME AGO WHAT ORIGINALLY PUT THIS TOWN ON THE MAP WAS SOMETHING VERY DIFFERENT.
THAT SOMETHING WAS URANIUM. IT HAD BEEN DISCOVERED IN MOAB NEAR THE BEGINNING OF THE 20TH CENTURY BUT THE POST WAR NUCLEAR BOOM BROUGHT IN THOUSANDS OF MINERS AND OTHER LABORERS, WHICH MORE THAN TRIPLED THE POPULATION BETWEEN 1950 AND 1960 TO OVER 4,600 CITIZENS. AS THE DEMAND FOR URANIUM FADED MOAB TURNED TO TOURISM, BECOMING A HOT SPOT FOR ALL KINDS OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES INCLUDING THE EASTER JEEP SAFARI. [ engine revving ]
(IAN)>> THE INAUGURAL EVENT TOOK PLACE IN THE SPRING OF 1967, ORGANIZED BY THE MOAB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. THE RED ROCK FOUR WHEELERS CLUB HAS LED THE EVENT SINCE 1983.
IT'S GROWN INTO A NINE DAY CELEBRATION OF THE JEEP, THE OFF ROAD COMMUNITY, AND THE SPECTACULAR DESERT SCENERY OF THE MOAB REGION.
(JAKE)>> MOAB'S THE PLACE TO BE. THE SOUTHWEST IS JUST A GREAT PART OF THE COUNTRY AND THERE'S NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT. THE SCENERY CAN'T BE BEAT, THE PEOPLE ARE GREAT. THERE'S NO BETTER PLACE IN THE WORLD IF YOU WANT TO RIDE AROUND IN A JEEP OFF ROAD.
(BILLY)>> THIS IS MY FOURTH YEAR TO MOAB. IT'S JUST AWESOME YOU KNOW. WE'RE FROM ARKANSAS, AND WE HAVE TREES, AND YOU COME OUT HERE AND THE SCENERY IS UNREAL BECAUSE THE ROCKS AND IT'S JUST BEAUTIFUL.
(MIKE)>> I LOVE EASTER JEEP SAFARI. I'VE BEEN COMING FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS. THE BEAUTY OF IT IS YOU KEEP MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO YOUR JEEP, TO YOUR RIG, YOU CAN DEFINITELY TEST IT OUT OUT HERE.
(IAN)>> FOR THE NEXT FOUR DAYS WE ARE WHEELING JUST FOUR OF THE 38 TRAILS THAT MAKE UP EASTER JEEP SAFARI. IT ALL STARTS WITH ONE OF MY PERSONAL FAVORITES, KANE CREEK CANYON. LOCATED JUST 10 MILES FROM DOWNTOWN MOAB, THE KANE CREEK TRAIL EXPLORES THE APTLY NAMED KANE SPRINGS CANYON, AND IS A WONDERFUL MIX OF DRY, DUSTY ROCKS, LONG SLOW CLIMBS, AND CLOSE TO 50 RIVER CROSSINGS TO EXPERIENCE WHILE COMPLETING THIS 13.7 MILE TRAIL. THE TRAIL STARTS ON A DRY, DUSTY ROAD THAT HAS A FEW EASY OBSTACLES ON IT, BUT YOU DON'T RIDE KANE CREEK LOOKING FOR DIFFICULT OBSTACLES. YOU RIDE KANE CREEK FOR THE SCENERY.
(MARTIN)>> HONESTLY THE SURROUNDINGS THAT MAKE IT THE BEST IS BECAUSE OF THE ATMOSPHERE. WE'VE GOT A CREEK DOWN THERE, WE'RE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CANYON, AND THERE'S HILL CLIMBS, AND YOU'RE DRIVING THROUGH WATER FALLS, AND GOING UP DRY WATER FALLS. I MEAN HAVE YOUR PICK, YOU GET IT.
(MIKE)>> KANE CREEK IS KIND OF A MORE LONG WINDED TRAIL.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT EASIER TRAIL. THERE'S SOME OBSTACLES THAT ARE KINDA FUN BUT THEY'RE NOT OBNOXIOUS. THEY DON'T SCARE PEOPLE.
(IAN)>> ONCE PAST THE INITIAL ROCKY LEDGES, THE TRAIL DROPS DOWN ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE CANYON, AND
WE START RUNNING THROUGH THE BEST PART OF KANE CREEK, THE WATER. DURING EASTER JEEP SAFARI KANE CREEK WATER LEVELS ARE MODERATE AND VERY EASY TO CROSS, AND OF COURSE TONS OF FUN. EASTER JEEP SAFARI IS THE BEGINNING OF THE FOUR WHEELING SEASON FOR MOST JEEPERS, AND EJS HAS PROVEN TO BE THE PLACE TO BRING YOUR NEW BUILD OUT TO SHOW IT OFF.
(MARTIN)>> THE COOL THING IS THE SHARING OF IDEAS OR THE SHARING OF BUILDS. YOU GET TO SEE SO MANY DIFFERENT BUILDS THAT PEOPLE CARRY OUT AND THEN THEY WHEEL THEM HERE, AND
THEN THEY SEE WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T. IF YOU'D JUST STAY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA YOU WOULD JUST HAVE, I DON'T KNOW. IT HELPS KEEP IT FRESH, HELPS KEEP IT ALIVE.
(IAN)>> ONCE OUT OF THE WATER, WE'RE BACK INTO THE RED ROCKS AND THE DIRT THAT MAKE MOAB SO FAMOUS. THE TRAILS AROUND MOAB ARE OFTEN REFERRED TO AS SLICK ROCK, BUT THE REALITY IS WITH THE AMOUNT OF TRACTION YOU FIND IN MOAB IS SIMPLY AMAZING.
(COREY)>> THEY CALL IT SLICK ROCK BUT THERE'S
TONS OF TRACTION. YOU CAN GO PLACES AND BE SURPRISED AT WHAT
YOUR VEHICLE CAN ACTUALLY DO HERE. THERE'S A LOT OF TRACTION HERE, IT'S NOT SLICK ROCK. IT'S LIKE DRIVING ON SAND PAPER.
(IAN)>> NEARING THE END OF THE TRAIL, RIGHT BEFORE THE FINAL TWO OBSTACLES, THERE IS AN AMAZING SPOT TO BRING YOUR GROUP TOGETHER AND PARK ALL YOUR RIGS, TAKE A PHOTO, AND OF COURSE TALK ABOUT HOW GREAT THE DAY HAS BEEN.
(ARTIE)>> IT'S KIND OF THE KICKOFF TO THE SEASON FOR US REALLY, AND GETTING OUT HERE IN THIS AMAZING SCENERY, JUST UNBELIEVABLE. GETTING IN THE WATER DOWN IN KANE CREEK, THROUGH SOME AMAZING ROCKS ON CLIFFS, AND I MEAN JUST EVERYTHING.
(IAN)>> THEN IT'S A SLOW CLIMB UP THE EDGE OF A 1,000 FOOT CANYON OVER A FEW ROCKS, AND THE FIRST TRAIL IS DONE. JUST ANOTHER DAY IN MOAB AS PART OF THE EASTER JEEP SAFARI. GREAT WHEELING, GREAT FRIENDS, BUNCH OF WATER, AND RED ROCKS, WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR!
(ANNOUNCER)>> UP NEXT A TRIBUTE TO AMERICA'S SERVICE MEMBERS AT THIS YEAR'S PATRIOT CRAWL.
(IAN)>> WE ARE BACK ON XTREME SPENDING FOUR DAYS IN MOAB, UTAH, CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE EASTER JEEP SAFARI. FOR DAY TWO ON THE TRAIL WE ARE HONORED TO RECEIVE AN INVITATION TO THE SECOND ANNUAL PATRIOT CRAWL, GATHERING SERVICE MEMBERS FROM AROUND THE
COUNTRY TOGETHER FOR A DAY OF WHEELING AND CAMARADERIE.
(RAY)>> I'VE GOT 21 YEARS IN THE MILITARY AND I WANTED TO GIVE BACK TO MY OTHER FELLOW SERVICE MEMBERS, AND SO THIS WAS MY WAY TO DO THAT. NO BETTER PLACE THAN THE EASTER JEEP SAFARI. ONE OF THE PREMIER EVENTS IN THE UNITED STATES. SO STARTED LAST YEAR AND KEEPS GROWING.
(IAN)>> LAST YEAR'S EVENT DREW 40 PARTICIPANTS. THIS YEAR 60. THE DAY BEGINS WITH A MOMENT OF REFLECTION.
(RAY)>> BEFORE WE TAKE OFF, WE DID IT LAST YEAR, PROBABLY ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS. IF EVERYBODY REMOVE THEIR HATS, A LITTLE MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THOSE THAT WE'VE LOST. I'M PRETTY SURE ALL OF YOU HAVE KNOWN SOMEBODY. SO WE'LL GIVE THEM A MINUTE.
ALRIGHT!
(IAN)>> TODAY'S RIDE TAKES PLACE IN AREA BFE, A 320 ACRE PRIVATELY OWNED OFF ROAD PARK. FOR THE PAST 13 YEARS AREA BFE HAS BEEN OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE WITH DONATIONS ACCEPTED. THE PARK FEATURES EVERYTHING FROM GENTLE
SUNDAY DRIVES TO HARDCORE TRAILS FOR MORE SERIOUS RIGS. OUR GROUP'S RIDE BEGINS ON SOME STEEP BUT MODERATE SECTIONS, ALL GUIDED BY THE EXPERT HANDS OF STEVE NANCE, WHO'S BEEN BUILDING, RACING, AND WHEELING RIGS IN MOAB FOR YEARS.
THE TRAIL PROVIDES PLENTY OF FUN FOR HARDCORE RIGS, YET REMAINS ACCESSIBLE TO STREET LEGAL VEHICLES. THE HILLS SOON GIVE WAY TO AN OPEN RIDGE WITH SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF SOUTHEAST UTAH THAT GO ON FOR MILES AND MILES. THE TRAIL THEN DROPS DOWN INTO AN AREA FULL OF JUNIPER TREES. A DAMAGED VALVE STEM CAUSES AN UNPLANNED STOP BUT GIVES THESE SERVICE MEMBERS, MANY WHO HAVE NEVER MET EACH OTHER BEFORE, A CHANCE TO LAUGH
AND TALK TOGETHER. ( )>> YOU ALREADY GOT ONE OF THOSE.
(RAY)>> WE'LL STOP, BREAKS DURING THE TRAIL, AND PEOPLE WILL JUST START TALKING, AND THEY DON'T KNOW EACH OTHER, BUT YOU JUST LOOK AT THEM AND YOU'RE LIKE, WOW! THEY'VE BEEN FRIENDS FOREVER, AND IT'S JUST THAT BOND THAT COMES THROUGH SERVING IN THE MILITARY. GOING THROUGH THOSE TRIALS AND THOSE HARDSHIPS THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE EXPERIENCE OR THEY DON'T GET THE EXPERIENCE TO GO THROUGH.
(IAN)>> WITH THE TRAIL FIX TAKEN CARE OF, THE GROUP ROLLS ON THROUGH THE FLOWING ROCKS AND RED DIRT, ALL WITH SMILES ON THEIR FACES.
FOR PARK MANAGER CHRIS BRUNNER, HOSTING THE
PATRIOT CRAWL IS A GREAT HONOR.
(CHRIS)>> ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO HELP OUT, AND ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THE GUYS THAT HAVE PUT IN THEIR TIME AND HAVE REALLY PUT THEIR LIFE ON THE LINE, AND HAVE THE INJURIES TO SHOW FOR IT. I MEAN ANY WAY WE CAN HELP THEM OUT WE'D REALLY LIKE TO DO IT.
(JOHN)>> THESE GUYS ARE PRETTY GREAT LETTING US COME OUT HERE AND ENJOY THEIR LAND, AND YOU KNOW, ALL ABOUT THE WHEELING EXPERIENCE. THERE'S NO BARRIERS THERE ALMOST. IT KIND OF, REAL FRIENDLY RIGHT OFF THE BAT, AND I ENJOY THAT JUST AS MUCH AS WHEELING ITSELF.
(IAN)>> ACCORDING TO RAY, THE EASTER JEEP SAFARI IS THE PERFECT EVENT TO BRING THESE SERVICE MEMBERS TOGETHER.
(RAY)>> ONE THING ABOUT MOAB, YOU'RE FIVE MINUTES AWAY, YOU CAN BE IN THE MOUNTAINS. FIVE MINUTES ANOTHER DIRECTION YOU'RE IN THE DESERT OR YOU'RE IN THE JUNIPER TREES. JUST BEAUTIFUL SCENERY. SO I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE DRIVING FORCES TO UTAH, AND EASTER JEEP SAFARI. PEOPLE JUST KEEP HEARING ABOUT IT, AND THE FUN THAT THEY HAVE, THE HOSPITALITY THAT MOAB GIVES US, AND IT JUST HAS A DRAW FOR ADVENTURE AND GETTING PEOPLE HERE.
(IAN)>> AS THE FOUNDER OF AN EVENT ONLY IN ITS SECOND YEAR, RAY IS THRILLED WITH THE TURNOUT AND ENTHUSIASM OF THIS YEAR'S PARTICIPANTS. WHEELING, ESPECIALLY WITH FELLOW SERVICE MEMBERS, MEANS SO MUCH TO HIM.
(RAY)>> IT BRINGS A SMILE TO MY FACE. REDUCES THE BLOOD PRESSURE, AND
IT'S MY RELAXATION. WE WANT THIS EVENT TO GROW. WE WANT PEOPLE TO PUT THIS ON THEIR CALENDAR EVERY YEAR, AND TO COME AND ENJOY THE BONDS, THE FRIENDSHIPS, AND DO A LITTLE CRAWLING.
(ANNOUNCER)>> UP NEXT!
(MIKE)>> I LOVE THIS TRAIL. THIS IS THE BEST TRAIL EVER!
(IAN)>> MOAB, UTAH, IT IS AN ICONIC FOUR WHEELING DESTINATION, AND ONE OF THE LONGEST RUNNING EVENTS HELD IN THESE RED ROCKS IS THE EASTER JEEP SAFARI. A NINE DAY CELEBRATION OF EVERYTHING JEEP AND ALL THINGS OFF ROAD. WITH CLOSE TO 40 TRAILS AT YOUR DISPOSAL DURING EJS, THERE IS ONE TRAIL THAT IS
CONSIDERED THE BEST.
(MIKE)>> I LOVE THIS TRAIL. THIS IS THE BEST TRAIL EVER. I CALL IT MY BENCH MARK TRAIL. IF YOU CAN RUN PRITCHETT, YOU CAN RUN ABOUT ANYTHING IF YOU'RE COMFORTABLE RUNNING IT.
(CARTER)>> THE QUINTESSENTIAL JEEP TRAIL.
(JAKE)>> GOOD TEST OF MAN AND MACHINE.
(IAN)>> WHAT MAKES PRITCHETT CANYON SO AMAZING? IT ISN'T THE SCENERY, IT ISN'T THE VIEWS, AND NOT THE DISTANCE TRAVELED. PRITCHETT CANYON IS AROUND FIVE MILES START TO FINISH, BUT IN THOSE FIVE MILES YOU WON'T JUST HIT ONE TOUGH OBSTACLE. YOU WILL HIT SECTIONS OF THE TRAIL THAT EVEN THE MOST WELL BUILT RIGS HAVE TROUBLE WITH. PLACES LIKE CHEWY HILL, THE WATERFALL...
...ROCKER KNOCKER, AXLE HILL, ROCK PILE, YELLOW HILL, AND NUMEROUS LEDGES THAT AREN'T EVEN GIVEN NAMES, ALL LOCATED DEEP INSIDE A CANYON SURROUNDED BY THOUSAND FOOT CLIFFS. IF YOU BREAK, YOU BETTER HAVE TOOLS, PARTS, OR A RIDE BACK TO TOWN.
THAT MEANS YOU HAD BETTER BUILD YOUR RIG TO THE FULLEST IF YOU PLAN TO RUN PRITCHETT CANYON, HAVE A BAG FULL OF TALENT, AND WHEEL WITH A GROUP THAT HAS DONE THE SAME. LUCKILY WE HAVE. CARTER REED FROM BDS SUSPENSION BROUGHT WHAT ON THE SURFACE LOOKS LIKE A JEEP THAT SHOULD BE HEADING TO THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY FOR BRUNCH, A JEEP LIBERTY, BUT THIS RIG IS FAR FROM STOCK.
(CARTER)>> IT'S GOT A TWO POINT EIGHT LITER CRD
DIESEL ENGINE IN IT. 45 RFE, 241 ROCK TRACK, RUNNING ON 40 INCH TIRES. IT'S GOT A FOUR LINK KIT THAT WE PUT TOGETHER WITH FOX COIL OVERS. IT DOES AWESOME OUT ON THE TRAILS.
(IAN)>> THE LITTLE DIESEL STRUGGLED ON A FEW OBSTACLES BUT HAD WHAT WAS NEEDED TO GET THROUGH PRITCHETT, EVEN IF THAT MEANS PICKING A DIFFERENT LINE. JAKE ODUM'S LJ HAS VERY LITTLE LEFT OF THE FACTORY JEEP UNDER ITS SKIN, AND HAS NO PROBLEM HITTING AS MANY HARD LINES AS HE CAN.
(JAKE)>> I'M DRIVING A 2006 JEEP LJ, ONE TONS, FULL HYDRAULIC STEERING, 43 INCH STICKY INTERCOS.
HEMI VEIGHT, ATLAS TRANSFER CASE.
(IAN)>> MIKE PARISI HAS BEEN COMING TO MOAB FOR YEARS, AND HIS RIG HAS CHANGED A LOT. HE ATTRIBUTES MOST OF THE MODIFICATIONS HE HAS MADE TO HIS JEEP TO THIS ONE TRAIL.
(MIKE)>> THE FIRST TIME I COME OUT HERE I WAS ON THE HOOK ON THIS TRAIL FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES. AND WENT HOME, MADE A FEW MINOR IMPROVEMENTS, CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER WHAT NOW, COME BACK, WAS ON THE HOOK THREE TIMES THE FOLLOWING YEAR, AND SELDOM AM I ON THE HOOK SINCE THEN. BUT MAYBE AT THE ROCK PILE TODAY. OVER THE YEARS I KNEW I NEEDED TO BE LONGER. SO I EXTENDED THE BACK ONE YEAR. A COUPLE, TWO OR THREE YEARS LATER, EXTENDED THE FRONT. I HAVE A THREEEIGHT ATLAS AND BEFORE IT WAS ALL OVER I ADDED A TWOSEVENTWO TO ONE NORTHWEST FAB BLACK BOX IN FRONT OF IT. SO I'VE GOT SOME REALLY DEEP REDUCTION THERE.
(IAN)>> MIKE HASN'T JUST MODIFIED HIS JEEP TO PERFORM BETTER OFF ROAD, HE'S ALSO MODIFIED IT TO CARRY EVERYTHING HE WOULD NEED TO BASICALLY REBUILD HIS RIG OR A FELLOW WHEELER'S RIG IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. ALL THAT EXTRA GEAR DOES ADD A LOT OF EXTRA WEIGHT
TO THE RIG, BUT IS IT WORTH IT WHEN YOU'RE ON A TRAIL LIKE PRITCHETT?
(MIKE)>> IT DON'T HURT NONE. WE'VE ACTUALLY USED THE WELDER JUST PROBABLY ABOUT AN HOUR AGO DOWN HERE. WELDED UP A DRAG LINK, AND THREE OR FOUR DAYS AGO WE USED IT TO WELD A GUY'S STEERING KNUCKLE OR SOMETHING TO GET HIM GOING. BUT YEAH, IT DON'T HURT.
(IAN)>> THE OBSTACLES ARE DAUNTING AND CAN BE DIFFICULT, BUT THEY ALL OFFER WINCH ANCHORS AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS IF THINGS GET A LITTLE SKETCHY. AS WE NEARED THE END OF PRITCHETT CANYON WE ONLY HAD ONE MORE SERIOUS OBSTACLE TO TACKLE, A
TALL LEDGE RIGHT BESIDE THE ROCK PILE. ONCE UP THIS WE'D BE ON OUR WAY TO YELLOW HILL AND OUT OF THE CANYON, BUT THINGS DIDN'T GO AS PLANNED. [ metal clanking ]
(ANNOUNCER)>> WITH OUR RIG OUT FOR REPAIRS, WE GET
BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A RATHER UNEXPECTED LOANER.
(IAN)>> FOR OUR FINAL DAY AT THE 50TH ANNUAL EASTER JEEP SAFARI WE'VE BEEN INVITED TO THE DAYSTAR GROUP RIDE ON SEVEN MILE RIM. ONE OF THE MOST MAJESTIC PLACES IN UTAH, AND A TRAIL NOT TO BE MISSED. UNFORTUNATELY A BROKEN RING AND PINION HAS PUT OUR KAISER OUT OF COMMISSION.
SO WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF TROUBLE WITH LOCKJAW YESTERDAY. SO IT IS DOWN AND OUT FOR TODAY TO GET FIXED, BUT THE COOL THING ABOUT EASTER JEEP IS THERE'S ALWAYS GONNA BE SOMEBODY TO EITHER GIVE YOU A PASSENGER SEAT TO RIDE IN, OR EVEN LOAN YOU A RIG. AND MY GOOD BUDDY MARK HAS HOOKED ME UP WITH
SOMETHING COOL TO DRIVE, RIGHT BUDDY?
(MARK)>> MAN I'VE GOT SOMETHING YOU CAN DRIVE FOR SURE.
(IAN)>> AWESOME, LOOK AT THAT THING MAN! WAIT, REALLY, A RENEGADE?
(MARK)>> ALL JEEPS ARE WELCOME AT EASTER JEEP.
(IAN)>> LET'S GIVE IT SHOT, RENEGADE! I'VE GOT THE SONG IN MY HEAD NOW, JUST SO YOU KNOW.
SEVEN MILE RIM IS A 12.5 MILE LONG LOOP TRAIL
JUST NORTH OF MOAB OFF HIGHWAY 191. IT IS RATED DIFFICULT BY MOST GUIDE BOOKS, AND TACKLING IT IN A RENEGADE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD NORMALLY SEE HAPPEN, BUT THIS RENEGADE, IT'S NOT STOCK. IT HAS A SET OF DAYSTAR ROCK SLIDERS, FRONT TUBE BUMPER AND WINCH MOUNT, A ONE AND A HALF INCH SUSPENSION LIFT, AND SOME LARGER TIRES AND WHEELS,
BUT A FAR CRY FROM THE REST OF THE RIGS IN OUR GROUP. HOWEVER THAT BRINGS UP A GOOD POINT. PEOPLE ALWAYS SAY TO ME THAT THEY WOULD LOVE TO GO WHEELING IN MOAB, BUT THEIR RIG JUST ISN'T BUILT UP ENOUGH. THAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT MOAB. YOU DON'T NEED A CRAZY BUILT RIG TO ENJOY A LOT OF TRAILS AT EASTER JEEP SAFARI. TRAILS LIKE SEVEN MILE RIM ARE RATED DIFFICULT, BUT
THERE ARE BYPASSES FOR THE MORE DIFFICULT SECTIONS, AND MY PLAN IS TO HIT AS MANY HARD SPOTS AS I CAN, BUT I KNOW THAT I'LL BE USING A LOT OF THOSE BYPASSES. I DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF FAITH IN THE LITTLE RENEGADE, BUT I WILL ADMIT IT. THIS RIG SURPRISED ME. THERE IS NO QUESTIONS THAT THE ROCK SLIDERS ARE GETTING A WORKOUT ON THE TRAIL. AND EVEN THOUGH THIS ONE AND A HALF INCH LIFT IS NOT HUGE, IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
THE SMALL TIRES AND FACTORY LIMITED SLIP TYPE LOCKER, AND NO LOW RANGE, WELL THAT MEANS I HAVE TO CONCENTRATE ON DRIVING THIS LITTLE RENEGADE. AND TO BE HONEST, THAT IS A LOT OF FUN. COME ON RENEGADE, YOU GOT THIS RENEGADE, OH YEAH! THE RENEGADE COULD BE CALLED AN ENTRY LEVEL JEEP, BUT EVEN WITH THAT THIS RIG HAS PROVEN THAT WITH JUST A FEW MODIFICATIONS ITS READY FOR THE RED ROCKS OF MOAB, UTAH. MARK THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE LOAN. I HAVE TO SAY I ACTUALLY HAD FUN IN THIS LITTLE CAR.
(MARK)>> WELL HOW DID IT DO FOR YOU?
(IAN)>> I MEAN, I THINK IT DID PRETTY GOOD. WE DID THE WHOLE SEVEN MILE RIM. WE NEVER PULLED CABLE ONCE, AND I LIFTED THE REAR TIRE PROBABLY A GOOD, I DON'T KNOW, TWO DOZEN TIMES.
(MARK)>> SO I CAN USE THE REAR TIRES A LOT LONGER THAN THE FRONT TIRES?
(IAN)>> ABSOLUTELY, HALF THE MILEAGE ON THE BACK.
(MARK)>> OUTSTANDING!
(IAN)>> THANKS AGAIN!
(MARK)>> APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
(IAN)>> ALRIGHT, HAVE FUN WITH IT, IT'S NOW ALL YOURS.
(MARK)>> I WILL DRIVE IT HOME.
