Colorado to do list?

BrendonR · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 10:20 am

Alrighty folks...

I have some interesting, and very unexpected news here today.

First we'll set the scene:

I'm trying to plan a camping trip to a place in British Columbia called Whiteswan Provincial Park http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/whtswan/. From the sounds of it, there are plenty of back roads/logging roads in the area, and I've been getting excited about this. In searching for trail guides etc... I stumbled accross http://www.traildamage.com. Getting VERY excited, I franticly look for BC (before realizing it was all utah/colorado). No BC (surprise surprise).

Mention the website to my fiance, who so far, has NO interest in wheeling... or modding our Liberty, and she said she'd LOVE to do a road trip (from Calgary AB Canada) to Colorado/Utah. WOW! So I show some pictures off of the site, and she thinks it looks like FUN!

HOLY SCHMOLY!!!

Now we'll set MY backstory:

I have no experience off road (with the exception of gravel country roads around farms and such). So far, the jeep is 1 year old, and the only time it's in 4hi is snow here in Calgary - 4lo a couple times in the back ally/36" drifts. I am a 23 (24 on May 17) year old male, who is somewhat mechanically inclined. I grew up doing all my own maintenance with my Dad. Taught me alot. So I'm not TOO afraid to try something myself... I've been lurking here mostly, reading what I can, learning what I can.

Now to the Questions:

What do I do now?

The Colorado trip probably isn't until next year (if even then...), but Whiteswan is still coming up hopefully in a few months.

What should I be doing to prepare my Jeep (2008 Limited w/ no mods thus far) for both whiteswan/colorado? I believe most any stock vehicle can get into whiteswan, so I'm not TOO worried there. What about Colorado?

Considering I have no experience, and from what I've seen of trail pictures - I think level 1-2 trails and MAYBE 3 would be an option. But what mods should I plan here? What about "modding" myself? Any resources you fine folks would recommend?

Now that this has gotten to an ungodly level of wordyness, I'll shut up.

Thanks alot everyone for your advice.

Brendon.

zarinKK · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 3:13 pm

If nothing else, tires.

Mike08Liberty · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 3:29 pm

- Hitch and Tow Hooks are a must
- Good A/T tires. You don't need anything too aggressive but something better then stock.
- Skid plates are always a big plus!

Anything else is up to you. Just depends on how aggressive you want to go.

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:17 pm

join up with some locals who have done 4 wheeling. After you get out there maybe by yourself is no time to learn the right and wrong way to wheel.
like others have said tow points, skids, tires ( stocker are junk) , lockers, lift.............

Boblemoche · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 6:58 pm

first , tow hooks and skidplates are a must imho if you want to do more than gravel roads. then get out with a group and try some easy trails to set your mind on what you want out of your KK. then comeback here and tell us your expectations and how much $$$ you want to invest and we will help you to find the right mods

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 7:20 pm

as said before,

TIRES... these are a biggie
recovery points and skids.

What time of year are you expecting to come to CO?

BrendonR · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:19 am

Great Suggestions by all - Thanks alot.

Tow Hooks/Hitch are certainly on the list
Skids - hopefully. What're people's opinions on the OEM mopar skids? any other suggestions.

Tires are definitly being looked into. I'd love to get something bigger/beefier. I was at the zoo here in Calgary on the weekend, and had to go through a mud puddle to get out... maybe 2 or 3 inches of thick muck nearly had me stuck in RWD with the stockers.

I love Digger's 4" lift - but.... just don't think it's exactly "practical" for me. Especially seeing as this may be my 1 and only trip out (who knows right?). I think I'll wait on a lift. What about the Revtek 2" lift - anybody really "tested" it?

Digger - I'm not sure yet when we'd be down there... more than likely, spring/summer. Any suggestions for trails/times? We're thinking it will be a camping/wheeling trip. And the Jeep 100% has to be in the condition to bring us home. This IS our Daily Driver.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2009 7:07 pm

well my favorite fishing/camping spot doesn't open till July. August through September is the best time for camping if you camp in the mountains. My KK is also a DD. Chech this place out. It has great fishing/camping/hiking and it has semi light/moderate trail that you take to get to it

BrendonR · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2009 9:58 pm

Well where exactly is "this place" Digger?

Anybody been up on Immogene Pass or Top of the World (Utah)? Immogene looks absolutely unreal, but oddly, not that challenging... am I out to lunch?

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:17 pm

Loch Lomond

BrendonR · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2009 11:00 am

Looks like a nice place Digger - might have to give that some consideration...

WWWEEEELLL.....

June 13th, I'll officially be joining the Calgary Jeep Association on their "wheelin 101" trail ride... should be a good time.

They're apparently going to teach us "never driven off-road before" folks how to drive around in the "gravel pit", then take us to a few stocker friendly trails.

Now I must hunt down some tow hooks, and maybe a hitch before June!

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2009 7:42 pm

looks like a blast

Mike08Liberty · **Posted:** Thu Apr 23, 2009 9:14 am

You got a few months so I would save up for some TIRES ... Tow hooks are good to have and really good to have if your tires suck! :lol:

This is about the best you will get with the stock 18's
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp ... es&place=2

BrendonR · **Posted:** Thu Apr 23, 2009 10:31 am

Mike08 - I would LIKE to get some tires too, but unfortunately any and all saving until after September is already pre-booked for the "wedding fund" (as directed by the Fiance).

I'll save up until I can get myself some smaller wheels, and bigger tires after the wedding. You've got 30" stuffed under there with no lift don't you?

I just saw something odd, that made me think here....

Does anybody worry about their airbags while off-road? do you pull a fuse/disable them somehow? I'd hate to hit a small bump and have them pop on me needlessly...

Mike08Liberty · **Posted:** Thu Apr 23, 2009 12:20 pm

You shouldn't have any airbag issues unless you crash.

YES I have 30" tires on mine. I was able to do that by getting low offset wheels.

The stock tires are ok but will limit you A LOT. I've played around with the stock 18" tires and didn't get very far. My tow hooks came in handy!

Colorado to do list?

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