Rubithon 2009

[JDEMELLO]

MoabFJ previously said:

A 2 day run will work. If we picked up the pace a little from last year (or the 40s would quit breaking ) we could have shaved one camp night off easy.
We considered pushing on last year, but with all of the groups we let through, we may not have had enough light to get through big sluice.

Yeah it's not that hard, the trick with a large group of vehicles that don't have 38in tires and dual lockers is your spotters. If we had 4 or 5 good spotters walking the trail, you can just leap frog the spotters down the trail to the difficult parts. Sol already said he wouldn't mind doing this or driving. I'm sure I could dig up some more people to do the same.

A earlier morning departure say 8:00am from the start would help allot. Then camping at buck island the first night. As long as we don't have any breaks this should be doable.

Depending on traffic I would say a mid morning departure out of buck island would be ideal. That would give everyone to enjoy buck island a little bit. This is something I feel has been overlooked everytime I have gone through the con. I would love to spend a full day there but I know others would rather get to Rubicon springs.

Me and Sol could even come in from the Tahoe side and set up camp before we met up with everyone the night before. Doing that I might be able to bring in a BBQ and some food so when we get to Rubicon springs we could have a little DO BBQ.

[JDEMELLO]

Chris Sandstorm FJ previously said:

We could easily do it in 2 days, if organized, IMHO. We had such great spotting, we were crusing along last year. The reason Thursday was so long last year is because Robbie comitted to Tony T, that we would allow the double locker group the ability to pass us, one of the ways Robbie was able to get an all FJC run. So we waited a few times in a bunch of obvious passable sections..Then the double locker group got stuck a few times and right where we were waiting..By then it was, as you mentioned, too late in the day to go for it, as I was kind of pushing a bit to try..I am glad we waitied at that point, except that is where CA Annie probably got her big scrape..

There is/was some politics about the FJCs on the trail the year before and how long it took some folks, blocking the way, etc..But I think that is all behind us, as last year we kicked butt on the trail.

Anyway, I reached out to Brady yesterday to see if he has heard anything about the TTT program because we also had an all FJC run last year at Cruise Moab. He has not got back to me yet. Hard to tell how it is all going to shake out.

I like the exit day option for Saturday in the new schedule, makes heading back to Colorado a bit less time consuming. I also like it a bit mroe open vs. you can't leave until this time....

I also think it is smart for us to stick together on the trail. We take a bit different line from many of the other vehicles sometimes, probably closer to a FJ40 line. But if we are all split up and following an 80 that is not going to be that much fun.

Chris,

I know allot of times the FJ's get looked down at because they are not locked front and rear and do not have 38in tires. But I have been stuck behind more "built rigs" on the trail than I ever have behind a newer rigs.

Bottom line is even a built rig can have issues and be stuck for hours on the side of the trail. I think as long as we are respectful to others there is no reason why we can't assume a decent departure time from Loon Lake like any other club/group. So if were on the trail and there is a smaller faster group coming up behind us and they can pass, I say let them pass. But if there are behind us repairing half there rigs every 5 feet, let them wait.

Every situation is different so we would just have to make a decision then and there.

I have some friends that are not driving FJ's but very built rigs non the less, I think they will be going with us as well. I need to talk to Wyatt as well and see if he will bring big sexy through.

[Fjamming]

Sounds good. I'm planning to do it this year.

[caddo]

mikerd400 previously said:

I seen pictures, and I agree. But it is about the journey.

and the "walking funny" part?

We met tons of bikers while driving the Dempster last summer. They were a lot of fun to hang out with.

JDEMELLO previously said:

I have been talking to Sol about this run, and I think we will lead a FJ friendly group through this year if anyone is interested in running with us. I need to check on a few things then we will start a sign up sheet for us.

I would like to do the Con in two days so we have more time at Rubicon springs.

How many would be interested? How many have already run the trail?

Is "FJ Friendly" == "Stock FJ"...?

OK Maybe not stock-stock.. but pretty close to stock?

[Chris Sandstorm FJ]

Sounds good Jason, I am in if you guys have room for me.

I just had a thought, what about going in a few days early and parking at the springs then jumping in a big crawler back out to loon lake, to help spot the group in?

I could use the exercise...Also, I think I will need that Demello rear bumper by the end of this years Rubicon, mine will surely not survive another Rubicon. I'll see if I can get a PO from the davis household and e-mail you when it gets closer.

Jason can you and Sol make it out for Cruise Moab this year?

[JDEMELLO]

caddo previously said:

and the "walking funny" part?

We met tons of bikers while driving the Dempster last summer. They were a lot of fun to hang out with.




Is "FJ Friendly" == "Stock FJ"...?

OK Maybe not stock-stock.. but pretty close to stock?

I hate telling people they can't go because they don't have this or that. But depending on the size of the group, which right now looks like a minum of 5 vehicales. Its sometimes nesseary to set up requirements to be in this particular group.

To answer your question "no" a stock FJ while it could make it through it would leave the owner with a very beaten and battered FJ, not to mention others in the group might not invite you over for a beer at the end of the day, after sitting behind you all day on the trail. I have seen near stock FJ's do the Rubicon but the people behind the wheels were very capable drivers.

Off the top of my head (I want to talk to Sol and who ever else is going to help with this first) but I think a min of 33in tires rock sliders, factory rear locker and decent off road knowledge and ability is a must. A front high clearance bumper is almost a must as well. A low front end like the stock bumper or an aftermarket bumper with out a suspension lift will have you hitting every rock on the trail with your bumper.

I think the trail teams had one or two stock FJ's go through the trail last year but even they had at min 32in BFG AT tires.

I need to have a chat with Sol and figure out some time frames before I plan too much.

[JDEMELLO]

Chris Sandstorm FJ previously said:

Sounds good Jason, I am in if you guys have room for me.

I just had a thought, what about going in a few days early and parking at the springs then jumping in a big crawler back out to loon lake, to help spot the group in?

I could use the exercise...Also, I think I will need that Demello rear bumper by the end of this years Rubicon, mine will surely not survive another Rubicon. I'll see if I can get a PO from the davis household and e-mail you when it gets closer.

Jason can you and Sol make it out for Cruise Moab this year?

Me and Sol were already talking about doing something like this. I would like to drive my FJ through but I might have a friend drive and do more of a spotting role. We could use the help that is for sure. I will keep your name when we start talking about it and include you.

[w5wi]

Athena previously said:

Dale this would make two expeditions... I wouldn't want to do it with any other people then you and Shirley

Thanks!!!

We totally enjoyed going with you guys too!

We'll have a great time!

dale

[Chris Sandstorm FJ]

Adding to Jason's comments on stock FJs.

The all FJC run last year, had us all with at least a 3" lift, 33s, aftermarket front bumper, full skids from front to back and all had a winch but one of us (that was not as a big a deal, but a non winch vehicle would need to be on both sides of a wincher). I think 33s and a 3 inch lift might be a requirment to register for the event but I could be wrong.

The trail teams vehicles that were with us had the 2 inch spacers and from time to time they did touch down, it seemed a bit more then those with 3 inch lifts, if that is even possible, we all seemed to have our fair share of touching bottom occasionally.

My reaer bumper took a beating last year, by the way. It was comical how we would just pop the bumper-etts back on.

[Athena]

Sign us up ... still gotta talk to the ol man...