Calm before the storm

In preparation for tomorrow's heat fest i changed the oil and did the first differential oil change, front and rear. What's a heat fest? In this case it's when your son and his neighborhood friend convince both father's to go to Uwharrie for a day trip when it's 110 degrees. That's why i changed the oils.

It's been 2,696 miles since the last oil change. The still stock JK has 18,253 miles on the OD. i've been having thoughts of a 3.5" lift! i have done some research and there are some very moderate lifts that accomplish this and it will probably be time soon. i've been doing some research and i think i'm in that ~$500 price range. This should alleviate the customization of the skid plates and the need for much more armor.

i am also beginning to look for a camera so that i can better document this jeep before it gets modified.

pshhhhht! Just cracked a beer... Cheers to the JK. It's gonna work hard tomorrow.

Uwharrie National Forrest OHV Trails - What to expect

i realize looking back that you might not know what Uwharrie is, in the context of jeeping. This post is all about, in the context of wheeling/off roading, what Uwharrie is and what to expect if you take a trip for yourself. i will give you a good idea of what to bring to make the experience a peacefull one. Stress sucks!

i've been going to Uwharrie OHV since before they charged, since before the campgrounds had facilities or camp hosts. Over 10 years of experience. I remember my first time, no knowledge of the area, no trail map, no internet knowledge, a brand new 2000 TJ sport. We hit the first trail head which happened to be going UP Daniel. Time after time that's how we would start our journey, up the most difficult hill in the whole park! We felt nervous about getting stuck, about breaking our rig 'in the middle of no where'. It's sad in a way that i won't ever get to feel that way about this park again.

Today i virtually don't need a trail map. i know where you can do any type of wheeling, camping, hanging out that you desire; from the 'big rock' at Kodak Rock, to the 'fall off the side of the mountain' Daniel trail, to the mud pits and large group camp areas. It's high time i give that knowledge back. Ok ok, enough of memory lane.

Let's talk about the day trip and what you'll need (besides a good rig :). The day trip is essentially the same as a 4 day camping trip once you hit the trail and that is the important part. You're going to NEED:

• A cooler packed with some food for lunch and lots, more than you think, of water. Water bottles with caps are great so they don't spill.
• First aid kit.
• Toilet paper and/or paper towel.
• A shovel for all kinds of reasons. One shovel for a group of vehicles is all you need.
• Tire pressure gauge.
• Trail map!!!
• Good boots.

These are the things i consider necessities as well:

• CB Radio.
• Breaker bar and socket that matches your lug nuts.
• A 5th/spare tire that is THE SAME SIZE as your other 4 tires. You don't want to have to put on a smaller tire out on the trail, trust me.
• Tow strap.
• Spare parts for common ailments. Surpantine belt and spark plugs for example.
• Tools to change spare parts and disconnect sway bar links. Break down your tools to what you need, don't bring a big tool set. It adds weight, takes up space and you'll only use the tools you need to change those parts.
• Music :)
• A good hammer.
• Service points on the jeep. For my stocker jeep i take a hitch to put that tow strap on the rear. Make sure you have hooks up front as you don't want your friend pulling your axle off!

These make your trip much more enjoyable:

• Snacks and treats for kids. What defines a snack is up to you. At one point in my life a treat was a bottle of bourbon!
• A chain and lock to lock your jeep doors to a tree or post.
• A good video camera.
• A change of clothes and some toiletries to get cleaned up after the day is done.

After you're all packed up, set the cruise, take it easy, and drive to the Eldorado Outpost. Here is where you will air down your tires, my stock tires to down to 20 or 22 lb. This allows the sidewall to be more flexible for those sharp rocks. If you can, disconnect your sway bar and make sure to disconnect both sides. These two things are hands down the best performance improvements you can do. Take your top down and pack things for a bouncy trail ride. Go inside and purchase anything you like but make sure to get a trail map and a day pass, i got my season pass this year for $30.

Hit the trail and have fun. Remember, slow as you can, as fast as necessary. The guys giving their rides hell always break them and it destroys the park. If your rig isn't capable of going over that obstacle without flooring it, don't do it! Take the bypass or turn around and find another trail. Learn to stay 'on top' of everything even if you have a thousand foot deep gap under the jeep. Stop thinking like you're driving on the road and start thinking like you're driving on slippery rails.

Sometime around lunch time, make sure you stop at the top of Kodak Rock and eat. Hopefully you'll get to see some wheelers do what i told you not to! Hey it's fun to watch someone else break their rig and it's the most gut wrenching hollow feeling when you break yours.

If you're inexperienced, please take a friend with his rig. Getting stuck for 4 hours is NO FUN! Also remember that the trail at night is significantly different (in your mind). Small drop offs look like the end of the world and every little rock looks like a boulder so you might want to plan to get off the trail before it's dark. Remember your way back to the Outpost and that it will take you some time to get your rig ready for the road again.

Reconnect that sway bar. Air those tires back up. Here's a good hint, the bottom of the fill station has a red button that turns it on. I mean, if you feel like putting quarters in there, go ahead, but i don't :) Get under your rig and check for damage, especially leaking fluids. If all is good, head home and clean that jeep! This NC red mud turns into brick if left on in the hot sun. It gets everywhere so you need to climb under there and power wash it real good. It's gonna take a couple times of cleaning to get it good and clean. Also, i avoid the mud as much as i can. This mud is usually really fine silica in water that tends to get into idler bearings and destroy them. In your JK you probably should get some spare idler pulleys as i've heard of more than one jeeper losing one in a single day on the trail. Losing one tends to trash the belt so having both is a great idea!

Oh, if i didn't mention it, have fun and look around, enjoy the view. October is a spectacular month to go, the colors are awesome. i'll put together a post about the 2 person overnight camp trip in the fall. Camp out on the trail if you get the chance and you'll be treated to awesome stars at night!

As always, Cheers!