Easter Jeep Safari 2008

Moab is perhaps the number one destination for 4x4'ers. It is said that everyone should make the Pilgrimage to Moab at least once in their four wheeling lifetime. For many the time to do this is at the annual Easter Jeep Safari put on by the Red Rock 4 Wheelers.

This year, a few of our Off-Road Adventures readers to joined us on the Pickle Trail. It's a short run up a canyon that features a few waterfall climbs and a tight squeeze in a section appropriately called, "The Pickle." A good group of readers and some manufacturers who support ORA joined in on the fun. Trail damage was light, and limited to a few driveline and suspension parts.

David Evans' '73 Ford Bronco is powered by a 302, connected to a NP435 4-speed manual with a granny low first gear with an Atlas II t-case and 4.10:1 gears. ARB Air Lockers front and rear and updated with a Detroit Locker, 35x15.5R15 BFG Krawlers on OMF beadlock wheels and ram assist steering are among the other upgrades. (Eric Armbruster photo)

 

 

Vitaly Gavinskiy (from Russia) brought his '08 FJ Cruiser out and found out why the Pickle Trail got its name.. With a little help the FJ made it through without any damage. Upgrades include 4.88:1 gearing with an ARB Air Locker up front and Pro Comp Xterrains.

 

 

 

Eric Armbruster's '78 CJ5 is stretched 10 inches and runs a massaged 360 AMC, with an Edelbrock Performer intake and a Holley Truck Avenger carb producing an estimated 400 horses. A TF904 3-speed auto tranny is mated to a NP208 t-case, a front Dana 60 and rear Dana 70 axle set are outfitted with 5:13 gears and lockers. Suspension is a spring over conversion with front shackle reversal. Teraflex Revolver shackles are used front and rear. The 8-inch lift allows 38.5 Bogger tires. A T-Max 12,000 lb winch and custom roll cage are some of the other upgrades. (Mark Colby photo)

Frank Hayes showed off his '43 Willys MB. While the title is old, this Jeep is all new tech. The body was stretched and a 4.3-L Vortec V-6 was transplanted in along with an NV4500 manual tranny. The Dana 300 t-case sports a 4:1 gearing upgrade. The axles where upgraded to late model units with 5:38 gears. An ARB Air Locker front and Detroit Locker rear improve trail traction. A conversion to spring-over with late model springs improves the ride and a Hydro-boost brake system ensures it stops.

 

Gary Graves' '04 Unlimited has been upgraded with a 4-speed Atlas t-case. The new DynaTrac Dana 60 axles are equipped with 4:88 gearing and ARB Air Lockers front and rear. The long arm suspension kit that allows 37-inch tires on beadlock wheels. Currie tube doors and rock sliders, and Poison Spyder Customs roll cage are just few of the other added features.

 

 

 

Jim Crum's mostly stock '06 Rubicon, proves that the Rubicon package is quite capable right off the factory floor. Upgrades include a Teraflex 5-inch long arm suspension, Pro Comp MX6 shocks and Toyo 35s. A Warn rear bumper with tire carrier was added to accommodate the full size spare.

 

 

 

Dan Newhall in his '95 YJ. Upgrades include Dana 44 axles front and rear with 4.56 gears and ARB Air Lockers, a 4.3:1 Atlas II t-case, Rubicon Express spring over conversion, 35x12.5 BFG M/Ts, Poison Spyder Customs front tube fenders and rear corner guards, Sun Performance rocker guards.

 

 

 

Jack Wygal's seriously modified '74 CJ-5 gave us a show on The Pickle, but came through without a scratch. This is the first time this capable rig has visited Moab, but has seen it all: Rocks, Mud, Sand, Snow and Wooded trails in Mexico, Montana, Hawaii and Oregon.

 

 

 

 

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