Rubicon Trip 2018

[Kurt]

So I was able to get down to the Rubicon finally to drive, and not be a passenger like I was in 2016. We left Wednesday evening from Portland, OR and drove to Medford, OR to stay the night. Thursday morning headed South...I-5 was closed just south of Mt. Shasta in California due to a huge fire, so we had to detour through Reno. Got to Truckee, CA about 2pm, stashed the truck/trailer at my brothers buddies house, and headed to Loon Lake Campground about 4pm. We set up camp about 7pm as it was getting dark.

Woke up Friday morning and hit the trail about 9am. Amazing weather, and even better scenery. We made it to Buck Island for camp about 5pm and hung out, swam in Buck Island Lake to wash the dust off, and hung out at the campsite.

Saturday morning we had a great breakfast and headed out, making it to Rubicon Springs about 1pm. We set up camp there and explored, hung out, and swam the rest of the day.

Sunday morning we headed out and up Cadillac hill to end the trip. As a driver, this was incredible. Our last trip involved shearing a trackbar bracket on a TJ the first day, cold, and snow. So much better this time around, and much more enjoyable.

Pics:

https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/rubicon2018/IMG_0084.jpg

https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/rubicon2018/IMG_0095.jpg

https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/rubicon2018/IMG_0102.jpg

https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/rubicon2018/IMG_0117.jpg

https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/rubicon2018/Photo%20Sep%2007%2010%2031%2044%20AM.jpg

Buck Island Camp:
https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/rubicon2018/IMG_0575.jpg

[Kurt]

https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/rubicon2018/Photo%20Sep%2007%209%2043%2032%20AM.jpg

Starting to attempt Soup Bowl. Didnt make it up....not enough traction to get up the 2nd ledge.
https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/rubicon2018/Photo%20Sep%2007%2012%2042%2023%20PM.jpg

Little Sluice:
https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/rubicon2018/Photo%20Sep%2007%202%2000%2012%20PM.jpg

Cant remember where this was:
https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/rubicon2018/Photo%20Sep%2007%202%2026%2047%20PM.jpg

Buck Island Lake. Was cold, but refreshing:
https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/rubicon2018/Photo%20Sep%2007%206%2000%2047%20PM.jpg

https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/rubicon2018/Photo%20Sep%2007%205%2058%2022%20PM.jpg

Big Sluice
https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/rubicon2018/Photo%20Sep%2008%2011%2019%2015%20AM.jpg

https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/rubicon2018/Photo%20Sep%2008%2011%2018%2011%20AM.jpg

Rubicon Springs:
https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/rubicon2018/Photo%20Sep%2008%2012%2056%2015%20PM.jpg

https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/rubicon2018/Photo%20Sep%2008%2012%2058%2016%20PM.jpg

https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/rubicon2018/Photo%20Sep%2008%2012%2058%2019%20PM.jpg

[Kurt]

Observation Point:
https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/rubicon2018/Photo%20Sep%2009%2011%2041%2058%20AM.jpg

https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/rubicon2018/Photo%20Sep%2009%2011%2042%2041%20AM.jpg

[nblehm]

Awesome! A bucket list trip for me for sure.

[6DoF]

Awesome! A bucket list trip for me for sure.

x2!

[Kurt]

Its amazing how much the trail changes from year to year. When I went as a passenger in 2016, things were very different in certain areas.

Talking with the caretaker at Rubicon Springs...since the Rubicon is a county road, improvements do get made with taxpayer money. One area in particular that had changed quite a bit was Big Sluice. They brought in tons of crushed rock and built a retaining wall on one of the hairpins. Since its so remote, that rock needs to be flown in by Helicopter at a cost of $4,000/hr. This past year, 6 mil. was spent on improvements and maintenance. Im sure the hippies love that!

[Cobound]

LUCKY FUK'R :eek:

#BUCKETLIST

From what I see, looks like a paved highway :roflmao: JK, JK...how would you compare this to what Moab provides?

I've heard that it's a country road, fuk those hippies :lol:

Any carnage? Or were you able to keep it clean and exit unscathed?

[Kurt]

LUCKY FUK'R :eek:

#BUCKETLIST

From what I see, looks like a paved highway :roflmao: JK, JK...how would you compare this to what Moab provides?

I've heard that it's a country road, fuk those hippies :lol:

Any carnage? Or were you able to keep it clean and exit unscathed?

:roflmao:

Its got some pretty good sections with no bypasses. I used the hell out of my rock sliders and gas tank skid plate. I came off a large rock pretty hard and tagged the right rear corner of my bumper, and it hit the perfect spot to push it up into the body a bit. So now I have a bit of a dent where it pushed up just below the bottom tailgate hinge. Thats all though.

The dark red JK in our group tagged his door sill on a rock squeezing through the tree and rock on Big Sluice. My brother in a silver JKU on 35's broke a rear shock in half when he rolled back and a rock got pushed up between the axle and shock. Besides the rock slider and skid plate scuffs and scrapes thats about it.

Comparing to Moab, its hard to do. Moab has plenty of opportunities for damage, but its relatively open and you can choose multiple lines on a lot of things. And, there's plenty of opportunity to die from rolling off a cliff. :roflmao: On the Rubicon, you don't get to deviate from certain lines much, and its one obstacle after another constantly. Large rocks, ledges...much easier to tag bumpers and rock sliders. There's not many places where you're close to cliffs, only Cadillac Hill. I get a kick out of the yellow reflective markers that go down the granite slabs to mark the trail/road.

They are two completely different places, and thats what I love about it. Moab is awesome because of the scenery, waking up and getting breakfast in town before hitting the trail, choosing what trail and how long you want to be out for the day, and returning to the house/condo to relax. With the Rubicon, there are some places to get out depending on what areas you run, but for the most part once you start, you have to come out at the end or turn around. No cell service, beautiful scenery, camping, swimming in the lakes.

We went from Loon Lake and out Cadillac Hill. We could have made it out easily in 2 days, but we decided to relax and make it a 3 day trip.

[Cobound]

Nice, F'n awesome...makes me want to hit it even more, and sooner! Not getting any younger, certainly no more limber :p

Hopefully do Moab again this year, it's in questions as I have an overland trip planned in July to do the Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route (COBDR) from Cortez, CO (Four Corners) through Ouray (which is likely where we'll start anyway vs. Cortez, and up to the WY border. The Rubicon is just so damn far for me, so who knows. Moab is already a haul, the Rubicon is beyond that. 1,300 > 2,000 :squint:

Looks great tho, thanks for sharing. With that said, let's see the carnage :lol:

[Kurt]

For us, Rubicon was about 1,000 miles round trip. Moab is 2,100 round trip. Even though that extra 1,000 miles sucks when you're driving it, I forget all about it when Im in Moab.

Id say the skid did its job:

https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/IMG_6156.jpg

https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/IMG_6157%20(1).jpg

Ill get some pics of the other stuff.

[Cobound]

Right on...yes, the ends always justifies the means :lol:

We forget about the miles once we get there, too...but when we turn around and go home it quickly crushes us :banghead:

[Kurt]

Right on...yes, the ends always justifies the means :lol:

We forget about the miles once we get there, too...but when we turn around and go home it quickly crushes us :banghead:

The drive home always becomes the expensive part for us. Thats when we discuss whats next on the build to be ready for next time. :roflmao:

Moab last year resulted in my buddy buying a 2017 JKUR, putting on a 3.5" Rockkrawler kit, 37" Coopers, raceline beadlocks, gearing, and all my bumpers/skid plates.

This Rubicon trip has me planning on ProRock60/80, 40's, Atlas....hopefully over winter to be ready for a spring Moab trip.

[Cobound]

:yes: :rock:

Well, I have the ProRocks covered :lol:

[Kurt]

:yes: :rock:

Well, I have the ProRocks covered :lol:

Ah thats right. Which set is in your JK? PR60/60 or the 60/80?

[nblehm]

The drive home always becomes the expensive part for us. Thats when we discuss whats next on the build to be ready for next time. :roflmao:

Moab last year resulted in my buddy buying a 2017 JKUR, putting on a 3.5" Rockkrawler kit, 37" Coopers, raceline beadlocks, gearing, and all my bumpers/skid plates.

This Rubicon trip has me planning on ProRock60/80, 40's, Atlas....hopefully over winter to be ready for a spring Moab trip.

Why a prorock 80?

Also finish your tj :lol:

[6DoF]

Why a prorock 80?

Also finish your tj :lol:

i'm with nate here, you have a whole other jeep for the hardcore! that much tire/axle will sacrifice a lot of on-road.

[xj_man_646]

i'm with nate here, you have a whole other jeep for the hardcore! that much tire/axle will sacrifice a lot of on-road.

Says the guy building a Jeep with blingy front and rear 9" that will surely never leave the pavement :f2:

[Hoofmann]

Yeah finish your TJ and keep the minivan JK for easy stuff like the pavement.

[Cobound]

Ah thats right. Which set is in your JK? PR60/60 or the 60/80?

60/80 :brows:

[Kurt]

The JK is a company vehicle...don't use it on the street much. I take it to shows and events, and wheelin. The JK has all of the KD Fabworks bumpers/skid plates on it, the TJ does not. With a family, the JK makes more sense to build. I also need more space for the business and the TJ is taking up a lot of space. I can finish that, sell it, put that money into the JK and build it to do what I need and be a marketing piece.

The 80 is only bout $150 more than the ProRock60, so why not?

[Cobound]

You nailed it!

I'm quite happy w/ the 3.6 and 5.38s on 40s as well. Would I love a Hemi, or an LS, sure. The cost far outweighs the gain...in my pocketbook anyway. But mine isn't a business write-off either :f2: :lol:

[6DoF]

Says the guy building a Jeep with blingy front and rear 9" that will surely never leave the pavement :f2:

... they are built for totally different things :cotter:

The JK is a company vehicle...don't use it on the street much. I take it to shows and events, and wheelin. The JK has all of the KD Fabworks bumpers/skid plates on it, the TJ does not. With a family, the JK makes more sense to build.

i keep forgetting about the company vehicle thing. and who has kids? aren't we all still in HS/College?

I also need more space for the business and the TJ is taking up a lot of space. I can finish that, sell it, put that money into the JK and build it to do what I need and be a marketing piece.

um ... dayum, don't want to see her go

[xj_man_646]

um ... dayum, don't want to see her go

How much to keep it in the :jeepin: family I wonder :lol:

[Kurt]

i keep forgetting about the company vehicle thing. and who has kids? aren't we all still in HS/College?


Right? I was doing some work on the TJ yesterday, was looking at the rear kids seats I put in. I started the build before my son was born....he's now 8 and my daughter is almost 4. :eek:


um ... dayum, don't want to see her go

Same here. But if I find a way to keep it then I will, but for now the plan is to sell it to make room, and build the JKU. :(

[Kurt]

how much to keep it in the :jeepin: Family i wonder :lol:

$35,000

:p

[Cobound]

Right? I was doing some work on the TJ yesterday, was looking at the rear kids seats I put in. I started the build before my son was born....he's now 8 and my daughter is almost 4. :eek:

:eek: Man, makes me think, my oldest is in her first year of college, she was born when I still had my '87 YJ...moved to an XJ, came here, things went sideways from there :lol:

[jeepkid05]

Awesome pics and scenery. I’d love to get out there one day.

You nailed it!

I'm quite happy w/ the 3.6 and 5.38s on 40s as well. Would I love a Hemi, or an LS, sure. The cost far outweighs the gain...in my pocketbook anyway. But mine isn't a business write-off either :f2: :lol:

Is it really OKAY?? I find that if you don’t have a v8 anything over 37’s is just gutless. 40s are big and heavy. I understand gearing goes a long way, but are you just fooling yourself into thinking it’s fine. :p

[Cobound]

Nope, serious. Dead serious. I talked to a lot of people about it when I was considering this one. Yes, it's OK. Is it a V8, no...was it an added $30k upgrade, NO!

Has no problem getting up to 80, doesn't downshift like mad like the old 3.8 stock, much less lifted. I'm pretty impressed, and NEVER would've kept it, much less driven it home, if it wasn't satisfactory.

Come drive it, I think you'd be surprised. I certainly was.

[6DoF]

just being faster than a 1968 Super Beetle ... does NOT constitute it being OK :lol:

[nblehm]

I was ok with my jeep on 40s and 4.10s and a 4.0 :lol: v8 35s and 4.10s is much more fun though...

[Cobound]

just being faster than a 1968 Super Beetle ... does NOT constitute it being OK :lol:

Meh, you give me the $20-30k and I'll gladly upgrade ;)


I was ok with my jeep on 40s and 4.10s and a 4.0 :lol: v8 35s and 4.10s is much more fun though...

OH, sure...my Ram is much more fun w/ the pedal, but whatever.

[MBood82]

Meh, you give me the $20-30k and I'll gladly upgrade ;)


OH, sure...my Ram is much more fun w/ the pedal, but whatever.

Every time I think about trading in my Ram on something I come to the realization that anything I'd want would be slower or I'd be giving up on having the lifted vehicle experience. A Wrangler, or even the Wrangler pickup when it comes out, sounds cool but without a V8 I really lose interest.

That said, it sounds like Dodge is bringing the Dakota back on the Wrangler pickup platform, if they stick a V8 in it again like they did the last one it would be hard to turn away!

[6DoF]

Meh, you give me the $20-30k and I'll gladly upgrade ;)

$30k? wtf are you swapping in?!?!

for $30k ... drop off your jeep with me, i'll take vacation, drop in a blown v8 with built trans/t-case, and make enough profit to still take your a$s out for a baller steak dinner and not worry if you order dessert :roflmao:

[MBood82]

$30k? wtf are you swapping in?!?!

for $30k ... drop off your jeep with me, i'll take vacation, drop in a blown v8 with built trans/t-case, and make enough profit to still take your a$s out for a baller steak dinner and not worry if you order dessert :roflmao:

I'm pretty sure AEV charges that much but you are starting with a new engine and transmission usually, plus the conversion parts area all fully engineered and designed to go together, no cobbling together bits.

I'm sure he'd like to keep his driveshaft IN the Jeep after a few miles, right?

:james: :p

[Cobound]

:lol:

Yep, I have a local shop that could do it, even a guy out west that is a SEMA genius, for $20-25...but that's just it, reliable Hemi, fully engineered and integrated to work properly...I'm not going to do some sort of backyard garage hack on a vehicle of this nature. Have you never researched a V8 swap?

Hell, an LS isn't much cheaper.

[Kurt]

:lol:

Yep, I have a local shop that could do it, even a guy out west that is a SEMA genius, for $20-25...but that's just it, reliable Hemi, fully engineered and integrated to work properly...I'm not going to do some sort of backyard garage hack on a vehicle of this nature. Have you never researched a V8 swap?

Hell, an LS isn't much cheaper.

I've got a buddy of mine that is taking his JKU down to MOTECH in Vegas next week to get a new 6.2L L94. It includes an HD radiator, Camaro SS fan, new 241J transfer case, 6L80 trans, and labor for $20,500.

[Cobound]

Yep, so there is that $20k mark...still out of reasonable consideration when it comes down to budget. Fun, hell yes...realistic on my salary, nope. I'm lucky I have what I have :p

[6DoF]

I'm sure he'd like to keep his driveshaft IN the Jeep after a few miles, right?

:james: :p

:roflmao::roflmao: :lol: :roflmao:

:f2:

[Cobound]

^^:roflmao: :lol:^^

$30k? wtf are you swapping in?!?!

for $30k ... drop off your jeep with me, i'll take vacation, drop in a blown v8 with built trans/t-case, and make enough profit to still take your a$s out for a baller steak dinner and not worry if you order dessert :roflmao:

The guy I bought the Jeep from actually did that...after he took a serious bath on the sale price :lol:

Honestly, I'd love a V8, but I am pretty happy w/ the way it runs and drives w/ a 3.6. My buddy w/ a 6.4 in his JK even says it has some pep for a 6.