Hello

Welcome.  Modifications not required but give us some more detail on your vehicles, please.

Tom

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2016 Grand cherokee

2019 Silverado

Welcome. Almost all of the runs the club does require some level of modification, from things like larger tires, lockers, winches etc. Besides the minimum requirements on some of the runs, members usually have lifts, skid plates, rock sliders, body armor and other modifications to protection their vehicle from damage and breakdowns. As a result, you wouldn't be able to take a stock vehicle on most of the club runs. That's not to say that this isn't the right group for you because this club is as much about friendship and relationships as it is about off-roading. If you don't mind my asking, what is it that you are looking for from a 4X4 club? Many of our members have started out with stock or near stock vehicles and after seeing what is involved in off-roading, have modified them over time. We also have members with stock or nearly stock vehicles, so it really depends on what your looking for from a 4X4 club.

Hi Dror, welcome.  We are a family oriented club with a wide range of vehicles.  If you don't feel your vehicles are up to the task then there is typically a passenger seat your can jump in for a given run.  However, we aren't in typical times so once we have enough members vaccinated and someone feels comfortable taking passengers you might ask about riding along for a run to see if this club is what you are after.

Jeff accurately described what is typically required for club runs.  At a minimum we would request good quality all terrain tires on 17inch or smaller wheels and you should be able to do a couple of the runs we do every year but it would be pretty hard on the vehicles.  With stock 20 inch rims and highway tires we would have no regularly planned 4x4 trips that we could take your vehicles through in good conscience.  Unfortunately, the way trails have been managed in california we have either dirt roads that nearly any 2wd vehicle can do, or we have narrow and rocking 4wd trails that only a few stock vehicle can handle.  There are very few options to test out a stock 4x4 anymore.

If you are dead set on driving your vehicles on the trail, keep you eyes out for a 4x4 skills day at one of the state off road parks.  That will get you behind the wheel in a controlled environment and able to see if the hobby is what you are looking for. Metalcloak typically does a skills day at Prairie City in Sacramento and Esprit-de-four does one every may at Hollister Hills 4x4 park (may 15th this year).

Thank you guys!

Some background:

By my name you probably figure I am from a diffrent country (Israel it is) As a family going for 2 3 days off road with the kids and sleeping and cooking outdoors was part of our life. We moved here 12 years a go kids finished colleges already and I started to miss those trips.

I have no problem to upgrade my car if needed. I am meried to Gali and we have 3 kids. I am 52 years old expirinced with off road driving but all the upgrades are new to me. Use to drive Nissan Terrano 1995 back there.

Will be happy to go out once a mounth turn off the cell phone and connect to nature with nice people. That basicly it. This was one of my favorite Trail It is between Jerusalem and the dead sea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu4uvCTanUw

Dror, so it looks like you did more of an overland trail than a technical, rock crawling trail. Both are fun. Due to Covid we are meeting virtually on the 2nd Thursday of the month. If you are interested, keep an eye out on our forum and join us for our next Zoom meeting on March 11th.

I am hopeful that the club will start doing more overland/camping adventures.

I've spent a ton of years bashing my rigs on the rocks, then laying underneath them for hours and hours fixing stuff.

We are talking over a hundred trips across the Rubicon and Fordyce, as well as four years running the Hammers.

I've been thinking a lot about selling my big red Jeep on 40's and buying a new diesel and build it on 35's.

I would focus more on moderate trails like Strawberry and Deer Valley, and then try to do more overland adventures.

Just something I've been thinking a lot about...

JohnDF said I am hopeful that the club will start doing more overland/camping adventures.

I've spent a ton of years bashing my rigs on the rocks, then laying underneath them for hours and hours fixing stuff.

We are talking over a hundred trips across the Rubicon and Fordyce, as well as four years running the Hammers.

I've been thinking a lot about selling my big red Jeep on 40's and buying a new diesel and build it on 35's.

I would focus more on moderate trails like Strawberry and Deer Valley, and then try to do more overland adventures.

Just something I've been thinking a lot about...

Me too John!  I will be moving to the overland focus coming up.  I'll keep my jeep and use it for the harder stuff.  But I'm planning on the exploration type runs/events.  Ghost towns, metal detecting, camping, etc...

John - why not get the Jeep JL 4Xe instead of the Diesel?  The diesel is 260 hp, the 4Xe is 375.  The diesel is 420 ft.lbs and the 4Xe is 450.  And you can get 35 miles range in all electric (maybe more)?  Also, it runs on normal gas.  I'm ordering the JT 4Xe as soon as orders open, and getting the Rubicon version.

BKGM Jeepers said

JohnDF said

I am hopeful that the club will start doing more overland/camping adventures.

I've spent a ton of years bashing my rigs on the rocks, then laying underneath them for hours and hours fixing stuff.

We are talking over a hundred trips across the Rubicon and Fordyce, as well as four years running the Hammers.

I've been thinking a lot about selling my big red Jeep on 40's and buying a new diesel and build it on 35's.

I would focus more on moderate trails like Strawberry and Deer Valley, and then try to do more overland adventures.

Just something I've been thinking a lot about...

Me too John!  I will be moving to the overland focus coming up.  I'll keep my jeep and use it for the harder stuff.  But I'm planning on the exploration type runs/events.  Ghost towns, metal detecting, camping, etc...

John - why not get the Jeep JL 4Xe instead of the Diesel?  The diesel is 260 hp, the 4Xe is 375.  The diesel is 420 ft.lbs and the 4Xe is 450.  And you can get 35 miles range in all electric (maybe more)?  Also, it runs on normal gas.  I'm ordering the JT 4Xe as soon as orders open, and getting the Rubicon version.

I'm glad somebody else is thinking about adding more adventure runs to the club.

I'll have to look more into the e-jeep, but I really liked the diesel that I test drove.

JohnDF said I am hopeful that the club will start doing more overland/camping adventures.

I've spent a ton of years bashing my rigs on the rocks, then laying underneath them for hours and hours fixing stuff.

We are talking over a hundred trips across the Rubicon and Fordyce, as well as four years running the Hammers.

I've been thinking a lot about selling my big red Jeep on 40's and buying a new diesel and build it on 35's.

I would focus more on moderate trails like Strawberry and Deer Valley, and then try to do more overland adventures.

Just something I've been thinking a lot about...

I will be leading a few overlanding style runs once I get the little one comfortable for longer periods in the Jeep.  But don't discount Deer Valley, it was tough on 35s list time i went through.

JohnDF said I am hopeful that the club will start doing more overland/camping adventures.

I've spent a ton of years bashing my rigs on the rocks, then laying underneath them for hours and hours fixing stuff.

We are talking over a hundred trips across the Rubicon and Fordyce, as well as four years running the Hammers.

I've been thinking a lot about selling my big red Jeep on 40's and buying a new diesel and build it on 35's.

I would focus more on moderate trails like Strawberry and Deer Valley, and then try to do more overland adventures.

Just something I've been thinking a lot about...

I will be leading a few overlanding style runs once I get the little one comfortable for longer periods in the Jeep.  But don't discount Deer Valley, it was tough on 35s list time i went through.

I am thinking to upgrade my 2019 Silverado I don't realy know where to start and can use some advise.

Just level it or lift? 3 or 6 inch?

Size of wheels 33 or 35 ?

Any placees you guys know that are doing good job?

Dror said  I have no problem to upgrade my car if needed. I am meried to Gali and we have 3 kids. I am 52 years old expirinced with off road driving but all the upgrades are new to me. Use to drive Nissan Terrano 1995 back there.

Looks like the Terrano was the same as the 1985 to 1995 Pathfinder sold in the states.  They are old and cheap here now days.  We had a member who moved a few years back that swapped a solid front axle under his and built it to handle the rubicon trail.

JohnDF said I am hopeful that the club will start doing more overland/camping adventures.

I've spent a ton of years bashing my rigs on the rocks, then laying underneath them for hours and hours fixing stuff.

We are talking over a hundred trips across the Rubicon and Fordyce, as well as four years running the Hammers.

I've been thinking a lot about selling my big red Jeep on 40's and buying a new diesel and build it on 35's.

I would focus more on moderate trails like Strawberry and Deer Valley, and then try to do more overland adventures.

Just something I've been thinking a lot about...

John, I sold my white truck & getting a JT Rubicon with a manual transmission as soon as they clear the recall that's currently active. Hopefully in the 1st of March. I couldn't agree with your thinking more about ravaging my Jeep & the resulting repairs...it seems to be consistent. Overlanding sounds like fun & a lot easier on the rig. I too, will keep my current Jeep for runs that are more challenging (like Hell Hole), but defaulting to overland trails sounds enticing.

BKGM Jeepers said

JohnDF said

I am hopeful that the club will start doing more overland/camping adventures.

I've spent a ton of years bashing my rigs on the rocks, then laying underneath them for hours and hours fixing stuff.

We are talking over a hundred trips across the Rubicon and Fordyce, as well as four years running the Hammers.

I've been thinking a lot about selling my big red Jeep on 40's and buying a new diesel and build it on 35's.

I would focus more on moderate trails like Strawberry and Deer Valley, and then try to do more overland adventures.

Just something I've been thinking a lot about...

Me too John!  I will be moving to the overland focus coming up.  I'll keep my jeep and use it for the harder stuff.  But I'm planning on the exploration type runs/events.  Ghost towns, metal detecting, camping, etc...

John - why not get the Jeep JL 4Xe instead of the Diesel?  The diesel is 260 hp, the 4Xe is 375.  The diesel is 420 ft.lbs and the 4Xe is 450.  And you can get 35 miles range in all electric (maybe more)?  Also, it runs on normal gas.  I'm ordering the JT 4Xe as soon as orders open, and getting the Rubicon version.

Since I've been searching for a JT, I've found very few diesel engine options, none with the turbo-4 cylinders & mostly all with the 3.6 V6 gas. The diesels cost $4,000 more, & in light of the EV rage going on now, I'm betting the popularity of the diesel engine will be on a constant rapid decline as time goes on. A hybrid/electric, or pure electric is the future without a doubt. Good luck hunting!

Guy and Lynda said

JohnDF said

I am hopeful that the club will start doing more overland/camping adventures.

I've spent a ton of years bashing my rigs on the rocks, then laying underneath them for hours and hours fixing stuff.

We are talking over a hundred trips across the Rubicon and Fordyce, as well as four years running the Hammers.

I've been thinking a lot about selling my big red Jeep on 40's and buying a new diesel and build it on 35's.

I would focus more on moderate trails like Strawberry and Deer Valley, and then try to do more overland adventures.

Just something I've been thinking a lot about...

John, I sold my white truck & getting a JT Rubicon with a manual transmission as soon as they clear the recall that's currently active. Hopefully in the 1st of March. I couldn't agree with your thinking more about ravaging my Jeep & the resulting repairs...it seems to be consistent. Overlanding sounds like fun & a lot easier on the rig. I too, will keep my current Jeep for runs that are more challenging (like Hell Hole), but defaulting to overland trails sounds enticing.

Great, that's three of us interested in these types of adventures.

You will be our go-to expert on this, you seem to have the most experience with it.

Maybe we can get Scott to organize another Nevada overland trip. The one I was on was one of the most fun trips, in part, because it was such a contrast to rock crawling and especially because Scott knows Nevada so well and was a great leader and chef!

JohnDF said

Guy and Lynda said

JohnDF said

I am hopeful that the club will start doing more overland/camping adventures.

I've spent a ton of years bashing my rigs on the rocks, then laying underneath them for hours and hours fixing stuff.

We are talking over a hundred trips across the Rubicon and Fordyce, as well as four years running the Hammers.

I've been thinking a lot about selling my big red Jeep on 40's and buying a new diesel and build it on 35's.

I would focus more on moderate trails like Strawberry and Deer Valley, and then try to do more overland adventures.

Just something I've been thinking a lot about...

John, I sold my white truck & getting a JT Rubicon with a manual transmission as soon as they clear the recall that's currently active. Hopefully in the 1st of March. I couldn't agree with your thinking more about ravaging my Jeep & the resulting repairs...it seems to be consistent. Overlanding sounds like fun & a lot easier on the rig. I too, will keep my current Jeep for runs that are more challenging (like Hell Hole), but defaulting to overland trails sounds enticing.

Great, that's three of us interested in these types of adventures.

You will be our go-to expert on this, you seem to have the most experience with it.

I like all runs as long as it’s out in nature and not crowded.

Guy, you also forgot easier on the ribs! 🙂

k-jeep said

JohnDF said

Guy and Lynda said

JohnDF said

I am hopeful that the club will start doing more overland/camping adventures.

I've spent a ton of years bashing my rigs on the rocks, then laying underneath them for hours and hours fixing stuff.

We are talking over a hundred trips across the Rubicon and Fordyce, as well as four years running the Hammers.

I've been thinking a lot about selling my big red Jeep on 40's and buying a new diesel and build it on 35's.

I would focus more on moderate trails like Strawberry and Deer Valley, and then try to do more overland adventures.

Just something I've been thinking a lot about...

John, I sold my white truck & getting a JT Rubicon with a manual transmission as soon as they clear the recall that's currently active. Hopefully in the 1st of March. I couldn't agree with your thinking more about ravaging my Jeep & the resulting repairs...it seems to be consistent. Overlanding sounds like fun & a lot easier on the rig. I too, will keep my current Jeep for runs that are more challenging (like Hell Hole), but defaulting to overland trails sounds enticing.

Great, that's three of us interested in these types of adventures.

You will be our go-to expert on this, you seem to have the most experience with it.

I like all runs as long as it’s out in nature and not crowded.

Guy, you also forgot easier on the ribs! 🙂

You're right Kevin, how could I ever forget the broken rib adventures. At the time, it was unforgettable!

Dror said I am thinking to upgrade my 2019 Silverado I don't realy know where to start and can use some advise.

Just level it or lift? 3 or 6 inch?

Size of wheels 33 or 35 ?

Any placees you guys know that are doing good job?

The Silverado is a bit big for the local trails but would work on the "overlanding" trips being discussed.  Im not a fan of big lift kits on IFS vehicles but the first thing you do is pick your budget and tires and then size the lift to fit.

A leveling kit should let you fit 33" tires without issue and would be reliable.  35" tires will require a 6" lift or 3" and finder trimming.  35"s will be more comfortable off road and the better clearance will make you able to get more places but it will also put more stress on all of the wearable parts.

The most important thing would be to pick 17" rims and some good quality tires.  NO 20 INCH WHEELS!!!

You aren't looking at needing a speciality shop to do the simple lift so MC Motorsports should be able to handle it.  Marc at MC gives discounts to members of the Club.  4WheelParts and Patriot Offroad can also do the work.

kris_olof said

Dror said

I am thinking to upgrade my 2019 Silverado I don't realy know where to start and can use some advise.

Just level it or lift? 3 or 6 inch?

Size of wheels 33 or 35 ?

Any placees you guys know that are doing good job?

The Silverado is a bit big for the local trails but would work on the "overlanding" trips being discussed.  Im not a fan of big lift kits on IFS vehicles but the first thing you do is pick your budget and tires and then size the lift to fit.

A leveling kit should let you fit 33" tires without issue and would be reliable.  35" tires will require a 6" lift or 3" and finder trimming.  35"s will be more comfortable off road and the better clearance will make you able to get more places but it will also put more stress on all of the wearable parts.

The most important thing would be to pick 17" rims and some good quality tires.  NO 20 INCH WHEELS!!!

You aren't looking at needing a speciality shop to do the simple lift so MC Motorsports should be able to handle it.  Marc at MC gives discounts to members of the Club.  4WheelParts and Patriot Offroad can also do the work.

Thank you so much , I am not looking for technical trail I was thinking 6 inch with 35" tires. Can you explain why not 20" Wheels? also What is the benafit of finder trimming? Thanks again

Thank you so much , I am not looking for technical trail I was thinking 6 inch with 35" tires. Can you explain why not 20" Wheels? also What is the benafit of finder trimming? Thanks again

I have a 2010 Ford F-150 Crew Cab. I started wheeling with this club when the truck was stock. It was ok on the mild trails but I soon added a 6" lift and 35" all terrain tires. That worked much better on many of the trails. I will suggest good skid plates and rocker protection. That should work for most of what you are looking to do. I moved up to 37" mud tires and added a winch since I do enjoy some of the more technical trails, but even with that, the size of my truck limits me from some trails. The suggestion to not use 20" wheels is so you can have a taller sidewall that can flex over rocks and obstacles giving more traction and less chance of damaging the wheel. I hope to see you on the trails!

richfroh said

Thank you so much , I am not looking for technical trail I was thinking 6 inch with 35" tires. Can you explain why not 20" Wheels? also What is the benafit of finder trimming? Thanks again

I have a 2010 Ford F-150 Crew Cab. I started wheeling with this club when the truck was stock. It was ok on the mild trails but I soon added a 6" lift and 35" all terrain tires. That worked much better on many of the trails. I will suggest good skid plates and rocker protection. That should work for most of what you are looking to do. I moved up to 37" mud tires and added a winch since I do enjoy some of the more technical trails, but even with that, the size of my truck limits me from some trails. The suggestion to not use 20" wheels is so you can have a taller sidewall that can flex over rocks and obstacles giving more traction and less chance of damaging the wheel. I hope to see you on the trails!

Than you so much. I hope I will be able to see you on trails shortly.

JohnDF said I am hopeful that the club will start doing more overland/camping adventures.

I've spent a ton of years bashing my rigs on the rocks, then laying underneath them for hours and hours fixing stuff.

We are talking over a hundred trips across the Rubicon and Fordyce, as well as four years running the Hammers.

I've been thinking a lot about selling my big red Jeep on 40's and buying a new diesel and build it on 35's.

I would focus more on moderate trails like Strawberry and Deer Valley, and then try to do more overland adventures.

Just something I've been thinking a lot about...

Lori and I really enjoy driving mild to medium trail runs. it is wonderful to just be out in the country. To just slowly cruse on the trails is very relaxing. Also to go and camp would be great.