8:26 am
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline
Is there interest in a Weekday trip across Fordyce?
The run would occur on a Tuesday or a Wednesday.
Requirements:
Short wheel base - 35" tires AND at least one true locker (must be an ARB-type or equivilent, not limited slip type lockers).
Long-wheel base - 37" tires AND at least one true locker, but two are highly preferred.
Please post up interest and we can talk about dates. I'd like to get this trail run in fairly soon but if August works thats fine as well.
A winch is strongly recommended here as well since you'll likely be testing it out!
If you run an early JK or JKU (07-09 I believe) that has the aluminum TPS sensors, they must be removed and replaced with rubber valve stems for this run. No exceptions for this run! Sorry...
9:57 am
October 9, 2014
Offline Sounds enticing. In your opinion, where would I fit in? My wheelbase in 6-8 inches longer than short and about 15 inches shorter than long.
FNG
11:35 am
Club Member
January 19, 2011
Offline Would this be a slow paced run for first time Fordyce people?
Semper Fi
11:35 am
Club Member
February 26, 2014
Offline I'm interested depending on the dates. I believe my jeep has the lockers required?
12:28 pm
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline Justin S. said
Sounds enticing. In your opinion, where would I fit in? My wheelbase in 6-8 inches longer than short and about 15 inches shorter than long.
You would qualify under the "short wheel base" option.
12:30 pm
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline Josh said
Would this be a slow paced run for first time Fordyce people?
If we get on the trail at 0830 (and it's only 8 miles long), we will have plenty of time to get across. You'll be fine with pace.
12:33 pm
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline Gilbert & Betty said
I'm interested depending on the dates. I believe my jeep has the lockers required?
Jeep Rubicons have either low pressure air lockers (TJs) or e-lockers (JKs). Both are legitimate lockers so you'd be good to go!
However, I suggest you manage the Rubicon in a day before attempting Fordyce. Fordyce is a much tougher trail, with significant ledges. The ledges are challenging for short wheel base vehicles.
3:17 pm
Club Member
January 20, 2009
Offline I'd be up for it depending on date.
I'm guessing that, because of the drought, that river flows are probably low?
River flow is something else to be aware of. Especially for those running with no doors as you will cross the river several times. Ask John. 
You'll also want to make sure your breathers (axles, t-case, tranny) are extended up high if the water is deeper.
Fordyce is one of the reasons I ordered my Jeep with half doors.
3:26 pm
Club Member
January 20, 2009
Offline You could also ask Don about no doors on Fordyce. 
Here's the gallery from several years ago. Don is in the blue LJ. Most only went to the first River crossing and then back on this trip. It gets much more difficult after that.
3:56 pm
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline k-jeep said
I'd be up for it depending on date.
I'm guessing that, because of the drought, that river flows are probably low?
River flow is something else to be aware of. Especially for those running with no doors as you will cross the river several times. Ask John.
You'll also want to make sure your breathers (axles, t-case, tranny) are extended up high if the water is deeper.
Fordyce is one of the reasons I ordered my Jeep with half doors.
Yes!
I was in the second river crossing and had water go over the top of my hood on my TJ.
You either need to run full doors or half doors, or pull your drain plugs before the run.
The water levels will be among the lowest we've ever seen becuase of the drought. Making sure your breathers are at least attached is important.
3:59 pm
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline I've seen people take 4-6 hours to get to the first river crossing. It's about a 30-45 Minute drive for our group. Kevin is right that it gets much more fun after the first water crossing.
8:52 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline My trail rating system has Rubicon at a 5.
I would put Fordyce as an 8. Much more fun than Rubicon.
I'll wait on Fordyce until I can try out my rig on more mellow trails. I don't want to ruin the Jeep's pretty body right out of the gate. 🙂
I'll start with Strawberry. then Rubicon, and then Fordyce. Who knows, maybe even a return to The Hammers for some true 10 rated trails once I have another daily driver.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
8:53 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline k-jeep said
Ask John.
Yes, water running over my lap.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
9:24 pm
October 9, 2014
Offline I'd like to go. I'll have to get the day off, so the sooner a date is nailed down, the better. Sounds fun!
FNG
10:13 pm
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline Ok!
And, thx Kevin for my avatar.
4:10 pm
Club Member
August 17, 2014
Offline We are interested depending on the date. We think our jeep can handle it, do you Brad? (Just got an upgraded gas tank skid plate today!) August is better than July due to Guy traveling most of the month, but that's just us. Thanks for doing this.
4:39 pm
April 10, 2015
Offline
What Hell Holes trail rating?
6:15 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline Darrell and Jill said
What Hell Holes trail rating?
After giving it much thought
The trails we run (mostly)
From "easiest" to "hardest":
Long Canyon - 3
Bear Valley - 3
Strawberry - 4
Deer Valley - 4.5
Hell Hole - 5
Barrett - 6
Rubicon - 6.5
Fordyce - 8
Hammers - 6 to 10+ depending on the trail
But that's just my opinion...
I used to wheel a lot. . .
8:42 pm
April 10, 2015
Offline If we can get the day off from work, we are in. But will need a date.
9:23 am
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline Anybody agree or disagree with my trail ratings?
I used to wheel a lot. . .
12:04 pm
Club Member
January 20, 2009
Offline JohnDF said
Anybody agree or disagree with my trail ratings?
On the scale that Hammers is a 10, yes I agree.
I've seen other sites rate Rubicon a 10 so slide your scale appropriately.
My $0.02. 
5:29 pm
Club Trailmaster
March 13, 2015
Offline JohnDF said
Anybody agree or disagree with my trail ratings?
Agree so far as the trails I have actually done. Sounds like this might be worth a separate thread/sticky, hint hint mr webmaster.
5:50 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline kris_olof said
JohnDF said
Anybody agree or disagree with my trail ratings?
Agree so far as the trails I have actually done. Sounds like this might be worth a separate thread/sticky, hint hint mr webmaster.
Off-Topic conversations are encouraged 🙂
I did not include Slick Rock, as I've never ran it.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
9:18 am
May 4, 2004
Offline JohnDF said
Anybody agree or disagree with my trail ratings?
That seems about right for difficulty ratings, but oddly Strawberry seems to cause as much or more breakage as the more difficult trails.
10:19 am
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline Fred said
JohnDF said
Anybody agree or disagree with my trail ratings?
That seems about right for difficulty ratings, but oddly Strawberry seems to cause as much or more breakage as the more difficult trails.
True. I've broken stuff just as often on Strawberry as any other trail.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
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