Blackdiamond (Gup-C build-up)

[blackdiamond]

Good that metal roof isn't much protection in a rollover.

The advantage of the metal cab over the soft top in the back, even with the cage, is things from outside the truck coming in or the soft top frame itself coming apart.  It's just a bunch of metal rods.  Not as much potential in a slow roll.

[blackdiamond]

Give us a sample of the trail list planned for this years Moab trip.

Trails:
(1) Moab Rim (full trail)
(2) Hell's Revenge
(3) Sevenmile Rim, Pickle (maybe), and Mashed Potato (new trail)
(4) Kane Creek
(5) Poison Spider and Where Eagles Dare

Hikes:
(1) Delicate Arch
(2) Corona Arch

The goal is to take advantage of the small group and efficiently run the trails to keep the time on the trail shorter for my son.  It's going to be a long trip in the 4Runner for him.  Two travel days on each end with five days on the trails.  The other goal is to see as much of the different areas as we can.  We might do a shorter version of the Moab Rim and hit Cliff Hanger again.

[:)bestgen4runner]

It makes Me feel a bit better knowing it will be mostly the same trails I have seen the last two years.

[blackdiamond]

It makes Me feel a bit better knowing it will be mostly the same trails I have seen the last two years.

We generally run mostly the same trails, and now that a few are off the list due to getting impossible (e.g. Behind the Rocks, Metal Masher, Pritchett Canyn (we will do this one more time at some point)) we may have to see what else is out there. 

[blackdiamond]

Mashed Potato will be new. If we do the full Moab Rim trail it's been a years since we did the loop, but I anticipate at least going to the sand hill. Also, we will hit the overlook on Where Eagles Dare to view Corona Arch that we will also be hiking to.

[blackdiamond]

I may be extending the Moab trip by a day if it'll make it possible for some of my Colorado friends to overlap for a couple of wheeling days.  If it works for them, and CrankyCrawler, and the local Jeep (and navigator), and lodging reservations can be changed, then it might happen.

[blackdiamond]

I've got my lodging reservation for the extra day now.  I'm assuming that the others won't have an issue extending their reservations.

We decided to go ahead and stay an extra day and if things work out well some of the Colorado crew will be able to show up.  It's been since 2009 since I was able to wheel with any of them.  Being from WA I always travel on the weekends and wheel the week in between.  They are close enough that long weekends fit their schedules better so our windows of opportunity are small and then you have to factor in all of the other life factors.

[blackdiamond]

 

There has been several developments in the world of CrankyCrawler that are likely to prevent him from being able to go to Moab which means that the trip is in serious jeopardy.  I suspect a final decision will have to be made in the next few weeks...it's only 60ish days out.  This would be the first time that we have planned a trip and not followed through.

[Gnarly4X]

There has been several developments in the world of CrankyCrawler that are likely to prevent him from being able to go to Moab which means that the trip is in serious jeopardy.  I suspect a final decision will have to be made in the next few weeks...it's only 60ish days out.  This would be the first time that we have planned a trip and not followed through.

Oh CRAPITY!... 

Is there a plan "B"? 

Gnarls.

[blackdiamond]

Oh CRAPITY!... 

Is there a plan "B"? 

Gnarls.

The official Plan B would be Moab 2019 with a totally new plan for this that could range from me working most of the week to taking a different full family trip.  The more I think about things the more I'm leaning towards just going anyways.

Here's what I'm thinking of for a trail list without CrankyCrawler...

Trail List:
(0) Arrive & Corona Arch Hike
(1) Sevenmile Rim (maybe Pickle and/or Mashed Potato)
(2) Poison Spider & Where Eagles Dare
(3) Elephant Hill
(4) Hell's Revenge
(5) Moab Rim & Delicate Arch Hike
(6) Maybe a Bonus Day

[:)bestgen4runner]

The official Plan B would be Moab 2019 with a totally new plan for this that could range from me working most of the week to taking a different full family trip.  The more I think about things the more I'm leaning towards just going anyways.

Here's what I'm thinking of for a trail list without CrankyCrawler...

Trail List:
(0) Arrive & Corona Arch Hike
(1) Sevenmile Rim (maybe Pickle and/or Mashed Potato)
(2) Poison Spider & Where Eagles Dare
(3) Elephant Hill
(4) Hell's Revenge
(5) Moab Rim & Delicate Arch Hike
(6) Maybe a Bonus Day

I highly recommend Island in the sky again.
It was one of the highlights of last year for Me.

[blackdiamond]

I highly recommend Island in the sky again.
It was one of the highlights of last year for Me.

We discussed doing the road trail that comes up the switchbacks, I think it's the Shafer Trail.

[blackdiamond]

My new KTT parts were delivered last week. As it turns out my top is from the original owner and there are a few minor differences. One part on mine used rivers and is now bolted so I had to drill mine out and get some bolts to make the swap. Easy enough. When I went to zip the new top on the zipper broke. Clearly a bum part that wasn't the fault of KTT. I already chatted on the phone and he be willing to pay for whatever I need to do to get it fixed. He suggest a local boat shop can likely fix it cheap and easy or I can sent it back to him.  Great service, just a bummer.

[blackdiamond]

I was able to get the zipper replaced today with an aluminum one that should be a little stronger.  I had the guy replace both sides.  The failure was simply a bum part and no reflection on KTT, but he has already sent me funds to cover the repair.  Kurt at KTT has been great to work with throughout this process.  Considering that my original top was made in late 2008 or early 2009 by the previous owner and the new pieces fit great, I'd say that it's a quality product with excellent quality control.  The only issues, other than the stupid zipper, were a result of the current design being slightly different.  I had to drill out a couple of rivets to move some now bolt-on hardware from the old cab hoop to the new one.  It sounds like the new design uses a center bar which I think would be an upgrade from one that only has a strap that runs down the center.  Should be good to go for Moab other than gas...

[blackdiamond]

I also got some padding on the passenger grab bar.  I used some basic pipe foam insulation with some duct tape as the first layer and then covered it with a product similar to this:
<https://www.amazon.com/2wayz-Silicone-Waterproof-Solution-Electrical/dp/B075FWJK4T/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1519155708&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=pipe+wrap&psc=1>

It seemed to work great.  It has a nice feel and the padding doesn't rotate on the bar which make it feel much more solid.

[H8PVMNT]

I have heard those guys at KTT are great.  Nice to hear it again.

[blackdiamond]

I also put some new seat covers on. They are not fancy but the old ones were worn out.

[blackdiamond]

Here's a picture of the grab bar.  The picture was taken during the power outage with a flashlight so pardon the poor lighting...

[Cheesemaker]

Can't roll the window down with the cage?  Or is there enough room?

[300k]

Can't roll the window down with the cage?  Or is there enough room?

I'm sure there's enough room. if it did happen to be an embarrassing oversight, just open the door lol

[joeyf]

The grab handle looks good. Another good option is handle bar grips for a bmx bike, I have found they last the longest.

[blackdiamond]

Can't roll the window down with the cage?  Or is there enough room?

There's actually plenty of room. I can't quite get my entire hand all the way around, but no issues. The bar is a bit inboard and then goes out wider just below the window handle.

[blackdiamond]

Can the official countdown start at 24 sleeps? 

I'd say days instead of sleeps, but then Chris will get confused so I'm going with what works for my kids.

At this point it appears to be a small group for the trip.

Confirmed
(1) Toyota 4Runner (Me)
(2) Jeep Rubicon (Rick)
(3) Jeep Rubicon (Rick's friend from the other side of the country)

Maybe
(4) Side-by-side - This is a friend from Colorado that I worked summers for in high school and college.  He recently had back surgery and recovery has been difficult so he wants to go but is unlikely.
(5) 1 to 3 rigs from Colorado - They would only be coming for the last couple of days.  I am hopeful that they will make it, but they have been unable to commit due a new job and since they are pretty close a bad weather report could put a nail in the coffin.

I plan to sit down with Rick, maybe this weekend, to discuss what he'd like to see in Moab.

Trail List:
(0) Sunday - Arrive & Corona Arch Hike
(1) Monday - Sevenmile Rim (maybe Pickle and/or Mashed Potato)
(2) Tuesday - Poison Spider & Where Eagles Dare
(3) Wednesday - Elephant Hill (hikes to Chesler Park & Confluence Overlook)
(4) Thursday - Hell's Revenge
(5) Friday - Moab Rim & Delicate Arch Hike
(6) Saturday - Shafer Trail & Island in the Sky (Canyonlands)

The order could change for sure and the Golden Spike instead of Poison Spider Mesa could be an option if Rick had interest, but I'm trying to keep the long days to a minimum for my son's first trip.

[blackdiamond]

It appears that three rigs from Colorado are likely to show up the last couple of day. This is fun news, but adds complexity for figuring out a trail list. They don't want to do the Shafer Trail because they will only have two days of wheeling. One of them is also tired of Poison Spider Mess and Hells Revenge so we may do Behind the Rocks, Golden Spike, or something else. I am trying to avoid Steel Bender that was on their list as it's average wheeling at best without having great scenery.

[blackdiamond]

Based on my conversation with the Colorado group, here's what I'm thinking a couple of workable trail listd might be:

PLAN A
(0) Sunday - Arrive & Corona Arch Hike
(1) Monday - Sevenmile Rim & Island in the Sky (Canyonlands) - Need to verify the logistics of exiting via Wipeout Hill.
(2) Tuesday - Poison Spider & Where Eagles Dare
(3) Wednesday - Elephant Hill (hikes to Chesler Park & Confluence Overlook)
(4) Thursday - Hell's Revenge & Delicate Arch Hike
(5) Friday - Moab Rim & Cliff Hanger
(6) Saturday - Behind the Rocks (excluding the far end past White Knuckle Hill)

PLAN B
(0) Sunday - Arrive & Corona Arch Hike
(1) Monday - Sevenmile Rim (maybe Pickle and/or Mashed Potato)
(2) Tuesday -  Shafer Trail & Island in the Sky (Canyonlands)
(3) Wednesday - Elephant Hill (hikes to Chesler Park & Confluence Overlook)
(4) Thursday - Hell's Revenge & Delicate Arch Hike
(5) Friday - Golden Spike & Where Eagles Dare
(6) Saturday - Moab Rim & Cliff Hanger

[blackdiamond]

I got the new 12" MODQUAD sun visors installed tonight.  They have a full range of motion and can be out of my line of sight all the way forward or up and back.  MODQUAD provided excellent customer service when I ordered the wrong size bracket from Amazon.  They exchanged the brackets for the cost of shipping and even sent me the new ones before receiving the old ones.

[mudmaster]

So they just clamp the the roll cage?

[blackdiamond]

So they just clamp the the roll cage?

Yes

https://www.modquad.com/product/sun-visor/

[blackdiamond]

The Colorado crew are confirmed outside of some last minute bad weather rolling through with enough warning for them to stay home.  Due to coordination of trails the (5) and (6) trips are set. I think the rest are set other than possibly a swap of order now that things are a little more settled.  The Shafer Trail feels to early for a complete easy day so will try to spot it in later in the week for a break from the bouncing.

(0) Sunday - Arrive & Corona Arch Hike
(1) Monday - Sevenmile Rim (maybe Pickle and/or Mashed Potato)
(2) Tuesday -  Shafer Trail & Island in the Sky (Canyonlands)
(3) Wednesday - Elephant Hill (hikes to Chesler Park & Confluence Overlook)
(4) Thursday - Hell's Revenge & Delicate Arch Hike
(5) Friday - Golden Spike & Where Eagles Dare
(6) Saturday - Moab Rim & Cliff Hanger

[blackdiamond]

I think I like this itinerary.  I wish the last two days could be some of the easier trails, but that's how it goes when coordinating with weekend warriors.

Sunday - Arrive & Corona Arch Hike
Monday - Sevenmile Rim (maybe Pickle and/or Mashed Potato)
Tuesday - Hell's Revenge & Delicate Arch Hike
Wednesday - Elephant Hill (hikes to Chesler Park & Confluence Overlook)
Thursday -  Shafer Trail & Island in the Sky (Canyonlands)
Friday - Golden Spike & Where Eagles Dare
Saturday - Moab Rim & Cliff Hanger

12 more sleeps...