How to learn the craft of JEEPING

[hondatom]

I bought a project jeep, it is built pretty nice already but the guy I bought it from tipped it over. Needless to say I will be replacing some body parts. How would you fine people suggest that I go about learning to use my jeep in the manner it was ment to be used, while not putting it "rubber side up". All of my experience off road is on two wheels, so I tend to read trails from that perspective. Will that experience be usefull? Or is it totally different?

[Desert Jewel]

The best way to learn is to take it out on some of the scheduled runs posted up here with people who have the experience. They will spot you thru any obstacles that requiring spotting and give you all the pointers and help you need to learn. The Calico trails are a great place to begin

[cmjrfan8]

The Calico trails are a great place to begin

That's a great idea! Start him off on black diamond trails. If he survives, everything after that will be easy!

[JeepGal]

The hard part about wheeling an already built Jeep is that your vehicle is more capable then you are, and its easy to get over your head.

I tell everyone to take thier time and get to know what their stock Jeep is capable of. (which is amazing btw) With you, Id suggest you go on alot of stocker runs, treat your Jeep as if it were stock, until you get more experienced. Work up from there.

As far as your two wheeled experience, Im not sure that it applies. Alot of the trails really require you pick a line, and of course, that line will require knowing where all of your tires are. Its a bit different then bikes. I tend to chose lines that look like it will keep my Jeep stable. Those lines would be totally different on a bike. Instead of going around the rocks, we go over them. Also, with Jeepin', you need to remember to have BLIND FAITH in your spotter. So make sure that whoever you go with, you trust

Have fun and be safe!

Tam

[Desert Jewel]

That's a great idea! Start him off on black diamond trails. If he survives, everything after that will be easy!

Calico has tons of beginning areas to wheel...Mule Canyon is an excellent beginning!!

[womb raider 940]

Also, with Jeepin', you need to remember to have BLIND FAITH in your spotter. So make sure that whoever you go with, you trust

sorry Joe. I guess I just don't trust you.

[RAT]

ANy time you wanna go out and "practice" I'll be glad to offer suggestions. I've only rolled ten times... NOT! The offer stands, just pm me.

[4point]

This is from the CA4WDC website. They teach 4X skills almost evrey other weekend.
http://www.4x4training.com/

[nwoods]

Also, nearby to you is the Cleghorn trail, which is a GREAT training trail. It starts out easy, and gets progressively more fun as you work your way through it. My Land Rover club visits it several times a year as part of our "New Member Orientation" program.

Lots of photos here:
http://blog.nextstepdesigns.com/?cat=14

[Schmo]

sorry Joe. I guess I just don't trust you.

Well that explains it . . . this whole time I was thinking you had something against those fender flares or wanted an excuse to go to tube fenders!!!

[dirtman13]

I bought a project jeep, it is built pretty nice already but the guy I bought it from tipped it over. Needless to say I will be replacing some body parts. How would you fine people suggest that I go about learning to use my jeep in the manner it was ment to be used, while not putting it "rubber side up". All of my experience off road is on two wheels, so I tend to read trails from that perspective. Will that experience be usefull? Or is it totally different?

I'm from the two wheel world as well and I think they are totally different but both just as fun in their own respect. If you haven't wheeled much I would have to agree with the others on the easier trails. You need to learn the limits of the fours wheels just as you did with the two. All trails mentioned are great beginner trails (even Calico)plus there is always beginner friendly runs on this site. Congrates in the new Jeep and good luck.

[womb raider 940]

Well that explains it . . . this whole time I was thinking you had something against those fender flares or wanted an excuse to go to tube fenders!!!

LOL...It all is true.

[Giffer]

well call my crazy but you already flipped it, now that thats out of your system you can go semi-pro. you should be teaching. thats not until like chapter 10 in the "BIG BOOK of WHEELING". or atleast you got a wicked head start.


Nevermind, the guy who owned it before you tipped it, my bad.

[Shadly1]

There's some very light wheeling out by me in Santiago Canyon. It's a mild truck trail with water crossings. There are some technical areas off to the side of the main trails. Stuff for everybody.

[Mike]

Okay, my :2: Coming from a guy that has had an experience of seeing the ground while looking UP through the windshield,


I recommend JeepGal's advice.

A bone stock Jeep will go FAR (I mean, FAAARRR) more places than an average 4WD vehicle will go. You will want to test the abilities of your new Jeep carefully.

The best bet is start simple. I also agree with nwoods about the Cleghorn Trail. Its where I started wheeling and the beauty of it is that you can by-pass many of the parts that you are not comfortable with.

Post up if you want to go for a run on any trail. Let me know if you are interested in Cleghorn especially. It is only 30 minutes from my house.

...and if we talk REALLY nice to Giffer, he might road trip down...