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lak2004

lak2004

1/2 ton status
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Aug 31, 2006
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Durango, CO
Ok I am trying to plan out my trip to BB this year. It will be my first year and the most wheeling I have done yet. Any tips?

What spare parts are a necessity? Anything I should bring that wouldnt normally be thought of?

My blazer is still on 10 bolts and I am running 35" tires. I would like to switch to 1 tons if I can do it in time, but if not should I regear my axles (3.73 now).

I am no wheeling pro so I will be doing the easy trails.

Thanks a bunch guys! Getting stoked about going this year. Its only a 3 hour drive from here to Moab and I believe that I will have another vehicle in case I break anything on the blazer.
 
BB is a perfect place to learn to wheel. You can watch people with similar setups do the same obstacles you will be attempting. Everyone is nice and willing to help you out however possible. For example last year I blew a u-joint in my front shaft twice on the same trail. When I went to fix it the first time I thought didn't bring a spare, I asked the group and 2 or three people volunteered their joints. As for spare parts and tools I carry all the necessary fluids, 2 of each kind of u-joint, hose clamps and radiator hose, some fuel line, a grease gun, basic tools as well as some specific stuff. I am sure there is more in my tool box but I cant think of what off the top of my head
 
You'll find that in Moab there are at least three trails for every level of difficulty. It’s AWESOME!!! As far as your 10 bolts go. IMO you should save your money for the axle swap. 10 bolts are strong enough for 35's and light easy wheelin. There are some trails on Moab that can be pretty unforgiving (even the easy trails)...again IMO. As far as spare parts go, personally I bring parts that I know are kinda weak on my rig, and about all the tools I can fit in my rig (within reason)
 
So I am going to make this my list then for stuff to do/bring for BB09. If you guys have anything I should add let me know and ill keep this updated. Might help anyone else with the same sort of questions as well.

Spares:
axleshafts
u joints
fuel pump, filter, hose, relay
fan relays
fluids (oil, trans, brake, coolant)
water pump? (i have one laying around, should I bring it?)
fuses
coolant hoses and clamps
belts



TO DO:
1 ton swap if possible
change axle u joints
change all fluids (oil, trans, tcase, brake, diffs)
grease zerks and hubs
brake pads and shoes
finish cutting front fenders

MISC stuff:
tools
straps
jumper cables
first aid kit
jack and stands
tire repair kit



Ok thats all I can think of for now. Plus I still have to get the ole beast running from the tbi swap still.
 
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First priority would be general reliability. Everything tight, no loose wires, lines, or hoses that can chafe, etc. Battery mount in good shape. Brakes in good working order, motor running at steep angles, no leaks. I've always preferred to carry spare axle shaft assemblies (with fresh u-joints installed) rather than just u-joints; same for driveshafts.
 
Maintenance everything you can. Brakes, Cooling, Steering, tranny and t-case, motor of course need to be in good working order. You will use the heck out of your brakes.

Anything with u-joints try and have spares. Fuel pump is a great idea. vital fluids, fuses.

Bottom line if you don't feel comfortable on an obstacle you can usually find a bypass. Give something a few tries then on to the next one. Guaranteed you will have a blast and if you want to go on a trail that is more serious than your rig there are always spare seats.

Everyone is very helpful and willing to share tools, parts, and expertise.

See ya there. Keep an eye on the thread as there is usually a caravan or two going that way.
 
There are auto part stores in town also so keep that in mind when bringing parts, like the kitchen sink cuz you can buy another one there :D
 
I preach preventative maintenance. There is nothing worse than being on a trail and someone has a problem then they follow up with "I saw that was a problem last month and have been wheeling three times since then and just never fixed it". Now I get to help/wait for you to maintain you truck on my trail run.

Get things in good order and take it from there. Things break. It has happened to everyone of us and will again. Just be prepared. Also remember that within a group of people someone will usually have a tool or part that is needed. The parts stores have most of the common stuff and there are always spares.
 
Yep going to do all of the preventative maintenance stuff before I even head out there. Hopefully I can swap in one tons or Ill just be doing the easier trails and try not to break everything. Thanks for all the tips guys, looking forward to wheeling with you all in 4months!
 
Yea I was reading up on the trail descriptions on www.traildamage.com and looks like I will run Hells Revenge and Seven Mile Rim. Maybe one more or jump in with somebody for Pritchett or something.
 
All makes and models are OK. We might hassle you a bit in a good natured sort of way.
I can be bought off from heckling with Jack Daniels:deal:

Lak:

If I wasn't tied up in a housing sh!t storm right now I would trying to buy a nice TBI blazer with AC and good interior to build up into a family weekend mild wheeling rig. If I had one of those vehicles I would have it in Moab as well as the buggy for BB. Blazer for trails like Hells and the buggy/race car for trails like Pritchett and Area BFE playing.

What you have will be more than enough fun for you without spending the time and $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ putting in larger axles etc. Run what you have.:D
 
miniwally said:
All makes and models are OK. We might hassle you a bit in a good natured sort of way.
I can be bought off from heckling with Jack Daniels:deal:

Lak:

If I wasn't tied up in a housing sh!t storm right now I would trying to buy a nice TBI blazer with AC and good interior to build up into a family weekend mild wheeling rig. If I had one of those vehicles I would have it in Moab as well as the buggy for BB. Blazer for trails like Hells and the buggy/race car for trails like Pritchett and Area BFE playing.

What you have will be more than enough fun for you without spending the time and $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ putting in larger axles etc. Run what you have.:D
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Well with my amazing savings skills, I will probably be running what I have. Either way Ill be there :D
 
A few more little tidbits, sorta like mental preparation:

Drive according to the capabilities of YOUR vehicle, and NOT according to the capabilities of other people and their vehicles. Particularly so if you haven't been 'wheeling much. This pretty much guarantees the most fun.

Furthermore, there's nothing wrong with asking for a spotter, or taking the easy line, or talking to some of the guys about line choices before taking on an obstacle. It takes much less time to spot someone through an obstacle than it takes to recover a flipped or repair a broken vehicle.
 
Thank you for the opportunity to wheel with y'all. I can handle a little heckling from the group. Now, is there anybody in the Northern New Mexico area that can help me and my brother do the coil-over conversion? Thanks.

LT.
 
lak2004 said:
How far from Farmington are you?
Click to expand...

The truck is being built in the Jemez Mountains, about 3 hours away or so from Farmington. I just ordered all the brackets and joints from Blue Torch Fab this morning. They are a fantastic group to deal with, very helpful. The shocks are 16" travel FOA coil over shocks, with remotes. I think that I know what I am doing, of course, I have said that before in regards to being married. LOL.

I am going to try and make it to Blazer Bash. I happened to be in Moab in 2006 at the same time as Blazer Bash. Some really cool rigs and I am hoping to get the chance to meet some of y'all there!

LT.
 
Well if I ever find some time on the weekend that I am not working on my own rig maybe i could give you a hand. Pretty long drive from Durango to there though.
 
Bring at least one spare set of rear shafts, two sets if you can get your hands on them. Those are the shafts that you absolutely need to get off the trail and/or drive home.

A set of spare front shafts and joints (assembled) would be good too (10 bolt stuff is usually cheap and easy to find in junkyards).

One spare u-joint for each driveshaft, brake cleaner, RTV, fluids (motor oil, trans fluid and diff fluid; no need for coolant, you can run water in the radiator short term if you need to). Spare coolant hoses and belts are a good idea, when I replace them I save the old ones for spares.

You should always have spare fuses.

IMO the spare water and fuel pumps are overkill but if you already have spare ones it won't hurt to bring them.


Past that you'll just need tools, a tow strap, a fire extinguisher, etc.

Spare bolts are one thing that can be very useful and something that most people forget to pack.


You'll probably forget something or end up needing something you didn't bring but that's the beauty of going wheeling with other people; someone will probably have what you need.



You'll have a ton of fun I promise :thumb:
 
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