With the primary modifications done to our Jeep TJ Weekend Warrior, I decided on the perfect payoff. EASTER JEEP SAFARI 2007 in Moab, Utah. Watch the May issue for full details on our Weekend Warrior build. March 31st through April 8th will be the 41st annual gathering for Jeep enthusiasts. Moab is located in the Southeast quarter of Utah’s great state. Moab, Utah is considered to most off-road enthusiasts to be “GOD’S COUNTRY”. Being that this project is a weekend warrior, this event should be a perfect getaway on my two work days off.

I get home from my work on Sunday night(31st). After straightening up the garage, organizing my stuff, and the kids, we pack up the Jeep with all our bags and camping gear. With a tight budget, I create a camper’s itinerary. Reservations are made with the Moab, K.O.A. campsite. Seemed as if all hotel occupancies are filled right after the new year and camping/trailers fill soon thereafter. That’s OK. This will also become the first time the children and I actually get to camp with a tent. I’m glad we did.

The trip would be just shy of 500 miles from Las Vegas, NV. We left around midnight. The kids and my brother slept through the ride. With my personal paranoia about my first lift and such, I kept the cruise control locked at just under posted speed limits. I kept the radio low to allow for any strange noises to be detected. Seven and a half hours later, not a knock or peep from my weekend warrior. I was sure that “April Fools!” was bound to show up. It didn’t.

Entering Utah was a wonderful treat. As the sun rose shortly before Moab, the light teased us with glimpses of majestic landscape. The terrain reminded me fondly of Red Rock Canyon and the Valley of Fire outside of Las Vegas. These monstrous rock formations were godly and comparable in stature to the Grand Canyon. Different in origin, as the Grand Canyon is carved by rivers and the elements, Moab scenery is actually created by movement from the earth’s crust. It kind of reminded me of my son’s toy. You know, it’s a bed of pins. When you put your hand or any object under it, the influenced pins rise up and create the same shape. Well, I thought the landscape looked like giants dwelled underground and forced up the magnificent geography with clenched fists. Absolutely gorgeous!

Entering the town of Moab, we already see Jeeps galore. Folks are already meeting up with their scheduled and/or private groups to take on local trails. Trails in Moab are diverse and offer extreme rock crawling for the highly modified to the meandering scenic trails for stock rigs.

We instantly spot the OLYMPIC 4X4 PRODUCTS JEEP and chat shortly with Eric and Bob. They were impressed with the turnout of my project. I didn’t want to pause their preparation any longer and proceeded to look for breakfast. We passed up the usual name brands and tried the PANCAKE HAUS. Good waffles, but would have been better off with the name brands at half the price. At this point, is had seemed to late to join any morning activities and my eyes were so blood shot, every time I looked in the mirror I saw that RAT FINK character. We check in the K.O.A campsite, rest and squeeze in a little much needed nap.

Rejuvenated and eyes freshened with a whole bottle of Visine, we grab a light lunch and start our wheeling adventures. Bob told me earlier in the day of a scenic trail named “Chicken Corners”. The trail branches off of Kane Creek. A spectacle for the eyes. Views from up high, provide a panoramic appetizer of canyons and valleys.

Chicken Corners offered great scenery, excellent for a stock rig and maybe even better for mountain bikes. To see an earlier neck of the Colorado River was cool, being that I normally get the southern stretch at Lake Mead, NV/AZ. We seemed to be ready for more challenging terrain. In the same region, trails of Hurrah Pass and Kane Creek offered enhanced off-road flavor.

The ProComp suspension worked like a champ. The additional ground clearance helped overcome obstacles that might high center a stock rig. The MX6 shocks took the pounding of rugged environment, ruts and bouncy landings.

The improved flex of the suspension improved maneuverability through ravines, rocky trails, and even an awesome 45 degree/off-camber situation that made my brother clench his cheeks and the kids to scream for more. Sorry, my brother nor I were bold enough to jump out and take that picture. Confidence grew more and more with our ProComp lift the further we traveled. GREAT JOB PROCOMP!

The actual Kane Creek itself inserted a cool change up as the desert sun peaked. We waited for a lifted mid-size pickup with 35” IROKS to cross first. The water was below the center of his hub as he cautiously forded through at an estimated two miles per hour. I grinned and pointed to my eyes as we heeded by for our turn through the creek. The kids were thrilled and the pics explain the rest.

I definitely need to brag about the ProComp XTREME MUD TERRAINS. As my sixth off road tire owned, It has been the Best! May it be slick rock, sand, silt, loose rock, and especially mud, these tires cut through all the challenges like butter with a hot knife. Usually, offroad tires have their strengths and weaknesses. Some sacrifice one thing for another. I had no doubts for this tire at any interval or the multitude of obstacles. The ProComp slotted simulated beadlocks shed dirt and debry with ease.

Thank You to Chris Bolger at ProComp tires and wheels for helping me select the perfect combo for this project.

NOTABLE MENTION! The Volant CAI proved to be a needed attribute to this project. The throttle response, horsepower gain, and torque aided immensely. The extra grunt was noticed during all types of climbing. Whether it may be on the trail or increasing elevation traveled on Utah’s mountainous highways. I was also able to pass HD trucks on the steep grades. The aspiration balanced out the wind resistance and larger tires when it came to gas mileage. Funny, gas was also cheaper in UT. Thanks to Daniel at Volant Performance.

Our day of wheeling was an absolute blast. The kids had a great time! The Moab Makeover payoff was a success!!!

I applaud the CITY OF MOAB for their warm welcome and excellent service to those visiting. A charming little downtown area that reminded me a lot of old FLAGSTAFF, AZ. The shops, galleries and restaurants were plentiful. Cruising up and down Main St. was fun as we exchanged waves with other Jeepers and provided more exposure for sponsors. Working up an appetite, we had our best meal of the trip. Right in the middle of downtown, a great wood-fired pizza shop offered outside dining. The gourmet pizza was abundant and all-you-can-eat. My brother and I washed various selections with cold Pacifico’s and took our time as we watched the Jeep parade. The whole week seemed to take its toll of energy and we had not any trouble falling asleep in our tent. The sharp cold struck me at 5 am. We squeezed in a few more hours of sleep. After breakfast, we visited some groups and a few off road shops that I didn’t have time to check out the day before. Unfortunately, my left eye got severely irritated from yesterday’s windy dust storm and we decided to get an earlier start back to Vegas. I wish I could have stayed all week, but budget and time allowed no longer.

IT WAS THE PERFECT WEEKEND FOR THE “WEEKEND WARRIOR”!

CHECK BACK SOON FOR MORE ADVENTURES!