Trail readiness

[WestKyJeeper]

So I finally hit the first trail in my LJ after almost 2 years of owning it. I live really close to LBL state park and turkey bay OHV trails.
I saw OnX off-road had a Labor Day sale and got the membership. I found an easy trail (Persimmon beach trail 2/10 difficulty) and hit the road.
It was about 3-4 miles long and gravel up until about the halfway point. The only “obstacle” we had was a tree that was down but we just squeezed around it no problem. Then we hit some pretty good ruts, loose gravel hills, and there was one part of the road that was semi washed out. All of these made me nervous for a first timer. I was having a ton of fun but also in the back of my mind I was thinking maybe we bit off more than I, or my jeep, could chew.

I don’t have a winch or any real recovery gear, no full size spare, and didn’t take an experienced friend that has a jeep too.
I guess I just wanted to start a conversation about jeep readiness and what you guys recommend. Maybe what are the next steps for my LJ upgrade wise to be ready for mild trails. Things that are a must have on the trail.

My Build : 05 Jeep LJ
31in AT tires
3.5 in rough country lift
Stock axles
Currectlync steering
Stock control arms
Stock bumpers (Any recommendations for front and rear bumpers/ winch combo?)

 

[Duck Doctor]

If nothing else get yourself a full size spare. I wouldn't worry about anything else if you are sticking to easy trails in off-road parks.

 

[CMBD]

Basic set of tools and a same size spare would be good to have. Tow strap, tree strap, and a few soft shackles for some basic recovery gear.

Stock front bumper with a winch plate would be the cheapest and lightest option to run a winch.

If you are going solo to remote places with no cell service, I would suggest getting a satellite communicator like a Garmin Inreach mini incase you have an emergency.

 

[Woodrow]

I like what @CMBD and @Duck Doctor said. I’d add a pack with food, water and clothing appropriate for overnighting or hiking out.

Solo wheeling can be sketchy for an experienced off-roader who has local knowledge and is prepared to self recover and repair. For a newbie, its dangerous. Number one recommendation, get out there but go with more experienced folks. That will also help you figure out what your jeep can and can’t do which will guide functional changes you may ultimately wish to make.

 

[AdventurePig]

Basic set of tools and a same size spare would be good to have. Tow strap, tree strap, and a few soft shackles for some basic recovery gear.

Stock front bumper with a winch plate would be the cheapest and lightest option to run a winch.

If you are going solo to remote places with no cell service, I would suggest getting a satellite communicator like a Garmin Inreach mini incase you have an emergency.

X2
I’d only add a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit.

1. Basic hand tools
2. Same size spare
3. Tow strap, tree strap, soft shackle(s)
4. Winch plate/winch
5. Satellite comms (inreach)
6. Fire extinguisher
7. Small first aid/boo-boo kit


Tools should all fit into a home depot/harbor freight soft tool bag or two. All that should be a good start to good kit that you can add to as you feel the need.

 

[k1n3k]

Another thing worth mentioning is that in addition to some basic recovery gear you should get some sort of knowledge on how to use it. like any other tool, they're useless or dangerous if you don't know what you're doing and can cause more harm than good.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Welcome to the forum and to the hobby. I've been up to LBL a couple of times. Great place for a first timer.

Lot's of great advice above. You will get a lot of that here on the forum. Ignore all of it, and go straight to:

Tonz and Fodeez!

 

[Woodrow]

Welcome to the forum and to the hobby. I've been up to LBL a couple of times. Great place for a first timer.

Lot's of great advice above. You will get a lot of that here on the forum. Ignore all of it, and go straight to:

Tonz and Fodeez!

What, no hemi?

 

[NashvilleTJ]

What, no hemi?

Well, you need the tonz first to deal with the Power of the Hemi, Mike. I guess you could go LS, and then the Dana 35 would be fine...

 

[macleanflood]

Winch. Fire Extinguisher. First Aid Kit. Tools...I keep a list of every tool I touch so I can game out field repairs.

Garmin In Reach.

Take some first aid classes... volunteering with the Forest Service will get you that training free and show you some really cool trails and places.

-Mac

 

[WestKyJeeper]

Thanks everyone for the responses! @macleanflood It would be cool to volunteer with the forest service. How would o go about doing that?
I might just skip straight to tonz and fodeez

 

[speeding_infraction]

This is my list for big day trips:

Maybe a little overkill but I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I would also welcome suggestions if you guys see anything missing.

 

[Jeepster09]

A simple shovel would help too. Years ago when I lived in Wyoming, I took a back road to go look at some land for sale and hit a small patch of snow in middle of road.....instant stuck. I was in my CJ7 with winch etc....didn't help with nothing to winch off of. I had to walk several miles to get help. After that I always carry at least a shovel. [I now also carry a Pul-Pal depending on where I go.] https://www.pullpal.com/

 

[JMT]

Sounds like you’re doing fine on those trails and they’re right by your home. Don’t really need anything unless you’re going farther away from home since a recovery/help is just minutes away.

If you’re going further several good ideas above and good threads on that topic.

Best thing you can get for your rig is lockers. It becomes very difficult to get stuck on mild trails with lockers. I’ve never done it.

 

[macleanflood]

How would o go about doing that?

Call your local FS office and talk to the local volunteer coordinator.

Not sure how close the Appachalin Trail is to you...but if anyone knows about volunteer opportunities...

https://appalachiantrail.org/get-involved/volunteer/

-Mac

 

[Gilaguy23]

Based off personal experiences and SAR, make sure you have a comfortable and suitable pair of shoes/boots, to hike out if all else fails.

 

[Cross06TJR]

Heavy duty come along has helped me out for 40 years, many uses to clear downed trees and with shackles can pull front or back

 

[macleanflood]

Based off personal experiences and SAR, make sure you have a comfortable and suitable pair of shoes/boots, to hike out if all else fails.

And a backpack...or bug out bag...and a compass and maps...backup to all that digital crap.

I have insulated coveralls in a dry bag behind my driver's seat. A sleeping bag works too. Good enough to keep me warm at night JIC.

-Mac

 

[freedom_in_4low]

already plenty of good advice in here as to what to pack in your Jeep when you go out, but a word on the Jeep itself - it will handle a lot more than you think. I have a buddy with a 100% bone stock Tacoma that follows our Jeeps wherever we go. We don't do anything super hardcore, but he gets through 5/10 trails with nothing but a little spotting (he chooses his own line, we just direct him where he wanted to go) and some occasional skid plate contact.

A lot of people dive right into modding, thinking they need big tires and a lift just to hit the dirt, or just because they like to tinker (me), and they end up with a rig that is far beyond their own capabilities. Obviously if a stock Taco with ATs and good line choice can make it through all the trails I do, I probably don't need 5" of lift and 35" MTs...that being said he does get tired of those 5s because he has to get out and look at stuff that I just roll over.

 

[bbaldwin237]

This is my list for big day trips:
View attachment 640668
Maybe a little overkill but I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I would also welcome suggestions if you guys see anything missing.

One suggestion I would make to your list is a jump box. You can buy small ones now by companies like Noco or others, because if you don't have another vehicle, jumper cables become useless.