Topic: Mark Smith Describes the Iconic Rubicon Trail

[Jeffy]

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/9NprkxboCAY" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/9NprkxboCAY</a>

[jwalls4x4]

  I love how true Jeep has stayed to its roots.  However, his last comment is as sad as it is true: "Jeep has no competitors."  Competition can be good.  I wish Ford would bring back a Bronco worthy of its classic 4x4 roots.

[Jeffy]

I love how true Jeep has stayed to its roots.  However, his last comment is as sad as it is true: "Jeep has no competitors."  Competition can be good.  I wish Ford would bring back a Bronco worthy of its classic 4x4 roots.

I think he's wrong when he said no other stock vehicle can do the Rubicon.  The H1 Hummer has done the trail as well as many Toyota's.

Also, I don't get how they are rating the trail a 10.  If they rate it with other trails on actual difficulty, then it's more like a 3.5 out of 5 on the West Coast scale.  The Rubicon Trail does give you a complete package of wheeling and camping and on that scale it's a 10.

[neale_rs]

The scale they use may be based on the vehicles and the trails they run in the Jeep Jamboree events.  It is probably the hardest trail trip they offer and maybe pretty close to the hardest trail doable in a stock vehicle.   I would love to run it some day to see for myself.

[Jeffy]

The scale they use may be based on the vehicles and the trails they run in the Jeep Jamboree events.  It is probably the hardest trail trip they offer and maybe pretty close to the hardest trail doable in a stock vehicle.   I would love to run it some day to see for myself.

It is based on stock Jeep.  Although even then it's a bit overblown as Jeep Jamboree has had lesser Jeeps then the Rubicon in their fleet.  I still remember when they had YJ's.  All they did was add 31's and some skidplating.  According to their own scale, the Rubicon can't do the trail as it woukld be limited to 6-7 unless you're saying the 1" factory lift is a 'lift'.

http://jeepjamboreeusa.com/trail-ratings/

10
Extremely demanding. Reserved for the toughest off-road trip in the U.S.A. — the Rubicon Trail. Requires 4WD with 4-LO. (Not recommended for Jeep Patriot, Compass, Liberty, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, or Commander.)

If you ever do the Rubicon Trail, you'll see that most of the trail is pretty tame.  There have been done in even a stock YJ before for a Jeep or Jeepers Jamboree.  (There are two big events at the Rubicon, Jeeper Jamboree and Jeep Jamboree which are usually a week apart) Rick Pewe of Peterson's 4Wheeler drove the trail in a stock GPW several years ago.

[chrisfranklin]

I think you could get an XTerra with the off-road package (rear locker) through the Rubicon expect for it might take some body damage.   

[Jeffy]

I think you could get an XTerra with the off-road package (rear locker) through the Rubicon expect for it might take some body damage.   

I actually like the xTerra.  I'm sure it could make it.  FJ Cruisers and 4Runners have done the trail.  Hell, with  gate keeper gone, you could easily bring in a suburban.  I've seen SJ's on the trail.