Jeep Safari 2009

John told me I would not be able to get my jeep ready for Jeep Safari 2009, but with the help of my Father In Law, Jack and good friend, Shawn, I did it. Haaaaa!!! Scroll to the bottom to see pics from each trail we rode.

I started work in November 2008 and had my work cut out for me. I knew it was going to be a long tough task, but I was up to it and John had thrown the gauntlet down. When he told me there was no way I could have the jeep ready for Safari in five months, I knew I had to prove him wrong. So, I went to the DI and purchased so grubby clothes to work in and made my way to Jack and Nicki's house where Jack began to direct me in my work.

The two of us replaced the tie rod ends both upper and lower, lubed the entire vehicle, put a new Optima Blue Top battery in, replaced the Serpentine belt and recharged the air filter. I thought, I was well on my way to having it ready, until Shawn came and looked at it and advised me there were many more things needing to be done before it would be Moab ready. BRING IT ON!!!

Shawn gave me quite the check list and I was off and running. New tires, a sport cage, new U-Joints, Ball Joints, Emergency Brake adjustment and welding a lock spot for my high lift. Oh, and repositioning the CB Radio to save John's knees out on the trail. Over three long Saturday's we got it all done and spent every last penny I had put aside to get her ready. Not only was all that work done, I also painted the bumpers, rock sliders, door handles and mirror re-location brackets. She was a beauty. As of March 28 she was ready to be towed to Moab and put to the test on Metal Masher and Cliff Hanger.

The Jeep's were on the trailers, and all connected to the trucks, strapped down and ready to go. John was quite nervous, cuz this was his first time towing anything and too boot, it was my Crawler Jeep. Ya know what? He did awesome and we made it there safe and sound, jeep still on the trailer.

It's Time to Go WHEELN'