Got questions

I would go for 31 bfg mud terrains (you don't want the cost of regearing for

33's right now) about 550 or so.. Powertrax no slip lockers, front & back... probably about 1100 total (bought and installed) 3.5 inch lift plus quick disconnects and adjustable shocks (might have to do a cv joint on the driveshaft) about 1500 to 2000. If your going out with others I wouldn't get the winch but would spend the rest of the cash on recovery and safety gear, probably also skid plate for oil pan and gas tank. Nick

Going up the Diablo Drop Off will probably require at least one locker or you won't make it. The Drop Off is basically a sand hill, going down is relatively easy, all you need to do is keep the front in front, going back up is another matter. You can't simply smash the gas and hope for the best because there is a turn in the middle of the hill. When you slow for the turn, you loose momentum for the last section, which is also the steepest.

Clearance is not going to be an issue for you, traction is the problem. Having said that, I have taken the trip several times with stock Jeeps, they just went down the Drop Off, and were satisfied with watching me go up.

Since you arer asking about the Drop Off, I'll assume you live near me soemwhere. It is my humble opinion that the best tires for Southern California are the BFG All Terrain KO's. I have the BFG Mud Terrains, and they work very well for me. But, if I was using my Jeep as a daily driver, the ATs would work better on the street than the MTs. The ATs give much better life on the street, and very nearly the same performance offroad. There are a few areas we might go where the MT are superior, but the vast majority of the routes we will use are well suited to the performance profile of the ATs.

That Mile Marker you have your eye on is perhaps not the best choice. It is of limited value for self-recovery, but is does have an excellent duty cycle for recovering your buddies. The problem with the hydraulic winch is that it requires the engine to be running, and if you are belly-up somewhere, the motor is not going to be of much help. Since most recovery operations consist of righting a vehicle, and this takes just a few minutes, then the electric winches make more sense. Even your own recovery will generally amount of pulling you off of a high center or out of a hole, winching in our line of recreation seldom exceeds the duty cycle of the winch, so don't dial in on the Mile Marker for its advantage of the extended duty cycle; it has way too much baggage to weigh down the one advantage.

I run the Detroit Locker in the back, and the Dedtroit EZ Locker in front. These units are both cheaper and more reliable than the ARB units. The Detroits have overhead if you drive on snow and ice, but since you are in So. Calif, that won't be a problem for you. Again, I am looking at the cost/benefit side of the equation, but ignoring the possibility that your operating environment might change. If you were on the way to the midwest where they do a lot of mudding, they you would prefer the Mile Marker, and if you were going to the Snow Belt, then you may not enjoy the Detroits. But, if intend on remaining in Southern California, get the automatic lockers and the electric winch.

I've got to say that the A/Ts and the MTs are NOT the same off-road. Maybe it depends on what you do off-road, but I've been with both and it's a HUGE difference. On-road, I'd agree that the A/Ts are better.

Thanks to everyone who offered advice. Sadly it appears that my Jeep mods will have to wait until I return from Iraq this spring.

I have archived your posts so I can reference them at that time.

Colin Campbell proclaimed:

You can always pick them up at

news search server.

And be sure to drop in on the group when you get back...

Good luck, and keep your head down, dude.

Thanks for your service.