This is one of the reasons wheelers are drawn to the Moab area—awe-inspiring scenery that is unrivaled and dotted with incredible trails to explore.This is one of the reasons wheelers are drawn to the Moab area—awe-inspiring scenery that The Red Rock 4-Wheelers did it again. They threw one of the largest four-wheel drive events in the wheeling world, and it was mind-bogglingly awesome. We’re referring to the 45th Annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. This event, for those of you who aren’t familiar with it, was begun in 1967 by the local Chamber of Commerce as a way to boost the town’s economy. In the early ’80s, the event was acquired by the Red Rock 4-Wheelers, and they continue to operate the event today. It’s a finely-tuned, impeccably run, picture-perfect event that spans nine days, features over 30 trail rides, and even sports a huge two-day vendor show at the Old Spanish Trail Arena south of Moab. Props go out to the Red Rock folks for the obvious dedication and hard work they inject into this event. This mess is what happened when Jeep let Tech Editor Holman behind the wheel of the Compass. Hey, it could’ve been worse—the mud could’ve smelled really bad. Oh, wait.This mess is what happened when Jeep let Tech Editor Holman behind the wheel of the Compas For 2011, it is reported that there were over 4,000 participants in the Easter Jeep Safari proper. That number doesn’t include the thousands of wheelers who flocked to Moab without registering as formal participants. The entire Four Wheeler staff made the trek to the Easter Jeep Safari and we hit the Moab area trails daily. During our travels we met a number of folks, saw a bunch of cool rigs, and generally never let our camera shutter cool down. Here are some of the people we met and things we saw at the Easter Jeep Safari. For more on the 2012 event, go to www.rr4w.com. The impressive suspension flex of Ray Snyder’s XJ caught our eye as we saw it coming down the trail, but we did a double-take when we saw the custom suspension. Snyder, from Salt Lake City, Utah, says it’s his creation and it includes airbags from a cement mixer.The impressive suspension flex of Ray Snyder’s XJ caught our eye as we saw it coming down We love all the Moab trails and we especially like the beginning of the Moab Rim Trail. With a challenging obstacle bordered by killer views of the Colorado River, it’s a gem. Apparently we’re not the only ones who feel this way because there was lots of trail traffic on Thursday.We love all the Moab trails and we especially like the beginning of the Moab Rim Trail. Wi That’s 20-year-old Traci Neil peering out from her ’00 Ford Ranger, and the truck was her homeschool senior project. In addition to the obvious visible mods, the truck has a fuel-injected V-6 engine; ARB’d Dana 44 up front; ARB’d Ford 9-inch out back; four-link front suspension with RaceRunner coilovers; four-link rear suspension with coil springs and RaceRunner shocks; hydro-assist steering; and 35-inch BFG M-T KM2s. Neil says, “I’ve always had a thing for trucks. I love prerunners and rockcrawlers, so I combined the two. And besides, everyone in my family has a Jeep. I wanted to be different.”That’s 20-year-old Traci Neil peering out from her ’00 Ford Ranger, and the truck was her Speaking of suspensions, we watched Todd Ottonello of San Diego, California, attack a couple of obstacles in his ’08 JK Unlimited. The rig sports a custom four-link suspension with King coilovers and it seemed to work well.Speaking of suspensions, we watched Todd Ottonello of San Diego, California, attack a coup The Easter Jeep Safari Vendor Show took place on Thursday and Friday at the Old Spanish Trail Arena. It completely filled the arena as well as an impressive amount of real estate outdoors. The show featured scores of aftermarket vendors like BDS Suspension. Here, Carter Reed and Mike Maloney signal their thoughts about the Easter Jeep Safari.The Easter Jeep Safari Vendor Show took place on Thursday and Friday at the Old Spanish Tr You can count on seeing unique rigs in Moab, and this is one of ’em. We met Charley Young on both the Moab Rim Trail and Hell’s Revenge. Young hails from St. Cloud, Florida, and his rig is a Cummins 4BT-powered ’94 Wrangler. The diesel engine is mated to an NP435 transmission, and the t-case is an NP205. Axles consist of a Dana 60 up front and a GM 14-bolt in the rear. He also integrated an ’85 CJ grille and hood.You can count on seeing unique rigs in Moab, and this is one of ’em. We met Charley Young Sometimes stuff just happens. Billy McLaughlin and friends were wheeling up the Moab Rim Trail early Thursday morning when the driver-side axleshaft broke in the rear axle of McLaughlin’s YJ. An impressive team effort ensued and a new axleshaft was procured in town, installed, and the group eventually went on their way.Sometimes stuff just happens. Billy McLaughlin and friends were wheeling up the Moab Rim T Sometimes the wrong line is the right line. Well, at least for photos. This is our project ’Con Artist on Hell’s Gate, piloted by Tech Editor Holman.Sometimes the wrong line is the right line. Well, at least for photos. This is our project There are so many neat facets to the Easter Jeep Safari. Like the fact that for the fifth year in a row the folks at Currie Enterprises sponsored free car washes at the Moab City Carwash. That’s right, for four hours on Tuesday the washes were on them. They were also doling out free soft drinks, and they had RockJock products on display. FWThere are so many neat facets to the Easter Jeep Safari. Like the fact that for the fifth By Ken Brubaker Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
