Love that paint color on "Sidious". Never like to see anyone take a fall, but this video just confirms how important it is to carry a first aid kit with you.
Can't believe how much JB has changed since I last ran it. I took my stock TJ Sport through after I bought it in 2004. Trail was tough, and the open diffs and 30" AT tires didn't make it any easier, but, it looks MUCH more difficult now. As always, great video, and can't wait for the next one.
The John Bull trail is what gave me the jeep bug. I was camping in holcomb valley campground. A couple of jeepers and a toyota came to camp but I was occupying the spot next to the toyota. They asked if they could swap with me so that they could camp together. I of course said yes. That that day they took me jeeping hard core! it was fun!! I am currently building a 1988 Jeep XJ. i so far have stiffened the frames rails, Injected a remanufactured 4.7L ATK stroker engine, i removed and replaced the undercoat and bedlined the interior. Can't wait to get out there and Jeep! Thanks for this video and cant wait to see part 2
Your XJ sounds like a great build! I'm looking forward to stiffening the frame rails and slapping some rock sliders on the boys XJ so they can take it out on some more challenging trails. Thanks!
I bought the middle frame stiffiners but I built my own front wheel well stiffiners. Invested in a plasma cutter. Thats an awesome tool to use BTW. I have 0 experience in what I am doing but its coming along. Before I started, I had never welded or fabricated anything in metal. However I like to build my own when I can. I want to put 4 link front and back with coilover suspension that hopefully I can get done by next spring or summer. $$$ as you know is the limiting factor. I would love to go over to your neck of the woods (san diego) and see your rig and you can see mine as well.
WOW!!! I love this video! Amazing footage, steady camera, terrific camera angles. It made me feel like I was there with you. Those obstacles are a great challenge and has to give you a feeling of accomplishment after you get through them. I love the shot of your JK Brad at 6:35....Ya gotta love the Rock Krawler lift!!! You can trust it to hold up! I also love the "skid plate testing sounds" at the 14:40 mark. When you watch a video like this, and it makes you wish you were there.....that means success. This is one of the many reasons why I'm a huge fan of your videos! Thanks you Brother! Be safe. Outlaw
Keep it up Brad....You do amazing work. LOL...My doctor said I need to keep watching TrailRecon videos to help keep my blood pressure down...DONE! Thank your for all you do.. I'm a fan from Colorado!
Great video, Brad! Awesome photography, too. Brings back great memories of working in the AZ desert with EOD doing rock climbing as it was part of the job. We made many engine burritos and cans of chili in our engine compartments. I was the "doc" and drove the dud truck (M37) that the techs put live ordnance in the bed lined with sand bags. Imagine that and me the medic. Go figure.
Engine burritos are the best! I worked a few weeks with EOD in Fallujah back in 06 and that was some of the most stressful work I've ever done in my life, thank you for what you did!
Hey man I just wanted to say that your work is truly inspiring. This video is done very professionally and I look forward to checking out the rest of your channel. I'm still saving up money to buy my first jeep so watching your videos is the closest thing I have right now. Keep up the hard work, you're doing a great job!
Brad just got back today from Bantam Jeep Festival in PA. I realize it's on the East Coast, but definately something you and the boys should put on your bucket list. Great family friendly event.
I know this is old. I did the John Bull trail many times in 2000-2003 in my 95 wrangler 4cyl, 2in body lift 33in tires only. (no lockers etc) It was easy enough that i would bring along my newborn to stroll away the time. The more recent videos show the same trail but the the rocks have grown 2 times. I just have great memories and some photos on the trail.
That's crazy! Never thought that I would had done J. Bull and Holcomb creek trails before some of the SDJC members. I had an amazing time at those trails and I'm sure you guys did as well. Next time try out Horse thief flats and heartbreak ridge. Hope to join you guys for the Big Bear run in July.
We ran Heartbreak the day before John Bull (and last year for our big event). Trail Recon didn't get there until Saturday morning, so he missed out on that fun, along with a Friday night run of Gold Mountain. This July we are planning to run Heartbreak and Gold Mountain. There are too many Jeeps at our run to run John Bull and/or Holcolmb without seriously blocking the trail. Hope to see you in July. Q.
Thx brad this is the next mod that i will put on my axel just put 50 inch ligh bar from auxbeam is very good well made thx man for your videos you honestly
Didn't know there were trails up there. Biggest challenge is getting up there and traffic. I don't ski much now that I know how long it takes to get up there. Will have to check it out.
If you go to the Big Bear Discovery Center in Fawnskin (the other side of the lake), they have free maps for the trails around Big Bear, Arrowhead, all the way to Lake Silverwood. The Rangers there are very nice and very helpful.
Your trail descriptions are very informative. You have also done a nice job building your jeep. Do you have a program on all that you added and the costs? Thanks
Another excellent video and trail review TR. Thank you for sharing! What oil pan skid did you install? I need one of those along with one for my evap canister.
William Randolph Thanks Brad. W.R., you might want to also add a HD trans crossmember to your rig too. The factory unit doesn't like rocks vey much either.
You can see why the tire carrier broke on the Hercules Jeep. In every clip he was in he was just going too fast. Buddy needs to take a little more time. That thing was getting thrown around pretty good.
that old V8 ZJ was BA, kinda put these $40k+V6 jk's to shame dollar vs capability wise cant hate the jks tho theyre awesome vehicles. just like how the zj proves you dont need tons of money to wheel, just get a decent truck and go have fun, i could do most of big bear trails with my $3k 4runner i bought off craigslist. should try going up dishpan springs pretty difficult slid my toyota going down it and hit every rock on the way highly doubt i could make it up, theres also some stupid hard off shoot trails near holcomb valley that no ones heard of, can point them out on a map but dont know the names, wouldnt even attempt them with my truck, plan on getting a zj or wj soon. Great videos and production quality, us sitting at home appreciate it when we cant get out of the house.
Great video. Have recently become a subscriber, have a 2002 TJ Sport which I'm working on. I have a question, what ran behind you in the bushes from left to right at about 16:32. Looked like a bear.
I love those high sierra trails but hate that "moon dust" all along the trail. It gets in everything. It takes days to get it out of your ears, eyes, nose, and other places too. LOL
We talked about it, but our schedules just never aligned. Here was a short highlight video I put together of his ZJ: ua-cam.com/video/cu3ja8YgkPY/v-deo.html
At 6min 8 seconds you say that it will require using rear lockers. Why rear only opposed to front and rear? I'm new to Jeeping. I myself have a Rubicon as well but just don't understand yet when to use lockers and which lockers. Thank you...
Lockers decrease your turning ability and while fronts come in very handy, we needed the freedom of our steering on the rocks. I use my fronts often, but didn't need them this entire weekend.
At about the 2:00 mark I see what looks like a baofeng HT HAM radio up an the dash. A HAM radio is incredibly smart as you can have it programmed to various repeaters and call for help in a life threatening emergency. Have you ever thought about mounting it to keep it from bouncing around? I have seen guys use the molle straps on seat covers. I have also found this little doo-dad on a HAM facebook page. squareup.com/store/KCK/
TrailRecon all sports and saharas come stock with Dana 30s instead of 44s. I see a lot of jeeps out there with you that do not have the rubicon sticker. That made me question how many wheel on 30s. Online forums bash Dana 30s so hard that you'd believe the Dana 30 would just fall apart the second the jeep wheels left pavement. I'm curious how true this claim really is. Many of the weakest links in a Dana 30 also exist in the Dana 44. This is why I asked. It's a curious topic that many discuss. I wonder how much of the debate is real and how much is the rubicon crowd snubbing their nose at others.
The silver 4 door with no doors, the silver 2 door that broke the tire carrier, and the ZJ are running Dana 30s w/ lockers (although the 2 door may have upgraded his front). The rest are either Rubicons (some that have changed the name on the hood), or upgraded axles.
the bad news is that Dana30 (or Dana 'turdy' as some call them) are the weak link in the jeeps. the good news is there's so much aftermarket support for these axles because they're so plentiful. chromoly shafts, heavy duty gears, trusses, knuckle reinforements, upgraded steering linkages, inner tube sleeves. its a lot of work that most people would just say "why not just upgrade to a 44", but it's all about choice and wheeling how you want, and for xj, zj, yj owners, upgrading isn't as easy. as my dad always said, "there's a butt for every seat"
That's the 67Design mount. i have the same one, except I have the magnet mount version. I need to get the same universal mount that he has for using my phone off road.
Unfortunately, yes. The magnet just isn't strong enough to keep the phone from flying off the base during off roading. I love my MagMount for use during the week though.
Matt doesn't have his own channel. He is in the San Diego Jeep Club channel video on 2016 Desert Safari video when he was still running 33s and I think a 4 inch lift. He was also in Trail Recon's "Tierra Del Sol Weekend with the San Diego Jeep Club" video, and the "Bradshaw Trail" video.
It's strongly advised. I'm sure there are some folks out there that have done it without lockers, but not without being pretty aggressive. I prefer to turn the lockers on and take it easy on the skinny pedal.
Love that paint color on "Sidious". Never like to see anyone take a fall, but this video just confirms how important it is to carry a first aid kit with you.
I can't say it enough, a first aid kit is essential off road gear! I was thankful I didn't have to run all the way down the hill to get mine.
Wow!! Great looking trail!! Looked like a lot of fun. After a trail like that most others look like just a dirt road!! Great video.
It was a great trail, but not one I would want to beat my Jeep up on every weekend. I still love a nice dirt road! Thanks!
Can't believe how much JB has changed since I last ran it. I took my stock TJ Sport through after I bought it in 2004. Trail was tough, and the open diffs and 30" AT tires didn't make it any easier, but, it looks MUCH more difficult now. As always, great video, and can't wait for the next one.
The John Bull trail is what gave me the jeep bug. I was camping in holcomb valley campground. A couple of jeepers and a toyota came to camp but I was occupying the spot next to the toyota. They asked if they could swap with me so that they could camp together. I of course said yes. That that day they took me jeeping hard core! it was fun!! I am currently building a 1988 Jeep XJ. i so far have stiffened the frames rails, Injected a remanufactured 4.7L ATK stroker engine, i removed and replaced the undercoat and bedlined the interior. Can't wait to get out there and Jeep! Thanks for this video and cant wait to see part 2
Your XJ sounds like a great build! I'm looking forward to stiffening the frame rails and slapping some rock sliders on the boys XJ so they can take it out on some more challenging trails. Thanks!
I bought the middle frame stiffiners but I built my own front wheel well stiffiners. Invested in a plasma cutter. Thats an awesome tool to use BTW. I have 0 experience in what I am doing but its coming along. Before I started, I had never welded or fabricated anything in metal. However I like to build my own when I can. I want to put 4 link front and back with coilover suspension that hopefully I can get done by next spring or summer. $$$ as you know is the limiting factor. I would love to go over to your neck of the woods (san diego) and see your rig and you can see mine as well.
Ultra Good Times! Great video TrailRecon!!
Thanks brother!
Videos are getting better and better!! Keep it up Brad!!
Thank you sir! Love your instragram pics! @overlndx
Thank you Brother!!! @ovrlndx
WOW!!! I love this video! Amazing footage, steady camera, terrific camera angles.
It made me feel like I was there with you.
Those obstacles are a great challenge and has to give you a feeling of accomplishment after you get through them.
I love the shot of your JK Brad at 6:35....Ya gotta love the Rock Krawler lift!!! You can trust it to hold up! I also love the "skid plate testing sounds" at the 14:40 mark.
When you watch a video like this, and it makes you wish you were there.....that means success.
This is one of the many reasons why I'm a huge fan of your videos!
Thanks you Brother! Be safe.
Outlaw
What a tremendous compliment, thank you so much man!
Keep it up Brad....You do amazing work. LOL...My doctor said I need to keep watching TrailRecon videos to help keep my blood pressure down...DONE! Thank your for all you do.. I'm a fan from Colorado!
Man oh man. That's some serious off-roading. Brad I love you vids and the music. Just flows as your jeep club does. Keep up the great work.
It was fun to get out and do some tough obstacles! Thank you!
Great video, Brad! Awesome photography, too. Brings back great memories of working in the AZ desert with EOD doing rock climbing as it was part of the job. We made many engine burritos and cans of chili in our engine compartments. I was the "doc" and drove the dud truck (M37) that the techs put live ordnance in the bed lined with sand bags. Imagine that and me the medic. Go figure.
Engine burritos are the best! I worked a few weeks with EOD in Fallujah back in 06 and that was some of the most stressful work I've ever done in my life, thank you for what you did!
Awesome video Master Chief! That blue JKU is beautiful.
WOW Another awesome video Brad
Thank you!
Hey man I just wanted to say that your work is truly inspiring. This video is done very professionally and I look forward to checking out the rest of your channel. I'm still saving up money to buy my first jeep so watching your videos is the closest thing I have right now. Keep up the hard work, you're doing a great job!
Thank you very much and best of luck purchasing your first Jeep, it will change your life!
Ever cop that jeep? Just curious
@@MILEStoner86 i never did. Had a kid then needed a new car for the wife. Family first haha
Brad just got back today from Bantam Jeep Festival in PA. I realize it's on the East Coast, but definately something you and the boys should put on your bucket list. Great family friendly event.
I would love to make it to the Jeep homeland.... maybe someday!
I love John Bull, it's one of my favorite runs. You should try running it at night, adds a bit of challenge...good times!
Nice trail. Engine food is great, used to do that during convoys in our 2 1/2 ton and Hemmit trucks in the Army.
Hot engine burrito in my future for sure!
Thanks to TrailRcon I have now been introduced to pizza burritos and engine burritos.!!!!!
LOL!!!!!! I love pizza burritos!!
PIZZA burrito??? My ears just perked up :)
Look for it on the TrailCon Overlander 2017 video. Tool Cool
I know this is old. I did the John Bull trail many times in 2000-2003 in my 95 wrangler 4cyl, 2in body lift 33in tires only. (no lockers etc) It was easy enough that i would bring along my newborn to stroll away the time. The more recent videos show the same trail but the the rocks have grown 2 times. I just have great memories and some photos on the trail.
Memories are what its all about!
Another great video!!!
That's crazy! Never thought that I would had done J. Bull and Holcomb creek trails before some of the SDJC members. I had an amazing time at those trails and I'm sure you guys did as well. Next time try out Horse thief flats and heartbreak ridge. Hope to join you guys for the Big Bear run in July.
We ran Heartbreak the day before John Bull (and last year for our big event). Trail Recon didn't get there until Saturday morning, so he missed out on that fun, along with a Friday night run of Gold Mountain. This July we are planning to run Heartbreak and Gold Mountain. There are too many Jeeps at our run to run John Bull and/or Holcolmb without seriously blocking the trail. Hope to see you in July. Q.
That JK Rubi with the mickey A/T's is pretty impressive on that trail.
So much fun. ...oh my. What an awesome way to spend a day :-)
It was a great day to spend a day!
What a great trail! Looking forward to part 2. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks man, part 2 coming in a few days.
Definitely picked two of the best in Big Bear. Next weekend is Forest Fest and I'll be running the same trails.
Great trails for sure! Have fun at Forest Fest, I know there will be a lot of traffic on the trails!
Thx brad this is the next mod that i will put on my axel just put 50 inch ligh bar from auxbeam is very good well made thx man for your videos you honestly
Awesome trail
Tough looking trail, great video! Thanks
It's a worthy trail for sure! Thanks!
Used to play on most of those ROCKS n just ridicoulas fun!
Another great video
Thank you!
@TrailRecon Awesome Video
Thank you!
another cool video, keep up the great work! need more footage of your rig though
Thankfully I've got a few friends that are willing to handle the camera when I'm driving, I'll scatter some more of Chief in there next time. Thanks!
I'm going next week. I've seen the big rock in the gatekeeper has been pushed all the way to the right.
Proud to the jeep people
Sweet engine note on that Grand Cherokee :)
Gotta love a v8 on the trail!
+TrailRecon Indeed... gotta love a V8 period :)
great video!!
great video! cool to see a ZJ out there as well
Great tracking shot at 11:40.
Didn't know there were trails up there. Biggest challenge is getting up there and traffic. I don't ski much now that I know how long it takes to get up there. Will have to check it out.
Surprisingly there was little traffic this weekend. Huge network of trails up there worth exploring!
TrailRecon thanks, will check it out for sure. Any tips for trails down in San Diego?
Lots of great trails all throughout SoCal. This is a great trail guide that I use often to find new places to explore: amzn.to/2r9tfCU
If you go to the Big Bear Discovery Center in Fawnskin (the other side of the lake), they have free maps for the trails around Big Bear, Arrowhead, all the way to Lake Silverwood. The Rangers there are very nice and very helpful.
Awesome, thanks for the tip!
Hey brad here from the other coast bro nice video keep strong i really like those bombshell from poison
I'm very happy with the bombshells, very strong... although thankfully I didn't bash on this trail to see just how stong! Thanks!
great video
Your trail descriptions are very informative. You have also done a nice job building your jeep. Do you have a program on all that you added and the costs? Thanks
Makes me home sick. I miss big bear!
awesome!
Thank you!
Another excellent video and trail review TR. Thank you for sharing!
What oil pan skid did you install? I need one of those along with one for my evap canister.
Thank you! This is the oil pan skid I installed: goo.gl/aqIdAO
This is such a great question. As a brand new jeeper, cracking my oil pan scares me.
William Randolph
Thanks Brad.
W.R., you might want to also add a HD trans crossmember to your rig too. The factory unit doesn't like rocks vey much either.
Dont worry about putting music over the 4x4 action, if i want music ill start spotify :)
I hear ya, but sometimes wind noise and brake squeezing makes for poor video.
Brake squeezing is no problem, i can live with the wind noise too 👍
we were there same weekend june 9-11. did you see some early broncos? we did gold mnt friday night "night run" and holcolm creek saturday.
You can see why the tire carrier broke on the Hercules Jeep. In every clip he was in he was just going too fast. Buddy needs to take a little more time. That thing was getting thrown around pretty good.
that old V8 ZJ was BA, kinda put these $40k+V6 jk's to shame dollar vs capability wise cant hate the jks tho theyre awesome vehicles. just like how the zj proves you dont need tons of money to wheel, just get a decent truck and go have fun, i could do most of big bear trails with my $3k 4runner i bought off craigslist. should try going up dishpan springs pretty difficult slid my toyota going down it and hit every rock on the way highly doubt i could make it up, theres also some stupid hard off shoot trails near holcomb valley that no ones heard of, can point them out on a map but dont know the names, wouldnt even attempt them with my truck, plan on getting a zj or wj soon. Great videos and production quality, us sitting at home appreciate it when we cant get out of the house.
Thank you for sharing the journey. Big Bear a beautiful spot. Do you have the model of the broken tire carrier?
Great video. Have recently become a subscriber, have a 2002 TJ Sport which I'm working on. I have a question, what ran behind you in the bushes from left to right at about 16:32. Looked like a bear.
There is a road right there. Tat was a top of a car.
I love those high sierra trails but hate that "moon dust" all along the trail. It gets in everything.
It takes days to get it out of your ears, eyes, nose, and other places too. LOL
Ya, that moon dust is gets in everything for sure!
Great video! Nothing remotely like this in Texas! Anyone on the trip driving a manual or all auto Rubi's?
Fun fact WWII soldiers used the old Willys engine block to cook eggs all the time! just like todays engine burritos.
That's sounds like a great breakfast!
Will there be a video on the differential covers? I am interested in the poison spyder ones
Sorry, I was installing them late into the night before I left for Big Bear... no video this time. Very strong and easy install.
Wow does that red Jeep @ 13:30 have rear-wheel steering?
I know most of your followers are Wrangler buffs, but I wouldnt mind seeing a walk around of that ZJ ( Grand Cherokee).
We talked about it, but our schedules just never aligned. Here was a short highlight video I put together of his ZJ: ua-cam.com/video/cu3ja8YgkPY/v-deo.html
Can someone please tell me what rock sliders are on the white Jeep with yellow trim. Thanks.
Great video BTW.
They are the Casey Currie CRC sliders.
Super
Besides the oil pan skid did you also protect the evap canisters or the transmission?
I have the transmission mount, just didn't have time to get it installed. Evap canister is on the to do list.
Looks like a great trail! I need to get out there and hit some of those trails. What do you use to keep your moving shots so steady?
An epic trail for sure! Using the GoPro Karma stabilizer... does a pretty good job.
At 6min 8 seconds you say that it will require using rear lockers. Why rear only opposed to front and rear? I'm new to Jeeping. I myself have a Rubicon as well but just don't understand yet when to use lockers and which lockers. Thank you...
Lockers decrease your turning ability and while fronts come in very handy, we needed the freedom of our steering on the rocks. I use my fronts often, but didn't need them this entire weekend.
Maybe a stupid question but why do many have light bars on in broad daylight? It it visibility or?
What size tires were you running back then Brad? This looks like a fun trail.
35's. Lots of fun!
Can you make it up this in a rubicon with 1 1/2 lift and 35s?
Can you recommend any trails in Big Bear that a stock Wrangler Sport Unlimited could tackle? Thank you kindly.
Great video!! What phone holder are you using?
I think i saw chupacabra at around 16:29.
May I ask what camera you are using? Footage came out excellent.
What brand is the hercules jeep tire carrier im Serching to put one on my jk but definitely no that kind crak ugly the advice be helpful brother
He made it himself.
Are these all auto trans?
What did you have your tires deflated to?
I usually run at 15psi.
At about the 2:00 mark I see what looks like a baofeng HT HAM radio up an the dash. A HAM radio is incredibly smart as you can have it programmed to various repeaters and call for help in a life threatening emergency.
Have you ever thought about mounting it to keep it from bouncing around? I have seen guys use the molle straps on seat covers. I have also found this little doo-dad on a HAM facebook page.
squareup.com/store/KCK/
Any of these non-rubicon's still have the Dana 30 up front?
...and awesome video by the way. Thank you for showing us this awesome trail.
Thanks, not sure who might be running 30's, but I'll try and remember to ask in the future.
TrailRecon all sports and saharas come stock with Dana 30s instead of 44s. I see a lot of jeeps out there with you that do not have the rubicon sticker. That made me question how many wheel on 30s. Online forums bash Dana 30s so hard that you'd believe the Dana 30 would just fall apart the second the jeep wheels left pavement. I'm curious how true this claim really is. Many of the weakest links in a Dana 30 also exist in the Dana 44. This is why I asked. It's a curious topic that many discuss. I wonder how much of the debate is real and how much is the rubicon crowd snubbing their nose at others.
The silver 4 door with no doors, the silver 2 door that broke the tire carrier, and the ZJ are running Dana 30s w/ lockers (although the 2 door may have upgraded his front). The rest are either Rubicons (some that have changed the name on the hood), or upgraded axles.
the bad news is that Dana30 (or Dana 'turdy' as some call them) are the weak link in the jeeps. the good news is there's so much aftermarket support for these axles because they're so plentiful. chromoly shafts, heavy duty gears, trusses, knuckle reinforements, upgraded steering linkages, inner tube sleeves. its a lot of work that most people would just say "why not just upgrade to a 44", but it's all about choice and wheeling how you want, and for xj, zj, yj owners, upgrading isn't as easy. as my dad always said, "there's a butt for every seat"
👍👍👍
what size tires are on the grand cherokee if you know?
I think he is running 35s now with a large lift.
Just Q thanks it looks great!
What cellphone mount you have?
That's the 67Design mount. i have the same one, except I have the magnet mount version. I need to get the same universal mount that he has for using my phone off road.
So stay away from magnet mounts for off road then?
Unfortunately, yes. The magnet just isn't strong enough to keep the phone from flying off the base during off roading. I love my MagMount for use during the week though.
I had a RAM mount previously and it shook too much, love the new 67 designs mount!
who owns the zj? do they have anymore vids?
Matt doesn't have his own channel. He is in the San Diego Jeep Club channel video on 2016 Desert Safari video when he was still running 33s and I think a 4 inch lift. He was also in Trail Recon's "Tierra Del Sol Weekend with the San Diego Jeep Club" video, and the "Bradshaw Trail" video.
where are the boys and that xj?
The XJ is no where near ready for this trail, but we will be doing some work on it soon and get it out on some more trails!
TrailRecon
lockers?
Lockers are down the road when the budget allows. Working on a few minor XJ things this weekend.
Do you think a Jeep with no lockers can do this trail?
It's strongly advised. I'm sure there are some folks out there that have done it without lockers, but not without being pretty aggressive. I prefer to turn the lockers on and take it easy on the skinny pedal.
TrailRecon cool, thank you! Love the channel
Why did no one take off their doors?
que te valga madre
A couple Jeeps had theirs off. It was Very dusty, so I'm glad I left mine one... dust and camera equipment do not go together!
Yes, I can confirm there were Jeeps on this trail with doors off. If you watch again, you will see this clearly.
Multiple people seem to have running with no doors and tube style doors
sinaloacosala1 Sounds like your eyelids were closed during this video. Next time, open your eyes.