[Moogvo]

I was in the Waffle House last night talking to a few of the folks I know from there. I casually mentioned that I wanted to go check out Uwharry when I got laughed out of my seat... A buddy of mine told me that he destroyed his truck trying to ride the trails, and that there was no way I was going to make it through there in my Trooper.

Then I hear stories about folks in bone-stock Troopers making it through the toughest trails without any problems.

I have a '90 Trooper with a stock 2.8, 5 speed, and a lift with 33s... What is the real deal... will it make it? Is it as bad as I hear? Someone please give me the worst case scenario! (I would LOVE to come back with pictures and be able to say "See... I told you so!"

 

[Joe_Black]

If you've got a speedy internet connection check out the following video: http://www.planetarydomination.com/uwharrie_2003_clip.htm

It's about 60MB, so go fix a sandwich or grab a few brews while it loads. It's about a 4-minute clip of two bone-stock VehiCROSSes and an almost-stock Rodeo Sport negotiating the trails the other weekend. Enjoy!

 

[rubo]

The "worst case scenarion" is the one where you would try to go uver an obstickle twice the size of your truck (there are fiew of them there).

The most problems i've seen (& heard) come from unexperienced/stupid driver.
I could drive a BMW X5 or Mercedes ML trough the most of it (excluding some places where even bypasses require more ground clearance) & i'm not saying i'm a good driver.

You shouldn't have any problems what so ever with 33's.
I passed every trail over there with 32" & a longer wheelbase than you (i had Rodeo), while at the same time we had in our group stock 1st & 2nd gen Rodeos, who didn't have any problem keeping up with moded rigs.

 

[Smiley]

Tom,

Just by looking at the photograph of your Trooper, I can tell you with absolute certainty that, if you remained sensible and guarded, you would easily be able to negotiate almost every single obstacle in Uwharrie. --- However, with that said, it isn't completely out of the question for an Isuzu to suffer some 'inconveniences' along the way…

EXAMPLE #1: My tie rod, after pushing things a little too hard on Rocky Mt. Loop.

EXAMPLE #2: Tire slashed, courtesy of a sharp rock on Lower Dicky Bell.

EXAMPLE #3: Bent Steering Thread.

Although, as is the case with ANY off-roading, it is possible to have a major mishap…

EXAMPLE #4: David Chang's unfortunate experience in July`03.

Like I said, if you remain sensible and guarded, you should be OK…

While it is true that we have had a number of stock and almost-stock vehicles make their way over most of the trails, please don't get the impression that Uwharrie is little more than a few piddling forestry trails… While it's admittedly not as carnage-inducing as Tellico, there are still a number of places where you could find yourself cussing like an Australian sailor.

Now, if I haven't just soured you to the idea of going, the Isuzu and Mitsubishi gang will be having another officially 'unofficial' gathering in April… and there is some loose talk circulating about the possibility of a smaller gathering taking place there sometime before the end of the year. --- Naturally, we'd love to have you join us!

I personally have attended the last 5 Uwharrie gatherings in-a-row… starting with an almost bone-stock Rodeo, and have arrived with successively more modifications at each of the following events… and your rig appears to be at least as capable (if not more-so) than mine is right now.

Throughout all of my Uwharrie travels, the only damage I have ever incurred was breaking that tie rod; and I consider that to be an extremely small price to pay for all of the fun that I've had there.

 

[LTC Don]

Dude, you're stoked for UNF.............

I have a '91 Trooper and have been there many times, with stock tire/rim setup and with the 32's.

Check out my pic gallery here:

http://home.earthlink.net/~nursecapper

Trust the Planet, Feel the Planet, Become one with the Planet............. 8)

Now, Tellico on the other hand.......... :shock:

Cheers,

 

[BillAmigo99]

You can break something anywhere. I didn't start having trouble with the Amigo until my wife started driving it to work!
At the original Uwharrie trip, when I went, a dealership brought 2 Rodeos off the lot. With patience and spotting, they made it fine. Take it easy and you can do all kinds of stuff. Most of us didn't even have lockers back then. :shock: