jgaz 750 Posted January 5, 2014 Hello All, I figured it was time to introduce myself and cross off a New Year's resolution. I'm Jim and I'm currently stuck in Michigan and wishing I was back in AZ. I'm a hiker and a backpacker who is coming to grips with the fact that I'm not as able to hump 35+ lbs. as I used to. I came across this site while looking for information on the Maze district. I found the pictures of Mr. Sam White's trip there last year. In them I thought I spotted ob1jeeper's picture and thought I recognized Ol Blue. I contacted ob1 and he suggested that this might be a group I'd like to follow. Ob1 and I go back a number of years, in fact he was responsible for AZ being my former residence. I'm currently considering what to buy/build heading into retirement that will allow me to base camp in the AZ, and Utah backcountry for day hiking and exploring. Ob1 was correct in that Matt's Experience AZ and other threads are exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks and hello. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Number7 89 Posted January 5, 2014 Welcome to the site. George:cool: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LO PHAT 1 Posted January 5, 2014 Hello and welcome to the fun. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dzJeepChic 2,897 Posted January 5, 2014 Hi and welcome to the site! Any friend of Ob1 is a friend for sure! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ob1jeeper 849 Posted January 5, 2014 Hey Jim !! GREAT to see you posting here. Welcome… For the type of touring you want to do, any stock Cherokee (XJ, ZJ, or WJ) or any of the Wrangler's (CJ, YJ, TJ, JK) will work fine. Personally, I would recommend sticking to mid-90's or newer, and preferably as new and low-mileage as you can afford, simply because the likelihood of finding an older unit that is not getting long in the tooth, will be akin to looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack. You will want to upgrade with some "stouter that street-based" tires that have heavier sidewalls, and tread ares for puncture resistance, and add a few safety/recovery gear items, such as a well-stocked first aid kit, tow strap, tow hooks, a come-along or winch to help free you should you get stuck, shovel, ~1ft sq Jack base pad (for sandy areas), an air pump for airing the tires back up when getting back on pavement (or flats), a few spares of those critical items that might disable you from getting out of remote areas, such as tire plug kit, accessory drive belt, hoses, hose clamps, tools, etc., & accessories that will make remote travel & camping more comfortable. Sticking to a basically stock vehicle package will make finding repair & maint. parts WAY easier & less $$'s as the need arises. Give ma a jingle if you want to yak, or assistance in locating a vehicle… Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
