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Jeep Jamboree - Kentucky - October

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5K views 27 replies 10 participants last post by  amr40509 
#1 ·
I'm going to do it!

I just signed up my '14 WK2 for the Jeep Jamboree in Williamsburg KY in October. I know we have some other WK2s out there in this region - I hope a few of you can make it! Lets get a group together from Jeep Garage!
 
#3 · (Edited)
I did ask the event organizers about it. The exact reply was
"Gateway to the Cumberlands has all types of Jeeps that attend. As long as you have 4 Low you will be fine. There are routinely Grand Cherokees, Liberties and Cherokees that attend. This is one of my favorite Jamborees, you will love it"

http://jeepjamboreeusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Gateway.pdf

In looking at some pictures of last year's event on Facebook I do see at-least one WK2 on factory Mich Latitudes out there running the trails.

I have been to the same general network of trails they are on, but not sure if they are the same exact trails. When I was there (in my old Bronco) I was running 32" BFG ATs and pretty much cruised around the trails. There WERE spots that I detoured around tougher sections, but I was there more for fun and didn't want to break stuff.


From what I read, each day you chose your trails and they are all rated by difficultly. I plan to keep to the lower end of the spectrum because I want to go have a good time, but not rip up the sheet metal on my $50K Jeep either.
 
#4 ·
I have the RRO 2.5" lift and 32" Nitto Terra Grapplers, so I'd be better off than a factory WK2, but I've only been off the pavement once in the Jeep, and it was at the Dirty Turtle in KY, where the trails are completely random and go from very easy to downright insane.

I agree though, I would go if I can find a nice set of trails to run that are challenging for a novice, but I certainly don't want to damage my expensive Jeep! I did add tow hooks to the front, but I don't have a winch, compressor, spare tire, or anything else I deem necessary for off-road adventures.

I'll check it out though.
 
#6 ·
I haven't been to that one, but I have been to a JJ and own a Hemi WK2 and a cj.

I trail the Cj and tow with the wk (Hemi).

They inspect the jeep when you arrive and you fill out a questionnaire. This decides your group. They do a fantastic job of helping you have fun, really well organized events. After the first morning they will give you options to move up or down a group. The one I was at they even had a local jeep club to help recover and fix. I broke an engine mount, went to town and picked it up, and with 3 guys helping I was wheeling in an hour.


I wouldn't go without tow hooks. If it was me I'd want a good set of tires and even a 1 or 2 lift.......

You should have great fun. I bring my 9 year old son, and we have a great time.

I wouldn't ever touch any of the trails we did in my CJ in my wk2, but I am sure they have some that work.
 
#8 ·
The Jeep Jamboree in KY is a lot of fun and you meet great people, I have done it twice in my JK. They have a wide variety of trails for all levels and I did see some Grand Cherokees and Cherokees. On one of the more advanced trails we had a Jeep rep in our group driving a stock Grand Cherokee (a factory owned rig). He kept up fine and showed up a few JK’s. The JJUSA web site lists the mandatory equipment and “Gateway to the Cumberland’s” section describes some of the trails.
 

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#13 ·
I don't think you're nuts at all and hope you have a great time! I love to get out with other WK2's but the Jamborees just aren't my thing. Too structured and pricey for my liking, been there done that, didn't like it. Some people love that kinda thing. Plus that weekend is too close to Jeeptoberfest to be doing another 4x4 trip. Especially since we'll probably be fixing whatever we break the weekend before. :rolleyes:

It's nice to see a few other WK2's finally taking their Jeeps out of the mall lots and going off-road with them. :thumbsup:
 
#15 ·
Hi there, go for it and have fun, I would go if I could...but I am aprox. 8000 miles from where you are.
Go, have fun and take pics so you can share afterwards.
One suggestion ?...dont forget to take out the front lower fascia, other than that if you drive carefully you should be ok.
Enjoy and we'll be looking forward to your post with pics and video.
 
#21 ·
nice pics, can you write-up some narrative about the trip - I think there are a lot Wk2 guys that have thought about hitting a jamboree, just considered about damaging their vehicle or handling the various terrains. It doesn't look like you only hit the easy trails. did you get stuck at all? Anything you didn't have that you wish you did?
 
#23 · (Edited)
First is registration day. They rate your vehicle and assign it a number indicating it's trail capability, in my case (Grand Cherokee, Quarda Lift, 32" AT tires, Rear Locker) they put me at a "5" on a scale of 1-10. Each trail is also rated on this same scale.

You then line up for registration, and sign up for trails, it's a first come first serve trail selection. I picked a 4 that included "Jeep 101" instruction for the first trail day, and a 5 rated trail for the second trail day.

There is a description of each trail that tells a little bit about what to expect.

I was one of 2 WK2s there (out of 254 Jeeps). The other was an Overland V6 with 20" wheels and stock worn Goodyears. I think he ran level 4 trails both days. Day 1 I know he tore off a fender flair and Day 2 he blew two tires and did a lot of body damage. A LOT of body damage. It was bad.

That said, I ran what were considered tougher trails, and had absolutely zero body damage. Some areas have limbs close, but I didn't get any scratches that a hand wash/wax when I got home didn't take out.

Over the course of the weekend, I made it though ALL of my trails without needing a tow or winch. The only time I had a strap hooked up, I was pulling a Rubicon off of a log he tried to cross. I did have to be VERY careful in some sections, try a couple of hills twice to change lines/approach, and probably got lucky a few times.

The WK2's weakness seems to not be in it's ability to get through the trails. It does great. From what I was told, 3 years in a row at this event, WK2's have left with the rear quarter panels torn up. Each time the driver has been following the line used by a Wrangler, and the WK2 is simply longer. All weekend I was driving my own lines, NOT just doing what the guy in front of me did, and I was fine. It's also worth mentioning that in a lot of trouble spots, there were holes dug by Wranglers. Being longer meant that I wasn't in those holes with all 4 wheels, so I could cruise though while they were getting stuck.

I don't plan to do this every weekend, but I'll probably sign up for the same event next year.


A couple of notes.

Aired down to 20psi (I had them at 22psi day 1 and 20psi day 2) - the Mich AT2s did great.

Quadra Lift was great, I ran it in OR1 for general use, then when in nasty sections raised to OR2. OR2 is a harsh/loud ride so I didn't leave it up there all day. I also felt I was getting better balance and articulation in OR1 so I only raised it when I REALLY needed the clearance.

On the long/steep hill climbs, I tried to keep it in 4low and use the paddle shift to lock in second gear. It had a tendency to up-shift on me. For example I'd build momentum in second, try to keep the RPMs up as the hill got steeper, but there was so much torque it wanted to go ahead and shift to third, then when I'd hit the REALLY steep part I'd be bogging down in 3rd. Bottom line, I got up these hills, but I haven't figured out how to keep the 8 speed right where I want it yet.

I was VERY impressed with the WK2, I made a lot of things look easy, and shocked a lot of the Wrangler owners.
 
#25 ·
I was there & used the GC to tow my Rubicon. Stayed at the same hotel & noticed both your GC & the silver one with all the damage. I would have liked to be on the same trail to see the GC in action. I can report as a tow rig the diesel GC can't be beat. Averaged about 16 MPH towing at 75 through Indiana & Illinois. These are versatile vehicles.


Sent from my iPhone using JeepGarage
 
#26 ·
Will you be back again?

It sounds like in addition to myself in my Limited, there will be another guy w/ a WK2 Trailhawk there for sure. We both happen to be staying at the Hampton.
 
#28 ·
It's about time again! Are any other WK2's going to join me this year? It's going to be the largest in the country again with 230 Jeeps.
 
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