Black Bear Pass on 2" of lift?

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Lumpskie
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Black Bear Pass on 2" of lift?

Post by Lumpskie »

Hey you guys,

A bunch of my friends are planning to go to Ouray this weekend and I'm considering tagging along. Given that I banged up the Waggy pretty good on a 4-5 rated trail last weekend, I'm having some second thoughts....
So, I'm asking you guys. Do you think Black Bear Pass is doable in a Grand Wagoneer on 2" of lift and 30" tires without dragging my undercarriage? Have any of you done it with similar equipment? What's your opinion?

Thanks in advance!
1989 Grand Wagoneer - Rebuilt 360, 2" Alcans, 10" travel Gabriel Guadian shocks.
1996 Land Cruiser - 1HD-T Diesel, Gturbo (23psi), Wholesale Automatics 442f, F/R ARBs, 35" Duratracs, ARB Rear Bumper, OME 2" lift, home built sliders and aluminum belly skid
2000 Honda Civic - Integra GSR engine, transmission, shift linkage and axles, 200hp, 33 combined mpg
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9 - 437hp/447ft-lb

will e
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Re: Black Bear Pass on 2" of lift?

Post by will e »

I did it years ago on a 4" lift with 31" tires and I don't remember dragging. I think you will be fine. Going down the one way side is no problem. There might be some spots on the way up you need to pick your line a little more careful but if I remember correctly it would only be a couple of spots and you shouldn't have a problem.
81 Waggy 'WILL E' Retired
82 Cherokee WT - SOA/SF/high steer/Alcan springs/agr box/Borgeson steering shaft/AMC 401/performer/holley TA/HEI/BeCool/727/ALTAS (2.0/2.72/5.44)/D60 Snofighter(Yukon Zip,hubs,stubs,4.56)/14 Bolt (FF,BF shave, Discs, ARB,Artec Truss)/MTR 37X12.5/Corbeau XRS Baja & 5 point retractable harness/Hella Aux lights/tuffy console/killer32 sliders/Evil Twin bumpers, rack and roll cage/WARN 8000/TT Fabworks steering brace/dual batts/custom TC skid plate/ARB fridge

Nikkormat
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Re: Black Bear Pass on 2" of lift?

Post by Nikkormat »

The way up is easy on stock suspension and 28's. The way down I smacked my back bumper three times, no damage just minor contact. Seeing our rigs side by side, and considering the height of your rig, you'll be fine.
Gabe, "reformed" Jeep hoarder.
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Lumpskie
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Re: Black Bear Pass on 2" of lift?

Post by Lumpskie »

So, right now, the consensus seems to be that I should be able to make it through without touching anything... as long as I'm careful. Does anyone else have an opinion on the subject? (I'm thinking about trying to convince my wife that we should throw the tent on the roof and head out tomorrow...)
1989 Grand Wagoneer - Rebuilt 360, 2" Alcans, 10" travel Gabriel Guadian shocks.
1996 Land Cruiser - 1HD-T Diesel, Gturbo (23psi), Wholesale Automatics 442f, F/R ARBs, 35" Duratracs, ARB Rear Bumper, OME 2" lift, home built sliders and aluminum belly skid
2000 Honda Civic - Integra GSR engine, transmission, shift linkage and axles, 200hp, 33 combined mpg
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9 - 437hp/447ft-lb

AwesomeJ10
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Re: Black Bear Pass on 2" of lift?

Post by AwesomeJ10 »

make dang sure your brakes, brake lines, master cylinder, steering lines, etc are in top notch condition.

will e
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Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2012 8:21 am

Re: Black Bear Pass on 2" of lift?

Post by will e »

Parking brake should be working too.
81 Waggy 'WILL E' Retired
82 Cherokee WT - SOA/SF/high steer/Alcan springs/agr box/Borgeson steering shaft/AMC 401/performer/holley TA/HEI/BeCool/727/ALTAS (2.0/2.72/5.44)/D60 Snofighter(Yukon Zip,hubs,stubs,4.56)/14 Bolt (FF,BF shave, Discs, ARB,Artec Truss)/MTR 37X12.5/Corbeau XRS Baja & 5 point retractable harness/Hella Aux lights/tuffy console/killer32 sliders/Evil Twin bumpers, rack and roll cage/WARN 8000/TT Fabworks steering brace/dual batts/custom TC skid plate/ARB fridge
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Lumpskie
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Re: Black Bear Pass on 2" of lift?

Post by Lumpskie »

Thanks for the info, you guys. It looks like I'm not going to be able to make this trip this weekend but I'll keep it in mind for the Ouray trip I'm doing in September. Thanks, again, for the input!
1989 Grand Wagoneer - Rebuilt 360, 2" Alcans, 10" travel Gabriel Guadian shocks.
1996 Land Cruiser - 1HD-T Diesel, Gturbo (23psi), Wholesale Automatics 442f, F/R ARBs, 35" Duratracs, ARB Rear Bumper, OME 2" lift, home built sliders and aluminum belly skid
2000 Honda Civic - Integra GSR engine, transmission, shift linkage and axles, 200hp, 33 combined mpg
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9 - 437hp/447ft-lb

csuengr
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Re: Black Bear Pass on 2" of lift?

Post by csuengr »

When ya goin'?
1977 Cherokee S, Ford 5.0, 5 speed, BW 1356, 33 x 10.50 BFG's. No longer my DD.
2007 Mercury Milan, 2.3L, 5-speed, now my DD. 29 mpg average.
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Lumpskie
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Re: Black Bear Pass on 2" of lift?

Post by Lumpskie »

I want to head out at the end of September for fall colors... maybe the 27th or 28th. Then stay for 4 or 5 days for a little wheeling, hiking and bumming around town.
1989 Grand Wagoneer - Rebuilt 360, 2" Alcans, 10" travel Gabriel Guadian shocks.
1996 Land Cruiser - 1HD-T Diesel, Gturbo (23psi), Wholesale Automatics 442f, F/R ARBs, 35" Duratracs, ARB Rear Bumper, OME 2" lift, home built sliders and aluminum belly skid
2000 Honda Civic - Integra GSR engine, transmission, shift linkage and axles, 200hp, 33 combined mpg
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9 - 437hp/447ft-lb
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Grand_Wag_85
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Re: Black Bear Pass on 2" of lift?

Post by Grand_Wag_85 »

I've only done Black Bear once but IMO the worst spot suspension wise is before you even hit the infamous steps. One of the switchbacks I had my suspension really flexed out but a lot of that was due to having a longer than ideal wheelbase on a TIGHT switchback and working with what was there ie cutting the corner.

My Jtruck is lifted about 5" and was running 30" AT's with all sway bars in place.
82 J10
77 J10 Golden Eagle 401
88 GW

You know it's bad when your car is on the EPA's 10 most wanted list!

csuengr
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Re: Black Bear Pass on 2" of lift?

Post by csuengr »

I'm going back September 25-28th. Staying at the KOA again.
1977 Cherokee S, Ford 5.0, 5 speed, BW 1356, 33 x 10.50 BFG's. No longer my DD.
2007 Mercury Milan, 2.3L, 5-speed, now my DD. 29 mpg average.
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XJChad
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Location: Dewey, Ok

Re: Black Bear Pass on 2" of lift?

Post by XJChad »

My wife and I are going to be there Sept 19-27, but we will be in our XJ. We plan on doing Black Bear again.... We have done it 3 or 4 times over the last 5yrs or so. Not sure which campground we are staying at yet, possibly the koa.
1989 Grand Wagoneer, 4" Rusty's Lift, LS 5.3L swap (in progress), 4L60e, NP241c.
1991 Grand Wagoneer, all stock, a work in progress, for sale soon.
1982 Cherokee Laredo, 360ci, aluminum intake, Edelbrock carb, HEI, w/32x11.50x15, warn 8000, Dana 44/AMC 20
2001 Cherokee Sport, Old Man Emu lift (worn out), front/rear C4x4 bumpers, Smittybuilt 10,000 winch, 31x10.50x15, Edge Tuner kit w/throttle body & AFE cold air, Gibson exhaust-my daily driver until the '89 is finished.
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Lumpskie
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Re: Black Bear Pass on 2" of lift?

Post by Lumpskie »

It looks like I'm just barely going to miss both you guys. I'm arriving on the 27th and leaving on the 1st.
1989 Grand Wagoneer - Rebuilt 360, 2" Alcans, 10" travel Gabriel Guadian shocks.
1996 Land Cruiser - 1HD-T Diesel, Gturbo (23psi), Wholesale Automatics 442f, F/R ARBs, 35" Duratracs, ARB Rear Bumper, OME 2" lift, home built sliders and aluminum belly skid
2000 Honda Civic - Integra GSR engine, transmission, shift linkage and axles, 200hp, 33 combined mpg
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9 - 437hp/447ft-lb
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XJChad
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Location: Dewey, Ok

Re: Black Bear Pass on 2" of lift?

Post by XJChad »

We ended up staying at the Ouray KOA and really liked it! We plan on staying there the next time we are down that way.

We had a blast on the trails in the XJ and went at just about the perfect time to see all the colors, it was great!

We passed a couple of FSJs in Ouray and just outside of Ouray, which are always cool to see!
1989 Grand Wagoneer, 4" Rusty's Lift, LS 5.3L swap (in progress), 4L60e, NP241c.
1991 Grand Wagoneer, all stock, a work in progress, for sale soon.
1982 Cherokee Laredo, 360ci, aluminum intake, Edelbrock carb, HEI, w/32x11.50x15, warn 8000, Dana 44/AMC 20
2001 Cherokee Sport, Old Man Emu lift (worn out), front/rear C4x4 bumpers, Smittybuilt 10,000 winch, 31x10.50x15, Edge Tuner kit w/throttle body & AFE cold air, Gibson exhaust-my daily driver until the '89 is finished.
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Lumpskie
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Joined: Wed May 14, 2014 4:33 pm
Location: New Hampshire

Re: Black Bear Pass on 2" of lift?

Post by Lumpskie »

We saw a few FSJs up there too... but we could never end up at the same place to talk with the owners.
1989 Grand Wagoneer - Rebuilt 360, 2" Alcans, 10" travel Gabriel Guadian shocks.
1996 Land Cruiser - 1HD-T Diesel, Gturbo (23psi), Wholesale Automatics 442f, F/R ARBs, 35" Duratracs, ARB Rear Bumper, OME 2" lift, home built sliders and aluminum belly skid
2000 Honda Civic - Integra GSR engine, transmission, shift linkage and axles, 200hp, 33 combined mpg
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9 - 437hp/447ft-lb
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