Moab experience

[markmanner]

Hi, I've been in Moab the last 6 days. I have a stock OT+ with only addition so far a NYTOP Hybrid bumper, which essentially replaces the bottom plastic valence on the OT front bumper but leaves off the plastic and air dams in front of the wheels, avoiding unnecessary damage to that plastic for no benefit. I did Willow Springs Trail, part of 10 Mile Valley, about 30 miles of the White Rim Road, the Potash Road, Shafer Trail, Hurrah Pass and parts of others. Also did some offroad trails in Big Bend a few months ago. It isn't a rock crawler, but it did incredibly well on the roads I've had it on so far. I never used 4-low or any lockers, and had no traction issues or drama on deep snow (I also had it in Crested Butte CO right before Moab), mud, sand, gravel, dirt, rock ledges, steep 180 degree dirt/sandy switchbacks, etc. It was also a pleasure to drive from Tennessee to Colorado and Utah and Texas on the interstate as well. I have some NYTOP rock sliders to put on (of course they didn't arrive until I was in Moab), but other than that, I may just leave it alone for now. If someone comes up with a good 2" lift solution that doesn't adversely affect the suspension or materially alter theride, I might do that and put 35's on it, but maybe not.
Mark

 

[markmanner]

 

[nonamex]

Welcome back. Glad you had a wonderful time. Would recommend King suspension to maintain OEM ride especially if you plan to do a lot of offroading. Dobinsons is a good alternative. Westcott is a good option for light offroading.

 

[Sckill]

Awesome to see you out there and being able to enjoy the views. Great report on how capable this vehicle is even in stock form. I'm also considering lifting the front end a bit, but will likely just swap in 2025 coils for the 1 inch lift to keep OEM ride quality.

 

[Snooperstyle]

The sunset view from Hurrah Pass is killer! Did you go all the way to end of Chicken Corners too? Another killer view at the end of that one!

 

[markmanner]

Awesome to see you out there and being able to enjoy the views. Great report on how capable this vehicle is even in stock form. I'm also considering lifting the front end a bit, but will likely just swap in 2025 coils for the 1 inch lift to keep OEM ride quality.

Hi, i’ve been watching the information on the 2025 springs. Does it look like they will actually be available here in the US now?

 

[FJMainiac]

Thanks for sharing your adventure. Would you consider the Wescott leveling kit, or do you have concerns with potential impact on suspension/ride?

 

[markmanner]

Thanks for sharing your adventure. Would you consider the Wescott leveling kit, or do you have concerns with potential impact on suspension/ride?

I don't have any recent experience with lifting vehicles in general (many years ago I lifted a Jeep), and zero with respect to the GX550. I've been reading various threads and YouTube videos about lifts and how they can affect things, so my knowledge is very limited. It appears that there are a couple of things to think about. One is that lifting reduces downward articulation correspondingly (I think that is correct). That is a trade you can intelligently decide to make, I think. The other is more concerning, which is what impact does lifting have on the eKDSS system or on the suspension elements that are being forced to move with different angles/geometry than they were designed for. I'm sure I'm not completely describing this accurately. I suppose the other is that if you lift, you might also be adding bigger tires, which has an impact on the effective gearing, which as I understand it may stress the transmission (again, those who understand this can freely correct or amend my comments).


I'd really appreciate advice from others on this.

 

[markmanner]

The sunset view from Hurrah Pass is killer! Did you go all the way to end of Chicken Corners too? Another killer view at the end of that one!

Hi, I only had time to go up to the pass and back down that day. It was fun being up there. Lots of OHV with dads with daughters in their laps letting them steer going by at the pass.

 

[Bluegill]

Great pics. I haven't been to Moab since 2017. Would love to drive this comfortable GX550 up there and head off road!

 

[DJ’s Sled]

Hi, I've been in Moab the last 6 days. I have a stock OT+ with only addition so far a NYTOP Hybrid bumper, which essentially replaces the bottom plastic valence on the OT front bumper but leaves off the plastic and air dams in front of the wheels, avoiding unnecessary damage to that plastic for no benefit. I did Willow Springs Trail, part of 10 Mile Valley, about 30 miles of the White Rim Road, the Potash Road, Shafer Trail, Hurrah Pass and parts of others. Also did some offroad trails in Big Bend a few months ago. It isn't a rock crawler, but it did incredibly well on the roads I've had it on so far. I never used 4-low or any lockers, and had no traction issues or drama on deep snow (I also had it in Crested Butte CO right before Moab), mud, sand, gravel, dirt, rock ledges, steep 180 degree dirt/sandy switchbacks, etc. It was also a pleasure to drive from Tennessee to Colorado and Utah and Texas on the interstate as well. I have some NYTOP rock sliders to put on (of course they didn't arrive until I was in Moab), but other than that, I may just leave it alone for now. If someone comes up with a good 2" lift solution that doesn't adversely affect the suspension or materially alter theride, I might do that and put 35's on it, but maybe not.
Mark

Hey Mark,
Just read your post again, thank you for your Moab pics and trail descriptions!
I realized you have installed the NYTOP Hybrid bumper, the same that I’m considering. Did you go with the aluminum center portion? Any close up pics of the bumper? Can lights be installed afterwards without removing the bumper?
TIA!
DJ.

 

[markmanner]

Hey Mark,
Just read your post again, thank you for your Moab pics and trail descriptions!
I realized you have installed the NYTOP Hybrid bumper, the same that I’m considering. Did you go with the aluminum center portion? Any close up pics of the bumper? Can lights be installed afterwards without removing the bumper?
TIA!
DJ.

Hi, I did get the Al center part rather than steel black center. I did it for weight but mainly it more or less matched the color/appearance of the plastic part it replaced there. It is raining like crazy this morning, but I'll take more close up pics later. Here is what I have now. The lights need to be put on before you install it.

 

[DJ’s Sled]

Hi, I did get the Al center part rather than steel black center. I did it for weight but mainly it more or less matched the color/appearance of the plastic part it replaced there. It is raining like crazy this morning, but I'll take more close up pics later. Here is what I have now. The lights need to be put on before you install it.

That’s really helpful!! Thank you!