The Jeepers Jamboree in Georgetown, California has been organizing trips on the Rubicon Trail since 1953. JC Jenkins was there again this year with his 1962 CJ-3B (left), and there were also several other 3B's in attendance.
JC says, "This year, for the Jeepers Jamboree, we made some changes. We installed an SM420 granny 4-speed from a 1969 Chevy truck, BFG 33X12.50 MT's, and a Ramsey 8k winch. Then, 36 hours before we left, we had to install a new Powr-Lok locker in the rear, when my old one blew up."
"But with all the upgrades, we fared much better this year, except for the driveline that broke just 200 yds. from Rubicon Springs, after we had already been through the worst of it. They say it was a rock dent, then a lot of torque trying to get out of a hole."
A videotape of the 1999 Jamboree, produced by The Searchers
Video includes shots of five CJ-3B's on the trail. Here are some excerpts from the tape, as downloadable QuickTime files.
JC says: "The trip in to the halfway point at Rubicon Springs takes all day (8 to 12 hours), mostly due to breakdowns, visiting , etc. Once you get to Rubicon Springs, you spend all day Friday checking and fixing your rig, like my twisted driveline, then party till you leave Sunday morning. Again, it takes about 8 hours to get to Lake Tahoe. You ought to try it -- it's a hoot."
This clip features a couple enjoying the trip in their white 3B, in the company of some CJ-2A's.
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This clip shows JC getting into (and out of) a hole. He says, "That little hole is the Pinch Rock -- same place I almost rolled last year. We call it the dogleg , because of the the tight turn in the middle. Most of the Rubicon can be mastered by full-size rigs, except the front door, which is the Pinch -- it stops everything bigger than a short wheelbase rig."
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"The other 3B that looks like mine is a 1954, driven by two guys in their sixties -- cool, huh?"
They demonstrate their off-road experience in this clip.
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JC comments, "There was an awesome dark green 3B, full size Chevy running gear, 3/4 elliptical springs. It moved like a big cat -- impossible to drive on the street (trailer queen), but unstoppable in the rocks."
This clip includes a glimpse of the green monster, plus another happy couple in their black 3B.
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Note: The Searchers Video offers the complete tape (over an hour long) of the 1999 Jeepers Jamboree, and a number of other videotapes of 4-wheel off-roading, including all the best trails in Utah and Colorado.
Thanks to The Searchers and to JC Jenkins for his 1999 Rubicon story. Other Jamboree participants: if you see yourself in the video here, let us know who you are. -- Derek Redmond
See A Killer B on the Rubicon for details on JC's 1998 trip.
Also on The CJ3B Page: 1950's movie clips of CJ-3B's on The Rubicon Trail.
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