2026 SOA Nationals - Event Announcement

[scrangler]

The following are some tips for getting your Scrambler ready for the trails of Colorado.

Preparing your Scrambler for the trails of the Colorado mountains requires focusing on high-altitude carburetor tuning, cooling system efficiency and reliable braking.

Mechanical & Trail Prep

• Engine & Carburetor: Properly tune the carburetor for high elevation (7,000–13,000 ft) to prevent running too rich. Ensure a reliable ignition system.
• Cooling System: Ensure that your cooling system is in perfect condition with new hoses, sound radiator, proper thermostat and new radiator fluid. Steep inclines and thin air will cause over-heating on weak systems.
• Brakes & Steering: Properly functioning brakes are essential for the steep descents typical of the mountain trails. Check condition of pads and rotors, shoes and drums, hard and soft brake lines, master cylinder and the brake fluid itself. Replace, or upgrade, any questionable components before you hit the trails. A properly working emergency brake is a must have. Regarding steering, ensure that all steering linkage is in good condition and greased.
• Tires: While aggressive tires are not typically required for the trails we will be on, they do need to have good tread depth and relatively new. All-terrain tread patterns work well. Also include a good tire gauge that will read single digit pressures. Ideally, this gauge will allow for airing up and down. There will be sections of pavement on trail days so an air source for airing up at the end of the trails would be a good addition. CO2 tanks or portable compressors work well.
• Fluids: Check the following fluids: differentials, transmission, transfer case, power steering, master cylinder and coolant. Now would be a good time to fully service all fluids.

Essential Gear

• Recovery: It’s important that you have solid tow points both front and rear. A tow strap, or rope, with a #30k load rating and shackles (hard or soft) should be added to your kit. Tree saver strap. A winch is not required but does make a nice addition.
• Tools/Parts: Bring spare u-joints, axle shafts, belts, hoses, and fluids. A tool kit with wrenches, rachets, sockets, pliers, etc.
• Safety: Pack cold-weather gear (even in summer), sunscreen, and altitude sickness remedies. It is also recommended that you have a full first aid kit in the Jeep and any medications that you are currently taking.
• Communications: We will be using GMRS radios on the trails.
• Food & WATER: Bring plenty of water for all passengers. We will typically be eating on the trails so bring for lunch for you and your passengers. No alcohol on the trails.
• Full Top: The weather can change quickly in the mountains. Rain and even snow can roll in quickly. The ability to quickly add side windows to full soft tops, upper windows to half doors, etc, will keep your passengers warm and dry.
• Misc Gear: Leather work gloves. Flash lights. Charged fire extinguisher. Duct Tape. Rachet straps. Shovel. Nuts, bolts, screw assortment. Fuses and wire. Rain gear for all passengers. Maps or mapping app for phones/tablets.

This list is not all-inclusive but should be a great starting point to get your Scrambler ready for the Ouray National!

I will tell a little story about this. The first time i went to the san juan range in Ouray/silverton area was in 2002. I had built my scrangler shortly before that. Was a pretty capable rig. Bit when i got there and signed up for trails with the all4 fun event i learned a lesson real quick like. First morning i went out about a half a mile and was over heated. Badly overheated. The old timers told me that electric cooling fan will never work at this altitude Mechanical fans work better and pull more air. So i limped back to town and commenced to resolving this situation. I drove 50 miles down to Durango and bought a 7 blade direct drive mechanical fan and a square trash can. For the lid. Came back and went to work. Installed that direct drive fan and built a makeshift fan shroud out of the trash can lid to fit my radiator. I then rewired that high dollar electric black max fan and put it in front of the radiator pushing air into the radiator. Worked perfect. I ran it the whole week without incident. Moral of the story. Make damn sure your cooling system is up to the task. Damn sure. Like over engineer it. And then worry about your fuel lines. Especially under the hood. Wrap them with heat protectors and get cool air flowing to your fuel lines. Its best to have you fuel pump in the tank if your injected. If not then get the pump as close to the tank as possible. Pumps are just that. A pump. Not a puller. If you are carburated. Try as best you can to protect your fuel lines from heat. The combination of heat and altitude cause vaporlocking. Carry a gallon of water to pour over you fuel lines if you lock up. Or cooler water. I cannot over stress these points. Go to work fellas. It will make your week go much better with preventative work rather than when you get there and hold up the whole group. Orange Mike