We jump at the opportunity to hit the dirt any chance we get at OFF-ROAD, so when Shane Casad of Bilstein invited us to join his rolling party through the Mojave Road from Victoville to Primm, we immediately jumped on board. We worked feverishly the night before the trip, prepping our project Cherokee for the 200 miles of scenic desert through the Mojave. We literally finished installing the front suspension and Bilstein hydraulic bumpstops at 3 a.m. before taking off from S.M.P. Fab to catch a few hours of sleep before heading out to Victorville, California, to meet up with the rest of the group. We met up with the rest of the group at the Stoddard Wells exit in Victorville and after a few last-minute checks, we eagerly hit the dirt to begin our journey through the Mojave.We met up with the rest of the group at the Stoddard Wells exit in Victorville and after a The plan was simple: Shane would lead us through 200 miles of dirt for two days through sections of the Mojave Road while making a few sightseeing stops to check out abandoned mines and ghost towns scattered throughout the Mojave desert. We slept in the middle of the Mojave, where the temperatures dipped below freezing. But even that didn’t bother us, since we’d rather be freezing out in the desert wheeling our trucks than stuck in traffic in the city! If you’re planning to drive from Southern California to Las Vegas, trust us, make it a two-day trip and take the Mojave Road! Well that didn’t take very long! Thirty minutes into our journey we heard a weird noise from the front of our Cherokee, which turned out to be the hydraulic bumpstop that had managed to slip out of the can. A few hard sideways bounces let the coil catch on the bumpstop a few times and pulled it out enough to damage and bend the can. A quick decision was made to just pull it instead of trying to fix it. At least we all got a quick lesson on how to properly operate a Hi-Lift jack.Well that didn’t take very long! Thirty minutes into our journey we heard a weird noise fr Shane Casad of Bilstein led us through some of the coolest desert roads in the country with his very capable Ford Bronco, which features 2-inch Rancho drop brackets and Southwest Performance’s trussed beams and fabricated radius arms with uniball pivots on the ends. The Bronco also uses Deaver F53 springs in the rear and gets through the whooped-out roads thanks to none other than Bilstein ACV-equipped coilovers in the front and Bilstein 9100 bypass shocks in the rear.Shane Casad of Bilstein led us through some of the coolest desert roads in the country wit The All-Mighty Dime was mobbing around the Mojave, showing everyone how to slide through the washed-out roads. We’re really pleased with just how well our little S-10 Blazer handled the whooped-out roads and never felt like we were pushing it beyond its limits.The All-Mighty Dime was mobbing around the Mojave, showing everyone how to slide through t John Cappa, editor-in-chief of our sister magazine Four Wheeler, brought out their long-term F-150 Raptor. It was definitely impressive to see what a stock Raptor could handle in the dirt. It took everything we could throw at it and soaked it all up in stride. Bombing around the desert in a Raptor is probably the most fun you can have in a truck that isn’t stolen. And rightfully so, since it can haul the mail through the roughest of roads and corner at incredible speeds. Who wouldn’t want 411 horsepower with a factory warranty?!John Cappa, editor-in-chief of our sister magazine Four Wheeler, brought out their long-te After a quick stop for dinner and fuel at the Dairy Queen in Ludlow, Shane led us north across Interstate 40 into the darkness of the Mojave. There’s just something special about night wheeling in the desert that makes us want to go fast. We eventually found a suitable camping spot and unloaded the firewood so we wouldn’t freeze in the 25-degree temperatures. We all gathered around the fire and discussed various intellectual subjects, such as flying saucers, implants, and strange looking clouds. We also gave our theories on who the office chimichanga bandit could be.After a quick stop for dinner and fuel at the Dairy Queen in Ludlow, Shane led us north ac We knew someone was bound to get a flat, but we thought for sure it would be the stock Tacoma and not Shane’s Bronco (and to be fair, the Tacoma did blow a tire as well…). We were traversing some rocky sections of desert with sharp lava flows surrounding us at every turn. Some of the rocks looked like they had been purposely placed in some of the tight turns to tear up our side walls.We knew someone was bound to get a flat, but we thought for sure it would be the stock Tac We hit the dirt early the next morning and encountered some impressive sections of the Mojave Road. Our project Cherokee didn’t let us down and mobbed through the sand washes at high speeds soaking up the rough whoops without a problem. It definitely had us smiling the whole way!We hit the dirt early the next morning and encountered some impressive sections of the Moj You don’t need a highly modified rig to have fun in the desert, although it sure makes it that much more interesting! This stock Tacoma and FJ Cruiser did a decent job of getting through the Mojave without any carnage other than one blown out tire and some desert pin-striping.You don’t need a highly modified rig to have fun in the desert, although it sure makes it It was awesome to see The Juice flying through the Mojave especially since it held its own against the Raptor. The wider Camburg suspension really allowed it to corner at high speeds with great stability through the winding washes.It was awesome to see The Juice flying through the Mojave especially since it held its own We made our way to Soda Dry Lake and the sheer size of it was an amazing thing to see. There’s a superstition that picking up a rock to leave at the rock pile monument in the middle of the dry lake bed will bring all travelers luck so we decided to play it safe and bring some rocks just in case.We made our way to Soda Dry Lake and the sheer size of it was an amazing thing to see. The The plaque on the rock pile monument has a secret message for all those traveling through the Mojave Road. True words of wisdom, which you’ll need to go see yourself!The plaque on the rock pile monument has a secret message for all those traveling through Some might see an old truck hood and think its junk but we’re smart enough to recognize a cool sled when we see one.Some might see an old truck hood and think its junk but we’re smart enough to recognize a We ended up at an abandoned mine and found all kinds of cool rusted metal including this bulldozer. If only we could have taken it for a joy ride around the mine!We ended up at an abandoned mine and found all kinds of cool rusted metal including this b Mel Wade used this solid axle Z71 as a chase truck for the 2011 Baja 1000 and we were very impressed with how well balanced the truck rides. Even with the solid axle in the front, the Z71 blasted through the Mojave Road.Mel Wade used this solid axle Z71 as a chase truck for the 2011 Baja 1000 and we were very We finally made it to the Mojave Road mailbox to sign the guestbook for all travelers passing through the road.We finally made it to the Mojave Road mailbox to sign the guestbook for all travelers pass The sun had just gone down when we finally reached the end of our 200-mile journey through the scenic Mojave desert just outside of Primm, Nevada. We made our way to Whiskey Pete’s Casino to wash off the dirt before we all had dinner and drinks to finish off night off right. Shane’s party through the Mojave was one of the best experiences we’ve ever had and we can’t wait for the next one!The sun had just gone down when we finally reached the end of our 200-mile journey through By Agustin Jimenez Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
