Baboons Pass with a Jeep

**Dionne** · 2011/05/03, 08:24 PM

Has any Jeep done the Baboons Pass in Lesotho? I am planning a trip closer to the end of the year and would like to know how the Jeeps handled it? I will be driving my Jeep Wrangler Unlimited CRD 4D with a 2" lift, Sway bar disconnects, rock sliders and BFG AT's, any advice?

**pase4x4** · 2011/05/03, 08:27 PM

Look at the latest SA4x4 mag. Not Jeeps, but I think its a very good write up on the pass. Not for the faint harted!!!

**Dionne** · 2011/05/03, 08:34 PM

I did, very good article, also saw the one on the forum. That is one of the reasons I want to do it. Looks like a good adventure.

**OFFROAD ADDICT** · 2011/05/03, 08:44 PM

Look further back on the forum, a year or so ago Sakkie and friends went up to sort the school out. Some of the vehicles were Isuzu and Hardbodys. There were others but i forget now.
Even a blinking caravan went up.....well almost ...
Another article......read on.Baboon's Pass - 12th - 16th December 2008 - SA 4x4 Community Forum

**Barto** · 2011/05/03, 08:49 PM

Please also state what size your tyres are. It will make it easier for the guys who've been there to tell you if the vehicle can make it or not.

Other related questions.
-Are you a few vehicles going and can everyone work together as a team.
-What kind of experience do you have.
-What equipment do you have.
-Do you have contingencies in place should a vehicle be damaged or some injured during the trip.

**Dionne** · 2011/05/03, 09:14 PM

I have 265/70 R17. I have moderate to good 4x4 experience, have done a course or two and various routs, no sweat. Did “Rust de Winter” with a smile, logs and all. With caution and planning any obstacle is possible!
I am planning to get 5 to 8 vehicles, all familie and friends. Moderate to good experiance. I have a high lift jack and air jack. I have access to a portable welder, and we will be renting a satellite phone to be able to be in contact.

**EstianSwanepoel** · 2011/05/03, 09:58 PM

Which 2" lift?
Greatest downfall with the JKU is the breakover.
My advice is disconnect those end links and get your wheels up on the highest points. Don't get bellied down. Let the flex from the quick-disco's and lift work for you. And don't be modest with packing rocks. Keep your throttle constant (especially with the crd). And just be smart and safe.

My R0.02

**Dionne** · 2011/05/03, 10:42 PM

I have the Rubicon Express 2” lift. Thanks for the advice. That is how one should always tackle any obstacle, it has worked for me this far. The break over is a bit of an issue, at least the protection plates are strong, I have tested them on various occasions. The rock sliders are also a plus.

**EstianSwanepoel** · 2011/05/03, 11:00 PM

Maybe go benchmark yourself on a trail before you go to Babboons.
Organise the convoy then go Moegatle. There's some grade 5 obstacles that should give you a good comparison to Babboon's pass. If you make it on the trail, you'll be fine out on the pass.

Here is a picture of an obstacle at Moegatle called Klipdrift.
I reckon it comes close to some of the parts you'll encounter on the pass.
Myself, VanEmmenis and DesertLeon were the only ones that made it through.

Please keep us updated with the trip. I'd love to hear how it went as Baboon's Pass is very high on my to-do list.

**Africa** · 2011/05/03, 11:06 PM

Please tell me, do you ever knock the underside of the fuel tank of your vehicle, even with a few mods done to our TJ Jeep Wrangler and 35" tyres we still knock the underside of the fuel tank?

Because I am sure that you will knock it many times along this trail, what will you do if you damage the fuel tank.

Have you got suitable tow points on your rig? Front and rear.

A few years back somebody took a VW Syncro up this trail, he eventually had to leave it along the trail, his mates stuffed up a few kenetic straps trying to tow him along with them as well, eventually his rear suspension gave in completely, like somebody said, remember you are venturing out into unknown country, you will have to have back up plans in place for any emergency for whatever reason that may accur.

Enjoy and be safe.

**stadleroux** · 2011/05/04, 12:31 AM

Originally Posted by Africa

Please tell me, do you ever knock the underside of the fuel tank of your vehicle, even with a few mods done to our TJ Jeep Wrangler and 35" tyres we still knock the underside of the fuel tank?

Because I am sure that you will knock it many times along this trail, what will you do if you damage the fuel tank.

Although the fuel tank is, imo, probably the most vulnerable point on the undercarriage of a TJ, a JK's fuel tank sits in a completely different position - stretched-out from just behind the left front to just in front of the left rear tyre. I think the chances of coming down as hard on it as in the TJ are slightly less there, but a bash plate might not be a bad idea...

**Dionne** · 2011/05/04, 09:10 AM

That is correct; the fuel tank does not come into play at all. The bottom is nicely covered in the critical areas.
We have been to Moegatle and it was n blast. I did not do “Koos se Klip” as I was a bit causis, but if I go there again I will definitely do it. I have learned that you do not need to charge an obstacle; you can negotiate it at crawling speed and obtain the same result, with less damage.
Will you tackle Baboons?

**David Maritz** · 2011/05/04, 09:15 AM

Definately it will make it.

Take a lot of humour and also patience with!

It is a real fun trip and something you will not forget!

**Swys14** · 2011/05/04, 09:17 AM

That article made that 4x4 route seems very expensive. Good luck and pls do a report about it.

**Uys** · 2011/05/04, 09:40 AM

Baboons is not very difficult, but it doesn't stop!!! Grade 3 and 4 obsticles every 5m for 20km!! I don't think there is one grade 5.

**Dionne** · 2011/05/04, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by Uys

Baboons is not very difficult, but it doesn't stop!!! Grade 3 and 4 obsticles every 5m for 20km!! I don't think there is one grade 5.

I must thank you for your posting, due to it that i want to do the baboons. What would be the maximum group size you would recommend? Obviously the bigger the group the more time you require? The group I am putting together has got moderate to good 4x4 experience, and two of them has done the baboons before, but a long time ago, lot has changed since then.

**MillaS** · 2011/05/04, 11:59 AM

I have done 3 Baboons trips the last 3 years. And yes, What Uys Says is true, BUT if it gets wet on that pass, it definately goes up to a Grade 5-plus. The main thing when doing Baboons is TO TAKE YOUR TIME when goin thru and over the rocks. Your Jeep should do more than well up that mountain. There's enough rocks to build your way out of an obstacle, if you should doubt wether you'll make it over or not..
The article in SA4x4 is very well written, as it was written by some one who did their first trip up, so you can relate to that, and take that advice.

**Sakkie** · 2011/05/04, 12:47 PM

Your Jeep will make it, and if you take your time and don't try and rush it, it should make it easy. Take cognisance of the consequences of a mechanical breakdown. Stay as close as you can to your std tires. The bigger you go, the more strain on your drive train, and with all due respect, I don't think the modern Jeeps have too much safety margin in the front diff. I've seen too many knuckles explode. I'd say the largest you can safely go is in the 32" range.

Take GOOD friends along, and be aware that those friendships SHALL be tested. Leave all short tempers at home, and take along all the humor you can handle. You're going to need it.

Uys has it right. The obstacles in Baboons you can find in most offroad tracks. The problem with Baboons is that they never end. In many places when your back wheels are out of the one, your front wheels are into the next. Klipdrift in Moegatle is worse than anything you'll face in Baboons.

We took a stock standard KB250 D/cab up there in 2008, without putting a scratch on her. BUT, it took hours of packing rocks, and many times having to manhandle the vehicle through some places....and we took all her load off and packed it into the raised KB300s. See if you can source the Aug 2008 copy of Leisure Wheels for a rather extensive report.

Make sure you've got people with you with sound bush mechanic's knowledge. If something goes wrong, the nearest workshop is.....what workshop...and that is the big test of Baboons. To not break anything, and if you do, to be able to fix it.

JP · 2011/05/04, 08:12 PM

All I can add to what Sakkie said is try and keep the group as small as possible. 8-10 vehicles is really pushing it IMHO. 4-5 vehicles max. Baboons has deteriorated over time. What could be done in '08 is going to be difficult in 2011. The more vehicles, the longer it takes, the more fragile tempers and sense of humours will become. rather split it up into 2 smaller groups than 1 big group.

O ja, and do enjoy Rosemary's delicious meals at the Trading Post, either before or after Baboons.

**Dionne** · 2011/05/04, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by JP

All I can add to what Sakkie said is try and keep the group as small as possible. 8-10 vehicles is really pushing it IMHO. 4-5 vehicles max. Baboons has deteriorated over time. What could be done in '08 is going to be difficult in 2011. The more vehicles, the longer it takes, the more fragile tempers and sense of humours will become. rather split it up into 2 smaller groups than 1 big group.

O ja, and do enjoy Rosemary's delicious meals at the Trading Post, either before or after Baboons.

Can one group start on the one side and the other on the opposite side, then meet up in the middle, pass and continue?