Silver Lake newbie

[bootlegger]

I'm headed to the dunes this weekend for the first time.I will be taking my cj5.
Any pointers? Im a little concerned about my exhaust...side pipes with no restrictions. I don't like it either but this is how I bought it.

[Pecker]

I think as long as you have mufflers you'll be fine. You'll need a 10' flag and a mount-if you don't want to spend $5 for a u-bolt and a piece of steel then i'd rig something up beforehand; most are 1/2" threads on the bottom. don't get the cheap 2 piece ones because they suck.

If you're going over the weekend they have a voucher system for entry into the park. There are two types: dune ready and parking lot. If you're street legal its a lot less hassle to just load up from the campground and drive in with a dune ready-they're available all day Friday & Saturday for different time slots the following day. They don't start giving out parking lot vouchers until 9pm and they're first come first serve-time slots are 7-9, 9-11 & 11-1. All the vouchers are free but you need to have your vehicle license plate # with you. you can only pick up one trailer voucher per person so if you have a big group just mexi-pack with your license plate list and get in line early. ORV stickers are $25 for anything going into the dunes, and i think the state parks passes are $7 a day for non-residents. you need a parks pass for anything that goes through the gate. Have fun!

[bootlegger]

So I'll need a state park pass and an ORV sticker?
Where should I buy these? I'm staying at sandy shores campground BTW.

[JeffK5]

I've been up there maybe a dozen times in the last twenty years and have had a blast every time, with being said make sure you fallow every rule to the letter. Never go out of bounds or bring alcohol into the APV area , these are the two violations they watch for with binoculars from every hiding spot in the park. Also make sure you wear safety restraints at all times and only go the correct direction in the on-way specific areas , they will ticket you and it's damn dangerous going the wrong way over the many blind hill crests.

You need a flag whip that hits a 10' height bar and it needs to be fiberglass pole..nothing else will do. You can get pole/flag set up at DuneLand/DAR before you enter the park, you will just need a good strong mount as it will take a beating. I would bring 6-8 tennis balls with 1/2 holes in them to slip over the pole as it will beat the hell out of the body where it comes in contact..and it gets old listening to the noise.

They have pretty strict sound and spark rules .. 94db. at around 3,000 RPM or half throttle. They also technically don't allow any non-baffled exhaust .. headers are fine as long as they have baffled or chambered mufflers.

Cherry-bombs,Thrush,GreenMonster or any other full flow non-restrictive bullet type muffler doesn't pass there spark arrester requirements . Side pipes with nothing in them has a slim chance of getting through..I wouldn't drive all that way hoping I got a cool DNR worker to pass my rig.

You will need two different park passes to get in..they both can be bought at the check-in area so make sure you got some cash.

Just remember unless you've got a ton of power to lower the tire PSI and use momentum as your friend..stopping on any hill where you don't have at least 75% of your rig past the crest is a sure fire way to be stuck to your floor pan!

[bootlegger]

Thanks for the help fellas!
My jeep has no rollover protection over the rear seat.I wonder how that will fly?

[JeffK5]

Thanks for the help fellas!
My jeep has no rollover protection over the rear seat.I wonder how that will fly?
I believe as long as it's equipped with at least what Jeep put in it from the factory you will be fine .

[JeffK5]

I have this link saved as it pretty much tells you everything you need to know..

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10365_15070-34760--,00.html#vehiclereg

[bootlegger]

Had a blast up there fellas.The cj5 did great and had no issues getting in with the side pipes.