Trail Tails: With the best, 50 shades JK

When you team up with Rebel Off Road out of Laguna Hills, CA, and a collection of some of the industry’s best manufacturers to build a jeep that doubles as a weekend warrior and a daily driver – the ultimate adventure machine is created! Colin Coates is a mechanical engineer who leaned on his friend's expertise and his own mechanical mind to build one of the most badass Jeeps on and off the road!


*Scroll to the bottom to see all the modifications of Colin’s @50ShadesJK (All images supplied by @50ShadesJk Instagram)

Where: Moab, Utah for the annual Easter Jeep Safari.
When: April, 2017
Vehicle: 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Hard Rock

Rhino-Rack Products:
Rhino-Rack Pioneer Platform
Rhino-Rack Pioneer High Lifting Jack & Shovel Bracket Kit

Rhino-Rack: What is it about getting the outdoors that gets you going?

Colin Coates: I am very passionate about seeking adventure and exploring the great outdoors. For me, nature provides a sense of solitude and contentment. I have found that a quick trip camping or off-roading clears your head from the many stresses, distractions, and noise of day to day life. Nature lives simply. Adopting this idea and appreciating the serenity that is gained from exploring the outdoors has helped me regain focus of what’s important to me when I get back on the day to day grind. In addition, I have had the opportunity of meeting great people from all walks of life, seeing landscapes I could never have dreamed up, and participating in non-profit stewardship programs to give back to our local trails with the TreadLightly! organization.


Rhino-Rack: Using nature as therapy, that’s awesome! What do you think of the type of people you meet? Do they see the best of America, what sort of people are they in your opinion?

Colin Coates: I have run across all different types of people from all walks of life.  Most of the time they turn out to be amazing, down to earth individuals seeking the same fun and adventure that led us to cross paths. I enjoy meeting people and hearing their different perspectives on life. If it wasn’t for a shared interest, I would never be exposed to these types of people. All in all, I believe it leads to a more open minded perspective on people and life in general.

Rhino-Rack: How did you prepare for the Easter Jeep Safari? What are the important steps to take?

Colin Coates: Because the trip was based around off-roading and technical rock crawling, it was important to prepare my jeep for some of the world’s toughest terrain.  Prior to the trip, I made sure all mechanical maintenance was on point, and I packed on the roof all of the things you hope you never need but would always want in case of an emergency. These items included a high-lift jack, various tools, extra gas & water, etc.

Rhino-Rack: What were the weather and terrain conditions like in Moab?

Colin Coates: We could not have asked for better weather! Because we were set in the desert, temps would rise up to 80 degrees during the day, but fall near 40 degrees at night. The terrain was a mix of desert sand and the famed Moab “Slick Rock”, which actually provides amazing grip believe it or not!

Rhino-Rack: What was it you intended to do/see/experience there?

Colin Coates: Our trip consisted of 3 days of rock crawling a number of different trails with some of our closest friends and vendors in the Jeep and 4x4 industry. The following 2 days were spent hanging out with the folks from Rhino Rack, as the 50 Shades JK was on display in their vendor booth during the Easter Jeep Safari Exposition.

Rhino-Rack: So everything went smoothly?

Colin Coates: Yes! The trip was a major success! We had a blast on the trails and the Jeep took on everything we threw at it. It was also great to catch up with some of our industry partners in the 4x4 Mecca of the U.S.

Rhino-Rack: Were there any lessons learned?

Colin Coates: This was my first time attending the annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari. I learned one thing – I will be going every year from now on! 


Rhino-Rack: How did Rhino-Rack products help to facilitate your adventure?

Colin Coates: The awesome Pioneer Platform enabled me to haul enough gear out from California to Utah for my one week stay. I installed my high-lift jack, emergency shovel, and a Roto-Pax 4 gallon auxiliary fuel tank on the rack. All tools I used at some point along my journey.

Rhino-Rack: Did you face any obstacles along the way and how did you get around them?

Colin Coates: It can be said that the entire trip was an obstacle. We took the 50 Shades JK up many trails that were filled with hard core rock crawling obstacles and managed to make its way up every single one of them. Fortunately, there was no major breakage until the drive home from Utah to California. At some point, my Transfer Case developed a spider crack along the casting lines and was spewing transmission fluid. Fortunately, it was a slow leak and allowed me to get home before having to install a new transfer case. All in all, the trip was an absolute success.


Rhino-Rack: What is it about the destination or the journey of your adventure that makes the trip worthwhile?

Colin Coates: It’s a combination of things. It’s the people you share the adventure with, the feeling of accomplishment when you make it up and over a tough obstacle. It’s the landscape you see, the sense of solitude and contentment that nature has to offer. The journey is often times just as exciting as the destination!

Rhino-Rack: Was there any wildlife or landscape that particularly stands out?

Colin Coates: One of the trails we conquered was called “Top of the World” and takes you to an epic cliff edge that sits 1,000 feet above a canyon in the Moab desert. Off in the distance is the La Sal Mountain range with snow-capped peaks … It truly is one of the most gorgeous views I have ever experienced.

Modifications to the 50 Shades JK:

I drive a 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Hard Rock dubbed the “50 Shades JK” after its Granite Crystal Metallic exterior paint. The list of modifications is extensive, however, every single modification contributes to the overall goal of the build in a unique way.

Rhino-Rack Trail Tales

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