Words of Wisdom Rubicon Mechanic

Dennis Burmaster Interviewed

The more your willing to read, the more you will learn.

I first met Dennis in 2001. I should say we all met on the Rubicon Trail. Dennis in his jeep, me in mine. His favorite gal Sarah, a 1976 CJ5 that he had completely restored from frame up. Giving her a chevy 350 V8 powerplant. My Jeep, a 1972 CJ5, which I have had since 1972. I thought my Jeep was built, boy did I have a lot to learn about being Rubicon Ready. The Olympian, as he was known then, immediately had a crush on Sarah. It was love at first gear. He followed Sarah like a lost puppy.

I listened and learned what I needed to do for the Olympian to make him durable for this trail. Dennis has pointed out numerous times it’s the connection between the driver seat and gas pedal, which was the Olympians biggest problem.

Like I have stated numerous times, the friends you make on the Jeepers Jamboree become friends for life. They are quality people. Dennis is one of those people. Always there for a friend. So much so, he spent a small fortune making sure Sarah had all she could need to help and repair others on the Rubicon Trail. Sarah was equipped with a $3,000 welder, and an $800.00 compressor. She could run air tools and fill your tires up if you let too much air out, or had to reseal a tire bead to the wheel. Annually he would spend $2,000 in spare parts that were most likely to be needed by participants on the trail. She had everything you could need to keep a CJ rolling. Dennis even invested in one of the first portable Snap On brand Computers to analyze jeepers’ problems at a cost out of his pocket of $3,000. It's good to be a successful contractor.

When I asked Dennis what is the most important item that you should have in your rig, he said “a good pair of shoes”. I was surprised by his answer, but understood it. His point, as direct as it is, is if you can’t follow a good line, and won’t listen to the Rock Rollers, you may have to hike to camp. One of the big advantages you have in participating in the Jeepers and Jeep Jamboree besides the mechanics, are the Rock Rollers. They will guide you through the toughest, most tricky terrain on the trail. They will tell you exactly where to spot your tires, inch by inch. That’s why they are also called Spotters.

Dennis was introduced to and became one of the Rubicon Mechanics thanks to Cowboy (Mike) Lera. Mike had worked for Dennis as an Electrician for about six years. Mike helped Dennis rebuild Sarah, he is sort of like Sarah’s Uncle. Dennis rode in as a passenger with Mike for the first time somewhere around 1993. He continued coming in with Sara for seventeen (17) straight years until he retired from being a Volunteer Rubicon Mechanic, about ten years ago.

Dennis was dedicated to ensuring the participants had a great time. He loved the MacGyver aspects of repairing a broken jeep in the middle of a mountain with only what you brought to repair it. I once had a situation where my crew could not resolve a problem with the electrical system on my 1972 CJ5. The Mechanic’s yard had shut down for the night, and we had to leave at 6:00 am the next morning. I found Dennis; his tent was nearest the work area. He said come to this tent at 6:00 a.m. and he’d wake me up and get her running. He then told me to go enjoy the party. Saturday night on the Jeepers Jamboree is a big, big party. New York steaks a live band, a huge bonfire, and a bar that doesn’t stop flowing with whatever you want to drink. Somehow 6:00 am I was at Dennis’s tent, he got up ( I don’t know how) and walked a good distance and fixed my jeep.

I have seen Dennis do some amazing things on the trail fixing Jeeps. But the most amazing ability this man has is his way with people. This is a hard trip; it takes a lot of emotional, mental, and physical endurance. When you’re at the point when you, as a grown man want to cry from exhaustion. To have a man like Dennis reassure you that everything will be fine, makes all the difference in the world. We are not all master mechanics and need help from time to time. I watched him explain to two participants (who were covered in mud, as was their Jeep and were perhaps a little scared, definitely exhausted, and hungry) to go wash up off the mud, change clothes and get some food. He directed them to a source of water, and where to go to get in the food line. He explained that while they were gone, he would wash down their jeep, clean up the engine compartment and get it running again, as it had been dragged into camp with them in it. Unless you've been on the wrong end of a recovery strap in a jeep with no power brakes or steering, because the engine won’t start, and feel what it's like to be at the snaping end of a bull whip, you can’t imagine the physical beating these guys took.

They wisely did as he suggested and got out of his way. Two hours later their jeep was running, their bellies full and a shot or two of whiskey had them all calmed down and ready to enjoy a good night’s sleep knowing they would be driving themselves out and back home.

Dennis stated a lot of problems can be avoided by spending time under your Jeep before the Jamboree. Checking and tightening every suspension connection. The condition of and looking for cracks in your shock mounts, leaf spring perches and the vehicle's frame. Inspect all six U-joints, this includes the ones in your steering, and grease them up. Check your steering tie rod ends and linkage. Transmission and motor mounts. Check all your fluids, power steering, brakes, engine and transmission, front and rear differential. It’s the simple things that become big headaches on an adventure that stresses your vehicle's endurance. The Rubicon trail does just that. Another important maintenance factor is the radiator. Check the hoses and clamps. On older jeeps check the mounting bolts to ensure they are secure to the inside of the front grill. Is the water in your radiator brown? When was the last time it was flushed and filled with new coolant?

Here is a list of fluids and more Dennis ask me to share with you.

Gear oil, Brake Fluid, Power Steering fluid, Antifreeze, Tire Stop leak aka Green Slim, Tire Plug Kit, Spare Belts.

Now that the CJ’s are over thirty-five years old. It is also recommended you bring a rebuild kit for your Carburetor (if you have not upgraded to fuel injection) and Starter. It can pay to have an extra set of spark plug wires. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to install or use these parts, the mechanics will.

Dennis is a CJ guy, when asked about a new jeep. He said he wouldn’t own one, too many computers.

Please feel free to ask any question you have regarding Jeeping. We are not the official Jeepers or Jeep Jamboree. We cannot speak for them. See their website for questions on the Jamboree.

https://jeepersjamboree.com

We look forward to seeing you and meeting you in person at the next Jeepers Jamboree, please make a point to stop at the Mechanics yard and say hello.

Written by Eric Lichtbach

Edited by Laura Pewe