Posted on January 9th, 2023

Words of advice from Jeepers Jamboree Rubicon Mechanic

Jeff Arabia, who is the head mechanic at the Rubicon Springs mechanics yard at the Jeeper’s Jamboree on the Rubicon Trail.

He’s been participating in the event for as long as he can remember, somewhere around 25 years. When he first started running the trail on Jeepers Jamboree, as a true Jeeper he naturally stopped and offered to help other Jeepers on the trail. He just so happens to own Arabia Overkill in Campbell, Ca. ph. 408 626 8660. To avoid breaking down on the Rubicon, personally, I suggest if you live within 100 miles of Campbell you go see Jeff months before you go on the trail. He knows what original parts are most likely to break on your Jeep as he has fixed them all on the Rubicon.

When I asked Jeff what he felt was the most important spare part to carry in your rig on this trail he said, that’s a hard question. Then he said a Ham Radio and know how to use it so you can call for help. He’s right - a C.B. is only good for line of sight. They’re fun to communicate with your friends in front and behind you, but that’s about it. 

After thinking about the question, he stated a good quality pry bar. So, you can bend parts back into place. Like your steering components. Open up a smashed exhaust pipe, tighten the alternator and steering belts. And carry spare drive shaft components; u joints and yokes to connect to the front and rear differentials. I for one could not agree more, he’s absolutely right from my perspective. Especially as I have broken rear yokes on both my CJ5’s Dana 60 and my JKU Dana 44 rear ends. You drop down on a big rock and bang they explode.

When I asked Jeff how he became an official Jeep Mechanic at Rubicon Springs his answer sounded like a natural response you will find in most jeepers. When he started going on the jamboree it was as a paying participant just like everyone else. He wasn’t aware of the Buck Island or Springs Mechanic Yards. When he came across a Jeeper in trouble he asks if he could help. And found himself welding folks back together. Along with fixing numerous mechanical problems. 

Before being asked to join the official mechanics he used to camp on the rocks also known as the slab just beyond main camp where most of us set up out tents and soothed our aching bones in the Rubicon Springs Creek. Some Jeepers heard about him and showed up needing help. He set up overhead tarps and placed his 1986 CJ7 Jeep with a 5.7 LS1 putting out 410 horsepower. 40 spline axels in Dana 60 front and rear ends. And an onboard welder. He did what came naturally, helping people.

He had met Dennis Burmaster and Mike Lera aka Cowboy on the trail as he was helping folks and they invited him to visit and hang out with them in the Springs mechanic yard. A friendship grew out of appreciation of each other’s good deeds. Jeff was still doing his own thing and paying to do it by the way. In one conversation they started talking about how much welding they had done that day. Jeff had used 110 welding rods. The mechanic yard had used less than 10 rods that day. Dennis and Cowboy saw the commitment. Jeff was volunteering without any acknowledgement by the event’s organizers. Who were not aware of Jeff kindness and generosity to anyone who needed help. 

After a few years of getting to know Jeff and his mechanical abilities, the mechanics had a situation they needed help with. They sent a helper to go find Jeff and ask him to come to the mechanics’ yard. He came, diagnosed the problem, fixed it and returned to his camp. 

After that the mechanics drafted him, they told him he belongs with them, and he started as a helper. Then became an official mechanic and received the much coveted red jacket. In those days there were only ten official mechanics. You literally had to wait for someone to get too old to participate or pass on. This event is not for the frail, it’s physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausting at times. There are no regular working hours. These Jeeps must get fixed so they can be driving out on Sunday, come rain or shine and somehow these guys make that happen.

This brotherhood is what Jeep Famboree is all about. Jeep enthusiasts helping other jeepers have an experience of a lifetime. To join the Jeep Famboree you need to have participated in the Jeepers Jamboree on the Rubicon Trail.

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