Tim Stigen Rubicon Jeepers Jamboree Mechanic Interview

Tim Stigen has a most interesting history as a volunteer mechanic in association with the Jeepers Jamboree. He is one of the men who was part of the Expedition De Las Americas in 1978. This was the group of men who shipped (5) CJ7’s to the tip of South America and drove those jeeps to the tip of Alaska. He was the youngest man on the expedition at 19 years old. https://youtu.be/Y0mJ4HXMHvQ

Tim was chosen for the Expedition by Mark Smith, one of the founders of the Jeepers Jamboree. Tim’s family was a neighbor of Mark Smiths. Mark knew firsthand what Tim’s mechanical abilities entailed and was excited to have him along. Tim’s parents thought the trip was advantageous and used some of Tim’s college savings for his participation in the Expedition.

Over my 22 years of participation in the Jeepers Jamboree I have seen Tim, and this beat-up, scared old CJ7, but didn’t really know the historic significance until this interview with Tim. Tim had acquired Kens Jeep thru the estate after Ken past way. It was Kens family (specifically Brett Collins ) that felt the Jeep should go to Tim. You read the name Brett Collins (Kens son) in a lot in these mechanic interviews. He personally selected many of the mechanics who are part of the Rubicon Springs senior crew today.

I had never engaged in a conversation with Tim, just knew he was an important guy and perhaps I was apprehensive of his notoriety. That all change this last summer on the 70th Jeepers jamboree when I broke my front passenger side spindle. It was Tim who just so happened to be the closest mechanic to me on the trail. I thought my breaks or steering had gone out but within 10 minutes Tim identified the problem and the fix. I explained I’d like to see if we can fix the problem with the tools I brought, to see how well prepared and equipped I was for the Rubicon. So, first thing was to grab the Hi lift Jack, block the rear wheels with rocks, loosen the lug bolts and remove the tire. Then removed the disc brakes to get to the Spindle. At this point, I was lost and very grateful for the help. I did my best to stay out of the way. The trail mechanic’s love to explain and teach but their goal is to get you back on the trail and moving as quick as possible.

After removing the spindle, the hard work began -trying to find a replacement. The Jeepers Jamboree Directors have come up with a very innovative and effective way of getting parts from Buck Island mechanics or main camp mechanics, to wherever you are on the trail. They have two motorcycle mountain specialist delivering parts to the field mechanics. It took a few hours to get us the parts (not a complaint). Tim never abandoned us. Which was especially nice as my sweetheart Judy was a little afraid of being on the side of the mountain on our own. Once the parts showed up Tim had us all back together and back on the trail within an hour. It was a nice accident as it gave us a few hours to get to know Tim.

When I ask Tim what tools a Jeeper should bring on the Rubicon trail, he said, first tighten all your suspension bolts, check your drive lines and U bolts connections, transmission and transfer case bolts and motor mounts. He mentioned that these days some guys don’t bring a spare TIRE. Well here the side wall is in more danger of damage, so make sure you have a spare tire, the same size as the tires your running. He also pointed out that the old military jeeps were built to be disposable. So, axels are very small and break easily. If you have a Jeep with hubs, bring spares. He also recommends you bring a Hi Lift jack, crescent wrench, and plyers. If you have modified parts- BRING SPARES.

Tim has a different prospective about tire air pressure then what I’ve heard from most mechanics. As he runs 33” tires he keeps his tire pressure up to keep the height and to avoid the tires grabbing and putting more pressure on the drive- line which includes your U joints, drive shaft and the possibility of driving a drive shaft into your transfer case. Yes, this man has seen it all!

Tim had some interesting historical information he was willing to share in this interview that I wanted to share with our readers. He explained how the second Jamboree, known as the Jeep Jamboree, was formed. The Jeep Jamboree will celebrate its 45th anniversary in 2023. Before the second Jamboree was formed, the Jeepers Jamboree offered three options: a four-, three- or two-day trip all leaving camp on Sunday. The staggard start times, proved to be difficult for crew, volunteers and mechanics. The crew and mechanics would work through Saturday night to get participants ready to leave on Sunday. That’s the reason for the second Jamboree (Jeep Jamboree), which today accepts younger participants and is more family focused. The minimum age for the four-day Jeepers Jamboree event is sixteen (16). For more information on the different events and age requirements contact. www.jeepersjamboree.com

A fun story about Tim. Before he bought Kens Collins CJ7 Jeep he drove a (sorry to say Bronco). Well, the JEEP Jamboree use to be a Jeep only event, it is not anymore. Tim, as a Trail Mechanic was told he could bring in his Bronco into camp, but he would have to cover it with a tarp while in camp. The mechanic’s music came from under the tarp . His Bronco had a cassette deck, which required the transfer case to be in “2-wheel drive” to change tapes. When Tim left camp on that Sunday, he assumed they left his vehicle in 4-wheel drive but was having a difficult time getting up Cadillac hill. Then it dawned on him that the stereo was playing a different tape. He shifted into 4-wheel drive and off he went, problems solved.

Tim is a family man, he has four boys and three girls. This is a four-wheeling family! All Tim’s children and grandchildren have volunteered on the Jamboree in a variety of responsibilities.

I met three of his sons who ran the Rubicon with him 2022. Two of them share the name Mike, it’s a family thing. The other son who joined us was Johnny. One of the “Mikes” comes from Alaska every year to participate and visit with Dad. After replacing the front spindle, we were making great time until I broke a square U bolt that holds the Leaf springs together. At 10:00 p.m. Tim and Michael fabricated a mounting bracket, drilled two holes in it and welded the two parts of the U bolt together onto the bracket they built on the trail. I learned the importance of having a hydraulic jack along, as it was used to straighten out the longest leaf spring in the package. We arrived at 1:30 am at Buck Island. Having started at 6:00 am the day before. Ohhhh The Rubicon stories…

Hope you enjoyed our interview.

Jeep Famboree is not part of the JEEP or Jeepers Jamboree. Any information you require about the event please contact Jeepers Jamboree direct.

Written by Eric Lichtbach Edited by Mari Nascimento-Shelton Approved by Tim Stigens.

Special thanks to Mari Shelton for the excellence in the enhancement of the language you improved. The descriptive word changes you made greatly help my explanation of events in the interview.

Eric .