Club History

In October of 2006, several members of the Arizona Virtual Jeep club talked about a 160 mile stretch of desert along the Mexico and Arizona border called “El Camino Del Diablo” a/k/a The Devils Highway and thought it would be cool if we could get a group of people to do a multi-day trip of this trail. Understand that most Jeep events here in AZ last less than a day, usually have less than ten vehicles and consist of lots of rock crawling and trails that have imposing names such as Axle Alley, Terminator, Predator, Raw Deal, Anaconda and Land Slide…….all of which can pretty much guarantee some component or body damage if it’s not your day.

Nobody stepped forward to lead this trip so after doing some research, the decision was made that we would plan a trip. Mike Fissel planned the trip, organized the group and planned the 1st Chuck Wagon breakfast and dinner.

Product ImageBecause this was a new venture and there was lots of talk, in the interest of not overloading the Jeep Clubs email with information and planning of this trip, We opened up a Yahoo Groups site just for the Devils Highway.

After a few posts on the AZVJC Yahoo group, we had 30 people signed up to do the Devils Highway in just two weeks! None of us had thought it would get that big. Now was the time for some serious planning for such a big group including getting permits for everyone and logistics for food, water, fuel and camping.

Well after three months of planning we pulled off the trip with few surprises and everyone had a great time. The consensus was that we need to do more trips like this and Jeep Expeditions was born. This web site has been a long time in the making and we plan on making it bigger and better. Our group of 30 has grown to nearly 100 now and we typically will do  8 to 12 trips per year with something for everyone but always 2 days or more.

Now years later, we have a very successful and active club, a great website and Forum. We have Incorporated as a non-profit organization, trademarked our names and logo and will have affiliated with a number of organizations dedicated to protecting your rights to recreate on public lands

Webmaster and Founder of Jeep Expeditions: Mike Fissel

Product ImageI live in Mesa, AZ and am a transplant from the east coast. What I have learned in my 11 years in AZ is that if you love the outdoors and off-roading in your Jeep, there is NO better place in the world to live ! I have been off-roading for over 30 years and currently own 3 running Jeeps.

The Expedition vehicle I started with Jeep Expeditions in 2006 was  a “vintage” 1982 Jeep Wagoneer FSJ or for you newbies, Full Size Jeep. It was the Limited model with 7″ of lift via TTsFabworks SOA and shackle flip, 33″ BFG Mudders, ARB and Detroit Lockers, 4.56 gearing, custom rack, bumpers and other goodies from satellite radio, GPS navigation via my Garmin GPSMap 176C and Panasonic GPS enabled Toughbook laptop with Topo programs, CB and Ham radio set ups and more. It is pictured to the right, pulling my M101/416 Jeep Trailer loaded with gear. I nicknamed it “The War Wagon” after one of my favorite John Wayne movies, my friends just call it “The Beast”.Oh and my Ham radio call sign K7FSJ…..  for Full Size Jeep or Fun Size Jeep!

My current Expedition Vehicles are a 98 Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited with a 7″ long arm lift, 99 TJ Wrangler with a 4″ lift and an 88 Grand Wagoneer with a 3″ lift.

What was my 1st “Expedition Vehicle” ? It’s the upper right picture. A 98 Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited, pretty much stock other than 2×4 Tomkin Rock Rails Pictured coming over one of many hills in Bull Canyon, Moab, UT. That was 6 years before the 1st Jeep Expeditons Trip.