I need some suggestions, but here is a little background first. We are making our 2nd trip to the Arizona - Utah area, and will be doing MORE trails this time. First trip was Sedona and Flagstaff, we had a blast, I was amazed at what a stock Patriot could do with a decent driver and spotter. The Barlow Rubicon was awsome, I kept forgetting about the swaybar disconnects and electric lockers, after spending years driving a built CJ-5. This time we are headed to Moab, to see what that is like. We have bought books, and I have loaded topo's in the GPS, but I am worried about what trails we CAN try and what SHOULD try in Moab. I don't mind renting a Wrangler for the more serious trails, but I am having a hard time figuring out what COULD be done in a stock rental Grand Cherokee to save some $$.

Trails here in the mountains of the southeast are different, we have rocks too, but when they get wet, they get wet AND muddy, and very slick. "Slickrock" surprised me...we ended up wheeling in the rain during the trip last year in the Sedona area, something that would normally involve breaking parts or crushing bodywork here in the southeast.

I have full-length video from a "non-wheeling" co-worker of Fins and Things during EJS 2011, when work had him in the area (LUCKY!!), and it does not look impossible in a stock vehicle with a good spotter and careful driver. I saw the steep decents, but that is what low range, low gear, and careful braking is for. Am I wrong?

sure...

not sure what to say about that crown vic. but as for fins & things. i would not do it in a rental. i have a 3.5 lift with 31s. ive been wheeling since i was 5 and my dad spotted me. he is the most experienced 4 wheeler i know. we still had some problems. now we didnt mind damage to much so we werent super careful. but i would not do it in a grand. if you could rent a stock cherokee or wrangler you would be fine though.

if you have a rank system for the trails. 4/10 is about the highest i would do in stock anything. 3 in a grand cherokee. that is if your renting stock. my opinion.

Cool video of the Grand Vic, now throw it on Rusty Nail, Pritchett or behind the rocks! Not exactly a true repesentation of all the trails in Moab.
OP get a guide book, run the easy to moderate trails and you'll be fine.

yeah, i was just being funny with the crown vic video, but this just shows how much traction you get on the slick rock.

just stay away from helldurado in a rented truck. lol. and buy the extra insurance. haha.

x2 on that, if your ganna be doing any wheelin your not familiar with its totally worth the extra bit for insurance.

I would say 3D trail its fun and in a stock vehicle it would be a blast!

I'm glad someone else asked cause I was about too. I'm headed up to SLC in a few couple weeks to visit a friend and I'm going to be spending some time in MOAB on the way up.
I'll be in my Tacoma, 2" lift and a locker, I was looking for trails to do that I could avoid any boddy damage, gotta keep my DD looking good.
I have the charles wells book coming in the mail so hopefully I pick out some good ones.

why not tiptoe through hell?
http://www.utah.com/offroad/hells_revenge.htm
Another option is to drive "Tip-Toe through Hell." It follows most of the Hell's Revenge trail route but skips the difficult obstacles and is rated a 3½. The scenery and many of the thrills of driving long stretches of slickrock remain, but the emphasis is on making the trail accessible to stock vehicles and drivers not anxious to break their equipment.
Information courtesy of Red Rock 4-Wheelers, Inc