The Red Jeep Club

Nursing Books

2011-05-05T17:10:00.000-07:00

Here is the set of Nursing Books you need to start at the U.

The Jeep is still Red and Still Rock the Sand Dunes.

2011-03-14T22:36:00.000-07:00

I just spent the past weekend at the "Sand Hollow Resort" in St. George Utah. This is a very new and very nice State Park located in the desert of southern Utah. The Park consists of a small man made lake, a camping area, some boat docks, fishing, and Sand Dunes for ATV's. The dunes are small and mixed into some very scenic Red Rock sand stone cliffs and plateaus. You can spend all day exploring the area and enjoying the REd Dunes surrounded by Red Rock Cliffs and hill climbs. You do not need a big bore 2 stroke fire breathing machine for these Dunes. If you have one you will still be able to use it, but you can have as much fun on a Honda Recon, just set your mind to exploring mode versus going super fast mode. I spent two days in my Red Jeep on the dunes and had a blast. My jeep is so reliable and so fun to drive, I have missed the outdoors, adn with a bit of renewed energy I will try to take it out more often.

Jeep Wrangler Gear Replacement Questions

2009-01-31T07:11:00.000-08:00

Here is a question I got over email from a customer I sold a custom Jeep Bumper Hoop too. I thought I would post the questions and answer here so other can see what I have to say and correct me if you think I am wrong.

Intro:
I am the guy with the Red Jeep who ordered the hoop from you last year with continuous plate and tow rope tabs. My Jeep pictures are posted on your website. With your profound knowledge on the Wranglers, I wonder if you can give me some insight on gear ratio. Beside my Red Rubicon, I have another 2004 Wrangler Sport TJ Manual 5 speed (25,000 miles) with:

2” Coil ProComp Lift
MX-6 Shocks
32x11.5x15 BFG Mud Tires
Dana 44 rear
Dana 30 front
3.73 gear ratio
ARB Snorkel
Gas mileage averaging 13.5 to 15 mpg
Freeway driving speed: no more than 75 mph

Power is okay on flat but once is on hills, it goes way down. I had to down shift to 4th and 3rd just to stay moving. I am thinking of changing the gears to 4:10 (Genuine or Superior ?) and add the $250 “LockRight” locker in the rear. This is my everyday vehicle. I don’t do any hardcore off roading but don’t want to get stuck on ski trip in the snow….. that is why I want to the add the locker in the rear. I have to stay under $1K budget for parts and labor.

Questions:

Q: Is changing gear ratio to 4:10 the right way to gain power?

A: The big power stealers are the tires. They have two bad effects, they are heavier and they go farther on a single rotation compared to the stock 30 inch tires. So changing to lower gear bring the number of engine rotations back in line with the factory specs. You will feel more torque and have better acceleration and be able to keep hills in 5th but 4th for sure.

Q: What are the down sides in changing to 4:10 ?

A: Lower gears multiply the torque at the wheels, so when you need more torque to turn big tire this puts more stress on all the u joints gear and axles. This is more of a technical engineering point, I have 4.56's a 4-1 transmission and 33's when I am hard core wheeling I can break axles and u joints, But with 4.10 and 32 inch tires you should be fine.

Your speedometer may be off, but getting it aligned is a simple 10 dollar part that is easy to change right on top of your t-case.

I think the Dana 30 has a carrier break at either 3.73 or 4.10. If you go past this you will need a new carrier which will add to the expense. Ask about this or look it up. I know my d-44 I had to get a new carrier for the 4.56's so I went with a Detroit.
I looked up Carrier breaks on Pirate 4x4 and you will be fine with the front but will need a new carrier for the rear end Dana 44

Dana Diffs Carrier Break

Dana 30 3.54 and down; 3.73 and up
Dana 44 3.73 and down; 3.92 and up
Dana 60 4.10 and down; 4.56 and up

The locker will make it drive a bit weirder on the street. Mine is fully locked and it gets jiggly some times.

Q: Will my gas mileage go down or up?

A: I don't know the tires are the big gas hog, but the gears will bring things back in line with the factory specs. I don't really even know what gas mileage I get on the freeway, maybe 15 with mine. I trailer it and then wheel it, and when wheeling I get about 10 or less mpgs. You may want to consider 4.56 gears if you are ever going to go with 33 or 35 inch tires.

Q: Can freeway driving go higher than 75 after this mod?

A: Yes, I am guessing, but my Jeep wobbles all over the place to I stay at 75 or below.

Future Mods. include:

Q: Electric Fan?

A: Everyone I talk to says a motor fan is a lot better than electric, unless the electric is an extra. Jut move you factory shroud up and jeep the factory fan.

Q: 1" body lift with 1/2" motor mount lift

A: This will help you clear the bigger tires, and make it look taller. an easy thing to do.

My Final Answer:
Good luck, let me know what you find out after making the changes.

Kids Games for Christmas., Mario Kart Wii

2008-12-16T19:58:00.000-08:00

I need to say I love the Christmas Holiday season. Maybe a bit too much, what I mean is each year I get caught up in the video game craze, I talk to all the kids in the neighbor hood and the guys at work, and find out what is hot and what is not. Then I have to have it. This year is Mario Kart for the Nintendo Wii I just have to have it, from me, and no one else. I have searched high and low and I was able to find a copy at a local store tonight. Lucky for me, but if you are not so lucky there is still hope if you want to pay a bit more. Amazon has sellers that still have it available and you can still get it for Christmas, or you can turn to ebay, and pay your money and take your chances.

And if you get this game I think you need an extra wheel or two.

The Wii is still one of the best game system around, our family loves it and the kids get a work out when they turn it on and try to compete at an Olympic level. The Wii game console is available this year so if you don't have one you should consider it. I even saw one at a store tonight, sitting behind the counter ready for sale, unlike last year, but that's another story. You guessed it last year I had it have it ended up with two and lost 100 bucks selling the extra one. Oh well live and love.

Jeeping Trip pictures, finally added to the website.

2008-11-04T07:37:00.000-08:00

Last June The Wasatch Outlaw Wheelers went to the Rubicon Trail and most all the group can now say they are "Trail Rated". Unfortunately I can not, I was smacked down hard by the Rubicon, my self esteem and self worth were so Shattered, that is has taken until now to face the challenge of writing about my trip and posting my pictures. (how's that excuse vs. I am to lame and busy to do it.)

To recap, we broke 4 rigs on the first set of serious rocks, me a front ring and pinion, two Dana 35 c clip axles, and a ring and pinion in a Samari. One D 35 got fixed the rest of us limped home.

Here are my pictures and some more witty banter:

http://redjeepclub.com/trails/rubicon2008/rubicon2008.php

Here is another FANTASTIC write up by Todd Adams:

http://wasatchoutlawwheelers.com/events/rubicon08/rubicon08.php

The Wasatch Outlaw Wheeler Invaded Moab Utah a couple of weeks ago. Here are some pictures to satisfy your deep inner web wheeler feelings.

http://www.wasatchoutlawwheelers.com/events/moab08/moab08.php

Or Check out the rest of the Wasatch Outlaw Wheelers website here:

http://www.wasatchoutlawwheelers.com/

New Pictures Of the Summer Rubicon Trail Adventure.

2008-10-31T18:04:00.001-07:00

I got some time and put picture on my website of my past, attempt to run the Rubicon Trail, in June of 2008. I say attempt because I was a victim of the Rubicon, I got smacked down my the trail and did make the full trip.

This trip was the first trail test of the off road trailer I built. It did very well, it was my Jeep that suffered a front ring and pinion explosion.

Check out the Red Jeep Clubs adventure on the Rubicon Trail

JD2 Model 3 Manual Bender Hydralic Conversion

2008-09-27T06:50:00.000-07:00

I have a JD2 Model 3 Manual Bender with Degree Ring, with a manual push bar. I have pumped a lot of iron and am now ready to convert it to an automatic machine. For my reference I searched and found these links. I wanted to add them here so I can easily get back to them as I find the parts. I will be building the conversion parts and stand once I collect a ram and pump.

http://www.mindspring.com/~jayk5/bender/

http://reference.toolandfab.com/writeups/hydrobender_webpage/index.htm

Jeep Wrangler TJ Lift and Tire questions

2008-09-24T11:15:00.000-07:00

I just got this question from a fellow Jeeper and I thought I would post it and answer it here.

I have some questions and your help would be greatly appreciated. I want to run 35 inch tires on my Jeep Wrangler TJ. I know this is tough to do but that is my ultimate goal. Here is how i was thinking about doing it. I am going to buy Skyjacker 2.5in coils because i already have shocks that will work for a 3 inch lift. I will also buy some track bar brackets. On top of the front coil i was going to do a 1 inch coil spacer to level it. Then i will throw on a JKS 1.25 inch body lift. Then make a TC (Transfer case skid plate) drop with bolts and washers. I already have quick discos for the front sway bar. What what about my rear sway bar do i need to worry about that. Any help would be appreciated. I am doing this as money allows and eventually i will get a SYE and CV drive line and a D44 rear and 4.88 gears with a Detroit in back and maybe an Aussie for my front D30 what do you think about this?

thanks, Will

PS. as you can tell i am on a budget lol :)

I forgot to add that I do not off road much just some small stuff no rocks or anything crazy like that. With the lift that i mentioned i think i will get about 4.5 total inches maybe a little more how will that look and function? Like i said i don't do anything crazy.

Thanks again

Ok Will, go for it, from my experience you will need 4 inches of lift on a Wrangler TJ to clear 35 inch tires. Even more if you plan to really stuff the tires and Rock Crawl with the big boys. You mentioned your jeeping style is more mellow, so I think the lift you have planned may accommodate 35 inch tires. You shocks may still be too short, if you add 3.5 inches of suspension lift to the front end. The worry if your shocks are too short is they will limit your wheel travel versus the full extension of the suspension limiting it. I wouldn't worry about the shocks, you will probably be ok.

Another thing you will need to think about is the possibility of getting some adjustable control arms. These are needed to control the front caster if you experience any "Death Wobble" or front end wobble after the lift. You may be fine you may not, it's kind of lift and see what happens issues. The control arms can also reposition the rear pinion to point up to the transfer case. This eliminates the rear drive line vibration that you may get.

Track bars brackets are good and will solve the issues of axle alignment. The rear sway bar should be fine with only 2.5 inches of lift, you can look at it before an after the lift and notice the difference, the angles won't change that much.

The other thing you have planned sound good, if you don't get vibrations you can hold off on the SYE, a Dana 44 rear end is a very nice thing to have, When a Dana 35 clip breaks it can make for an adventure getting the Jeep home. I run 4.56 gears in my TJ with a 5.5 inch suspension lift and 33 inch tires. I may go to 35's but I currently own 33 and am afraid of breaking more axles if I upgrade to 35's.

With 35's you may also need to change out you speedometer gear. This is very easy to do, it is mounted in a window on the transfer case. A new speedometer gears about 10 bucks at your Jeep dealer.

Jeep Parking only sign.

2008-09-24T09:45:00.000-07:00

I was stumbling around on Amazon today, as if you couldn't tell. I found this sign and had to have and had to share.

It will look great on the wall in my Shop, now If I can just get my motorcycle outta the way I can designate a spot for the Jeep.

I am sort testing the look of the feel of the Amazon sales links. Note this is a shamless plug for Jeep stuff, If oyu buy it will get about 12 cents which helps suport my Jeep habit.

Jeep Wrangler TJ Service Manual

2008-09-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

Do you have a good service manual for your Jeep? I have a couple but really wish I had a factory service manual. I have a Haynes manual for a Jeep YJ, and Chiltons manual for a YJ as well.

Amazon.com Widgets

I don't own a YJ anymore, so I started looking for a good Wrangle TJ manual.

Here a cool way to find all kinds of great stuff for your Jeep on Amazon.com. Everyone needs a new shop manual or a Jeep parts. I am amazed at all the stuff you can find for you jeep from Amazon, It is certainly not just a book store anymore. One other things I noticed is that prices can jump around on Amazon, so great deals are certainly available.

4x4 Trailer build two, that's right the second off road trailer for me.

2008-09-16T12:48:00.000-07:00

I know I have some work to do on the trailer write up for the first trailer I built. But I like working in the shop more than writing about what I am working on. So any way I started a second off road trailer build and I also started writing it up. I'll fix the links and add them soon.

I wanted to point out this site I found from the Australian government about building trailers. It confirms the size and style on tongue I am using on my 4x4 trailers are fully strong enough. I have tested my trailer fully loaded and did not have any issues, it's just kinda nice to see a technical write up of the mechanical engineering perspective.

http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/teardrop/tear84.htm

My Red Jeep Club 4x4 Trailer Build

The clock is ticking, Rubicon here we come.

2008-06-10T10:08:00.000-07:00

I forgot to mention in the last post, I am headed to the "Rubicon Trail" in two weeks. I actually feel pretty good about my progress and schedule. I have two weeks and all this weekend to play in the garage. Before most trips I have the wheels off Jeep the axles out and all parts scattered all around the night before.

But for this trip, I am doing the upgrades in small steps. I could just put the new springs in and go. All I would need is to just change the front pinion angle with the existing arms. But I want more long arms here I come.

My new Jeep TJ suspension and Lift kit.

2008-06-10T08:07:00.000-07:00

Yup, Once again I find myself in way over my head. I have a low, flat, squished Jeep with crappy squashed springs, and a mix of control arms that are loose and not adjustable. So I am going to fix it. Here are the steps I have taken so far to upgrade the lift.

Step 1) 650+ bucks at Tera-Flex for a belly up skid plate and the brackets for the Tera-Flex long arm kit. I shall be building my own arms outta some really expensive DOM tube and Johny Joints, and old RE control arms.

Step 2) A 6 mintue job, take off the 6 bolts holding the stock belly pan, and the 4 little nuts holding the transfer case. This simple job turns into at least 6-10 hours. The front two bolts, spin inside the frame. I spent hours cutting all nice with 6 sawzall blades, the next side wasn't so lucky the Plamsa cutter was call into action. So now the plate is off, I built 2 new nuts, welded to washers, plasma cut a big hole in the frame and welded these back in. Did I ever tell you how much I hate welding and cutting upside down under a jeep on my back. I told Brett I am sure of this.

Step 3) Put on new brackets, and skid plate. This was easy enough, then the next day I lined it all up and welded the long arm brackets in place.

Step 4) New springs. I collected a couple of sets of hand me down springs and attacked the front. I got the old springs out Tera 4 inch, and compared them to the RE 4.5 and the Other RE 4.5 I wanted to put in. Something didn't mix, I had two different 4.5 inch spring one set being at least 2 inches longer than the Tera 4 inch and 1.5 in longer than the other RE 4.5. I oped for the Taller spring and spent the last two night installing them. I should have bought new springs all around but, I am outta cash.

Step 5) Drive Jeep to work tis AM. WHOOO!!!, Death wobble, Serious passenger lean. The thing was leaning low on the passenger side, but these new front springs made it way worse. I will be putting on new rear springs this week and hopefully I will get the jeep to stop listing to the starboard side.

Step 6) Enjoy the death wobble. Yup got the front end pinion pointing way down and the front wheels did not want me to get on the freeway. Nope no way, keep her under 40.

Step 7) New rear springs. Gotta see how the set I have lines up vs. the old ones I will be taking out. This will consume the rest of this weeks nights.

Step 8) Build my new control Arms, cut of factory mounts and see what happens.

Step 9) Maybe replace the front track bar. With the extra lift I think the axle it not aligned correctly.

Step 10) Go on the Rubicon Trail. 16 Days and counting them down.

My Custom Jeep 4x4 off road trailer.

2008-05-22T20:38:00.000-07:00

So I haven't been adding much here as of late. Sorry about that all ya all. But I have been keeping busy in the Red Jeep side of life. I went Jeeping and camping two weekends in a row. I have almost finished up my 4x4 off road jeeping trailer and I am getting over a terrible cold and flu. I know spring colds are the worst, I want to be outside playing and I am stuck in bed with a fever and the chills.

This is a picture of my Red Jeep all loaded with my new Trailer in tow.

Well anyway check out my new Jeep Trailer.

4x4 Off Road Jeeping Trailer

The first tank of gas goes through "The King"

2008-04-24T06:42:00.000-07:00

I bought a new used 2006 Road King a few weeks ago. I have now dodged the weather enough days in the past 2 weeks to ride it 300 full miles. It's raining again today in case anyone is wondering. So back to the first tank of gas in the 2006 Harley Davidson Road King. I filled it up on Wednesday morning 4-23-2008 when it was cool, and like I said Wednesday. The reason I mention this is I read these tips on any one of the 100 how to save gas articles floating around right now. When it's cold out you get more gas than when it is warm and mid week gas is cheaper as gas prices tend to rise in cost over the weekend. Well anyway the gas was $3.29 a gallon in Draper Utah, and I needed 4.3 gallons to top of "The King". The trip odometer read 161 miles and the fuel gauge was just entering the red marks near E. These miles were a combination of one long freeway trip of 60 miles and the rest around town stop and go and my 3 mile freeway sprint down the on ramp each morning. Do the math 161/4.3 = 37.44 MPGs. This is not too bad, I was hoping or expecting it to be about 45-50 miles per gallon but this was the first tank and my first 300 miles to really test out the bike so I was riding it hard most of the time. When you have a new bike you have to goose it at most all stops signs. Well more to come on this great gas debate.

Harley pays the big guy big.

2008-04-01T22:00:00.000-07:00

MILWAUKEE WI Harley town USA. Harley-Davidson says it paid, gave cash and food stamps to its CEO of about $4 million last year. Chump change for a big guy.

A government mandatory regulatory filing shows that's a four percent decline from the previous year. a 4 percent decline, sorry pal I lost 70 percent on the Harley Stock I bought.

James Ziemer's compensation included a salary of more than $875,000, Plus a free lunch once a week plus stock and options awards.

The Harley Davidson Motorcycle maker's proxy statement filed with the SEC the Stock Police or Securities and Exchange Commission shows that's an increase from the base salary of nearly $825,000 he received in 2006, when his total compensation was valued at about $4.25 million. But wait the guy did get a 50,000 dollar raise, WOW, I think I got a 50 cent per hour raise.

The company's filing says no executives received bonuses because they didn't meet performance incentive targets. NO BONUSES that's really kinda sad when you think about it.

The company's profit fell about 10% in 2007. Well maybe they can lower prices a bit to spur new sales.

Tera Flex Lift Kits 4 vs. 3

2008-03-30T16:19:00.000-07:00

Here is some information about Teraflex lifts for a Jeep Wrangler TJ. A 4 inch lift gets more complicated than a 3 inch lift but does allow 35 inch tires. A 3 inch lift will allow 33x12.5 tires if you get new rims with additional backspacing. For 33x10.5 tire you need to check into backspacing issues. With a 3 inch lift you can use the stock control arms but should get new shocks. The work involved installing the kit is basically replacing the track bar connection in the back with a new bracket and adding length to the rear sway bar linkage. Install new shocks and new springs. Up front you add the springs, relocate the position of the track bar, and install new shocks. Then you need to install a new pitman arm. If you are doing the work yourself, the things to watch out for are: The removal of the stock pitman arm requires a big strong pitman
arm puller. This part is pressed on at the factory and can be very difficult to remove. I have heard of guys that have broken a rental pitman arm puller. It also require a transfer case lowering kit. This is pretty easy to install.
When it's all said and done the ride and look is great. I have been very happy with mine, very low vibration until I bent the rear drive shaft, which force the purchase of new drive line and slip yoke eliminator. When I get my server backup check out more details.

The Red Jeep Club
My Custom Chopper Build

Here is some serious Buggy Action In Johnson Valley CA.

2008-01-28T08:18:00.000-08:00

Here is some serious Buggy Action from one of my friend on a recent trip to Johnson Valley California. It is amazing to watch the super buggies crawl over what is almost impossible terrain. I guess the obstacles are called Bender Alley and Chocolate Thunder. I will need to put these on my list of trails to run. They do seem way too serious for my modified Stock TJ. I may need to move up to the buggy for accomplish this level of trail.

The One and Only Off-Road Vehicle Deserves The Best Parts

2008-01-22T11:55:00.000-08:00

by Al Harris

When we speak of 4-wheeling or offroading one brand quickly comes to mind, Jeep. This iconoclastic auto currently built by the Daimler-Chrysler has an outstanding reputation of being a tough, dependable and terrain chomping machine. Jeeps reputation was first earned during World War II where the US Army and its allies used it as a small general transport vehicle. Jeep didn’t sit on its already lofty laurels. The brand has continued to build and develop its off-road reputation over the years following the war. Today the Jeep name is synonymous with off-road performance. For such a durable and reliable vehicle to withstand the dangers and punishment of offroad driving, extremely dependable and strong parts are needed. Many aftermarket Jeep part manufacturers such as Warn, ARB, Bestop, Tuffy, SkyJacker, and Rough Country carry the very same reputation for toughness and dependability, and they should. After all, they’ve been used and abused by Jeep 4x4 aficionados over the past 20 years and they’ve stood up to the punishment! For those of us dedicated to 4x4 adventure, it is a necessary requirement for our Jeeps to have only the best replacement auto parts and aftermarket accessories made today to maximize the already impressive offroad capabilities of our vehicles. Understanding that our Jeeps deserve the best replacement Jeep parts and accessories, Xtreme Terrain Concepts offers only the most reliable performance auto parts, replacement aftermarket auto parts, and accessories for all of the Jeep models, including the Willys, Jeep CJ, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Liberty. Among the best quality Jeep parts offered at Xtreme Terrain Concepts (XTC) are high quality /www.xtremeterrain.com/kch-light-items.htm">offroad Jeep lights by KC KiLites. They offer fog lights, driving lights, and long-range driving lights. All built to take the pounding out on the trails. XTC also carries reliable aftermarket replacement Jeep Wrangler headlights, /www.xtremeterrain.com/wrangler-sidemarkers.htm”>Jeep Wrangler side lights, and Jeep Wrangler taillights. These products will ensure that you have the lighting you need out in the wilderness where visibility is low and your chances of having an accident are higher. We all know it is important to be equipped with the proper auto lights when driving off-road, but having the basic headlights and taillights is not enough when you’re out on the trails pounding through the mud, rocks, dirt and snow. Especially when the weather is not cooperating. High performance Jeep driving lights and fog lights will cut through the fog, rain and whatever else you’ll run into so you’ll be able to see where you’re going. Even though the coldest months are behind us, you still need to maintain your Jeep by getting top quality replacement parts when you find your existing parts not in top-notch working order. Doing the best job to maintain your Jeep will help reduce the risk of costly damage by part malfunction or even worse, an accident. Let Xtreme Terrain Concepts help you to maintain your Jeep with quality aftermarket replacement parts and aftermarket accessories. We carry a lot more than just lights. We also offer top quality /www.xtremeterrain.com/mean-green-alternators.htm”>Jeep alternators, Jeep Wrangler radiators, /www.xtremeterrain.com/mean-green-starters.htm”>Jeep starters, Jeep mirrors, /www.xtremeterrain.com/jeep-soft-tops.htm”>Jeep soft tops, Jeep lift kits and much, much more! Click through the links and you’ll find out what other auto parts we carry for your 4x4 Jeep.">

Article source: ArticlePros.com

About the author

About The Author:

In his spare time, Al likes to learn more about one of the true American Automotive Legends, The Jeep. When he is working, Al is a marketing manager for one of the leading on-line retailers of aftermarket Jeep accessories and Jeep parts, Xtreme Terrain Concepts. They can be found at http://www.xtremeterrain.com

http://www.xtremeterrain.com

My Jeeping Off Road Trailer Build.

2008-01-21T16:38:00.001-08:00

Here is a link to My Jeep site, I know it's a bit off topic if you are looking for hard core Harley Davidson Motorcycle custom building kinda stuff. But it's interesting all by it's self. You may get some ideas if you ever plan to build a small trailer to pull behind your Harley.

So check it out. I am basically fabricating for the ground up a small trailer with big wheels to pull behind my Jeep.

http://www.redjeepclub.com/tech/offroadtrailer/offroadtrailer.php

A Beginner's Guide to 4x4 Suspension Lift Kits

2007-12-28T07:34:00.000-08:00

by Billy Han

You see them all the time: Light trucks, Sport Utility Vehicles, Jeeps, and more, coasting down the highway, sitting atop towering truck suspension lift kits and sporting a set of tires so big that a person could live in them. If you're the curious type looking to lift up your own rig, a more important question than “How do I get my ride to do that" is “Why should my ride do that?"

There are several reasons why people might customize their vehicles with suspension lift kits, as well as quite a bit to know before you get started. If you're a seasoned veteran who has conquered the most vicious terrains and knows your vehicle better than your own mother, there probably isn't much for you to learn here. On the other hand, if you're just getting started and want to familiarize yourself with the basics, read on.

Why should I lift my ride?

Glad you asked. Equipping vehicles with a suspension lift kits involves much more than buying the sexiest looking truck lift kit and then dropping your ride off at the local mechanic. Actually, chances are good that if that's all you plan to do, lifting your ride might not be right for you in the first place. Installing truck suspension lift kits requires some hard work, a bit of technical savvy and consistent upkeep and attention to your vehicle's components.

The first determination you need to make when considering suspension lift kits is what you want to do with it. There are essentially two main purposes for installing truck lift kits: style or function. Although the two are somewhat interrelated, it's still important to consider which purpose you most wish to pursue, as it will assist you in making the correct modifications to your vehicle.

Style:

Let's face it: Transforming a vehicle into a style statement has been a popular hobby ever since the advent of tailfins and flame decals. As much as we all might chuckle at a hybrid hatchback sitting on 18" wheels, or the family sedan with a wing that resembles the Seattle Space Needle more than a spoiler, we also find our own vehicles having fuzzy dice hanging from the mirror, or a bobbling hula dancer statuette on the dash. As far as style is concerned, adding truck lift kits makes more of an impression than anything else you can do to your ride. Heads turn instantly at the sight of a lifted rig with massive tires that appear to be sprouting fangs and an exhaust system that scares stray puppies into hiding.

When it comes to adding suspension lift kits to make a style statement, looking good is the easy part. Sometimes it's easy to overlook general, everyday performance in the midst of decking out a ride. For this reason, choosing the right suspension lift kit with attention to comfort, reliability, durability, safety, and not to mention price, should be given just as much consideration as those precious inches you want to add.

Performance:

So you've made the jump into tuning your rig for the off-road world, and you're ready to take the plunge to invest in one of many truck lift kits. But before diving headfirst into a custom truck lift kit and gigantic tires, there are a number of issues to address to ensure a correct setup. The first step is to ask yourself what you will be doing the most, whether it's slow-speed rock crawling, high-speed desert racing, general purpose 4 wheeling, mud racing, or long distance open country treks. From there, you can narrow down what you need to do in order to customize your vehicle to suit your needs.

Whether you're just starting out, or you're the experienced professional, tuning your rig for optimum off-road performance is an expansive hobby with numerous factors to be wary of. The possibilities are limitless, which can sometimes make it hard to determine exactly which suspension lift kits are ideal for what you want.

Where do I begin?As if determining which suspension lift kits to purchase weren't complicated enough, installing truck lift kits can alter other components in your vehicle, sometimes causing unforeseen issues that could affect performance or be potentially detrimental to the vehicle itself. For example, drive shaft length, steering geometry, brake lines, highway performance and handling, gear ratios, and overall weight are just a few of the factors that could potentially be impacted by adding truck suspension lift kits.

Finding ample resources to determine what products you need can be difficult. Speaking with a mechanic can provide some insight. Reading factory service manuals, off-road magazines, internet message boards, manufacturer's guides, and a number of other resources can help as well. But by far the most useful way to determine what truck lift kits are right for you and your vehicle is to consult an experienced and knowledgeable person who has a vehicle similar to yours and uses it in the manner similar to what you want to do. Not only can such a person suggest the correct products, but also likely has experience with installation tips and general drivability.

In the meantime, here are some of the basic elements of suspension lift kits for you to keep in mind as you plan your modifications.

What does a Suspension Lift Kit do?

Clearance

For starters, one of the foremost reasons for installing truck suspension lift kits is to raise the height of your ride off the ground to enable steeper ascent or descent off-road, and higher ground clearance. In general, it makes sense that when driving over boulders, slogging through mud, coasting across the desert, or even just making your way through the occasional forest trail, higher clearance facilitates negotiating certain obstacles. This can often be a tricky bit of artistry to manage, as higher clearance also raises your vehicle's center of gravity, which can reduce handling.
Larger Tire Fitment
The general consensus suggests that larger tires equate to more traction, right? Well, not entirely. While larger tires may provide some improvement to traction in off-road conditions, there are other ways to improve a vehicle's traction that are far more efficient than simply bulking up the rubber. Aside from the obvious stylistic discretion, the main reasons for adding larger tires are for higher vehicle clearance for improved performance in mud, deep snow, rocks, and deeply rutted trails. Certain tires designed specifically for off-road conditions can improve traction depending on the circumstances, but the added clearance is the most immediate and direct benefit of larger tires.

Factors to Consider with Truck Suspension Lift Kits:

Installation: Many manufacturers offer manuals for installing truck lift kits onto certain vehicles; however, some installations are quite intricate, requiring some welding or cutting in order to add some necessary components. In this case, having a trusted mechanic or a few knowledgeable friends is the best resolution.
Additional Modifications: Upgrading to truck lift kits with taller tires also means that a number of components may require part upgrades or some tuning to compensate. For instance, a truck's engine is tuned at specific gear ratios to propel the vehicle. When adding taller tires, the gear ratios must be tweaked accordingly, since the engine has to spin much larger, heavier tires. Again, consult with more experienced individuals for further insight.
Highway Performance: Larger, wider tires can sometimes result in instability on roads or a noisy, uncomfortable ride, particularly at high speeds. Also, more aggressive off-road tires tend to wear faster on the highway, and traction might not be as great as you would expect on wet roads. In this sense, larger tires can sometimes be a gamble without any direction from an experienced off-road veteran.
Weight: larger tires are heavier, which can put a lot of strain on your suspension, particularly if it's a stock suspension. Trusted, durable suspension components and lighter aluminum wheels can sometimes help to reduce the strain.
Handling: Adding truck suspension lift kits will undoubtedly raise the vehicle's center of gravity, resulting in less stable turns. This is a common issue when installing truck lift kits, but is mostly just a matter of becoming accustomed to a vehicle's change in performance.
Legality: Some suspension lift kits are such a serious change in your suspension system that it may not be legal. Check the suspension regulations within your country, state, or province to be sure.
A Few Useful Accessories: Before installing a lift kit, it's a good idea to first examine if any components will be affected by your vehicle's new height. Here are a few useful accessories that may need to be upgraded:
- Brake Upgrades: Stock brakes can't always accommodate larger tires, or will wear easily due to the added strain.
- Drivetrain and Differential: Axles, gears, differential covers, lockers and more ensure that your drivetrain is up to par with your suspension.
- Replacement Parts: Longer Control Arms and Track Bars to compensate for the additional height of your rig.
- Shock Absorbers: For those taller lifts, longer shocks will ensure the smoothest performance both on and off road.
- Other Parts: Steering linkage, slip yoke, drive shaft length, u-joint angle, and brake lines are all worthy of consideration before installing suspension lift kits.

Installing Suspension Lift Kits:

When it comes time to install a lift kit, there are two ways possible ways to go about it: install it yourself, or have a professional do the job. Naturally, each has its advantages and disadvantages, and when it comes to your rig, attention to detail is crucial. A general rule to follow is that even if you know you want a large lift, it's best to start with a small lift and work your way up. This allows you to work out any kinks and hindrances along the way to make sure your kit works right.

Do-It-Yourself
Even if you're not technically inclined, taking the time to learn the inner mechanics of your vehicle is a valuable experience that can save you time and money. An intimate knowledge of your rig can also allow you to make your own modifications to your vehicle if the need arises. There are numerous resources available that can usually guide you through the majority of the process; however, one must keep in mind that it's a lot to take in, and tweaking the intricate components of your vehicle is no small matter. It's always a good idea to have a second set of hands or an experienced individual assisting you.

On the downside, even with the increasing availability of bolt-on kits, installing suspension lift kits is no easy task, particularly if you're a beginner. Additionally, certain instructions or resources can sometimes be misleading or based upon the personal preferences of individual gearheads. Often times, after installing a lift kit you'll find yourself spending hours tweaking the other components of your vehicle to get them back to spec. That's a whole lot to take on, particularly if you're inexperienced.
Mechanic
A licensed professional installing your lift kit is typically the best way to ensure that suspension lift kits are installed correctly, so long as you're willing to pay the labor charges. A professional can perfectly tune your vehicle to your liking and see to it that all components are working as they should, all within a fraction of the time it would take even the most experienced gearheads to install it themselves.

On the other hand, as is the case with regard to any mechanic, it might be difficult to find one you can trust to install the kit properly while not overcharging you for any unnecessary parts. Also, if you're not a gearhead, anytime there's a functional deficiency or your vehicle needs minor tweaking, you have no choice but to return to the mechanic for service.

Suspension Lift Sizes:Small: A small lift consists of 1.5 or fewer inches, and will grant you a little more clearance and room to run slightly larger tires. The most common way to gain a small lift is by using coil spacers in front and long shackles in the rear.

Advantages/Disadvantages: Small lifts are inexpensive and easy to install with very few complications.

Medium: A medium lift is roughly 2" of lift, and is a good choice for those looking for the best tire clearance, but aren't planning on doing any off-roading. Common medium-sized lifts use spacer and add-a-leaf lifts, and sometimes come with new shocks.
Advantages/Disadvantages: You'll notice changes in handling and performance: some good, some bad. You'll also need strong rear springs, and if you plan to use an add-a-leaf kit, later modification for more lift may be difficult, since add-a-leafs are designed to lift stock springs.

Large: The largest lifts consist of 3 to 4" or more for an aggressive look and the best off-road performance. A common large lift setup consists of new front coils and add-a-leafs in the rear, plus some combination of new front coils and new rear springs. These kits often include a matching set of shocks.

Advantages/Disadvantages: Large lifts are obviously the most expensive, and more complications are expected than with smaller lifts. On-road performance will also be affected, sometimes dramatically. But a large lift will transform your rig into an intimidating off-road machine that will stand out among a crowd.

Types of Suspension Lift Kits:

Spring Over Axle (SPOA):
SPOA suspension lift kits are most popular among serious rock crawlers looking for the utmost articulation (up and down wheel travel). These truck lift kits keep the tires on the ground for maximum traction, while correctly lifted springs lifts everything out of harm's way, including the springs.

Shackle Reverse (S/R) Suspension Lift Kits:

S/R truck lift kits are designed to provide a smooth ride upon mild terrain such as forest roads, desert driving, and scenic trails; however, high-speed driving on highways is not recommended.

Coil Suspension Lift Kits:

The choice of many of the world's best-riding 4 wheel drive vehicles, Coil Suspension Lift Kits offer unrivaled ride quality and cheaper springs, but installation sometimes requires some welding. The end result, however, is a suspension lift kit that provides excellent articulation on the trail, and a comfortable ride you have to feel to believe.

Lifted Spring Suspension Lift Kits:

The most commonly used type of truck lift kits in the world, Lifted Spring systems are easier to install, and an excellent choice for first-time lifters in the off-road world. These truck lift kits allow you to run larger tires for additional clearance, while producing control on the highway.

Shackle Suspension Lift Kits:

As probably the most affordable way to add inches to your rig, Shackle Suspension Lift Kits are primarily for the truck enthusiast looking to add larger tires, yet are not intending to do much hardcore off-roading. Moderation is recommended with these truck lift kits, as Shackle systems are known to affect steering and sway control.

Article source: ArticlePros.com

About the author

Billy Han currently resides in La Palma, CA, and works as a Copywriter for Transamerican Auto Parts, an aftermarket distributor of automotive parts and accessories.

Transamerican Auto Parts, is a leading supplier of truck and Jeep lift kits. They carry a vast array of truck suspensions, lift kits, tires, wheels, and exterior or interior accessories. Jeep and Truck lift Kits are manufactured by a variety of manufacturers including Pro Comp, Fabtech, Superlift, Skyjacker.

www.4wheelparts.com

Las minute kids DVD recomendations

2007-12-13T07:33:00.000-08:00

If you still need presents for the big or small kids in you life, get anyone of these great DVD and sit back and enjoy.

1.)

Cars the fantastic animated show about a Race car and a Sleepy town. I have watched this show 30+ times with my kids and love it every times I see it.

2.)

Toy Story the original is a great family fun kids show, I have also watched this many times and love it every time.

3.)

Toy Story 2, In my opinion not quite as good as the original but a great show too.

Jeep: The Unstoppable Soldier, History of the Jeep

2007-12-11T06:05:00.000-08:00

Jeep: The Unstoppable Soldier, History of the Jeep

These look like a good videos, I haven't seen them yet, but maybe I will put them on my Christmas list.

2007-12-10T15:32:00.000-08:00

The Mother of all Jeep Tours

By David Brooks

I was seeking adventure and found it in Iceland. On a recent trip, I booked a jeep tour with a local tour operator and I was not disappointed.

Ok, maybe when you think of jeep tours you think of those pink jeep tours in Arizona. There fine, I am not disparaging that kind of tour. But I wanted to experience something more exotic, more remote and I found it when I traveled to Iceland in late fall. I have been craving some adventure and not being particularly athletic; I wanted the kind of adventure that didn’t require heavy lifting or long hikes at high altitude. So, I looked into the tours being offered from Reykjavik and came across a number of tour operators offering super-jeep tours.

First let me say that you may not think that Icelander’s are into off-roading, there you’d be mistaken. There are tons and tons of off-roading to be had in that country. And, the super-jeeps are just that, super – super cool that is. A lot of these four wheel drive trucks are brands that aren’t offered or common in America, like the Nissan Patrol or Land Rover Defenders. These trucks get a glacier trekking outfitting and come out looking like they could tackle just about anything. And, turns out they almost have to.

I booked a trip with a tour operator and chose one of their glacier tours which, obviously, are available all year. On the way to the glacier (don’t ask me t try and spell the name of the glacier) we had to ford two streams. Actually they were more like rivers. These super jeeps all have snorkels just for this purpose, a truck accessory that I have never really given much thought to. That could be because I didn’t know what they were for, well now I do. Just in case you don’t know, a snorkel is for crossing streams so that the engine can keep drawing in air for combustion instead of water, which is a no-no.

Then we got to the glacier and we had to stop to lower the tire pressure in the massive tires on our tour jeep. For glacier tours, the jeeps, in my case Land Rover Defenders, can only hold 5 people for weight considerations and you must deflate the tires a little bit. Anyways, once this was complete we headed out onto the glacier and after a few minutes were surrounded by white and sometimes the blue-green ice common in glaciers. It was spectacular. Our driver was very experienced and the jeep certainly up to the task with GPS and others gadgetry. This wasn’t just your 5 mph jeep tour, like we were at Disneyland or something. No, our driver took chances and went over steep ridges and over some small jumps. It was thrilling, beautiful and surreal.

Then about half way through the tour we stopped for a light lunch. We had some Icelandic goodies and then some beer and schnapps (not the driver). The driver created a table and benches out of snow and we sat there eating and drinking somewhere on a huge glacier on this tiny island nation just below the Arctic Circle – what an adventure.

I went seeking adventure and I got it. But I also found beauty and some of the most exotic and surreal scenery I have ever witnessed. If you are into adventures, you have to try this someday.

All Iceland day tour operators are not the same. If you are interested in Iceland jeep tours, do your homework, ask questions and book off-season when you might be able to negotiate the price. - David Brooks

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

The Red Jeep Club

2007-12-10T15:12:00.000-08:00

Red Jeeps are fun, and I mean really fun, Red Jeeps are the best any Red Jeep owner will tell you that when it comes right down to it Red Jeeps are better. I have a red Jeep Wrangler TJ and have done a ton of cool things to it over the year. Custom fabrication, modifications lift kits, you name it, but mostly I have used it to get out of town and explore the wide open desert and mountains. If you have a Jeep I would be glad to hear about it in the comments section. Many more posts will follow here, talking about Jeeps and Jeeping.