Jeeping Trip pictures, finally added to the website.

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.

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

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

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.

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.


https://amzn.to/4a89a4R

Jeep Wrangler TJ Service Manual

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.




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.

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