tizzdizz
Geologist
A friend recently did a lift and axle swap on his 98 ZJ, and we took it to the local OHV park (Hollister Hills) to test it out and work out the kinds before our upcoming trip to Mono Lake. I've had my '03 WJ offroad just a couple times since I replaced my old XJ, so this was another chance to get a feel for how she performs offroad. Here are the jeeps all shiny before:
Untitled by tizzdizz, on Flickr
Untitled by tizzdizz, on Flickr
On the ZJ, the tranny cooler hoses ruptured and spewed fluid everywhere, both in the park and on the way home. He wound up on a tow truck. We had tools and spare parts, but no one seemed to have any extra transmission fluid. All of his heavy-duty modifications worked well though.
In my WJ, the vacuum hoses kept coming disconnected during bumpy sections. This is kind of disturbing, because they are just slip-on, and easily come right off. The thing that gave me the biggest pucker-factor was when the vacuum hose for the brake booster came off. This happened several times while going up some very steep v-ditch hills. Once I realized I had bitten off more than I could chew, I was hanging my front tire, trying to find a line to take just to get back to safer ground. I had to STAND on the brake pedal to just keep my position, and was scared to back down because Ian's jeep was behind me and I didn't think I could stop. In the end it all worked out, and I have since fixed this weakness with a 10-pack of hose clamps.
I also came down on my rocker hard and caved it in on the driver's side. Prior to this, I had been thinking about rock sliders, but I'd sort of been putting it off because I couldn't decide what design I liked best. Now that I've taken this damage, my decision has been made for me, and I plan to cut out the rocker panels and weld some 2x6 tubing in it's place.
All in all it was a good day and I feel more comfortable with my jeep. I secretly miss my XJ though, it was lighter, more nimble and less unwieldy.
Most importantly, this trip reminded me how much more I enjoy exploring and expo-type stuff than obstacles, rock crawling, and extreme 4-wheeling. I used to be much more excited about all that stuff, and while I still respect, I just stress too much during the moments to really enjoy the excitement and challenge. The whole reason I got into offroading in the first place was out of my love of cars and my interest in geology and natural landscapes.
We goofed around at the main obstacle course (which is being upgraded again!)
Untitled by tizzdizz, on Flickr
Tried some trails (no pictures and just one rather lousy video) and had the brake/vacuum hose and tranny cooler problems.
Untitled by tizzdizz, on Flickr
Then we went to our favorite lunch spot:
Untitled by tizzdizz, on Flickr
Untitled by tizzdizz, on Flickr
Then we goofed around at the quarry
Untitled by tizzdizz, on Flickr
Untitled by tizzdizz, on Flickr
Which is where I caved in my rocker panel.
Untitled by tizzdizz, on Flickr
and the obligatory sticker shots:
Untitled by tizzdizz, on Flickr
Untitled by tizzdizz, on Flickr
Untitled by tizzdizz, on Flickr
Untitled by tizzdizz, on Flickr
On the ZJ, the tranny cooler hoses ruptured and spewed fluid everywhere, both in the park and on the way home. He wound up on a tow truck. We had tools and spare parts, but no one seemed to have any extra transmission fluid. All of his heavy-duty modifications worked well though.
In my WJ, the vacuum hoses kept coming disconnected during bumpy sections. This is kind of disturbing, because they are just slip-on, and easily come right off. The thing that gave me the biggest pucker-factor was when the vacuum hose for the brake booster came off. This happened several times while going up some very steep v-ditch hills. Once I realized I had bitten off more than I could chew, I was hanging my front tire, trying to find a line to take just to get back to safer ground. I had to STAND on the brake pedal to just keep my position, and was scared to back down because Ian's jeep was behind me and I didn't think I could stop. In the end it all worked out, and I have since fixed this weakness with a 10-pack of hose clamps.
I also came down on my rocker hard and caved it in on the driver's side. Prior to this, I had been thinking about rock sliders, but I'd sort of been putting it off because I couldn't decide what design I liked best. Now that I've taken this damage, my decision has been made for me, and I plan to cut out the rocker panels and weld some 2x6 tubing in it's place.
All in all it was a good day and I feel more comfortable with my jeep. I secretly miss my XJ though, it was lighter, more nimble and less unwieldy.
Most importantly, this trip reminded me how much more I enjoy exploring and expo-type stuff than obstacles, rock crawling, and extreme 4-wheeling. I used to be much more excited about all that stuff, and while I still respect, I just stress too much during the moments to really enjoy the excitement and challenge. The whole reason I got into offroading in the first place was out of my love of cars and my interest in geology and natural landscapes.
We goofed around at the main obstacle course (which is being upgraded again!)
Untitled by tizzdizz, on Flickr
Tried some trails (no pictures and just one rather lousy video) and had the brake/vacuum hose and tranny cooler problems.
Untitled by tizzdizz, on Flickr
Then we went to our favorite lunch spot:
Untitled by tizzdizz, on Flickr
Untitled by tizzdizz, on Flickr
Then we goofed around at the quarry
Untitled by tizzdizz, on Flickr
Untitled by tizzdizz, on Flickr
Which is where I caved in my rocker panel.
Untitled by tizzdizz, on Flickr
and the obligatory sticker shots:
Untitled by tizzdizz, on Flickr
Untitled by tizzdizz, on Flickr
