Triple-purpose JK Build

[jsmoriss]

An update on the beadlocks...

I started another thread to discuss the different bolts available, and possible solutions to this beadlock problem (see http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32162). In the end, Champion are sending me some 0.190" spacers to put between the wheel and beadlock ring. I'm also upgrading the bolts to Unbrako cap screw socket head bolts (part #04104) with a superior tensile strength to grade 8 bolts.

I'm hoping to have the rings and bolts for this week-end, so hopefully will be able to post some pics shortly.

js.

 

[jsmoriss]

Almost ready...

Almost ready for the Jeep Jamboree in Bethel ME!

It's been a major struggle to get these tires mounted, but it was worth all the effort - I'm sure they'll be unstoppable in the trails. :smiley_drive: I was really surprised by the noise and handling - not bad at all. The noise is a lower tone than our winter Toyo M-55 tires (which sound like a semi-trailer is always close) and I couldn't detect that much 'slap' from the lugs. I was real happy, until I got up to 60-70 kph. :-D There was definitely some wobble starting. I could tell 80-90 kph would not be possible. I figured some tires would be better than others, so I did a rotation, and now it's not bad at all. I haven't been on the highway yet, but that's the next test.

BTW, I'm using 8oz of Dynabeads per tire. So far I can't detect any radial imbalance, but there's plenty of lateral imbalance! Hopefully it'll fix itself with the right tire pressure (I'm at 28 lbs now), a little wear and warming up the rubber.

Next I have to re-torque all the control arms -- part of my continuing effort to get rid of some annoying squeaks -- and change the doors.

js.

 

[jsmoriss]

A few days ago I removed the main platform to bolt the Engel slidelocs properly. I never took a picture of the subwoofer installed, so figured I'd snap one while I had the chance. So here's the subwoofer, including all the stuff I keep under the platform.

And while I'm at it, I might as well post some pics of the platform itself...

js.

 

[DH2002]

one word: awesome :drool::bowdown:

 

[jsmoriss]

Done.

We're ready for the Jeep Jamboree. I've changed the tires, changed the doors, removed the awning, and stocked the Zarges cases with recovery gear and spares. I was tempted to bring the Pullpal and Waffleboards, but decided to leave them behind -- weight is always a consideration, no matter what we do with the Jeep.

Before:

And after:

js.

 

[jsmoriss]

We're back from the Bethel Maine Jeep Jamboree. Here are a few pics:

 

[jsmoriss]

As usual, there are no pictures of the really tough bits.

js.

 

[jsmoriss]

No doubt a few people might be wondering how the LTBs fared on the highway... I took them down to 24 psi and still couldn't get a good contact patch. If I had to do it again, I'd get some 16x10" wheels instead of the 16x8" I bought. The idea what to keep the tire 'tucked-in', which it does, but a bit too much. I went down to about 7 psi off-road, but the sidewall wasn't flexing as much as I'd like. I'll try 5-6 psi next time and see how that goes. In the end, I might switch these beadlocks onto my summer tires and get wider beadlocks for the LTBs. Or perhaps they might end up striking a good balance between maintaining clearance, and compressing enough to get some bite on rocks, etc. We'll see next year I guess...

Off-road the LTBs are amazing -- as good as I imagined. We did a number of steep muddy hill climbs and they made the climbs easily where many other Jeeps had to winch. The side lugs are just insane. You can hear them grab and hold onto the face of rocks etc. They were a pain to mount and (almost) balance, but the frustration was all worth it in the end, as I had hoped.

The Bethel Maine Jeep Jamboree didn't disappoint, as usual, except maybe for the Chili Trail on Saturday. On Friday I ran the Stone Wall trail (6-7). The weather was nice and the trail wasn't too crazy, although for a four door, some turns around and between trees were mighty tight. I had to put the rock sliders against a tree once and power around it. A 2-stick Atlas would have been really useful on this trail, and a 4-speed Atlas is now on my wish list.

On Saturday Melanie ran the Chili Trail (5-6 / 6-7 in rain). It rained on and off with some drizzle most of the day. The first obstacle was a steep and long hill climb. The first Jeep made it, but the second (and X with so-so MTs) didn't. The guide decided to take a bypass. It's a shame, 'cause I was itching to try our tires on this hill. I think the main reason for taking a bypass was the lack of anchor points at the top. If only I'd brought the Pulpall... The rest of the trail had several steep (but shorter) hill climbs and lots of muddy rocks. There was some traveling to do on logging type roads between obstacles -- it would have been nice to have a 'tighter' trail. It might be that our Jeep is getting too built-up for the moderate trails now. Next year will have to look at the 7+ trails I think...

js.

 

[kenallwine]

I have to say that this to date is my most favoritestestest JK build!:coffeedrink: Well done!!:smiley_drive:

 

[jkrat]

Good looking rig,the maine trip looked fun:safari-rig:

 

[buddha]

Great Thread. We just bought a 2008 Rubicon Unlimited, so I'm subscribing for all the great build ideas.

 

[Doug2000]

Melanie and I just got back from a trip to Parry Sound and Algonquin Park. This makes our second trip with the trailer - gradually working towards longer trips. Melanie is looking forward to our next trip - probably a month around the East Coast. I'd like to add two solo canoes for that trip, so hopefully I'll find a job soon.

We spend one night at Presqu'Ile Park, one night at Killbear Park, two nights in Kiosk (Algonquin Park), and two nights in Brent (Algonquin Park). I'd planned to use some backroads on the way to Kiosk, but as those backroads turned to logging roads, then muddy trails, and finally un-used trails, we had second thoughts. We made it about 1/2 way through from the 69 to Kiosk before turning around. I would guess we still had 4+ hours to go for the second half, but that's a big guess. The trails could have dead-ended, there could have been downed trees, swamps, etc. No way to know. We had a good amount of recovery gear, but I left the waffle boards and pullpal at home, and the chainsaw is still on the 'to buy' list. Still... I proposed camping farther along the un-used trail and continuing the next day. Melanie isn't there yet -- she preferred camping in Kiosk, so I picked out a route to get us back onto the 69 a little farther north. You can see our track and planned route here: http://public.mvlan.net/content/Jee...lanning/Algonquin Park/69 to Kiosk Tracks.kmz As you can see, we still had several hours of trail left. It was a choice between camping on the trail, getting to Kiosk very, very late, or turning back for the highway. Melanie picked number three. If we'd been with another Jeep, we probably would have pushed on...

I have a plan to drive right through the park next year, south to north, in case anyone's interested. I expect it'll get a little interesting with some downed trees, river/stream crossings, maybe some minor bridge building, etc... I'll post the proposed route in the Canada forum later...

So, here's a whole bunch of pics, starting with those backroads from the 69 to Kiosk...

The back-road from the 69 to Kiosk started out nice and easy:

Then we hit some logging roads:

Serious logging roads:

After taking a wrong fork, we had to turn around:

And recce the turn we missed:

So without knowing what the other half to Kiosk looked like, we decided to turn back at this point:

A few pictures of our camp site in Kiosk...

js.

Hi

If you plan on going from the north to the south of Algonquin, where do I find a map or info on doing this? Aren't all the roads closed and won't you get fined for tresspassing?

 

[jsmoriss]

Almost-Spring Cleaning... Parts for Sale in Montreal QC (Canada).

After a busy week of clearing stuff, here's what's left:

Moved List to For Sale section... http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39173

js.

 

[jsmoriss]

If you plan on going from the north to the south of Algonquin, where do I find a map or info on doing this? Aren't all the roads closed and won't you get fined for tresspassing?

For others reading this thread, the subject has been discussed here:

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37142&highlight=algonquin&page=3

In the end, about the only way to legally get to Algonquin's interior would be to follow the Hydro line trail, or continue past Ashray to the observation tower. All logging roads in Algonquin are closed to regular traffic.

js.

 

[jasonL_031]

After a busy week of clearing stuff, here's what's left:

- Slightly-used (approx. 12,000 km) 4-door drive shafts (front and rear) = $120 CDN front and $150 CDN rear (online new is $282 USD and $347 USD)

- New 2 x 1 gal. air tanks (from Off-Road Only) = $35 CDN ea (new is $50 USD)

- New 1 x 2.5 gal. air tank = $35 CDN (new is $50 USD)

- New-in-box AEV winch mount AND AEV shackle mount kit (all you need for a stubby) = $260 CDN

- Slightly-used OEM hood liner = $30 CDN

- New OEM carpet protectors (front & rear for 4-door) = $45 USD (new is $90 USD)

- Slightly-used Skyjacker (I think) steering stabilizer (painted black) = $22 CDN (new is $44 USD)

- New 5 x Expeditionware Single Jerrycan Holder = $55 CDN ea (new is $75 USD) : expeditionexchange.com/jerrycanholders/

- Almost-new AEV Air Ram top = $30 CDN (new is $60 USD)

- Used Teraflex CB Antenna Mount = $15 CDN (new is $30 USD) : quadratec.com/products/16180_000.htm

- NEW Firestick Side Mount Kit = $15 CDN (new is $33 USD) : walcottcb.com/firestik-mkm2-molded-side-mount-mini-kit-p-578.html?cPath=28_353_432

- NEW Procomm Radio Slide Mount = $10 CDN (new is $22 USD)

- NEW 6 ga. Inline 50A Fuse Holder = $10 CDN (new is $20 USD)

- NEW Superwinch Quick Connects (two kits) = $18 CDN ea (new is $35 USD ea)

- NEW Spicer 760 U-Joint (two) = $15 CDN ea (new is $30 USD ea)

- Used Garvin Shovel and Axe Mount = $45 CDN (new is $99 USD) : quadratec.com/products/12041_106.htm
Note: There is no rust. The gray-ish discoloration is just anti-seize.

- Used JetChip Stage-1 = $130 CDN (new is $264 USD)

- NEW Moroso Thru-Panel Battery Connector (two) = $6 CDN each (new is $13 USD each)

- NEW Thru-Panel Positive & Negative Connectors = $20 CDN

I can ship the smaller stuff. Pictures available upon request.

js.

how did you like hte jet chip stage one?? i am interested in it