2013 Jeep JKU Sahara- Project: Hi-Vis

[unkamonkey]

I never laid my Harley down but I seemed to get a few scrapes on the lower pipe from canyon bashing. On the other hand, I went down several times on the XT550s, usually just lay there and laugh at myself after making sure I wasn't going to be burned by the exhaust pipes. All three are gone now. The things I learned from bikes is that everybody out there is trying to kill you and dress for the crash rather than the ride.
It's good you are doing well.

 

[unkamonkey]

Wow, glad you are only banged up. Seen too many bike wrecks in the past 2 weeks.
Hopefully nothing broken.

Yeah, check out the front of the frame and shocks. I watched a friend ride over a 16" boulder on his Goldwing on a ride. We talked to a good biker,racer,builder, friend about it and as far as the frame goes, just check for paint cracks first. I hope you can get back together. I'm sure there are a few truckers on the highway that wonder why I check over my shoulder three times before I change lanes.

 

[Topo.Ranger]

Uwharrie Jamboree Weekend

I can honestly say a week after my wreck I decided I was alright to go camping as planned. I slept so much better when I was camping than being at the house after my wreck. We had an awesome trip. The jeep still continues to impress me with the little mods I have done to it so far. It makes me wonder how I will be after my planned modifications. I have come to the realization that a rooftop tent isnt actually needed but I honestly believe it will be much more convient. There were a hand full of guys that I saw with roof top tents. The only one I saw that was extremely top heavy was an older Land Rover Defender TDI. He had a rooftop tent and a big *** metal box on top. Granted it was a very tricky spot on the trail but he probably should have rolled a few times. We assisted him by spotting on both sides of his rig but out of the roll path just in case.

Other things I have learned that would make life much easier... dont use a prehistoric coleman grill as the main source for cooking. The Adventure Trailers JK Stove price looks much better to spend now! HAHA. Also as far as lighting I would like to get a setup on my roof rack for exterior camp lights with an amber cover or tinted. Other than a camp fire, one small lantern, and my LED headlamp thats all we had that ended up working well. I thought I was pretty prepared for the trip but somethings were not thought out enough, I guess you would say.

Im trying to upload some pictures but Im having to downsize the pictures so much... Im going to try to get some kind of online photo album to link them from.

 

[Topo.Ranger]

 

[IndyRubicon]

Looking forward to the pictures.

I'm not a fan of roof top tents (I know...I'm in the minority on this forum). I use a hammock set-up (spent 5 weeks this year in my hammock thus far and have more camping trips planned before the end of this year) and am happy enough with it that I don't foresee making a change anytime soon. Once my son is older, I might reconsider the RTT depending on how he takes to the hammock (I already have one for him).

 

[Topo.Ranger]

Well I think this is due for an update. The Jeep is doing GREAT! I cant compain at all with that thing! I ordered a JCR Offroad front Crusader Mid width bumper (Ill get it Thursday), My JCR Vanguard rear bumper and Adventure Tire Carrier is getting powdercoated now, I should be getting my 13 gallon potable water tank tomorrow. I am looking at running an external water spigot or valve for the water but have a lock on the lever. The lock is for the annoying people that see stuff and has to mess with crap. HAHA. But this build has slowed down even more due to me selling my house. Im searching for land now... and my dream will start forming quickly after I get land. Im going to build a 40x80x18 shop/house. I CANT WAIT!!!

 

[Topo.Ranger]

 

[Comanche Scott]

Bumpers look awesome. :beer:
The built in beer holders on the rear bumper are priceless. :victory:

 

[Mitch502]

Bumpers look awesome. :beer:
The built in beer holders on the rear bumper are priceless. :victory:

Beer: The most important tool for a mechanic.

 

[Jeep or Tacoma]

maybe a little late to the party

Saw where you were planning on adding camera to do you own spotting. I did the same think. I saw it at expo the 100k range rovers and thought I bet I can do that so I did I uses a "lockpic" from I think coastal electronics. The thing is you can use 3 cameras so I put one in the back and 2 in the front. They are awesome I don't need them always but hey are sure fun to have. The reason I said late to the party is because you probably want to run the back up camera inside the jeep rather than out side.

I cut up a green cutting board and mounted the camera inside the w of the bumper ( Warn bumper) I don't have any picts of the back up camera . I cut a hole in the steel bumper and ran the wire through the bumper into the place where the jack mounts then under the carpet tot he dash.

 

[Topo.Ranger]

Saw where you were planning on adding camera to do you own spotting. I did the same think. I saw it at expo the 100k range rovers and thought I bet I can do that so I did I uses a "lockpic" from I think coastal electronics. The thing is you can use 3 cameras so I put one in the back and 2 in the front. They are awesome I don't need them always but hey are sure fun to have. The reason I said late to the party is because you probably want to run the back up camera inside the jeep rather than out side.

I cut up a green cutting board and mounted the camera inside the w of the bumper ( Warn bumper) I don't have any picts of the back up camera . I cut a hole in the steel bumper and ran the wire through the bumper into the place where the jack mounts then under the carpet tot he dash.

Yeah Im going to get the Rubicam Camera DVR system with 4 cameras. And Im going to mount it to my sPod mount from the windshield and remove my Rear view mirror. Im going to put one up front, one on the passenger side and one on the rear tire carrier. i thought about putting the other camera on the driver side but that wont really be needed since i can just stick my head out the window or I thought about saving that last camera for when i get my trailer.

 

[Topo.Ranger]

Paitently waiting on my Gobi Stealth Roof Rack to come in. I think I have a few weeks left.

 

[Topo.Ranger]

Updates!

I decided to rebuild the front compartment of my storage boxes. I basically rebuilt the forward box and ended up just redoing the doors on top of it. Last weekend I took a weekend trip up towards Grandfather Mountain.









I need to get more organized as far as packing the jeep and finding the best possible spot for all my gear.

 

[Topo.Ranger]

I have made a few purchases since my last post. I havent been able to do much with my DIY sPod system because I am currently working 6 days a week 12 hours a day. So free time is limited.

Finally recieved my Gobi Stealth Rack. There was just a slight delay due to the custom color but I was okay with the wait. It was well worth it!


Purchased the AT Combo Slide with the propane stove. By the way the stove works perfectly so far!


I was able to get away for a weekend and attended my first mountain bike race. I didnt have the stove or the fridge ordered at the time.


I also picked up the RubiCam Camera from Red Peak Offroad. Im going to try to get this installed sunday night or monday (my day off)


And here is the best news and next summer trip update! Im doing the TransAmerica Trail! I purchased all 82 paper maps and I will be ordering the GPS files so I will have the electronic and hard copy of the trail. I will mainly be using the electronic files but if something happens to my GPS then I will have two back up plans. The paper maps and the roll charts.

 

[Eberin]

so my assumptions have just been confirmed? you must working the CNS outage. I have the Sahara Tan JKU w/gobi. i thought this jeep looked familiar in the parking lot.