Gear's Baja JK Thread

[Gear]

XXXpedition wrote "why didn't you take a perforated aluminum?seems to me it would have several advantages: lighter, easier to hook stuff to, etc."

I use to live in Sunny Arizona. The solid top gave me great protection from the heat. Actually I was often able to run the AC on the 1st or 2nd dial with the outside temp. in the high 100's. I think if I had gone with perforated aluminum I would not have had the rigidity up top to stand, sit and sleep. On this rack I used 1 1/8" cross members to copy Yakima. I used there quick clips(5) to attach the aluminum to the rack. Weight of the aluminum was approximately 60 pounds.

Baja 500 race. My brother and I like to watch from the roof top.

Brother would sleep in the tent. I would lay my Thermarest next to the Thule box on top of the rack. Baja 1000 Trip 2005.

Yakima quick clip attachment for the aluminum.

The purple bag on top has my soft upper doors. I use basic straps with a cam lock. The Aluminum bends enough that I can just slip the strap under the aluminum around the rack bar and back over the bag to the other side.

Parting shot. Baja, good memories!

 

[805gregg]

Where did you get those disconnects for your rack, and who makes them?

 

[Dave Bennett]

FourByLand wrote "Have you had a chance to test the flex at all? Glad that you didn't compromise any ride quality. "

Not exactly. I am having some difficulties with the rear swaybar and the very deep backspacing of the AEV Bridger wheels.

Justin, I would consider ditching the rear swaybar. I see a possibility for carnage there in the right situation if left as is...

Lots of people do this on the front of IFS trucks (I did) with good results.

That would be an easy fix for your issue, no cost and you would lose a few pounds

 

[Redline]

Are there no issues fitting 16-inch wheels to a JK? I believe the JKs come with 17s but do most or all 16-inch wheels fit? I see you put 16-in 315s on so I assume it is cool.

The prospect of a diesel JK has got me hoping & planning

 

[durango_60]

Are there no issues fitting 16-inch wheels to a JK? I believe the JKs come with 17s but do most or all 16-inch wheels fit? I see you put 16-in 315s on so I assume it is cool.

The prospect of a diesel JK has got me hoping & planning

No problem at all with 16's, you can actually use 15's with the correct bs.

 

[Redline]

Cool/Thanks!

No problem at all with 16's, you can actually use 15's with the correct bs.

 

[Gear]

805gregg wrote "Where did you get those disconnects for your rack, and who makes them?"

Which one. If you are asking about this photograph. It is a Yakima Universal Snap around.

Here is a link to the product.

http://www.yakima.com/Product.aspx?Number=8810135

Now if you are talking about the mount to the rear bumper as shown in this photograph.

I am not sure the technical name but I think it is just a body mount. You can pick them up at your local 4 wheel shop. You just need to source one that will fit your application.

Here is a close up from the other day. The plate that holds the bushing was custom fabricated. Nothing more that some metal tabs welded to some flat stock.

Hope this helps.

 

[viatierra]

Don't you also have some of these disconnects?

http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/ID-Tube-Clamp_p_21-1467.html

 

[p1michaud]

Nice ride!

Justin,
First time reading through your entire build up thread. Very clean build.
Well done! :clapsmile

 

[korisu56]

Glued to your thread and I check it daily. Keep it coming.

 

[Gear]

Hi Greg,
Yes I have those disconnects on all of the cross members. My reasons for using them are: one easier to powder coat and two the rear ones I remove in order to slide the hardtop out. Here is my shot of the disconnect. I guess I should get the camera out and take one that is completely welded up.

 

[Gear]

TeraFlex Aluminum Rocker Guards - Installed

Here is a quick review of my TeraFlex Aluminum Rocker Guards that I installed a while back. To date this is the only product that I have actually lost weight when installing an aftermarket product.

Assorted hardware and the one page instructions.

Using my seat as a jack I test fit and mark the holes to be drilled.

A quick mark with the pen and a punch and I am ready to drill.

A quick reminder before drilling, locate the wire bundle on the inside of the Jeep. This is from the passenger side. I just slide a screw driver under the bundle to lift it up and out of harms way. I was installing the 3 large bolts that come up from the bottom of the rocker panel.

Nutserts installed. Nothing like drilling 7 holes into the side of your brand new Jeep.

TeraFlex supplies a rubber gasket so I installed it with the bolts to hold it in place.

Used the seat as a jack again for the final install.

Completed. The TeraFlex Aluminum Rocker Guards make for a great step. This will be a great asset when placing things on the roof rack.

 

[Gear]

TeraFlex Aluminum Rocker Guards - Review

Now for my review of the Rocker Guards. They have been fantastic for there intended purpose. My two boys can easily get in and out of the lifted Jeep. I have used them as steps for loading the roof rack. They have also kept my doors clean of dents while in shopping.

Now for the problems. On the first test drive with the rocker panels installed I noticed a very loud creaking sound. On further inspection I noticed that TeraFlex forgot to make cut outs for the body mounts. I was forced to remove the rocker panels and do some modifications. A little time consuming but noting I could not handle. Then the next problem creaped up. Several nutserts began to spin on me as I was removing the rocker panels. Needless to say I am a little upset about Teraflex not doing there homework on this product. I had them installed and they were perfect then when I removed them the problems started.

Rocker panel hitting the body mount.

The white dot is where it was rubbing.

My solution.

Oh and my last complaint. The powder coat is coming off all over the place.

And on last thought. If you run into problems with a spinning nutsert try tighting it with light use of an impact gun. I have not attempted this but I wish I had known about this technique during my problems. At this point I am not sure if I want to remove them again to fix the problem nutserts.

 

[RunninRubicon]

Teraflex

Very cool. It appears that the step is deep enough to hold your foot as you move along the side of the vehicle. Nice stuff Teraflex.

 

[Willman]

Looking good Justin!