Help Me Adventure-ize my XJ
- Thread starter Harmgrissom
- Start date
Harmgrissom
Observer
kc0tma - currently I'm running 235/75 Goodyear Wrangers. And yes it is a full size spare inside. No I would not own a donut. I don't even like eating donuts :elkgrin:
Regarding the recovery points I had hoped to get a new bumper with recovery shackles in the next few weeks (a local guy makes them custom for 2 bills) but after seeing the Detour products I've already called and talked to them this morning. Great guy there and I'll be ordering a backbone & tailbone. I don't mind the idea of a custom but most of them are just so damn BIG. I don't feel like I need that. So thanks for the recommendations.
This should also help opening up space inside as I pull the spare out to the tailbone. Of course it might not hurt to have 2 spares. :bike_rider:
The gas tank skid-plate is a great idea. Any recomendations based upon cost/weight? Rocker protection is another great idea - not sure I'll be jumping on it right away based upon southern arizona riding - but soon.
Jax - guess its an old debate - I prefer wood cooking and don't drink coffee. Couple guys I will probably end up riding with most frequently are trying to talk me into a new Garmin GPS (mines beaten all to hell) that supposedly includes radio comms. Not sure if it is just general broadcast or only Garmin units recieving. Need to do more research. Seems like a cool idea though. an all in one unit. Rather than a CB wondering if I ought to just go full HAM.
Spectyr - thanks for the link - reading it with enthusiasm! A winch is a good idea. Like I said elsewhere I believe - the hardest part about this is now having to debate which hobby to allocate money to. Take money from my gun-fund and apply towards the jeep or leave it as is. :coffeedrink: This is especially tempting as WARN is having the $80 rebate on their winches right now.
ERatC - Yeah been working with some buddies to plan venting and cooling for the engine compartment. Giving the hood a raise this weekend along with hood vents. The fan needs to happen I just need to get someone to wire it for me as I'm not confident with wiring. Especially as the previous owner bubba'd the job. Of course that is why I got this rig so cheap...
Planning on trimming the wheel wells when I get the lift & wheels altogether as I am a fan of aesthetics. The spare parts is a great idea, I'm thinking a compartments of gear is a good plan.
Right now I've just been desert trailing i.e. southern Arizona. Some rocks but mostly dirt & sand. Lot of bumps, hills and climbs but nothing CRAZY. Like I said still trying to get back up to comfort level.
Thanks for the ideas guys keep them coming. I'm making a list!
Regarding the recovery points I had hoped to get a new bumper with recovery shackles in the next few weeks (a local guy makes them custom for 2 bills) but after seeing the Detour products I've already called and talked to them this morning. Great guy there and I'll be ordering a backbone & tailbone. I don't mind the idea of a custom but most of them are just so damn BIG. I don't feel like I need that. So thanks for the recommendations.
This should also help opening up space inside as I pull the spare out to the tailbone. Of course it might not hurt to have 2 spares. :bike_rider:
The gas tank skid-plate is a great idea. Any recomendations based upon cost/weight? Rocker protection is another great idea - not sure I'll be jumping on it right away based upon southern arizona riding - but soon.
Jax - guess its an old debate - I prefer wood cooking and don't drink coffee. Couple guys I will probably end up riding with most frequently are trying to talk me into a new Garmin GPS (mines beaten all to hell) that supposedly includes radio comms. Not sure if it is just general broadcast or only Garmin units recieving. Need to do more research. Seems like a cool idea though. an all in one unit. Rather than a CB wondering if I ought to just go full HAM.
Spectyr - thanks for the link - reading it with enthusiasm! A winch is a good idea. Like I said elsewhere I believe - the hardest part about this is now having to debate which hobby to allocate money to. Take money from my gun-fund and apply towards the jeep or leave it as is. :coffeedrink: This is especially tempting as WARN is having the $80 rebate on their winches right now.
ERatC - Yeah been working with some buddies to plan venting and cooling for the engine compartment. Giving the hood a raise this weekend along with hood vents. The fan needs to happen I just need to get someone to wire it for me as I'm not confident with wiring. Especially as the previous owner bubba'd the job. Of course that is why I got this rig so cheap...
Planning on trimming the wheel wells when I get the lift & wheels altogether as I am a fan of aesthetics. The spare parts is a great idea, I'm thinking a compartments of gear is a good plan.
Right now I've just been desert trailing i.e. southern Arizona. Some rocks but mostly dirt & sand. Lot of bumps, hills and climbs but nothing CRAZY. Like I said still trying to get back up to comfort level.
Thanks for the ideas guys keep them coming. I'm making a list!
Unless you have a zombie problem where you live, I just don't see the need
.Bar none, the best advice in this thread - in my opinion.
Other than that, I would highly recommend the same that most others have mentioned before your first big outing in a semi-remote place:
- Full size spare
- Basic Extra Parts (Belt/hoses) and Tools
- An air compressor (even a cheaper one) can be invaluable
- Solid recovery points on the Jeep
- Recovery Straps/Shackles/etc
- Jack (of some kind)
I wouldn't worry yourself with dual batteries, fridges, fancy camping gear and lockers just yet. Learn your vehicles capability, get out and do some off-road travel and camping. For the most part, you will figure out what you need and want for the type of travel you do.
-jm
I have put a pretty serious beating on my factory metal gas tank skid out of a 90 Limited. I drug it through the Rubicon and Fordyce multiple times - and it shows... While there are certainly more robust options out there, the factory metal skid has been surprisingly effective for me. That would be my advice here, track down a factory metal skid at a junkyard. Spend your money elsewhere....
-jm
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Harmgrissom
Observer
Unless you have a zombie problem where you live, I just don't see the need
-jm
What you don't have massive zombie problems where you camp? :yikes:
Never underestimate the value of a good axe.
Black Dog
Makin' Beer.
There's really not a whole lot of difference from one to another, basically just the thickness of the metal and the price. Generally thicker metal will protect you better, but then its heavier and costs more. Really any gas tank skid is better than not having one, so don't spend an arm and a leg on it and just go with a cheaper one.
For skids I would talk to boiler on LOST jeeps. He makes Some out of aluminum that are really good. He is under the vendor tab there. Great guy and great products plus they are light weight and super strong.
Otherwise you sound like me with my KJ. Always going places to get away.
Otherwise you sound like me with my KJ. Always going places to get away.
TerryD
Adventurer
On the fuel tank skid topic, I once heard a story that a guy with a factory skid and a XJ with the poly tank (97+?) hit a rock hard enough to mash the skid up into the tank and pushed up against the strainer hard enough to shut off fuel flow. They pulled it back to camp and upon remove the bent skid, it started right back up and ran the rest of the weekend. You may want to consider a heavier duty one than the stock stamped skid. Just a story I heard 2nd hand that sounded reasonable. :sombrero:
I have absolutely no doubt that that could occur. I have abused mine enough to push it up into the tank... but that was with serious rockcrawling.
I think for MOST users, a factory gas tank skid is more than sufficient.
TerryD
Adventurer
I would agree, but if you're unlucky enough to have it happen to you when you're the only vehicle or in a place your winch/highlift/come-along can't extract you without power to the wheels, I think it'd be worth a few extra dollars to have something you can come down on full force and not be concerned. Hearing that story is what kept me from taking a heck of a deal in a factory skid and consider alternate options. For the moment I have nothing, but as I'm getting to buy some stuff for the XJ now and then, skids are a top priority.
Besides, you don't need lift if you have sliders and skids! :Wow1: LOL
Steve F
Adventurer
I may have missed this but how far off the beaten track are you going and for how long? I see plenty of guys running around with all sorts of crap hanging off thier 4WD in places where I also see 2WD wagons etc. There's being prepared and then theres carrying so much extra weight that you start breaking stuff.
I travel some remote parts of Australia, this can even be on sealed roads, and the most important things for me are some tools (just the basics you dont need a lot to fix most things), spares (radiator hoses and belt), water (drinking but can be used in the cooling system no point carrying coolant it just has to get you out), GPS, UHF radio, Mobile phone charger and phone, first aid kit and some food (mostly sugars and carbs as I'm diabetic). Also make sure someone knows the route you are taking and when to expect you to arrive etc.
Bashplates and recovery gear etc are great (especially a winch) but if you travel alone spend some time with the shovel and build a road or move some rocks before you just throw you Jeep at the obstacles.
Here's a pic of my Jeep, so far it hasn't left me stranded and I've done trips where I know there is not another person within 400km, I even did 600km on the road one day and didn't see another vehicle!!! The first rule of thumb here is if you have an incident and get stuck then stay with the vehicle, if someone is expecting you they'll find you, people easily die down here once they leave the car.
I also run a 120lt fuel tank, winch and dual batteries.
Cheers
Steve
I travel some remote parts of Australia, this can even be on sealed roads, and the most important things for me are some tools (just the basics you dont need a lot to fix most things), spares (radiator hoses and belt), water (drinking but can be used in the cooling system no point carrying coolant it just has to get you out), GPS, UHF radio, Mobile phone charger and phone, first aid kit and some food (mostly sugars and carbs as I'm diabetic). Also make sure someone knows the route you are taking and when to expect you to arrive etc.
Bashplates and recovery gear etc are great (especially a winch) but if you travel alone spend some time with the shovel and build a road or move some rocks before you just throw you Jeep at the obstacles.
Here's a pic of my Jeep, so far it hasn't left me stranded and I've done trips where I know there is not another person within 400km, I even did 600km on the road one day and didn't see another vehicle!!! The first rule of thumb here is if you have an incident and get stuck then stay with the vehicle, if someone is expecting you they'll find you, people easily die down here once they leave the car.
I also run a 120lt fuel tank, winch and dual batteries.
Cheers
Steve
xjboarder92
New member
I'm still pretty new to adventuring myself, but from the little adventure expirience I have, I know what I SHOULD have packed and hopefully this list will help you out.
-Coolant, almost every 4.0 runs hot, especially on the trails.(really good idea to get that taken care of before you hit the trails cause the wife and kids are not going to like having the heater going on a 95 degree day)
-Fuses, simple but you never no when one could blow
-The tools you don't think you will need. For example, hammer, zip ties, air pressure gague, silicone, loctite, jb weld. (I have a buddy with an xj who's engine block was held together for years with jb weld.)
-spare parts, I realize you can't. Bring a spare everything but your going to be pretty upset if you can't get home because of a u joint.
-lastly sunscreen cause if your pasty white like me nothing kills a weekend in the sun like getting burnt on the first day.
I would recommend a roof rack, I love mine. I'll try to post a few picture tomorrow to show you what can be done with a few bucks and a welder.
-Coolant, almost every 4.0 runs hot, especially on the trails.(really good idea to get that taken care of before you hit the trails cause the wife and kids are not going to like having the heater going on a 95 degree day)
-Fuses, simple but you never no when one could blow
-The tools you don't think you will need. For example, hammer, zip ties, air pressure gague, silicone, loctite, jb weld. (I have a buddy with an xj who's engine block was held together for years with jb weld.)
-spare parts, I realize you can't. Bring a spare everything but your going to be pretty upset if you can't get home because of a u joint.
-lastly sunscreen cause if your pasty white like me nothing kills a weekend in the sun like getting burnt on the first day.
I would recommend a roof rack, I love mine. I'll try to post a few picture tomorrow to show you what can be done with a few bucks and a welder.
mudbutt
Explorer
While it's a great idea to have extra coolant.... If your rig is running hot there is something wrong and should be addressed before hitting the trail....