Just another Jeep

Somecallmetimm

Adventurer
It happened to one of my friend's as well, he really lucked out because the company who sourced his original window gave him a replacement under warranty! When I tried that approach, I was offered a 10% discount. Better than nothing, but I ended up going with a used one out of the Tulsa area. I love road trips anyway, and the drive out was gorgeous (even without the back window) and I ended up meeting and talking with 2 very amazing people.
The gentleman who sold me the glass, bought his first jeep, an immaculate 2003 TJ with only 60k on the odo. Only mods were 31" tires and leather seats. He was an Army Vietnam veteran with some amazing stories.
On the way home I stopped by Sedan Kansas at the Gunnar's Bourbon Distillary, had a wonderful bison burger and an amazing conversation with a gentleman who worked as a street preacher, a missionary and artist. Also, they make good wheated bourbon. I'm looking forward to heading back to Sedan to take the tour.
It's really cool how a crap situation of losing the window turned into a cool opportunity to meet some really interesting guys.
 

Somecallmetimm

Adventurer
For a while now, i've been thinking of swapping wheels from the XJ to TJ. Getting new tires was my opportunity. New tires installed, they got swapped over to the TJ. I like the look, especially with the "new" hard top.

Switch-a-roo by Tim, on Flickr

The Pirellis on the XJ need replaced as well, and I have a set of 31s waiting in the wings.
 

Somecallmetimm

Adventurer
SCORE! Picked these up at a GREAT price. Never used, only dusty.Still working on gathering parts for the rest of the wrangler suspension. But here's the talley so far.
Front adjustable control arms (Never installed) $120
Rear adjustable track bar (NIB) $15
2.5" lift springs (NIB) $50
Shocks & stabilizer full price because some parts you just don't do used.

Hopefully the luck continues for the rear control arms and front track bar.

SCORE!!! by Tim, on Flickr
 

Somecallmetimm

Adventurer
Not all trips can be fun... although I'll do my best. In a couple week I'll be helping my mom move across the country, the last leg of the trip I'll be picking up my TJ so I can drive it home... instead of relying on plane schedules and being shoved around like cattle. Doing that once during this endeavor will be one too many times IMHO.
I've been working on getting the TJ TOAD ready. Picked up a pretty nice folding tow bar for only $50. Had to do a little refurbishing it to get it working right, but it's on and just about ready to go...

For the record, i really miss the grill guard. the draw bar is a temporary addition, it will be quickly replaced by the grill guard once the trip is done.
The trip.... I will be driving back roads from Knoxville Tn. area back to Wichita, taking a couple days to accomplish it. So far the only stop I plan on making is the ferry in Hickman Ky that crosses the Mississippi River. Any stops along the way that y'all recommend will be greatly appreciated!

Getting ready... by Tim, on Flickr
 
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Somecallmetimm

Adventurer
3100 miles in 6 days. I just got back from helping my mom move across the country. It was a bit of a blur... too rushed, too scheduled with way too much time on the interstate. Definately not my preferred method of travel. I did, however enjoy the last 900 miles of it with my son, hitting a couple key spots on the return trip in the TJ.
It dragged quite nicely with no issues other than traffic.

New passenger... Twitching pulling TOAD duty. by Tim, on Flickr

Once we unloaded and eventually said our goodbyes, Zach and I headed west. Day 1 was a short one going from Knoxville area to Ft. Campbell where we rented a cabin just off post. It was a great little place to hide until the neighboring soldiers decided to blow crap up most of the night. Zach slept right through it all.

The cabin by Tim, on Flickr

The local deer population seemed unfazed by the not too distant automatic weapons usage. Probably comforted by the restrictions on hunting, a little noise is a small price to pay for refuge.
Deer in camp by Tim, on Flickr

After a weird night's sleep we hit the road and headed to the only other must see part of the trip. The Dorena/Hickman ferry crossing the Mississippi River. I recently learned of it's existence and had to take advantage of the opportunity to cross over by ferry. After all, it was on the way. It didn't disappoint.

Twitchy on the Mississippi by Tim, on Flickr

The rest of the trip was a push to get home before too late and get geared up for the work week.
 

Somecallmetimm

Adventurer
Unfortunately the XJ will be down for quite some time as I gather parts and money for more parts. In the meantime the TJ will be the DD and adventure vehicle... as it has been. So I made the decision to move the winch over to the TJ.

20240608_120755 by Tim, on Flickr

20240608_140556 by Tim, on Flickr

A friend pointed out that with the fairlead makes it look a little like Mr. Bill (OH NOOO!!) I'll likely be replacing it with one that's not pink. Until then, I'll be blowing kisses to everyone as I drive by.
 

Somecallmetimm

Adventurer
Years ago, i had a 2006 TJ, when I was just getting out of rock crawling and into adventure exploration. One of my first trips, my son and I loaded up and took off into the Flint Hills region of Kansas.

IMG_3738 by Tim, on Flickr

At one point during our fun day trip, I lost steering. With no tools and ill prepared, i bandaged things back together enough to get to the nearest town, about 20 miles away. When things seemed the most grim, I told my son that this may not be the adventure we were looking for, but it's certainly an adventure. That brightened his mood greatly and we made it out safely.
The last month has been just that... not the adventure I've been looking for, but certainly an adventure.

So rather than whine about the woes... enjoy the sunrise from this morning. I'll find a more fun adventure eventually, and share it here when I do. Who knows? It might be in a different vehicle if these Jeeps insist on continually being turds.
After the storm by Tim, on Flickr


Happy Friday Eve!
 

craig333

Expedition Leader
I've also gotten out of rock crawling but its still good to have those skills. Technical sections pop up when you least expect them.
 

Somecallmetimm

Adventurer
Have you ever started your day with an overwhelming urge to photograph wildlife? I did... so I drove 100 miles to take some photos of the bison herds at Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in the middle of the Osage Nation in North Oklahoma. The drive down was pretty uneventful, I was a little concerned I would run into a lot of rain, as OKC and area had experienced 8" of rain in an HOUR, earlier that day. Yeah, that's a LOT of rain. Fortunately the radar readings indicated that the storm had stayed to the south and I was good to go. The whole time in the park I only saw one Bison, and a deer.

Jeep in the middle of nowhere by Tim, on Flickr

Deer by Tim, on Flickr

One bison by Tim, on Flickr

fence line by Tim, on Flickr

All in all it was a much needed escape, even though it was a bit lacking in the wildlife department. The way home I stopped by Gunnars Distillary in Sedan Kansas and picked up a small bottle of their single barrel wheated bourbon.

through the flint hills by Tim, on Flickr
 

Somecallmetimm

Adventurer
Slow summer full of work, family and health challenges. It all adds up to a few day trips as they can happen.

Snuck out to some abandoned roads that were created when I worked on a highway project many years ago. All around Belmont Kansas, a town known for it's airplane traffic and a very old hotel where pilots meet.

Planes, Trains and Jeeps
My escape pod posing with a plane by Tim, on Flickr

Belmont Hotel
Belmont Hotel by Tim, on Flickr

aircraft only by Tim, on Flickr

Fast forward a couple weeks and I went hiking near Wilson Lake in NW Kansas.
sandstone formations wilson lake kansas by Tim, on Flickr

It was a busy weekend with near perfect temperatures to enjoy the hike and a swim after.

Poor lonely jeep off in the distance
My poor lonely jeep. by Tim, on Flickr

Sunset...
setting sun and dead tree by Tim, on Flickr
 

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