Just another Jeep

Somecallmetimm

Somecallmetimm

Adventurer
It's the little victories that makes this hobby of overlanding fun. After exhaustive searches on the internet, I found nothing. So I came up with my own plan on converting the Xpedition stove to propane. I found that I had all the parts sitting around, so the total invested in this project is a traded lantern that wasn't being used and a little time.
I pulled apart the cover on the valve header and drilled it out a little. Then took a cheap brass torch valve and soldered it into the freshly drilled header.
The torch head will easily attach to 1# propane bottles, and can be adapted to run off of 5# or 20# bottles. The adjustable valves make it easy to set the flame to a wide range of heat levels...

I'm looking forward to cooking on it!

Coleman Xpedition by Tim, on Flickr
 
Somecallmetimm

Somecallmetimm

Adventurer
Know thyself.
Good advice. It requires one to examine priorities, realities and life in general to come to conclusions you may not like.
I came to such a conclusion recently and decided that I should have started riding motorcycles 30 years ago, and that now is probably not the best time in life to start. So I sold the bikes as potentially beautiful as they could have been. This was also in response to a friend's accident when a delivery truck stopped in the middle of a highway. He's escaped uninjured, but his Cherokee didn't live through the experience.
I picked up the first wave of parts from him last night. Front seats, driver's fender and a working AC compressor.

Fender
Yes, I know there's a dent in it. It's also the wrong color. However, the one currently on the jeep is cracked and sprung, interfering with the door.
Dent by Tim, on Flickr

AC.. a game changer.
I'm very excited about this by Tim, on Flickr

Seats... again. Not perfect, but still an improvement. Need covers though.
Cherokee seats by Tim, on Flickr

More to come!
I've also purchased D30 and C8.25 axles (with lockers), the rear drive shaft and the transfer case, which has a SYE installed. I will be cleaning things up, repainting etc prior to installing things. Eventually, I'll need to repaint the fender... or the entire jeep. Which will likely just be a rattle can job. Not a fan of the bed liner approach since it's so difficult to remove.
 
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Somecallmetimm

Somecallmetimm

Adventurer
A pile of parts followed me home the other day, so changes gonna be happening to the XJ over the next few months.
4.5" lift with adjustable front control arms
Adjustable track bar
Sway bar disconnects
8.25 Rear axle with Aussie locker
D30 Front axle with Aussie locker
NP231 w/ Slip Yolk Disconnect
Front and rear drive shafts w/ CV joints

The gearing isn't ideal, but it'll work as long as I don't go any bigger in tire. Which is fine with me, I really didn't want to trim fenders.
All I need is a set of shocks and I'll be in business.
 
Somecallmetimm

Somecallmetimm

Adventurer
Took off for the weekend and hit some back country routes that brought us near the southeast corner of Kansas.
On the return trip, we dispersed and headed home as we saw fit. I chose to follow a route called The Kansas Adventure Trail, a route developed to travel around the perimeter of the state on back roads. The route ended up taking me onto several areas that were private property (verified after the trip). It was frustrating and potentially dangerous, fortunately the one rancher I came across was very cool about the situation.
I have always done my own planning. The one time I followed someone else's tracks, I ended up in places I had no right to be. The whole situation could have been a lot worse than it was.
What's my point?
Google and Gaia and most other satellite based mapping systems will lead you into areas you don't belong. This weekend isn't the first time Google has lead me astray. In the US there are Departments of Transportation for each state where you can find right of way information fairly easily. Most DOTs have GIS or downloadable maps with that information. States surrounding Kansas have pretty good info on their web sites. As a bonus you can usually find where all the low water crossings and minimum maintenance roads are at as well. As frustrating as it was to follow someone else's tracks and find myself in a bad place, the responsibility fell on me to be in the right place. It won't happen again though.

20230115_115349 by Tim, on Flickr

20230115_110720 by Tim, on Flickr

20230114_142854 by Tim, on Flickr

20230115_124430 by Tim, on Flickr
 
Somecallmetimm

Somecallmetimm

Adventurer
"The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys." Unknown.

It's also a lot of fun when you can find a mini version of your big toys! Special thanks to my friend Josh for hooking me up with this one!
Mini Crusty by Tim, on Flickr
 
Somecallmetimm

Somecallmetimm

Adventurer
Changes...

I removed the rack from the TJ and sold it. There were a few aspects of having it on there that I really didn't care for... namely, the complexity it added to removing the top, not being able to lean the hood on the windshield frame, the added weight, the increased wind resistance. It all added up to cons out weighing the pros.

Gone... by Tim, on Flickr

For the first time in 5 years of owning the XJ, it now has working air conditioning!!! I'm excited! It'll make this summer a bit more bearable.

Brrr! by Tim, on Flickr
 
Somecallmetimm

Somecallmetimm

Adventurer
I'm excited about this! For 14 years the Christian Off-Road Association has been actively fighting hunger in the Wichita area with the Flex 4 Food event. This year we are continuing the fight by doing a benefit for Passegways Ltd. an amazing group who works directly with homeless veterans to get them off the street and back on their feet. I'm excited because this year we're going to be including an overlander's display area (including my budget XJ build and other much nicer setups), and a growing raffle that includes amazing prizes from Midland Radio, Action Trax, Go Treads, Shop Overland Apparel, Truck Stuff, and more!

If you're in the Wichita area on April 16th, please stop by, make a donation to help this amazing group, enjoy a great BBQ lunch provided by When Pigs Fly BBQ and flex your rig out on the Off-Road Motorsports RTI ramp.

f4f2023.1 by Tim, on Flickr

Check out Passegways Ltd at https://passagewaysltd.org/

Feel free to DM me if you have any questions.
 
Somecallmetimm

Somecallmetimm

Adventurer
The little things make a big difference. Once again, I upgraded the headlights to a better LED configuration. A bit more aim-able with a better focal point, these are very similar to the ones I am running on the TJ. HUGE difference, and I'm no longer blinding everyone in the process.

The old ones...
20230402_124948 by Tim, on Flickr

The new ones...
Brightness and focus by Tim, on Flickr
Yes, I'm wearing a tie die...

Next I replaced the driver's front fender, partly because I needed some wrench therapy. Partly because I was tired of the door slamming on me all the time, and not opening all the way.
Fender replacement by Tim, on Flickr

Not bad for a shade tree wrench dropper...
Fender replacement by Tim, on Flickr
 
Somecallmetimm

Somecallmetimm

Adventurer
Downgrades!!! Say it isn't so!
I got the TJ about a year ago, and it's been a wonderful vehicle, and still is. I love the look, but it could always use improvements. Yesterday I "downgraded" the tires to LJ take off rims and Pirelli AT. It was primarily an economic decision since the entire package tires, rims, new lug nuts and adapters cost less than the replacement cost of 1 of the 33-12.5-15 BFG ATs.

Before...
Monument Rocks by Tim, on Flickr

After...
Almost stock, but not quite by Tim, on Flickr



Yeah, the looks are going to take a while to get used to... however, I already love the improved handling, traction (smaller contact patch) quieter and more predictable ride, quieter (not really a huge thing until it is).

So pros...
Better handling
Better mileage
Cheaper replacement costs
Better traction

Cons...
Looks a bit goofy.

I'll hold on to the 33s while I make up my mind.
 
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