DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
It's been a while since I have the FJ40 and having the mile long wheelbase I do, I forgot about the SWB endo possibility. That makes sense, too...
New Expedition Portal Jeeper
- Thread starter DakarTJ
- Start date
grahamfitter
Expedition Leader
DakarTJ said:
I'm not an expert by any means but I've got a stock 1997 TJ and installed a kargomaster congo rack with cross bars (not the basket) a couple of months ago. I got this rack because of all the racks with crossbars, it promised to have the best protection against rust.
Overall I'm happy with it. Its very sturdy and reasonably low profile. The bump in the bars doesn't get in the way because the crossbars are 2 inches in diameter and there's at least half inch clearance over the bump. There are rubber shock absorbers on the front mounts so the whole rack moves around a bit which is a little unnerving at first.
Since installing the rack I haven't taken off the soft top - I just remove the side windows and roll up the back. This doesn't bother me because I have a rocket box (longer bolts required) and usually a kayak or two on the roof anyway. Plus it rains regularly here and the thought of finding the right socket in the dark to put the top back on in a hurry really isn't that appealing.
The only down sides are the weight (which I can't remember) and wind noise at highway speeds are excessive. And the antenna vibrates against one of the front mounts. I fabricated a temporary bracket out of a suitably shaped piece of plastic milk jug to hold the two apart. Milk jug and rack are still going strong
Cheers,
Graham
RunninRubicon
Adventurer
Smittybuilt
I have seen in person a Rubicon with both front and rear bumpers built by Smittybuilt and the new over-head rack they are producing. The one aspect I really like about this one vs others is that fact that the rack can be incorporated into the rear bumper and that the rack serves as a exo-skelton. It was built out of what looked like 1 and 3/4 tubing-tuff stuff. A guy could still lower and raise the soft top. The owner mentioned he had a Kargomaster and went to this new smittybuit because it matched his bumpers now though stated BOTH systems with the racks on, whistled. Didn't mention which was worse...
Hope this helps reguarding the rack. A stinger, I feel is something for the REAL rock crawling crew. Personnelly, With a stinger employeed on most bumpers, you lose the ability to PUSH. The rational for the radiator loop is certainly sound, having seen first hand what remains intake in a stock TJ after it rolls once or twice. The radiator support and the windshield frame DIE. Needless to say one item of paramount importance should be a trail/roll-cage.
I have seen in person a Rubicon with both front and rear bumpers built by Smittybuilt and the new over-head rack they are producing. The one aspect I really like about this one vs others is that fact that the rack can be incorporated into the rear bumper and that the rack serves as a exo-skelton. It was built out of what looked like 1 and 3/4 tubing-tuff stuff. A guy could still lower and raise the soft top. The owner mentioned he had a Kargomaster and went to this new smittybuit because it matched his bumpers now though stated BOTH systems with the racks on, whistled. Didn't mention which was worse...
Hope this helps reguarding the rack. A stinger, I feel is something for the REAL rock crawling crew. Personnelly, With a stinger employeed on most bumpers, you lose the ability to PUSH. The rational for the radiator loop is certainly sound, having seen first hand what remains intake in a stock TJ after it rolls once or twice. The radiator support and the windshield frame DIE. Needless to say one item of paramount importance should be a trail/roll-cage.
computeruser
Explorer
Good to see another TJer trying to figure out how to make a paid-for vehicle work. I'm in the same boat here, albeit closer to stock (no rock crawling for me - all we have are forest trails and sand dunes here in lower MI). My issue has never been traction (even with MTs/open diffs), but rather storage capacity and fuel issues. I get 13mpg highway/10mpg in town/and 9mpg with 1500-2000lbs rolling behind me. The stock tank drains really quickly (max practical range of 200 miles on pavement), and there is nowhere in the vehicle to carry a meaningful number of NATO/Specter cans.
When it comes to TJs, I think that the answer is a trailer, almost regardless of what the question is.
When it comes to TJs, I think that the answer is a trailer, almost regardless of what the question is.
RunninRubicon
Adventurer
TJ + trailer
I built my trailer to carry water and or gas cans for this reason. I understand your gas mileage issues. Add a supercharger to the mix and you can certainly run with the fast lane. But in doing so you can expect 8mpg @ 75-80mph pulling my trailer of about 1250-1500lbs.
No free lunch. The trade off I tell myself it that I can drop the trailer and run around in the woods/rocks and play were if I was driving a full-size something, I'd could perhaps carry the same amount as I can with my TJ and trailer but I can't drop if off to play or otherwise. But, I suppose I can rationalize allot! That's how I rationalized the NEED for the blower in the first place...to pull the trailer, so I can otherwise play.....
I built my trailer to carry water and or gas cans for this reason. I understand your gas mileage issues. Add a supercharger to the mix and you can certainly run with the fast lane. But in doing so you can expect 8mpg @ 75-80mph pulling my trailer of about 1250-1500lbs.
No free lunch. The trade off I tell myself it that I can drop the trailer and run around in the woods/rocks and play were if I was driving a full-size something, I'd could perhaps carry the same amount as I can with my TJ and trailer but I can't drop if off to play or otherwise. But, I suppose I can rationalize allot! That's how I rationalized the NEED for the blower in the first place...to pull the trailer, so I can otherwise play.....
RedDog
Explorer
DakarTJ and computeruser - nice to see I'm not alone as a TJ owner discovering the expedition angle is more my cup of tea. I've gone through cycles wondering if I bought the wrong vehicle but the damned thing keeps growing on me - and there's simply no smile factor replacement for the ability to put the top down.
Never the mud bog / rock crawl type, I prefer quiet mountain trails leading to great photo vistas and empty lake shores. The back seat was removed quickly and has never been put back in, or ever sat on once. For one or two the TJ works for me and obviously come winter it can't be stopped.
I'm looking at fold out trailer options in the future, not for lack of packing space for one or two, but thinking more of getting off the ground and having superior cooking options.
Never the mud bog / rock crawl type, I prefer quiet mountain trails leading to great photo vistas and empty lake shores. The back seat was removed quickly and has never been put back in, or ever sat on once. For one or two the TJ works for me and obviously come winter it can't be stopped.
I'm looking at fold out trailer options in the future, not for lack of packing space for one or two, but thinking more of getting off the ground and having superior cooking options.
RunninRubicon
Adventurer
TJ + trailer
As I have completed my CJ-7 Offroad trailer for more then a year now, I have began to see just how much more opportunity to investigate destinations this allows me. Having the ability to stop and sleep just about anywhere I dare opens distant places I could only visit via a local hotel. But doing that meant having to cut my sight seeing short to seek shelter. Now with trailer in tow that can go about anywhere I dare pull it, means I can venture further into territory I could only hurry through or pack the tent and squeeze it all in the Jeep. Having a trailer makes the adventuring spirit rise more knowing that I can take some comforts with me, especially knowing I don't have to worry about ice, water and food spoilage and extra fuel.
Adventure is much more free-spirited.:arabia:
As I have completed my CJ-7 Offroad trailer for more then a year now, I have began to see just how much more opportunity to investigate destinations this allows me. Having the ability to stop and sleep just about anywhere I dare opens distant places I could only visit via a local hotel. But doing that meant having to cut my sight seeing short to seek shelter. Now with trailer in tow that can go about anywhere I dare pull it, means I can venture further into territory I could only hurry through or pack the tent and squeeze it all in the Jeep. Having a trailer makes the adventuring spirit rise more knowing that I can take some comforts with me, especially knowing I don't have to worry about ice, water and food spoilage and extra fuel.
Adventure is much more free-spirited.:arabia:
goodtimes
Expedition Poseur
DakarTJ said:
I beg to differ. There certainly is enough room inside of a TJ for weeks worth of gear, you and a dog. I can do it without having my load blocking any of the windows, which means anyone can do it....add a roof rack or trailer and you have enough space to go around the world. Now, if you want to take your wife/girlfriend with you, things may change a bit. But rest assured, the TJ can carry the gear.
John Hunter was mentioned earlier...he has not done any work for me (I handle my own fabrication, gear installs, etc), but I have worked on vehicles which John has worked on...he does nice work, and is well respected in the off road community.
grahamfitter
Expedition Leader
goodtimes said:
I'll second that. On a recent trip to Maine we fit two people, a weeks load of food, beer, a big family tent, a bulky inflatable whitewater raft, a portable propane grill, a 2 burner propane stove, a 10lb propane tank, cooking stuff, sleeping bags, recovery gear, tools, clothes, a 5 gallon water container, a folding picnic table, lawn chairs, a canopy with poles, a lantern, a washing up bowl, a scrabble board, etc etc all inside the jeep. On top we had two kayaks and paddling stuff (in a roof top box).
With the raft inside it was pretty full. To make organization a little easier I put a 3/4" plywood board across the full load area, resting on the sidewalls. It has cutouts for the rear seatbelts and is bolted on through the same holes the hard top uses. This is just high enough for the cooler, water container, table, stove and most of the boxed food stuff to slide underneath. Everything else rests on top. The hi-lift jack is on the floor behind the seats, lashed to the roll bar, with tools and recovery gear on top.
The stock springs were sagging a bit so we probably took too much stuff. But it still all fit in and wasn't a PITA to manage.
I definitely subscribe to the "go with what you've got" principle - It always works out. And in the case of a jeep wrangler, less really is more. I'm currently working on a real solution to sleep two people comfortably inside...
Cheers,
Graham
DakarTJ
Observer
Thank you for all your responses. Maybe I need to go to packing school, I can barely get my wife and I and a weekends wroth of gear in the Jeep. I love the idea of a chaser trailer. But that’s way out of my price range. A couple people have talked about the kargo cage and rack but nobody has talked about the Garvin.
I had a lot of fun rock crawling, but I find myself wanting to explore more.
I had a lot of fun rock crawling, but I find myself wanting to explore more.
