The Jeepenwagen 2015 JKU Wrangler adventure mobile

[machine1]

Greetings! I recently traded my Softroader in for a new JKU Wrangler Unlimited Sport Automatic. I've been in the Other section for quite a while now.

A little background, I'm part of the North American Soft Roaders. We are a backcountry expedition group based in North Texas and we plan a couple of day trips a year.

This was my previous adventure mobile, a lifted Subaru Forester XT on Cooper Discoverer AT3's:

DSC_0221 by Vinay Sisoukraj, on Flickr

Our group picture in Central OK from our last trip:

DSC_0173 by Vinay Sisoukraj, on Flickr

Here's the replacement for the Subie:

DSC_0309 by Vinay Sisoukraj, on Flickr

Picked up a set of Rubicon rock sliders for pretty cheap:

Untitled by Vinay Sisoukraj, on Flickr

Parked behind one of my other favourite solid axle vehicles at work:

Untitled by Vinay Sisoukraj, on Flickr

Got rid of those horrible OEM headlamps and replaced them with KC's:

IMG_1268 by Vinay Sisoukraj, on Flickr

Finally was able to take the top off before Christmas:

IMG_1375 by Vinay Sisoukraj, on Flickr

FullSizeRender by Vinay Sisoukraj, on Flickr

Took the Talimena Byway in OK while it was snowing:

DSC_0154 by Vinay Sisoukraj, on Flickr

And I finally was able to take him off-road, fully stock, in Hot Springs, AR:

DSC_0174 by Vinay Sisoukraj, on Flickr



Plans?

Well, some 33's to start with. Possibly in the 255/85R16 variety. We'll see where I go from there.

 

[gregaf3]

Looking good. Glad to see that you are off roading it in stock form so that you can see where you need to make improvements!!

 

[machine1]

Looking good. Glad to see that you are off roading it in stock form so that you can see where you need to make improvements!!

Thanks! I always like to see what stock 4wd systems can do from the factory. I was impressed with the low range, at some points we were just idling up the hills.

 

[kojackJKU]

Oh yeah. The jeep is the most capable stock vehicle available. I love mine. I have some improvements that make a nice difference. No massive lifts, or monster tires as we don't need em here.

 

[swift7777]

Very cool, nice to see you getting out there and using it stock. Good luck & enjoy!!

 

[machine1]

I'm enjoying it!

We went on a scouting trip for our upcoming meet this past weekend. Here's a short clip on some of the terrain:

 

[machine1]

More footage of our Soft Roaders group going through some trails.

 

[Jeeper4life]

Looks cool so far!

 

[Comanche Scott]

Very cool! :beer:

So do you think this will become a trend in the group, to go towards more off-road-centric vehicles?

 

[machine1]

Thanks fellas!

Our group is a mixed bag, when our Spring and Summer meets come around you'll see more of the Softroader type vehicles. I think we're around 50% body on frame and 50% unibody off roaders currently, our trips usually don't require anything too heavy duty. I've always had my eye on a body-on-frame vehicle, have just been waiting for the opportunity to get one.

 

[Comanche Scott]

Pretty awesome group. Looks like you guys have a lot of fun. :beer:

 

[machine1]

Pretty awesome group. Looks like you guys have a lot of fun. :beer:

Thanks!

 

[machine1]

On a sadder note, the passenger side axle decided that it no longer wanted to join in on the fun, so it decided to split.

Untitled by Vinay Sisoukraj, on Flickr

This is where you can hear it break:


So the poor Jeepenwagen had to be a trailer queen for an afternoon.

23900735443_4c6245b463_o by Vinay Sisoukraj, on Flickr

I got it covered under warranty.

 

[machine1]

Made a trip out to PINS on the Gulf Coast for Valentine's Day. Did not break an axle this time, in 4WD most of the time on the beach because it was soft sand. Saw two Fords that didn't realize that they needed 4WD/AWD to get through the deep sand getting recovered.

We stopped past mile marker 10 where there were not many people and traffic.

Did the same thing last year in my old Subie.

 

[kojackJKU]

Wow. You must of had a faulty axle. I hammer mine pretty good an I have never broken anything up front. Thank god for warranty.