East coast vs West coast wheeling

I can't answer your question on build differences but I can say:
Big difference is traction. Roots, trees down offer no traction at all, worst thing in the middle of a rock garden is a downed tree that is now an obstacle. I have cussed every downed tree I came across (even small 6" dia trees). Clay that clogs your tires between obstacles, rocks with no traction with a film of wet clay. It creates a very unique "bump", as we like to say hit it with a little enthusiasm. Steep rock slabs are like ice, even when dry. Clay access roads that have had buggies with 40+ tires rut them out and now a TJ with 35s has no hope at all to make it through.

I was just in Harlan Ky and one trail had a spring at the top which kept the trail wet all the time!

Going out west makes us all cocky when we come back!
 
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^^^^ That.
Plus trees.
I've seen some rigs out west (Utah) that have too much stuff bolted on to wheel here in the midwest.
Lots of off camber creek beds with live trees leaning in.
 
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gasiorv said:
I can't answer your question on build differences but I can say:
Big difference is traction. Roots, trees down offer no traction at all, worst thing in the middle of a rock garden is a downed tree that is now an obstacle. I have cussed every downed tree I came across (even small 6" dia trees). Clay that clogs your tires between obstacles, rocks with no traction with a film of wet clay. It creates a very unique "bump", as we like to say hit it with a little enthusiasm. Steep rock slabs are like ice, even when dry. Clay access roads that have had buggies with 40+ tires rut them out and now a TJ with 35s has no hope at all to make it through.

I was just in Harlan Ky and one trail had a spring at the top which kept the trail wet all the time!

Going out west makes us all cocky when we come back!
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It’s been fun watching Matt with his Morrvair wheel with Bleepin Matt.

I’d like to understand what suspension wise can improve the rigs for those conditions.
 
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gasiorv said:
I can't answer your question on build differences but I can say:
Big difference is traction. Roots, trees down offer no traction at all, worst thing in the middle of a rock garden is a downed tree that is now an obstacle. I have cussed every downed tree I came across (even small 6" dia trees). Clay that clogs your tires between obstacles, rocks with no traction with a film of wet clay. It creates a very unique "bump", as we like to say hit it with a little enthusiasm. Steep rock slabs are like ice, even when dry. Clay access roads that have had buggies with 40+ tires rut them out and now a TJ with 35s has no hope at all to make it through.

I was just in Harlan Ky and one trail had a spring at the top which kept the trail wet all the time!

Going out west makes us all cocky when we come back!
Click to expand...

Buncha crybabies all up in here.
1664591150188.png
 
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mrblaine said:
You do understand I have no way to answer that question that is reasonably safe from far too many confrontational contrarian responses, right?
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I get it but I’d still like to hear it. Even when you get people pushing back and disagreeing with you. The silent jeepers are still reading and trying to learn we just can’t jump in and give much helpful input.
 
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I've gone through some chopped up stuff. Sometimes it's just too big and you just need to throw cable no matter where you're at.

On this trail my belly was riding the top of the ruts and diffs digging all day long. I required less winching than those with bigger tires or higher bellies.



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rhanna said:
I get it but I’d still like to hear it.
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The first response will be "how the fuck do you know, when is the last time you wheeled there?"
rhanna said:
Even when you get people pushing back and disagreeing with you.
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The thing you're missing is that it will be done purely for the sake of doing it. Then when they get called on their shit, they will feign surprise since all they are doing is trying to get alternate viewpoints out there.
rhanna said:
The silent jeepers are still reading.
Click to expand...
Then you fully understand.
 
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mrblaine said:
What would change your mind about that?
There is a lot more in common between those two rigs than you might suspect at first glance given that I built both of them. ;)
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My point there was that the driving was so different it was hard to compare the two rigs.

You can change my mind by explaining what you’d do differently in setting up a rig for TN vs JV. If you’d set them up the same then it’s a short answer.
 
toximus said:
I've gone through some chopped up stuff. Sometimes it's just too big and you just need to throw cable no matter where you're at.

On this trail my belly was riding the top of the ruts and diffs digging all day long. I required less winching than those with bigger tires or higher bellies.

View attachment 363450

View attachment 363447
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That there looks like some Good U.P. wheelin!
 
Apparition said:
My point there was that the driving was so different it was hard to compare the two rigs.

You can change my mind by explaining what you’d do differently in setting up a rig for TN vs JV. If you’d set them up the same then it’s a short answer.
Click to expand...

It all goes back to the same thing, always. If you build a rig that works well, nothing, nothing at all prevents it from working well any place where a rig that works well can be run.

The better question is the same as always, what would make a build need to be changed for a region provided we take corrosion out of the picture?

It has already been pointed out that there really isn't a clear delineation between east and west since there are many instances to the contrary on both sides. So, there must be some other criteria that folks are looking to fulfill, what is it?
 
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toximus said:
2 very similar builds. Similar wheelbase, similar tire size, similar geometry, similar travel, similar axles, similar weight.

East vs West.

View attachment 363394


View attachment 363399
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I think the big takeaway that I have in the second video is the smooth application of power. A lot (and I mean 90% or more) of the videos I see from guys in the east get lots of rear axle hop when they start getting into the power. I've experienced it myself in sand and snow. You either back off or bounce the damn jeep half to death.
 
Mike_H said:
I think the big takeaway that I have in the second video is the smooth application of power. A lot (and I mean 90% or more) of the videos I see from guys in the east get lots of rear axle hop when they start getting into the power. I've experienced it myself in sand and snow. You either back off or bounce the damn jeep half to death. I know shocks help in that regard and I've noticed a change in the behavior of my jeep as I move more toward a balanced rig.
Click to expand...

The same smooth application of power can be seen in the other video if you watch for it. There are no bad habits the rig exhibits. Bad habits show up just as easily at slow speed as they do at high speed.

The main oddity between those two is the green one is heavier.
 
Mike_H said:
That there looks like some Good U.P. wheelin!
Click to expand...

toximus said:
You've seen that same suspension (minus an inch of travel, Duratracs, and less wheelbase) on Mrs. Tox's Jeep with 34.8s. What problems did you see that you would like improved upon? You won't offend me by pointing any out.
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I know some of you have seen this video before. But here's a video of this same suspension on a smaller tire size (back when these were still 35" tires 😉). The front locker pump died minutes before this climb. What bad habits are being covered up by larger tires and how do I fix them?



 
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