Jeep LJ Build Pure Jeep Porn (GenRight)
- Thread starter Fouledplugs
- Start date
For what it's worth ... from "Overland Bound"
What is Overlanding? ...
https://www.overlandbound.com/forums/threads/what-is-overlanding.464/
What is Overlanding? ...
https://www.overlandbound.com/forums/threads/what-is-overlanding.464/
There are lots of ways that folks try to define overland built rigs. Those folks don't understand what overlanding really is. If you want a clear definition, it helps to get the folks from other continents involved. Places like Africa and Australia where you leave Point A and there are no resources available for you to use for 100's of miles until you get to Point B. You have to be self sufficient for the duration. Your Alabama example would be perfect if you were able to do it without stopping along the way for any outside assistance and never touched pavement the whole way. That is overlanding.
The reason that you can predict a rig's particular efficacy as being good at running overland is the very requirements of being able to do so produce a very particular set of parameters into a build and that produces a very common look amongst the ones built for that purpose.
You can call that rig whatever you like, if you hit the outback for a couple of weeks, you probably wouldn't call it an overlander for long without a support crew.
I only have 1 question about it. I wonder how much it would cost to get that hood to look that good on any other rig? Just the hood, body work, and paint for it.
The King lower spring cups are actually deceiving, while they look tall they let the body come down to within 1/4 inch of the lower eye. So for as much shaft you see showing at ride height there's probably 1.5 to 2 inch you can't see inside that lower cup. So maybe 5 to 6 uptravel?
I would still lift it up a couple inches for my purposes. Looks like a well-build rig.
Brianj5600
TJ Expert
I don't think that a TJ or LJ is a good platform for an overlanding rig on it's own. I'm pretty sure the GenRite built LJ could pull a trailer though. It has all the creature comforts to spend hours traveling. Add a snorkel and I'm not sure why this would not be the ultimate overland rig. Fuel, not a problem, tank in the trailer with electric pump. Obstacles, not a problem. I don't know if the owner wants to overland. It's more likely it will travel cross country behind a toterhome. Oh, and more stinger.
Does an overland support trailer exist that can keep up being dragged behind a vehicle like that in the environment where it built for?
Early on, I had grand fantasies of running out of fuel during some amazing multi day off road trip in my part of the country. I bought a tire carrier that allows for ten gallons of extra gas.
I quickly realized that, with very rare exception, I couldn't help but pass through a town with a gas station. The big heavy carrier gets used far more often for water and maybe a bag of supplies. In the meantime, in real life, I am always carrying around an extra 100lbs of armature and bracketry.
A future intention is to shed this needless bulk and find a solution that better matches the realities of how I use the Jeep.
Point being that so many builds are based on a fantasy. The admirations are also centered around fantasies. It can be incredibly difficult, especially on a personal level, to separate a dream from real world objective practicalities. I certainly fall victim to this often enough, sometimes in very odd places.
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Both "Overland Bound" & "Expedition Portal" have good sub forums on trailers bought, built, modified, etc. There's a bit of everything.
https://www.overlandbound.com/forums/forums/overland-trailers.93/
https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/forums/expedition-trailers.42/
There are probably better platforms but TJ's & LJ's work well.
The Spider LJ ...
https://forum.aev-conversions.com/f...on-1997-2006-jeep-wrangler/2813-the-spider-lj
There's even some good VW Bugs!
https://expeditionportal.com/el-burro-the-overland-bug/
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I did a quick scan through. Is there an example of an overland setup with a support trailer that can make a run from San Diego to Las Vegas via a classic Johnson Valley trail?
Maybe the criteria is unfair and unrealistic. In my silly fantasy, I don't want a home base to leave the trailer and RTT behind for the day. I want this rig to go in one side and come out the other. Then we head up to see Hoover Dam and find gas.
I'm not that familiar with the Johnson Valley Trail. From what I know I doubt it but I could be wrong.
Not really, no, although a lot of well-built examples look similar. In my opinion, the basic concept of an overland vehicle is one that travels unsupported over roads-less-taken, with such journeys being the driving force behind any modifications that are done to the rig. Nebulous, yes, but accurate. Your Rubicon trail trip sounds overland-ish... and that didn't require a purpose-built rig, which is another important point: most overland trips don't need a purpose-built rig. Driving across Siberia...yes, that needs a rig built to do it; most of us don't do that, though. We take more reasonable trips that only require reasonable rigs. Porn Star up there isn't very reasonable, in that sense.
Yeah, that Jeep isn't setup for overlanding. He's not going far unsupported.
Trailer? Fuck no... I'd never pull one while out and about, heading down a road and not knowing what might be at the end. I learned that lesson when I had to back out of a "road" that led a half mile into a salt marsh and had no room for a turnaround. As far as a snorkel goes: not unless I was in a dust bowl and traveling with other rigs. Useless, otherwise.
Brianj5600
TJ Expert
Trailers are not for everyone. Most people use the same wheel/tire on the rig and the trailer so the trailer should be able to go over anything the rig can pull it over. Obviously you can't do as much as a rig without a trailer. You also can't do do as much in a fully loaded down rig with all your gear. I have trouble with space grocery shopping at times in my TJ.
jjvw, you posted that you winched The Ledge on Poughkeepsie. I assume because of the weight of all the gear. I would think your Jeep would have no trouble if you didn't have camping gear. Base camp allows you to wheel closer to empty. I plan on several days in SW Colorado and probably won't move the trailer until I move on to Moab. Same deal until we go to Grand Canyon, etc. When I am sight seeing I won't have stuff packed in blocking the back windows.
When traveling to the next area there will be a small ice chest in the Jeep and that's about it. Nothing on the roof and room for a 3rd or even 4th passenger.
There are many valid negatives about a trailer, but for me a trailer seems right. If I had a JKU, I would have had more difficulty deciding on trailer or not.
Here are a couple vids on The Rubicon Trail. There are quite a few more. Not really a bunny trail.
jjvw, you posted that you winched The Ledge on Poughkeepsie. I assume because of the weight of all the gear. I would think your Jeep would have no trouble if you didn't have camping gear. Base camp allows you to wheel closer to empty. I plan on several days in SW Colorado and probably won't move the trailer until I move on to Moab. Same deal until we go to Grand Canyon, etc. When I am sight seeing I won't have stuff packed in blocking the back windows.
When traveling to the next area there will be a small ice chest in the Jeep and that's about it. Nothing on the roof and room for a 3rd or even 4th passenger.
There are many valid negatives about a trailer, but for me a trailer seems right. If I had a JKU, I would have had more difficulty deciding on trailer or not.
Here are a couple vids on The Rubicon Trail. There are quite a few more. Not really a bunny trail.
Brianj5600
TJ Expert
OP
According to a few of these overlanding ten commandments it might actually be more ideal to use a TJ over an LJ for overlanding. It will “force” you to bring far less stuff. I mean do you really need all that shit that these overlanding folks bring? Wow! Noticed a lot of stand up showers and toilets, like with their own tents. While nice, is it really needed...? Just makes me wonder what else they pack in there that they dont need.
And now that I read more of this kind of factual and experienced based stuff I realize how accurate @mrblaine and his post is. Looks like its been watered down and turned into a social media status type status/look with all the roof racks, pop up roof tents, and even refrigerators.
If your rig hits the paved roads, you're just car camping IMO.
That was a younger version of the Jeep. It's been several years since I've been on Poughkeepsie, but my inability to climb the ledge may say more about the driver than the Jeep. It's a fun trail in a great area. I hope to go back soon.
Brianj5600
TJ Expert
Brianj5600
TJ Expert
Fouledplugs, I'm not trying to be a textbook overlander. I have done quite a bit of disperse camping out west and if work allows me I'm going for a month this summer. I don't want to be a minimalist. I like showers and there are not always available. I will have means for a shower and a refrigerator. Having to go to town for ice and a shower is time I could have spent in God's country.
I will drive on paved roads, but not camp in a campground if I can help it. If that makes me a car camper I'm okay with that. I'm doing it for me and the only people I am trying to please are my son and myself, and maybe my daughter if she decides to go.
I will drive on paved roads, but not camp in a campground if I can help it. If that makes me a car camper I'm okay with that. I'm doing it for me and the only people I am trying to please are my son and myself, and maybe my daughter if she decides to go.
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