SJ’s TJ

[Sj's TJ]

I ran full day of really hard wheeling out at The Cove about an hour an half away from me. I'm happy to report the rig ran fantastic. The previous issue I had with driveshaft clearance is resolved. The tune I got made the motor run flawlessly and the new hydroboost brake setup was great.

It was a hot and humid day and when we were running long technical climbs up the mountain the motor got up in the 220s and the trans got up in the 210s which was a little worrisome, but not an issue. Stop for a couple minutes and the temps came down and then going back down everything was back to normal.

Overall, I'm very impressed with this setup. I'm able to run trails that I wouldn't dare run with my old setup (Dana 30/44 on 35s). As I said before, the biggest difference outside of a longer wheelbase and 40s is the weight and width of the axles. Off camber spots are no longer pucker moments which gives a lot more confidence sending it up extreme sections. I'm really satisfied she ran so well.

I only have a couple things to address before I wheel again in July. I never made a bracket to attach the grill to the frame with the new front half kit. When trail riding in between trails at speed the grill was moving around and making noise. I also had the front driver caliper fitting come loose and leak some fluid so I'll need to bleed the system. Then of course the standard nut/bolt check.

 

[Wildman]

Looking forward to all the awesome pictures and videos of you wheeling this monster. Sounds like you've got things pretty much dialed in.

 

[Sj's TJ]

Looking forward to all the awesome pictures and videos of you wheeling this monster. Sounds like you've got things pretty much dialed in.

Only got one 9 second video of me going up a rock slab without much fuss, otherwise didn't get any photo's. I'm going out again in July so will try and get some more then.

She's just about dialed in at this point. I can't wait to get back out there again soon.

 

[Wildman]

Only got one 9 second video of me going up a rock slab without much fuss, otherwise didn't get any photo's. I'm going out again in July so will try and get some more then.

She's just about dialed in at this point. I can't wait to get back out there again soon.

Well Dang Nab it how are we all supposed to enjoy your success in getting the Jeep running right and things working how they should if we ain't got proof of the fact?

Enjoy it.

 

[Sj's TJ]

Well Dang Nab it how are we all supposed to enjoy your success in getting the Jeep running right and things working how they should if we ain't got proof of the fact?

Enjoy it.

If I can figure out how to post a video from a google album maybe you can actually see. Let me try.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DmyeqSmpaiPEoQM36

 

[Apparition]

If I can figure out how to post a video from a google album maybe you can actually see. Let me try.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DmyeqSmpaiPEoQM36

It works

 

[Sj's TJ]

It works

Thanks for confirming. I was in the group where no one took any pics and one guy took a video of this same slab for everyone. I was last up so I saw everyone's line so it was pretty easy for me as you can see.

 

[Sj's TJ]

A small update as I prepare for wheeling on Saturday. I haven’t liked having an airbag that could go off while wheeling. Since the rig is off-road only and gets trailered, I decided to go with the very popular NRG quick release setup:

The install was super easy as I didn’t wire the horn up since I don’t have one anymore. I think it looks good and I like the ability to remove the wheel when overnight on the trailer.

 

[Sj's TJ]

I went up to Rausch Creek yesterday for a run with my buddies that are all on 40s or bigger. It was a pretty wild day. We started on the NE property and ran all the hardest stuff out there before eating lunch. Then we headed back over to the main area knocked out all the Red hill climbs back behind the parking lot to end the day. Here are some clips from the day:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DmyeqSmpaiPEoQM36

The rig performed great and I was able to hit most everything I pointed at. There were a couple climbs where my shorter wheelbase (103") left me a little uncomfortable to really send it where my buddies (all around 110" or more) had a bit of an easier time. It was a blast and can't wait for some more runs in this beast.

 

[Apparition]

I went up to Rausch Creek yesterday for a run with my buddies that are all on 40s or bigger. It was a pretty wild day. We started on the NE property and ran all the hardest stuff out there before eating lunch. Then we headed back over to the main area knocked out all the Red hill climbs back behind the parking lot to end the day. Here are some clips from the day:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DmyeqSmpaiPEoQM36

The rig performed great and I was able to hit most everything I pointed at. There were a couple climbs where my shorter wheelbase (103") left me a little uncomfortable to really send it where my buddies (all around 110" or more) had a bit of an easier time. It was a blast and can't wait for some more runs in this beast.

What muffler did you end up running? Sounds good.

 

[Sj's TJ]

What muffler did you end up running? Sounds good.

I can't recall what it is. I think it was a walker I got off Amazon for like $60 or so. I actually put that muffler on when I did the rear stretch a few years ago and it was the only one I could fit. It's not overly big, but the sound is pretty good. Good low grumble, but not out of control load.

 

[Irun]

How did you manage the 3rd clip? Wheel wedged between 2 trees!

 

[Sj's TJ]

How did you manage the 3rd clip? Wheel wedged between 2 trees!

Full Hydro Steering my friend. I didn't even feel any resistance. When I saw the picture after I got to the top I was really surprised that was my situation. I left a lot of saw dust from that one

 

[Sj's TJ]

One thing that has been annoying me is a slight leak from the trans due to the POS thin metal pan I had. I got a deeper aluminum pan since I had a bunch of space between it and the skid. I also added a fancy governor delete plate while I was in there:

Ran the rig in the driveway while I was putting on a new frameless soft top while it was 90+ degrees outside. The new pan has such a solid mating surface. Now I’ll clean the rig so it’s ready for the fall.

 

[Rickyd]

What does the governor delete do? I tried looking up which trans you have but it says 2.5l and ax5 .

 

[Sj's TJ]

What does the governor delete do? I tried looking up which trans you have but it says 2.5l and ax5 .

In a standard turbo 400 trans, the governor helps telling the trans when to shift. In my case, I have a reverse manual valve body which essentially makes the trans a full manual shift.

So the governor was just in there spinning away doing nothing. The original governor cover had to stick out since the governor was longer than case allotment. I got a fancy little machined piece of aluminum and a new gasket to just plug the hole and look cool.

The reverse manual shifting is great off-road as I can go straight from 1st to reverse without any gates if things get hairy. For easier trails I can run in 2nd and in between trails I run in 3rd. 1st is for slow crawling, but on hill climbs I have enough juice to get the tires spinning when needed. I love it.

 

[Wildman]

A small update as I prepare for wheeling on Saturday. I haven’t liked having an airbag that could go off while wheeling. Since the rig is off-road only and gets trailered, I decided to go with the very popular NRG quick release setup:

View attachment 542918View attachment 542919

The install was super easy as I didn’t wire the horn up since I don’t have one anymore. I think it looks good and I like the ability to remove the wheel when overnight on the trailer.

Which adapter did you get? I started off with one of the thicker ones and didn't like how close it was to me so I switched to their thinner quick release.

I've got my horn hooked up but no horn mounted right now. If I've got the room I'll mount my horn but if not then no big deal.

 

[Sj's TJ]

Which adapter did you get? I started off with one of the thicker ones and didn't like how close it was to me so I switched to their thinner quick release.

View attachment 548738

View attachment 548739

View attachment 548741

I've got my horn hooked up but no horn mounted right now. If I've got the room I'll mount my horn but if not then no big deal.

View attachment 548740

Here’s what mine looks like:

I got the short hub and the 2.0 quick release. Overall it’s about an inch closer to me than stock which I actually wanted since I have longer legs and want to sit back. On super steep sections I used to hit the dash with my knee.

 

[Sj's TJ]

It’s been a few months since my last update. Nothing new on the rig, but I was able to get out to AOAA with a buddy and had some fun with some snow. Didn’t get any video, but a few shots on 101 red. It’s a fun short lollipop that is tight and steep:

I wish had more. It was a fun day with very little traction. We ran the west side first, then came over to east side and ran a bunch of trails. We even ventured over to this off shoot on the east that had an insane climb that we didn’t attempt given the conditions. Rig was beast with now issues and plenty of sends!

 

[gasiorv]

Nice build! It got big real fast after you got the welder and did the midarm.

If you do make it over to Windrock, let me know. I am 5 hrs from there.