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Post by hammerhead on May 5, 2016 10:17:47 GMT -8
I got the 4wd functional last Sunday on our '93 YJ (Tina) and have taken it through the Deer Pen a couple times in both directions. Banged up my incredibly long leaf-spring u-bolts. Sawzalled off some of the extra length and have been weighing the options out there. I'm interested in a bit of lift I think enough to get larger tires on later maybe 33" not sure if my I4 2.5l will handle more.
So my questions:
Is the Deer pen easier or similar to the Mountain View/Hagen Creek in difficulty? I have had some close clearance issues on the Deer pen (north end) filter rocks. After removing some metal I think that should be no longer be a problem. I defer to you that have more experience on whether I should attempt the other two trails.
Being budget minded I'd like to lift a bit but not make my little I4 w/5-spd manual cry. It should have the 4.10 gearing and I've read about other people successfully running both 33" and 35" tires, keeping it road worthy.
Given that does anyone have input to SOA vs Suspension lift and if it's overkill on these trails?
I'd like to expand to TSF and other areas once we are more comfortable/better equipped. We don't have a winch yet which will probably sag the front a bit but plan on one.
Sorry about the wordy post.. I've started this a couple times and end up closing the window.
-Chris
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Post by ljdude on May 5, 2016 14:41:14 GMT -8
I got the 4wd functional last Sunday on our '93 YJ (Tina) and have taken it through the Deer Pen a couple times in both directions. Banged up my incredibly long leaf-spring u-bolts. Sawzalled off some of the extra length and have been weighing the options out there. I'm interested in a bit of lift I think enough to get larger tires on later maybe 33" not sure if my I4 2.5l will handle more. So my questions: Is the Deer pen easier or similar to the Mountain View/Hagen Creek in difficulty? I have had some close clearance issues on the Deer pen (north end) filter rocks. After removing some metal I think that should be no longer be a problem. I defer to you that have more experience on whether I should attempt the other two trails. Being budget minded I'd like to lift a bit but not make my little I4 w/5-spd manual cry. It should have the 4.10 gearing and I've read about other people successfully running both 33" and 35" tires, keeping it road worthy. Given that does anyone have input to SOA vs Suspension lift and if it's overkill on these trails? I'd like to expand to TSF and other areas once we are more comfortable/better equipped. We don't have a winch yet which will probably sag the front a bit but plan on one. Sorry about the wordy post.. I've started this a couple times and end up closing the window. -Chris Hi Chris. Lots of good questions. Unfortunately there are no one size fits all answers to any of the questions. So I'll give you my opinion. Let's start with the Jeep. If you don't plan to run tires larger then 33-35" tall then I would find a quality suspension lift and stay away from doing a SOA. A quality suspension lift shouldn't have any issues holding a winch when you do purchase one in the future. I don't think that you will have any issues driving around with the 4 cylinder, 4:10 gears and 33" tires. The filters are generally the hardest parts of the trails in the Yacolt burn. But I wouldn't recommend going on the trails by yourself just incase you were to get stuck. It's always easier and safer to get unstuck when there is someone there to help you. On Saturday there is going to be a forest cleanup being staged at the Jones creek trail head. You should come up and join everyone for the day. And when finished with the cleanup I'm sure that there will be someone from the club that would be willing to show you around the trail system. Daryl
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Post by hammerhead on May 5, 2016 14:49:08 GMT -8
Thanks for the reply Daryl. I'd been leaning towards the suspension only lift but that was before I caught my bolts on the filter. ? Now I have four-wheel-drive going I am planning on being out there Saturday.
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Wyldman
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Safety & Education Chairman
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Post by Wyldman on May 5, 2016 16:47:11 GMT -8
Hi Chris,
I really appreciate new people to our sport. It reminds me of where I came from. Thanks for your questions. Daryl did a good job in his answers. I would just add (just my opinion): Ask yourself, "What is your intensions with this vehicle?"(over the long haul). Is this just going to be a a rig that you can take the family out to the woods for a fun day of hitting some easy trails or getting to your favorite fishing/hunting spot? Or.... Is this going to be a more egressive hard core wheelin' rig that you can hit some tough trails in? The reason I ask, is cause I have rebuilt my Jeep 3 times. That's a lot of money spent over and over. I completely understand a budget though. Bottom line. I think your rig with its 4 cylinder and 4:10 gears would have no problem with 33" tires and be road worthy. If you decide to go to bigger tires though, you will probably need to regear it to 4:56's. A suspension lift is the way to go. Lastly... As money presents itself, you can add a winch and lockers and other toys.
Feel free to call me if you would like to discuss it further. Until Next Time... Keep it on 3 Wheels! Douglas 360-521-9612
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ODJeepster
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pack it in, pack it out
Posts: 379
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Post by ODJeepster on May 6, 2016 8:49:31 GMT -8
I agree with what Douglas and Daryl have replied. Stay sprung under and think about U-bolt skid plates to help from getting hung up. Here is a picture of mine
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ExCabSwap
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Post by ExCabSwap on May 6, 2016 16:22:24 GMT -8
Agreed, those skid plates are pretty sweet. About the tire size, if you've got 31s now, you'll probably be able to continue to get through with them for a bit depending on what kind of tires they are. I've had 31s for the last 2 years I've been wheeling, and with my little 2.4L with 4:10s, I can honestly say that the rear locker has been the most "game changer" modification I've done. I don't have a suspension lift, just a great club here helping me, guiding me on the trails on what lines to take. Sure, I've had to take a few bypasses due to lack of clearance, but I've been through all of the awesome Yacolt Burn trails, some of TSF, and some pretty gnarly trails in Elbe, WA. Oh, and the first time I went to Elbe and TSF, I was using some all terrains.. You've already got a solid front axle, so you'll be fine with those skid plates Never wheel alone, and when in doubt, crawl it out.
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Post by hammerhead on May 6, 2016 22:47:13 GMT -8
Thanks for all the additional advice and replies. We currently have 30 x 9.5 x 15 wild country XTX tires, The skid plates do look like a solid option has anybody tried to do a u-bolt flip? My wife and I went back out again last night and took the YJ and our renegade through the deer pen. Other than the higher pucker factor the renegade got through the filter perfectly fine and my wife had a good time taking it through the trail. I'm sure a lot of my problem is just basic inexperience going over rocks. I wanted to try and see how difficult the filters for Mountain view were and while trying to get myself hung up on my bolts again a bunch of jeepers started lining up and parking. I was just going to back up and get out-of-the-way but they were nice enough to come over and help get to me through the filter and onto the trail. Honestly I didn't even have a hint of trouble getting through anything on the trail, all filter issues for me. Again it's probably from my experience.
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Wyldman
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Safety & Education Chairman
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Posts: 643
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Post by Wyldman on May 7, 2016 21:15:17 GMT -8
Hi Chris, Just a note. We have a club meeting coming up this Tuesday the 10th at Pied Piper Pizza on Fourth Plain in Vancouver at 7:00pm. I encourage you to come out and meet our 4X4 family. I hope you can make it.
Douglas
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ODJeepster
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pack it in, pack it out
Posts: 379
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Post by ODJeepster on May 7, 2016 22:37:57 GMT -8
A u-bolt flip kit is a great option also. As far as lift kits go, you'll probably be looking at a 4" kit to fit 33's. Besides springs be ready to change shocks, brake lines, and rear driveline. Something else to consider is a slip yoke eliminator for the transfer case. If inexpensive is your preferred way, lift shackles and add-a-leafs and a 1" body lift you can fit 32x11.50 tires. Lots of ways to build a YJ, I'm excited to follow your progress.
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