West Desert Utah checking in...

[zjrog]

Actually, I've never carried bikes on this Jeep. Yet. But can see tucking the bike in out of the breeze would be helpful. I'm getting back on the bike again after too many years off. I'll be happy to describe more of the bike life in the alt. trans section...

[SVOboy]

Do describe the biking life. We all need some inspiration some times!

[H4MM3R]

Welcome to the community.

[zjrog]

Well folks, how about an update? My 1995 Grand Cherokee currently has better than 156,00 miles under it. Go back and read my first post. I had been getting about 20 MPG with occassional actually doing the math. I don't usually keep the tank full or fill it everytime I add gas. My daughter had been driving my Jeep more than I had been until a couple weeks ago and I finished her Jeep.

But, I'm getting 18.9 for the last fill up. First 100 miles were commute with 3 people in the vehicle and crossing a mountain pass. Next 90 were mostly freeway @ 5 over and getting passed, and trying to ease into the throttle while rolling through city street traffic, 2 people in the Jeep, plus a full backend of the Jeep after shopping at Sam's Club. The rest of the mileage is mostly my teenagers driving around town. I'm going to imagine I could have seen 20 out of this.

And yes, offroad performance is desired, hit a ramp to see how far I go (before a rear wheel comes off the ground), didn't have the swaybars disconnected, so I didn't get too far! For those that aren't into offroading, the goal is to keep all 4 wheels in contact with the ground, traction IS your friend.


So this week I'm going to attempt to stay @ the speed limit. I have to drive into the city again , but that gives me more time to practice driving without brakes.

So there you go Jeepers. I can't touch DPoV's 2WD ZJ, yet...

And work has begun again on the 4x4 Ranger project. We were hoping to get the cab back on it by this weekend, but between me working, late arriving parts and didn't get the welder till late last night, well, we're not sure when the cab will be on. My club is going on a nice 90 mile loop trail April 26th, it would be nice if that could be a good shake down run for it. (2.3 liter, 5 speed, 4.10 gears, manual locking hubs on 31" tires currently 35" tires soon). Four Wheelin' with a fuel efficient truck will be fun.

[Red]

Some crazy flex there zog Not bad for a stock ZJ

[zjrog]

Not sure how much farther I'd have gone with the swaybars disco'd. Can't wait to get the Ranger project finished and ramp it. I'm hoping ot do like this guy and top this ramp...


We were at the local Four Wheel Parts store for a membership drive (U4WDA) and our club will likely be in the 4WP magazine, Offroad Adventures. You can see, my Zj is the lowrider of the group for now. It will be getting a 2" lift and move up to 31s from the 30" tires.


We are all about trail preservation and cleanup...

[Red]

Yep, TreadLightly is the way to go.....

You still had some stuff space up front, although it looked like you were near max droop on your rear axle

The ranger on 35s should be able to ramp it easily if you've cut enough body away or its high enough. Did you go fiberglass or sawzall with it?

Is the green TJ running air shocks? Don't see any coils, leafs or coilovers on it

[zjrog]

Yup, the TJ was running airshocks. Even sitting at the top of the ramp he had almost 2.5" of shock left.

As for the Ranger, when I bought it, it already the big fiberglass baja fenders up front (and still got 29 MPG!!!), and we are going to stretch the rear fenders out a little to cover the rubber, and do a little cutting at the front andrear of the rear wheel opening to allow more stuff. Right now I'm not sure it will clear the ramp as the springs are quite stiff. But plans are to ditch the Twin Traction Beam for a solid front axle (likely a D30 from a Cherokee) and go to a soft Cherokee lift coil, and I got Chrysler 8.25" rear axle for free as well as a set of stock front Cherokee coils to do a 4 link in the rear of the Ranger. Just need the link material at this point. 1.75" DOM or 2" should do the trick, then add some flexjoints. Put in new shock towers from an F250 and need a 28" extended length shock...

Its all about trail education. Most folks do the right thing when they know what it is. Yes, there are some folks that are thick headed. But I've picked up as much garbage from HIKERS as I have wheelers. Every access group has their own miscreants.

[zjrog]

19.23 even carrying a lot of weight during the week and a lot of the time with 3 and 4 people... Hey, this is fun! Probably 75 miles in city traffic.