Gorillamel: Heepin' it in Idaho!

[akinc]

I had no doubt you would use the heck out of it. The folks around me just want to say "hey look what I got!" If you ask them for spots to go off-roading they look at you like your head fell off. Then they ask if I take my Xterria off road and I say HE double hockey sticks yes!!!


Sent from seXTERRA World Headquarters

 

[gorillamel]

Today I made use of my Jeep on pavement:

I volunteered to pick up the cheap beer-brand kegs for a cancer benefit event we held for a co-worker who is in stage 3 skin cancer and was forced to retire early for treatment. I was skeptical I could fit everything in the Jeep, but we managed to make it work.

 

[MadMike]

Good to know a JK can hold two kegs and a trash can to keep said kegs cold. Hell, looks like there's even enough room left for ice.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gorillamel]

Oh heck yeah! I put the ice in the trash can. Harder to see pass side mirror. Luckily the trash can was malleable so i could push it away to see.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

 

[gorillamel]

Rainy days in the foothills are great reminders why i love idaho so much. That, and all our wineries. This is 3 horse ranch winery.

Having too much fun with friends.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

 

[gorillamel]

I think i have almost all the pieces i need for my lift aside from new bolts.

I cleaned all the parts since they were used:

I got stock springs from a JKU (unlimited = 4door). And a used set of shocks and spacers from a 2008 Rubicon. In all, it looks like i may get about 2.5"-3" of lift from this set up. I'm not picky on either size, i'll be happy with whatever i get. All the parts were given to me for free and you certainly cannot beat that!

Now to have Jeep friends help me install it all.

We had a test and tune day for my off road club:

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

 

[GPD605X]

Sweet! Can't wait to see it lifted!

 

[drbandkgb]

1 of 100

 

[gorillamel]

Yeah yeah. I realise Jeeps are fairly common. But I like mine even though it does not stand out in any way...yet.

Now I need to research Jeep suspensions to fully understand what all I need to do to give it a lift and not stress any other components.

 

[TheFauxFox]

Since you have a JK, I'm not 100% on this, but with anything over 3.5" of lift, you're going to want a Slip Yoke Eliminator (SYE) in your T-case. At that point, you'll also want new control arms for that extra travel.

 

[MadMike]

Check out AEVs geometry correction kit, it is fairly inexpensive (I think like $100) and it will drop the front control arms down so that even with the lift your control arm geometry will be the same as oem.

http://www.aev-conversions.com/shop/jk-geometry-correction-brackets-frt

I know my kit also came with a new rear track bar and some brackets, not sure if these were absolutely necessary or if it was just because I purchased an AEV kit.

EDIT: so looks like the rear track bar is not necessary unless over 3" of lift, just makes on road handling a bit better .

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gorillamel]

Thanks!

A Jeep friend said the same thing and sent me the links to Poly Performance track bar leveling kits. Since it is no guarantee I will even attain 3" of lift, I'll forgo the rear bar kit, but looks like the front would be a good idea. I'll see about getting a kit for that.

The friend also mentioned instead of the drop pitman arm bit, to possibly get the Synergy TRE adaptor.

Note to self on the AEV front kit: "If you are installing this kit to a previously installed suspension system that utilized cam bolts, you’ll want to order the cam bolt eliminator kit (click the checkbox above) P/N AEV99064AA (M14 bolt, nut, and two thick washers). You can tack weld the washers to add more support."
I'll have to see what kind of bolts are used before proceeding.

 

[MadMike]

I know in my 2013 I didn't need to worry about it, so not sure what year is the cut off for needing the cam bolt eliminator.
Also depending on how much lift you get you may not have to worry about the pitman arm, my steering has been just fine and I think I have about 2.6"-3".

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dhyde79]

^Thanks! I did not realize the bumper type until today and now it simply tells me how much more of a screamin' deal I got on the rig at the dealership, haha!

I read through your rig profile and it reminded me of things I forgot to add on mine about stock Rubis- thanks again.
We need to get window decals for us former X owners, now Rubi owners, haha!



Dang! Well, now I know who on here to refer to for ideas, haha.

one that says "I miss my X(terra)"

 

[gorillamel]

Haha thats a good idea for one.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

 

[gorillamel]

Put on my 2" spacer lift with 4-door springs today. Ended up at least 3" taller, if not more.

Next to friend's liftef jku.

Got a new track bar:

New shocks and springs

Still need to get brake line mounts, steering stabiliser, and track bar relocation mounts for front and rear.

Front done. Need to do rear (in thr pic)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

 

[gorillamel]

Updated OP with the most recent mods.

Also...bit the bullet and ordered 35s. Needed new wheels with 4.5" backspacing so i could finish my lift. Unable to drive faster than 50mph safely since my draglink and track bar are not aligned. Cannot install high steer kit until i get wheels with backspacing. *sigh*

Got cragar soft 8 wheels: http://www.cragarwheel.com/products16-28/CragarSeries397BlackSoft8
And Cooper Discoverer AT3s.

Pics to come once everything is installed.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

 

[gorillamel]

Well, I took the Jeep in to the dealership for an alignment after I finished installing all the lift components.

Lo and behold, the dealership ended up breaking/cracking the tie rod adjuster:
(bad photo, sorry)

Next day, when I took time off of work to pick it up, they tried to charge me for parts and labor for the adjuster. *sigh*
Reason #A LOT as to why I try to avoid working with the dealership.

Dealership fixed the break...and then tried to charge me for it. Yeah. I do not think so.

Driving the Jeep has been awful without the high steer kit installed. Talk about "darty"! I white-knucked it on Hwy 78 out to Tiddy Springs/Murphy area to go wheeling and learned that my max top speed to drive safely was around 45mph. Ugh. Had to drive back to civilisation with my emergency blinkers on while on the highway since I was going so slow.

Since I had stock wheels on the Jeep, I could not install the high steer kit. Therefore, new wheels were due.
I decided on the Cragar black soft 8 since they have the 4.5" desired backspacing to fit my high steer kit. In my excitement for new wheels, I also got 35s (315/70/17) in Cooper Discoverer ATPs since my Maxxis Bighorns were wearing down so quickly and I was not overly happy with them.

I chose the Discoverers since this is also my daily driver and I saw no need to get M/Ts for something that will spend the majority of its time on pavement (sadly). I forgot how quiet A/Ts are!

[/IMG]

Now that I have my wheels, I could finally install the Synergy high steer kit!
Worst part of the install was trying to get the old drag link off. I despise trying to get those friction-induced bolts out. Took a few hours, patience, pounding of the hammers and some acetylene torch to get them off, esp at the Pitman arm. Here it all is, happily installed:

I discovered that I could not get the cotter pin in the passenger side castle nut due to the extra height from the tie rod end adapter that I had to use for the new drag link. I'm hoping over time the bolt will settle in there and I can eventually get the pin in. In the mean time, blue loctite will have to do.

Also, if I ever have to do this install in the future, I plan to use the reamer rather than the drill bit for the Synergy TRE adapter. Frankly, a drill bit that big in an awkward position with little maneuvering room sucked. A lot.

 

[gorillamel]

And, since this is my page dedicated to my Jeep, here are poser wheeling shots taken of me in action:

The "big ledge" on Top of the World, Moab. (c/o Amber Underhill)

Wipeout Hill, Seven Mile Rim, Moab (c/o Alex Racine)

(c/o Shiloh Gealogo)

Went on a fun adventure along Mud Flat Rd/Owyhee Byway this past weekend with a fellow forest green JK (U) friend. I must say, one of my fav mods has to be the purchase of my Trasharoo from a group buy off Expedition Portal.

Love that thing. It's so useful AND durable!

The start:

70mi later- The camp spot:

 

[Macland]

Looks like beautiful country Mel.

 

[gorillamel]

A time lapse video from today that my friend made:
[video=youtube_share;c0VA1Vp5YQ4]http://youtu.be/c0VA1Vp5YQ4[/video]

I trail-led a trail-trimming event for my off road club today. We went to Sinker Creek Trail off of Silver City Rd in the Owyhee Mtns. This trail is notorious for its rampant overgrowth. We decided the trail needed some cleaning in anticipation of the "Estrogen" Run next weekend. Yeah, yeah, I know I'm a chick, i.e. have estrogen, but I am not going on that run due to work. So this is the next best (actually better) thing.

My AEV bumper kissed a tree (go it on GoPro, too). Surprisingly, the tree lost (a rather large chunk) and my bumper only has a few scrapes on it. Impressive!

This is what a lot of the trail looked like:

We were in a canyon following Sinker Creek with a butt load of water crossings. The water level was fairly low, so no issues there. It did begin to rain at the end, so I led us out of the canyon to avoid any potential flash floods, etc.

This is the video of the trail (my first time editing a video):
[video=youtube_share;C5qpYWC6phg]http://youtu.be/C5qpYWC6phg[/video]

 

[MadMike]

Great looking trip as always Mel .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[J Everett]

Man, I know I've said it before, and I'll say it again: That is some beautiful country. And exactly the kind of wheeling I want to do. Great pics and vids!


You sure got a lot of TJ's in your club. Are you the only JK owner? TJ's are starting to become fairly sparse around here. I don't know if they just aren't holding up, or since they are mostly DD people are trading up to JK's and the TJs are going to people who make them strictly trail rides, but I just don't see them very often. There is a really nice LJ (TJ Unlimited) for sale by my house, but the dealer it is at wants $22k for it. I don't care how well they hold their value, that's a lot for vehicle that's 8 years old. Still, it is very tempting. But I love my Xterra too much.

 

[Prime]

If I EVER bought another Heep, it'd be an LJ. That's the best of both worlds as far as Jeeps go.

Mel, as always awesome trip and report. You've got some beautiful wheeling out there.

 

[J Everett]

If I EVER bought another Heep, it'd be an LJ. That's the best of both worlds as far as Jeeps go.

Agreed, I love the wheelbase and shape of the LJ. But the JK and JKU interior is so much nicer.

 

[GPD605X]

I would love a nice 4 door heep. They are just too damn expensive. I've seen a few 4 doors around here for sale, the first models of the 4 door and they are 2WD! Price wise they are not too bad at aroudn $14-$15k but at 2WD, such a waste.

 

[J Everett]

I would love a nice 4 door heep. They are just too damn expensive. I've seen a few 4 doors around here for sale, the first models of the 4 door and they are 2WD! Price wise they are not too bad at aroudn $14-$15k but at 2WD, such a waste.

Stay away from 2007-2011 JK's; the 3.8L engine is crap. The 3.6L Pentastar in the '12+ is a champ though.

We should /end this threadjack. My apologies for taking us off course, Mel.

 

[gorillamel]

Aww you hurt my 2008 JK's feelings by calling it crap.

At least it can go more places than my X ever could AND do it more easily.

And yes, LJs are pretty damn awesome.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

 

[J Everett]

I didn't say the early JK was crap. Just the engine. 3.8L and only 205hp? the 3.6L makes more power than the 4.0L in the Xterra. It is, by comparison with the 3.8L, a phenomenal engine. Having said that, I've only ever driven a 3.8L Rubicon on a demonstration off-road track that Jeep set up at an air show when the JK first came out, and in that situation I can not honestly say that it lacked for power (a 4:1 transfer case ratio will do that). It was a fantastically easy to drive off-roader, but I have no idea how it behaves on the highway. I can only go by what I've read. I have driven a 2014 JKU Rubi on the highway, and it instantly made me want to trade my Xterra.

So please don't think I was bashing your Jeep, Mel. It's clearly a tough little mountain goat, and I like it.

 

[Prime]

I've driven a 2010 JKU. It's a pig. A fat lazy pig. I'm sure the 2dr like Mel has is better.

 

[gorillamel]

Oh i'm just giving you guys crap. No worries. I honestly cannot compare my X and Jeep's engine capabilities simply b/c they drive/operate so differently: auto vs manual.

Ive heard from many people, including JKU owners about how crummy their engine is. But having stock low gearing does help make it seem better when off roading.
Im beginning to think 2door Wranglers are becoming more obsolete as 4doors are more desired and sell better haha.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

 

[J Everett]

As much I like the 4-door, if I bought one today I'd still get a 2-door.

 

[Prime]

As would I

/4-door Heep hater

 

[gorillamel]

Here's another video a person made of the trail clean up of Sinker Creek this past weekend:
[video=youtube_share;BM3WhLKAJgU]http://youtu.be/BM3WhLKAJgU[/video]

 

[GPD605X]

Looks like fun! I wish we had trails and views like that!

 

[gorillamel]

I love the scenery and adventure of Idaho. But it comes at a price. I will most likely forever be single if I continue to live here and getting used to financial and government disappointment is commonplace. I am embarrassed to admit that Idaho now ranks 50 of 50 in education in the U.S. *sigh*

Someday I'll be able to have my cabin in the woods in the mountains miles away from people and civilisation!

 

[J Everett]

It'll be temporary. I promise Louisiana, Mississippi, or Alabama will take that title back any day now.

I AM insanely jealous of all the pics you take from your wheeling adventures. I don't know where in Idaho you live, but it seems like you'd only be about a day's drive from Vegas, Portland, Seattle, Wyoming, and half of Montana. A day's drive from here gets me to Florida or East Texas, neither of which has any countryside that looks like Idaho. Or Tennessee, which I need to head to more often.

 

[Xado89]

I'd kill for some terrain like that here in FL. It's either mud bogs or custom build rock courses. There's not much for large winding trails through the woods. There might be one or two good trails but still nothing like some of the pictures you've displayed. Mudding is fun but it can get old and expensive very quick...I'd love a nice forest trail to just wander through, cross some stream beds and stuff. People down here aren't too smart, either. Don't worry, it's not because of our education system...well it is in a sense. I think it's more due to kids are having and raising kids these days and it's just dumbing down future generations.

 

[akinc]

Come to Tennessee, we've got plenty of winding trails through the woods.

Mel I still say that I love that you use your jeep for it's intended purpose. You are putting together a fine example. I admit that there is a still a small part of that wants a 2 door jeep. They are fun in the woods with the top and the doors off.




Sent from seXTERRA World Headquarters

 

[gorillamel]

Thanks!

I still miss my X...a lot. But I am making do with the decisions I have made.

Went to Stanley Lake in the Sawtooth Wilderness near Stanley, ID to camp the past few days.

Remnants of the avalanche along Hwy21 past Grand Jean:

Drive into our campsite: Latitude:44.24488 Longitude:-115.06505

kayaking:

The view I woke up to:

The coolest play set with a view in Idaho:

Bye-bye, till next time....