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Prep work for the 2018 Rubicon trail trip.

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chasendeer View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote chasendeer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Dec. 2017 at 3:30pm
I took your advise and dropped the #, and it appears to work!!!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 3A Steve Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Dec. 2017 at 1:10am
Does anyone have info about a skid plate for the e-brake? Seems very vulnerable. Watched a friend hit one this Spring. He kept going but the brake didn't.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Greaser007 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jan. 2018 at 6:30pm
May I add to the comments -

Hey Chasendeer
Wow you are lucky you didn't get burnt-out in those Napa fires.
I am up south of Redding, and was through Callistoga 2-days prior to the fires.

Anyway - prep for the Runbicon !
I prepped a '46 CJ2A in stock format in 1985 and ran it through the Rubicaon the following 2-summers.
   I can offer what i did to my Willys.
First - you need articulation. i cut, and welded extensions to the spring-pack guides. This moved the cross-bolt Up away from the upper leaf, for More-Droop. measured full droop in a twist and bought new Monroe shocks based on their extended/collapsed chart.
   Good articulation is a Must ! ( i laughed at the guys with Rancho springs ..... they were too stiff back then with no-droop ).
   Second - Air pressure ... lower-it to 12-lbs depending on tires.
   Third - invert your spring U-bolts to the threads stick-Up with the plates on top of the spring-pack. ( Carry 2-spares .... ) then no-sliders needed.
   Fourth - Emergency brake - i took mine OFF for clearance.
   Fifth - Brakes.   i ran the original drum brakes, but with all components in very-good working order .... and Properly adjusted.

   The Rubicon will keep you in a white-knuckle state, and you will be very pleased you have the Terra-low.

   My First year throught the Rubicon, i drove my '77 Jeep CJ-7 Renegade with 304 V-8 and 4:10 with 3-spd transmission.
   I was on the Brakes the whole time, trying to go slow enough. And had to slip the clutch a fair amount too.
   I ran the old Armstrong Tru-Trac tirew which were about 32" diameter.
Those tires worked Good while aired-down to 12-psi.
   The second year, 1984, i installed a T-18A transmission out of a 2wd Ford pickup, and bought the Novak adapter kit, and installed the Dream T-18.

   To summarize, i ran my Cj-7 each year from 1987 to 2001.
1985 and 1986 i ran the little Willys those two summers.
   Low Center-of-Gravity is good to keep in mind. Pack all spared parts and tools on the Floorboards. I have seen jeeps upside down, and it happens quick.
   
   I would focus on Articulation, and make sure you do not have Any Drive-train-Bind in U-joints at full suspension droop !
   Ken had a great write-up and very good pointers on gearing ratios.

   I was always AMAZED at how well the Odd-Fire V-6 climbed. Years later, i read an article that discussed the reason why.
    They have a heavy flywheel like a Hay-Baler ! bumping into a rock will not stall the V-6 because the momentum of the Flywheel carries it up-and-Over.

   Have fun and Good-Fortune !

   Feel free to ask me for any clarification.

   Len
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote chasendeer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jan. 2018 at 9:35pm
Len
Thanks for the info. I was very lucky on the fire, it burned to about 1/2 mile from my home!!
I will look in to a few of the mods.
Thanks
Jay



Originally posted by Greaser007 Greaser007 wrote:

May I add to the comments -

Hey Chasendeer
Wow you are lucky you didn't get burnt-out in those Napa fires.
I am up south of Redding, and was through Callistoga 2-days prior to the fires.

Anyway - prep for the Runbicon !
I prepped a '46 CJ2A in stock format in 1985 and ran it through the Rubicaon the following 2-summers.
   I can offer what i did to my Willys.
First - you need articulation. i cut, and welded extensions to the spring-pack guides. This moved the cross-bolt Up away from the upper leaf, for More-Droop. measured full droop in a twist and bought new Monroe shocks based on their extended/collapsed chart.
   Good articulation is a Must ! ( i laughed at the guys with Rancho springs ..... they were too stiff back then with no-droop ).
   Second - Air pressure ... lower-it to 12-lbs depending on tires.
   Third - invert your spring U-bolts to the threads stick-Up with the plates on top of the spring-pack. ( Carry 2-spares .... ) then no-sliders needed.
   Fourth - Emergency brake - i took mine OFF for clearance.
   Fifth - Brakes.   i ran the original drum brakes, but with all components in very-good working order .... and Properly adjusted.

   The Rubicon will keep you in a white-knuckle state, and you will be very pleased you have the Terra-low.

   My First year throught the Rubicon, i drove my '77 Jeep CJ-7 Renegade with 304 V-8 and 4:10 with 3-spd transmission.
   I was on the Brakes the whole time, trying to go slow enough. And had to slip the clutch a fair amount too.
   I ran the old Armstrong Tru-Trac tirew which were about 32" diameter.
Those tires worked Good while aired-down to 12-psi.
   The second year, 1984, i installed a T-18A transmission out of a 2wd Ford pickup, and bought the Novak adapter kit, and installed the Dream T-18.

   To summarize, i ran my Cj-7 each year from 1987 to 2001.
1985 and 1986 i ran the little Willys those two summers.
   Low Center-of-Gravity is good to keep in mind. Pack all spared parts and tools on the Floorboards. I have seen jeeps upside down, and it happens quick.
   
   I would focus on Articulation, and make sure you do not have Any Drive-train-Bind in U-joints at full suspension droop !
   Ken had a great write-up and very good pointers on gearing ratios.

   I was always AMAZED at how well the Odd-Fire V-6 climbed. Years later, i read an article that discussed the reason why.
    They have a heavy flywheel like a Hay-Baler ! bumping into a rock will not stall the V-6 because the momentum of the Flywheel carries it up-and-Over.

   Have fun and Good-Fortune !

   Feel free to ask me for any clarification.

   Len
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Greaser007 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jan. 2018 at 4:50am
   I liked Jpet's reply about the E-brake and the hole with the screwdriver !

   If I look closely, mine may already have a rust-hole available.

   hahaha

   some of those inclines may make things pucker a bit, and Yes I would start the Jeep in-gear on occasion in a Desperate-situation. Clench your Teeth.

   I looked at your Jeep in the link you provided, and that is a Keeper.

   What kit did you use for the Full-Floating rear spindle / axle and brake conversion ?

   My brother-in-law has an old Air-Force CJ2A and he had someone convert his rear to a 44 dana with full-float spindles, and I think he spent some $$$$.
   And he said it still tows hard. .... well, he's pulling with a ford.

   
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote chasendeer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jan. 2018 at 5:05am
Originally posted by Greaser007 Greaser007 wrote:

  

   What kit did you use for the Full-Floating rear spindle / axle and brake conversion ?

   My brother-in-law has an old Air-Force CJ2A and he had someone convert his rear to a 44 dana with full-float spindles, and I think he spent some $$$$.
   And he said it still tows hard. .... well, he's pulling with a ford.

   

I used Herms Kit for the 44, it already had 11" brakes.
Jay

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lee MN Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jan. 2018 at 11:58am
Originally posted by Greaser007 Greaser007 wrote:

   
   And he said it still tows hard. .... well, he's pulling with a ford.

   


Perhaps that's what's required!

Lee
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote chasendeer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Apr. 2018 at 5:10am
I found a Carter WO 431 with the adjustable high speed jet. I figured it may come in handy up there.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rick G Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 June 2018 at 6:32am
Originally posted by 3A Steve 3A Steve wrote:

Does anyone have info about a skid plate for the e-brake? Seems very vulnerable. Watched a friend hit one this Spring. He kept going but the brake didn't.

Realized that I never posted pics of my skid plate.  This is off a late model TJ.  I “un-welded” it, narrowed the cross member, and then re-welded it with a little offset to cover the brake drum.  It has already saved my bacon several times.  This is a must for trails like the Rubicon.








1947 CJ2a #119929    "Gus"
1951 CJ3a #451-GB1-24268   “Newt”

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike S Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 June 2018 at 4:59pm
I drove the Rubicon trail some years ago in a more or less stock Toyota Landcruiser (FJ40). Two things I wished I'd had are power steering and on-board air.

T90C and TerraLow are good ideas. Sliders - yes. Hi-steer - yes. 

Mike
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote chasendeer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Aug. 2018 at 3:50am
Well she made it!!! Only issue it had was the clutch pivot came out twice at the end and death wobble due to a bent tie rod. We adjusted the tie rod longer and then drove 80 +/- miles back to the truck!!!

It was a great trip!!! I will try to add some photos of the damage that was done.

Jay
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Unkamonkey Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Aug. 2018 at 4:25am
I'm glad you made it. We were up doing Holy Cross City here in CO and there was a FJ40 with a length of an Aspen wired to the tie rod to hold it together. We do what we need to do.
uncamonkey
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Greaser007 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Sep. 2018 at 4:56am
   Jay you made it !! that is so cool.

   Where did you carry your spare ?

Hey, similar to you, this year with the Carr Fire in Redding, it burned over 1,100 homes and was 16-miles from me. My god, that 20-foot-tall dense Manzanita brush went up like a roman-candle with a dense canopy of Digger Pines that may stand 80-feet tall.   We lost the sun July 23, and never saw it for 45-days.
   I wonder how many Willys got burned-up :-(

   Let me know if you have a friend with a Carter WO that is collecting dust.
I hope to find a good used Carter for my L134.

   If you come through the Redding area and have time to visit let me know, and I will show you around my collection of "stuff." real case of Jeepitis.

   Will you be going back for more Rubicon ?

   Len
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ol' Unreliable Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Sep. 2018 at 5:56am
Originally posted by Greaser007 Greaser007 wrote:

...real case of Jeepitis.


Make sure you don't let anyone cure you.  Smile
There's a reason it's called Ol' Unreliable
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote chasendeer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Sep. 2018 at 6:25am
Len
Yes we made it!! Fun trip!! My spare was on the fender right behind me. That Carr sure was a bad one!! Glad you made.
I will look you up next time I'm up that way.
Jay
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote chasendeer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 May 2021 at 11:06pm
Well its time to dust her off for this years trip. My plans for her are just a few updates.
First on my list is to figure out why it will not hold any oil!! Hoping for a loose oil pan nut. Wish me luck.
Next will be an upgrade to the suspension. On the last trip my springs took a beating. I will be changing them out with some good used ones, I have a stash of GPW ones I may use!!!. I will also upgrade the U shackles to M38a1 closed end style. Had to order these for the Netherlands, also a set of Ian's new U bolt sliders. My main issue on the trip two tears ago was broken engine mounts that caused the majority of my problems, there for I'm also going to use a set of Ian's engine mounts.
Jay 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote chasendeer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 May 2021 at 5:18pm
I ordered a set of four M38a1 spring shackles from David Wildenberg on Sunday, they showed up today. Cant beat NOS parts!!
Jay
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote chasendeer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 May 2021 at 11:31pm
Found a nice set of M38 springs in my boneyard that I'm going to use.
Jay
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