COS's Eagle Rock Shakedown Run:

[COSXJFAN]

I don't know if this is where this goes, but...
We went up to Eagle Rock on Sunday for a little shakedown run before the Asian Express run on the weekend of the 8th. I wanted to make sure that there were no little gremlins in my junk!! We live very close by, so it is a quick run up Gold Camp road. The trail has taken a beating from the recent rains, and was considerably more difficult than prior runs here....AWESOME!! We didn't get a lot of pics, but here are a few.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm74/cosxjfan/miscpics469.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm74/cosxjfan/miscpics470.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm74/cosxjfan/miscpics471.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm74/cosxjfan/miscpics472.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm74/cosxjfan/miscpics473.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm74/cosxjfan/miscpics474.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm74/cosxjfan/miscpics475.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm74/cosxjfan/miscpics476.jpg

We did have a slight amount of carnage. My friend in the teal XJ tore the DS UCA from the unibody....OUCH!! This happened about half way through that trail, so we had a rather interesting trip out. All I can say is...WOW, Jeeps are amazing!! He said he couldn't even tell it was gone!! We just took our time, and babied it a little on the way out, and it was fine. It is parked now, awaiting repair!! We are going to try to get it repaired before this weekend, but we will see!! I have to say, the addition of the front locker made a HUGE difference in the abilities of my rig. I basically walked through the trail with little issue. Looking forward to a great season of wheeling...even though it's half over!!

[ol"blue]

Those are some great pics, thanks. Glad your rig survived the shakedown run. It looks great. Sorry to hear about your friends blue rig having problems. (It looks blue to me.)

[BlueXJ]

Hey COS no more than you have run your rig are you confident in it's ability to keep running those beautiful trails or do you want me to come take it off your hands. LOL.

Thanks my friend. Did you install the locker in your D30 or have someone do it. Differentials scare me that I will get them too tight or too loose. Or did you just use a lunchbox locker?

[kmanxj]

how do you like the steering? i have been considering doing that.

only like this. All my junk in the front is wore out and that just seems like the way to go.

well cant make the link work anymore. But it was one that was on adv4x4online. Almost like that except the drag link went on top of the knuckle instead of connecting with the tie rod.

[COSXJFAN]

Hey COS no more than you have run your rig are you confident in it's ability to keep running those beautiful trails or do you want me to come take it off your hands. LOL.

No thanks, I think I can manage!!LOL!!


Thanks my friend. Did you install the locker in your D30 or have someone do it. Differentials scare me that I will get them too tight or too loose. Or did you just use a lunchbox locker?

Lunch box locker, and it was super easy. Just make sure you mark everything, so it can all go back in the same way. No set up needed then...


how do you like the steering? i have been considering doing that.

only like this. All my junk in the front is wore out and that just seems like the way to go.

well cant make the link work anymore. But it was one that was on adv4x4online. Almost like that except the drag link went on top of the knuckle instead of connecting with the tie rod.

I know the system that you are talking about. I was going to go the same route, but after analyzing the way it worked, I did not like the way it was going to twist the steering arm coming off of the knuckle. The drag link ties into the top, and the tie rod ties into the bottom, that means that a HUGE amount of twisting forces will be exerted on the stem there. It is just cast iron, and kinda thin, and I thought it would break if put in a bind, like can happen in the rocks. The way I did it, it will not put undo stress on any parts, and therefore much stronger. Let me know what you do, and if I can help in any way!! Laters!!

[Mudderoy]

Thanks for taking the time to take and share the pictures. We always enjoy them. :popcorn:

[COSXJFAN]

Don't mention it, I enjoy it as well!!

[Voldemort]

Dude I really wish I had trails like that with in even 200 miles of here!

[COSXJFAN]

It is about 15-20 miles away. It just takes awhile to get to because of wash boarded roads. I am very lucky to live here!!

[jugbutt]

Love the photos. Looks like a great place to go riding.

[Melissa]

Nice pictures, thanks!!

[mizedog]

Darn, I would have enjoyed tagging along. Maybe enxt time.

[COSXJFAN]

OK, now I'm famous!! J/K!! I found the link to this vid on another forum, and we are coming up at about 1 minute 30 seconds for a quick shot. These guys were having some mechanical issues, and were coming back down. One of the guys was shooting vid, and I didn't even know!! LOL!! Check it out:

YouTube - eagle rock 2009

[kmanxj]

heres the link for steering if anyone is curious

http://www.adv4x4online.com/forum/index.php?topic=1135.0

do you use a stabilizer COS?

[COSXJFAN]

Not currently, but will be adding one soon. I have noticed a little too much feedback from the tires when I hit something, so I will just put one on and be done with it!! Do you see what I'm saying about the twisting on the steering stem on the knuckle??

[OverlandXJ]

Nice COS....

You have certainly done some great upgrades that seem to be working great for ya. :driving:

[COSXJFAN]

Very happy so far, thanks much bud!!