Off Road testing ground trip #1

[muddeprived]

Normally after a buildup I take my rig out to this testing ground to put it through the ropes and see what needs tweaked or modded. This is the first time it's seen mud in nearly a year.

Trying to be pretty.....
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e73/muddeprived/cherokee/2nd%20mud/DSCF6112.jpg

Gf stealing the jeep while I take pictures....
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e73/muddeprived/cherokee/2nd%20mud/DSCF6118.jpg

I put my life on the line for this picture. What you can't see is i'm getting attacked by bugs in every direction.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e73/muddeprived/cherokee/2nd%20mud/DSCF6123.jpg

First touch of mud in a LONG time. It brought a :D to my face immediately.
[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e73/muddeprived/cherokee/2nd%20mud/th_DSCF6109.jpg[/IMG"]Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

This creek used to be very muddy and the banks were impassible. Not anymore...:(
[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e73/muddeprived/cherokee/2nd%20mud/th_DSCF6110.jpg[/IMG"]Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket
[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e73/muddeprived/cherokee/2nd%20mud/th_DSCF6111.jpg[/IMG"]Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

Banged my belly on this last year when i had only a 2" lift and stock tires..
(gf driving)
[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e73/muddeprived/cherokee/2nd%20mud/th_DSCF6120.jpg[/IMG"]Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

Fighting with this hill that my TJ used to crawl right up...

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Some rocks tried to mark my wheels....I DON'T THINK SO!
[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e73/muddeprived/cherokee/2nd%20mud/th_DSCF6130.jpg[/IMG"]Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

Lookin up this chick's skirt...
[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e73/muddeprived/cherokee/2nd%20mud/th_DSCF6134.jpg[/IMG"]Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

I took a few mental notes on what I noticed when driving this cherokee. Brakes are absolutely HORRIBLE. I am running stock brakes with 32's and alot of armor/winch so these aren't doing much to stop me on hills. My steering is binding if I'm right. There's a thread in tech forum about this. The rig needs a rear locker for sure. I wish I went with a rear one first instead of a front locker. There were many spots that I could not make because the rear had no traction the front was unloaded and helpin very little. That hill climb in the vids is one example. The rear bumpstops need extended cuz I can hear it rubbing. The heat is on the borderline of unbearable. I can't believe how much hotter this thing gets than my old tj. I can't rest my hand on the hood or fenders cuz they get SO hot. The fan is always running and loud but my temp is 208-212 at all times.

I'm gonna work on these issues and then head out again and see what else needs tweaking. Hopefully I'll have it trail-worthy to take out on a few big trips this summer.

[Mudderoy]

That third still is a beautiful shot. Stop buying Jeep stuff long enough to get a real camera! :D

Ok sorry I guess the still was from the video camera. I thought it was from a camera phone.

I've never had a locker. I wonder if the locker is what is binding your steering.

[muddeprived]

That third still is a beautiful shot. Stop buying Jeep stuff long enough to get a real camera! :D

That's a $400 sony camera that's 4 years old. It takes good pictures but the vid quality is low and photobucket doesn't help much either.

[Mudderoy]

BTW, the Jeep looks great out there on the trails. What were the outside temps? How long did it take your rig to get hot?

Even when mine was running 210 all day long, the hood was still so hot I couldn't touch it. I wish I had wrapped my header now.

[muddeprived]

BTW, the Jeep looks great out there on the trails. What were the outside temps? How long did it take your rig to get hot?

Even when mine was running 210 all day long, the hood was still so hot I couldn't touch it. I wish I had wrapped my header now.

Thanks

It was around 80 today. It was 210 when I got there and stayed around that temp the whole time. It's not overheating or anything. I'm just surprised on how hot that engine bay gets. WOW. I could bake a hotdog over the hood vents if I wanted to. In fact i'm gonna try that :)

[Mudderoy]

Thanks

It was around 80 today. It was 210 when I got there and stayed around that temp the whole time. It's not overheating or anything. I'm just surprised on how hot that engine bay gets. WOW. I could bake a hotdog over the hood vents if I wanted to. In fact i'm gonna try that :)

Please do, and get a video!

I know what you mean about it getting so hot. It's normal for a XJ but I've never experienced it on any other vehicle I have had.

The hood with the cowl induction is about $318 now from 4wheelparts.com. I want it bad. GoJeep said it dropped engine compartment temps by 70 degrees!

[Melissa]

Nice pictures muddeprived, my computer is having issues so I can't watch the videos yet, but I will.

Did you try out your new winch??

[muddeprived]

Nice pictures muddeprived, my computer is having issues so I can't watch the videos yet, but I will.

Did you try out your new winch??

Nah wasn't able to get stuck enough. I'm working on it though. I did respool it yesterday and quite impressed. It's a pretty fast winch and alot of pulling power. I noticed the motor getting a bit hot after about 4-5 minutes of winching (with a couple second breaks mixed in).

[Dirt Dogg Rydas]

those pics and vids are awesome wish we had more rain and muddy trails out here in the desert.

[pLEXX]

Very nice video, love to see things in action.

[kryptonitexj]

Nice Pics!!!

[muddeprived]

Thanks ya'all for the nice comments. I feel so loved. :smiley-love064:

[quadracer0387]

nice vids...

[BlueXJ]

those pics and vids are awesome wish we had more rain and muddy trails out here in the desert.


Bite your tongue. Do you know what El Paso would be like with humidity? It would be uninhabitable.

[kryptonitexj]

I wanna go wheeling!!!!!

[Dirt Dogg Rydas]

Bite your tongue. Do you know what El Paso would be like with humidity? It would be uninhabitable.

:rotfl2:Thats true plus the last rain storm we got in 2006 flooded out our old house. the whole neighborhood was condemmed.
http://i689.photobucket.com/albums/vv254/hatchetman0170/flood3.jpg
http://i689.photobucket.com/albums/vv254/hatchetman0170/IMG_0030.jpg

[BudgetXJ]

Loioks like fun. Nice looking rig!