Sir Sam

I did some maths. Based on my best estimation this is where the receiver will sit on the Manta Ray with the hitch option, still lower than I would like: Compared to draw tight: A license plate is 6" tall and with a little gap between bumper and plat that puts the top of the receiver at about 6.5-7" below the tailgate lip. So, clearance would be better, but I would still have that one point sticking out down low on the Manta ray.

I appreciate you taking the time to post up. I think I have eliminated the Nates bumper at this point, I don't care for the aesthetics and the lower price point isn't enough to entice me.

I know.....but I don't have a stock bumper and finding one is.......difficult. Even then, after looking at the clearance I don't think the stock setup will work for me with the offroading I do.

I finally got the hitch I pulled off a longbed MJ in Feb of 2010 installed.....aaaannnnddd that sucker sticks down way too low. I don't want to use it. Yup, too low. Been saving that draw tight class 3 hitch for years but haven't put it on. Time to move on. So thinking about my options we are lucky these days that there are some things available for us. This was a good thread talking about it as well: Built in Hitch for towing - I plan to tow up to 5k lbs.(not sure any aftermarket bumpers will have a rating, but good for towing is a consideration, ease of access to pin, etc) Flat face for LEDs - I would like to recess some LED floods into the bumper, so a flat face that allows that is required. Larger top step - The wildernest topper is pretty heavy, and its helpful for opening it to have a bumper to step on, though I suppose the tailgate could work too. That said it seems like there are several things that could work out for me very well, for those of you that have these bumpers I wanted to know your opinion of them given my criteria above. Hanson: JCR DIY (lip looks smaller than hanson: Nates(lip looks pretty small for standing but hitch/chain hookup looks better): License plate mounting is all about the same between the options - $#!&ty. Based on my useage criteria, what do you'll think is the best option for me or what do you think I will like or not like about various options? Another to throw into the mix, but I am a little unclear of the cost with the trailer hitch: https://www.dirtboundoffroad.com/manta-ray-rear-mj-bumper.html I missed that because I didn't see the hitch option earlier. I still don't see how much it costs with the hitch and the hitch does stick down a bit lower, but it seems like a decent option w/ hitch. I bet by the time I add the hitch from them I am looking at similar cost as the Hanson. I guess I need to call em to find out about the hitch cost.

Halecki?

Most people might hate this more, but what would really make a practical vehicle is a forward control Jeep again. Same short wheelbase(potentially) with just as much interior room and a giant bed: I'm also into old Volkswagens, got my fiancee to agree to purchase a VW T3 syncro doka to use as transportation around Europe for our honey moon and then ship back to the US: I just wish the new JT shoved the cab further forward to keep the wheelbase shorter and the bed longer. Looks like I just need one of these:

Taken from one of my videos, color enhanced, I'm using it for a desktop now.

LOL ya, but its what sells, its also part of what killed the MJ when it died. I got a coworker who just had his first kid and will be selling his TJ to pickup a 4 door diesel colorado. If the wrangler truck was out already and had a diesel option he would get it. Heck if the truck was out he might get it.

Thats an artists concept, the actual truck is the above CAD file. Which is a fair bit different than the photoshop job above.

Gives you a good idea of what the bed will be like.

Got the new perches, got it in last night. Took a video showing the installed state and a few things about it. Be forwarned its a little long if you are not planning to swap this axle into an MJ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcPzZFVUUrs

Springs in and axle sitting on springs. From center to flare measures 19" for me. I was kinda hoping for more like 21" in this configuration. Since its not welding I could go SOA and raise it like 6"......which is way more than I want, or I get chevy drop shackles to raise it more. I do have a heavy wildernest in the back plus a JK D44 front and other crap, but I'd say its a fair load compared to what I'll have on when camping.

Imgur is a good host if you need a third party solution.

Thanks, its hard to find music thats free to use and fits the feel of the video I am trying to make. I feel like this one hit the mark pretty well, and the big riff in the middle timed well for my big pull out shot. I just wish I had a few more useable shots to mix in, it felt a little repetitive on the rock ledge.

Thanks!

Mine will do that, and other things. However it does take a little bit of effort to stop, get setup for a shot, take the shot, and then pack back up. It comes down to spending time in the moment, or interrupting the experience to fly the drone around, I have to try and balance them.

For the shameless whoring, if you liked it help support my channel by subscribing to me: https://www.youtube.com/user/COrobotchicken?sub_confirmation=1 This was taken last summer, I'm in the yellow xj and my coworker is in the 97 MJ. I haven't managed to get any auction shots from the drone while wheeling yet, but I'd like to get some. It just takes time to stop wheeling, pull out the drone, and fly around. I do have a fair bit of GoPro footage from the trails that I need to go through still, make a quick compilation out of it. As always, I wish I had more time outdoors to do that stuff.

The WJs have an auto tensioner, and the alternator in a different spot, and AC is in a different spot. Buddy of mine went to the WJ setup on his XJ buggy to get the alternator up where the AC used to be, and he runs the auto tensioner with a shorter belt. Nice if you want the higher amp WJ alternator, AC delete, and run a 99+ intake. I don't think you could make the WJ auto tensioner work with the stock AC comp and alternator setup.

Pete, good point. It's hard to say anything about what the actual height will be once installed. My point behind this video was to show what my old springs were like, and what the new ones are sitting at. Later when I have the axle installed I can measure from center to flare for comparison. When I was looking at my options this would have been good information to have to make a comparison against my Jeep height. But I'll need to wait a little while to get the axle in place and measure how the Jeep sits.

Height comparison: HOrnBrod turn up the volume this time.

Well thats simple, drop the Jeep and your blank check off at the shop of your choosing.

Weak as in volume not loud? Or my use of verbal crutches? FYI you can also turn on closed captioning if you cannot understand what I am saying. I have not sent this along to them - I only noticed the one spring not having the bushing pressed in correct last weekend while painting. I took photos too to send so they don't need to sit through my video.

So I made a video showing some things I ran into with the spring...... https://youtu.be/4aUsUiwlxrk

So I made a video showing some things I ran into with the spring...... https://youtu.be/4aUsUiwlxrk I think I'm going to try and push to have some more videos go along with what I'm doing, youtube recently changed their rules so I am now in a push to hit 100k subcribers, I have a little over 500 currently. Shameless plug: For any of you willing to subscribe please to help me out you can do so by clicking on: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtRd0ADTAvGGaPDYU6MrGIQ?sub_confirmation=1

Oh and I found the bushing wasn't fully/correctly pressed into one of the springs. So one bushing sticks out too far to the right, and the other sticks out too far to the left. I'd say the combined tolerance stackup is approaching 3/4". Grrrrrrr. Guess I'll give the balljoint press a try to center them.