USAFAGumby

So after a tight turn and a tree I sheared my bumper caps off and mangled up the bumper and front fenders. Figured it was time for a little trimming anyway.... New fog light location is kinda stupid but it works :rotf: AX-15 Rebuild kit is on its way!

Picked up an AX-15 already dismantled (this is an earlier photo). Reverse idler gear is chipped, it is internal slave, and not sure if clocking is right for XJ applications, however, for $180 I'd say it is a good deal. Anyone have a particular rebuild kit they like to use? I'm looking at East Coast Gear Supply's. Also, I still haven't quite figured out what the issue with the pilot bearing is.

Truck looks great! Simple black on black is always nice.

Howdy! I go to the Academy so I'll be here for two more years. Metberry was an awesome trail I agree! How are Longwater and Hackett?

Full cluster installed today from an '88. Took a while to find the right one. I didn't know the speedo cable connector was different for early model XJs. How do I know if the tach was calibrated for the 4cyl or the 6cyl? Also is there a way to change the odometer reading? Update, part time light has been on at low RPM after I first went to 4x4 with the new gauge cluster. Anyone know why?

Interesting. Anyone know what make that is? I have never seen one, it certainly is not Lund though. Firemandave334, I just messaged you.

I was on a trip to go tour a military graveyard for large armored vehicles, such as tanks, half-tracks, and troop carriers. They let us climb up on them and all over these 50+ year old machines. In the corner was this beast: Yes, that is me behind it. All I know about it is that it is a massive inline six. Apparently two of them would power an old armored personnel carrier. Anyway, I thought it was cool to see the classic Jeep engine style in such a scale.

Welcome! I'm the red and black short bed in springs. Have any pics of your truck?

Those look pretty simple and solid. The frame has a bit of a bend in it where the front bumper is, previous owner bumped a parking pole, so I need to make sure it won't affect the bracket mounting.

Thanks for the tips everyone. As of right now I don't have any recovery equipment so that is probably next on the list. dscowell informed me of a great site called frontrange4x4 which I am now on that hosts good trail runs and has lots of information. Once again I really appreciate the advice!

Hey all, i'm starting to really get into trail driving and would like to hear what tips and tricks you have all learned out on the trails. Stuff that keeps you and the truck safe or how you pick a good line, what to do on rocks, climbs, descents, and anything else you can think of.

Update, installed new rotors and pads. Plasti dipped the chrome roof trip pieces above the door and installed my new AR center caps. Looks good to me! Still have to do the windscreen trim pieces with Plasti dip. Went and ran Metberry Gulch in CO today. Overall pretty easy trail until we reached this rock near the end, very steep, slick, and had a deep rut at the bottom. Didn't break anything this trip which is nice too! It is a stock capable trail but only because my sway bar had broken at both links from my last trip. My buddy Tony came along with his Range Rover Evoque. I will say this, although it does not articulate very well the traction control system allowed it to crawl up everything my Jeep did. It just tends to three wheel more often :laughin:. I feel Range Rover is still very capable offroad after this trip!

bump

Thank you for the advice and the link. That is the exact part that broke on both sides. I did not know they would run that cheap and will get it put in and replaced as soon as possible. I suppose I should have done some more research on the part before asking around :doh:

I did some more research and it looks like it is also called a sway bar. I am driving more conservatively and noticed some more body roll but nothing major so I think I will wait till funds for a replaced bushing. Thanks for the advice!

So today while driving through the obstacle below I heard a loud clank and it would continue to pop when the front axle was fully stuffed on one side. Crawled under and I found out the linkage where the stabilizer bar connects to the steering linkage had separated/broke. The brackets that connected the bar to the frame are still ok, just the smaller bushing and connection broke. I will get a picture when there is more light out if that would help clarify. My question is, is this dangerous to drive around on or is it effectively like driving with no sway bars connected? I drove it off the mountain and on the highway home with no problems.

I'm in CSprings finally and I'm looking to get into 4wheeling. Thanks to dscowell I understand the Gulches are pretty good and easier trails to start on. My truck is mostly stock with 31'' BFGs right now so I'm not looking for anything too crazy. I would absolutely be interested in meeting up for a trail run since I don't have a group to go with now, (or a winch haha).

I just looked into those, mainly Hackett and Metberry Gulch. They look do able, even though it sounds like the bypasses have been removed. Have you ever been there? I have a stock setup except for the tires and it's a daily driver so I'm not looking for anything too crazy.

Made it to Colorado. Had several cases of death wobble on the way up so that needs to be looked at. It was my Birthday today so I decided to put the AR767s on and change the brake pads then go on my first 4wheeling trip ever. This is up Mt. Herman in Colorado Springs. There is a whole network of power-line roads and trails i'm going to explore. Didn't think about getting back out of this trail when I went down it. First picture is the right side, second is the left. I had to make a couple runs at it but made it. I was more than worried about breaking something or getting stuck so I say overall great first trip!

Fixed the fog lights! Also, if you caught it in the last picture, I swapped the flag mirror for the cable style Cherokee mirrors. Had to drill holes for the knobs since I don't have the factory carriers. This will probably be the last mod before I head up to Colorado. 1,496mi......leaving Wednesday, wish me luck haha

So it works fine, this was me going 80mph, which should be about 70 knots. This particular indicator is calibrated to a much higher airspeed so it doesn't work to well this slow. You can see the needle jump every time the wind gusts also haha.

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