Non Paenitet (No Regrets)

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Finished up three days of wheeling with my 1st generation Bronco buddies. We covered a wide range of trails, from green to Black, with one small adventure into red. Overall, my little Jeep on 32" tires exceeded my expectations. I had to pay special attention to driving skills, but went everywhere the group on bigger tires (all 35" and 37") did, and a few places only a smaller contingent ventured into. Although I didn't have anything I'd classify as "major" carnage, there was some damage. Those things included the following:

1. Took out the driver side mirror - this was on a very steep off-camber hill climb, where only 3 of us went. I was the second up and after watching the first person struggle, I took a different line between two trees that were just wide enough for me to fit. As I entered the trees, the tail end kicked to the driver's side. Given how steep the hill was, I knew if I stopped I wouldn't be able to start again without potentially getting sideways. Because of that, and the two big rocks at the top I had to get over, I kept up my momentum, knowing the mirror was going to be sacrificed. It was, but I made it up and over.

2. Bent the ZJ tie rod - here I underestimated how I would use the Jeep and figured the ZJ parts would be tough enough for my use. It wasn't. While trying to crawl through a series of "Black" trails down by the "Rock Garden" the ZJ tie rod, and clamp, got pushed into the lower part of the swaybar link bracket, as seen in the picture. I was able to bend it back straight, with a winch line, but the damage showed a flaw in my thought process.

3. Honestly, my single biggest problem was the differential height - on 32" tires I'm at 9.25" (rear) and 10.5" (front) of clearance. I was able to mostly keep the front from being abused, but the rear really took a beating. This can only be addressed by larger tires, so I'm just going to have to focus on being a better driver. The other thing I can do is install the two rock cameras I have for the Insane Audio system.

4. The mini skids and wheels were abused - these are things I'm glad I did. The mini skids saved me from having bent lower front control arm mounts and the wheels performed their sacrificial role.

5. One rear shock kept popping off the bottom cap - this was a very minor thing, but annoying

6. The axle side track bar and rear sway bar upper link bolts loosened - My steering felt weird and I was hearing a rattling sound in the back, so I stopped to check things out. I found the bolts had backed out so far, they were just short of falling out.

7. The passenger front tire was into the SwayLoc, when stuffed and turned in - it wasn't enough to worry me, but I knew it was there.
None of this was bad, just demonstrated that I need to not underestimate what the Jeep or I can do together. Out of all this, getting an upgraded tie rod, and doing the tie rod flip, is next on the upgrades! ;)


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I did that exact ZJ bend twice then switched to the RockJock steering. It's just not strong enough for heavy abuse. Daily and light wheeling it would last forever. Having the connector clamps snag up on the bracket is not a fun way to try to get out of an obstacle. Won't happen now.
 
I managed to squeeze in three wheeling trips this past Summer. The Jeep has proven to be reliable and very capable. It's been exhausting going through the wheel, then clean up cycle. I just finished another round recently and the only thing on my mind now is protecting the rear housing. I'm dragging it a fair amount when in big rocks and can see where it's wearing down on the bottom. This is something I'll address over the Winter down time.

The wheels are the other thing taking a beating. However, those are sacrificial as far as I'm concerned. Everything is cleaned up on the bottom side now and ready to go again.


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Rich - where did you relocate the license plate to and how did you light it up?
I drilled two small holes in the license plate, bent it around the corner armor, then used the stock bottom holes for the license plate bracket. I've got a set of small LED license plate lights I picked up off amazon. My plan is to tap into the brake harness and use the top right (black dot above the 23 year sticker) license plate bracket hole for one of the lights. When I did the install I cut the plug off the old lights and soldered it to the new light wiring. That way I can easily unplug them, just like the factory lights. I'll be using that harness to tap into.

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Spent a little time yesterday modifying the harness I made for the MC tail lights. For the license plate light I bought a pair motorcycle lights, which just so happen to be the exact size and pitch for the factory license plate bracket bolt hole. I inserted a 3/8" grommet in the Savvy armor hole, fed the wire through the hole, then screwed the light in. Once the light was in I crimped connections onto the wire ends, connected the positive to the harness, then the ground wire to one of the bottom Savvy armor bolts.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077Z6WQ6Q?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
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My PSC Black Friday purchases showed up. I know this is absolutely overkill for my current build, but the prices are only going up and up. Since I'm confident I'll eventually install their stuff, and a buddy gave me his never installed cylinder assist, I took the plunge now. Everything looks good, except the new pump has noticeable in and out play on the pulley. I'm going to call PSC, to verify if everything is okay.
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PSC verified that there should be approximately 1/16" movement in and out on the pump shaft. Their explanation was this is designed in to allow for slight variations in belt alignment.
 
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PSC verified that there should be approximately 1/16" movement in and out on the pump shaft. Their explanation was this is designed in to allow for slight variations in belt alignment.
The one thing I found with cylinder assist is the return to center. W/O the cylinder the steering would easily return to center. With the assist you have to help it back. Just a little lag or drag that slow the return to center.

On the road it will be rather touchy just need to be gentle.

You will love it on the trails
 
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Rich, I deeply admire your attention to jeep cleanliness! It may cause you an allergic reaction, but I still haven't cleaned off the Moab dust from my interior since last October! Hope you are well sir!

Josh
 
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