I cannot even begin to explain how happy I am with her performance at Rausch on Friday. Those new tires and fender clearance is a complete game changer.
First thing I noticed was how fluffy she rides now air downed. All of the random green trail stuff that is kinda washboard, doesn't want to rattle the glasses off my face now. Second thing I noticed, can we say GRIP. It rained last week up there. A lot. Most of the trails we went on literally had water running on them. We went down and played on the purple 13A and 13B which runs parallel to Rock Creek and Beaver Creek. I would have my tires in running water, to the middle of the hub and then pushed up against a rock 18-20" tall. I could let the clutch out and she would crawl up and over without a single tire slipping. Third was the steering. I knew it was flexing before when pushed hard against a rock, but I didn't know how much it was affecting normal driving around too. The new 1-ton solid stuff made the steering box feel like it took some steroids. Steering was significantly easier.
I was amazed. Still can't put into words how giddy I am. Love me some cause and effect.
When we came off the trail I asked my buddy to climb the ramp for me so that I could take pictures of the suspension articulation. I had just the slightest rear rub. The fronts are on the bump stops and could probably have them cut down just a little. The rears, I am on the bump stops too, but I think I need about 1/4" more stop to keep it from digging into the rear and at least allow the tire to keep pushing her forward. May try trimming a bit out of the fender but there isn't much room where the bottom bolt is on the fender. Maybe I'll just abbreviate that one bolt.
As far as I'm concerned, 2022 is going to be a year of some maintenance stuff and just enjoying the drive. Not looking to change much more right now, which is a weird concept for the guy that always wants to tweak. Just have to get through about mid June so I can find some time to do it. lol
As a side note, how many people do you know that air UP to go wheeling and air DOWN after wheeling to put her away. lol Still can't believe she fits in the trailer after airing down to 1-2 psi.