Just read your thread, you have done a great job. As for the scenery and wheeling area, makes me want to come down to UT (I'm in ID).

Any update on the new MPG? Also, how many miles do you get per tank?

 

Thanks! For the record, the pics are Colorado.

Well...I don't know how to interpret these numbers yet, nothing of any consistence. I achieved 14.2 MPG's (not adjusting for the tire size). That's including a 2 1/2 hour long wheeling trip. Keep in mind that this is my DD and WW in one and most of my driving is back and forth to work (roughly 9 to 10 miles a day). Hopefully not a placebo effect. Though, I'm still shocked I managed to push 215 miles on a tank with a wheelin' trip.

 

Wow, thats it? I have been looking to do a 3" lift and upgrade to 31's eventually. Right now, im on 30's and get about 300 per tank. Not sure I want to take that big of a hit, as I drive about 40 miles a day.

 

I know!
But that's because my Jeep is barely hitting operating temp by the time I get to work. She runs rich until hitting the operating temp. I don't know of anyway to combat this. If your on 30's now, I don't think you would take much of a hit on MPG's going to 31's.

BTW my wheeling trip was 20 mins from my house and was only about 6 miles back in. So 2 1/2 hours to go 6 miles. MPG will always suffer under conditions like this.

 

Yeah that's true..I still have probably a good 15000 miles left on my tires now, and hoping to do the lift around the end of may (my birthday ), then ill worry about what im going to do with tires later on!

Isn't it awesome to have good trails in about a half hour away! Makes me feel lucky to live out west

 

Time to post up some pics and a couple vids of my first Moab experience.

I still can't believe I'm only an hour and a half from Moab and I have only wheeled there this one time. For sure will be going back...just not during June!!! Temps were very near 100 degrees...poor Heep was running warm most of the trip. Slow speeds and a Black Jeep with AC full bore really took it's toll.

Anyways, on to the good stuff!



The pics below were taken from inside Arches NP on the "Tower Arch" trail. It took almost the full day to make this trek, it starts just after Sand Dunes Arch and follows a washboard laden road out into the desert about 7 miles before the fun begins.

The trail down to Tower Arch was precarious, there were a lot of off camber areas that made me a little nervous since we were going it alone. We made it Tower Arch...but it was easily 100 degrees outside and buggy. So I snapped some quick pics and we were on our way.


The trail back to Balanced Rock was fun...but very long...over 9 miles of slow going twist, turns, sand dunes and rock. This trail was fun to do once, but I doubt I would run it again.


On the build side, I've mainly just been picking up the pieces of past projects. I finally finished the E-brake setup...I just cut some spring off of the cable and wrapped around the disc pull lever, then secured it with a mini u-bolt.

I managed to score a ZJ Proportioning valve finally! It doesn't make much difference around town with normal braking, but I really noticed it on Fins n' Things when I needed to hold the vehicle on a steep incline.


In the mail is a set of HD Engineering Shackle Relocation Brackets for the leaf springs. Hopefully this will complete my suspension build for a while. I still need an adjustable track bar, but I figure I'll wear out the stock one first.

And a couple POV videos on Fins.

 

Passenger side is done...ran out of time to complete the drivers side. With any luck, it'll be done tomorrow. Surprisingly, I only gained .5" of lift, went from 21.5" to an even 22". My shackles were literally at an 85 degree angle...so maybe not so surprising.

I'll post up some pics and assessment tomorrow...if I'm not out giving them a proper test.

 

Shackle Relocation Brackets are on...verdict is in...
Ride quality improved just slightly, this is most likely due to the fact that I'm running thick bastard packs that are pretty much flat. They do not extend when compressed so these brackets make only a marginal difference in ride quality. If / when I move to a better leaf spring pack I may notice it there.

They do however offer a lot more droop! I haven't been on a ramp or anything, but the quick trip I took to the dunes showed a lot of promise.

Some pics of the install:


They do drop the shackles down a bit which makes them more prone to rock attacks. But my hitch will hit before the shackles...ask me how I know!

Shackle ended up at a 48 degree angle and ended up with a half inch more lift. Works for me!

 

Scored a good deal on eBay! Rough Country Adjustable Track Bar for $51.46 with free shipping no less!



Sure it's a TRE "end", but I can always toss on a Heim for a double shear setup when I'm ready. For $50 brand new, can't complain...feels pretty stout too! It will hopefully make it on tonight or sometime this weekend. I have to drill out the lower end to accompany the 7/16ths bolt I'm running axle end...that's always an adventure!

 

Croikee, I'm sore! That was not supposed to be that difficult!
All I needed to do was drop the old bar, drill out the new Track Bar's bottom hole and install...sounds simple enough, right?!

I have even had the old bar out before, so I wasn't expecting such a battle. A word to the wise, pull off the drivers front tire and pound on it from that side. Eventually fell off from this angle...from the front of the Jeep I think there was enough leverage on one side of the TRE end to keep it from letting go.

Then came time to drill out the lower hole...the drill locked in the hole and swung the bar out from under my foot and around to my other shin. Eventually finished that up...but with a healthy bruise. (Can't make this stuff up!!)

Then the last part...adjusting the bar. Apparently the threads didn't go far enough down or had some metal chunks left over inside, because getting the end to move in past a certain point was nearly impossible! I had to attach the track bar to my hitch and get a pry bar and large wrench to eventually turn it to the correct position.

Anyways...here it is installed:





A lot less slop in the front end and way more clearance on the axle side. For a lot of hassle and $50 I'm happy.

 

Great looking build. Sure wish I lived close to Moab.