Having a blog sure does make it easy to track your vehicles maintenance.

Current Jeep: 2008 Jeep Wrangler JK

• MOPAR: Red Rock, Unlimited, Rubicon, Hard Top, Soft Top
• TeraFlex 2.5” Standard Kit
• TeraFlex 1” Spacer
• Fabtech PreRunner Bumper
• SmittyBuilt 8000lb Winch
• SmittyBuilt Synthetic Winch Cable
• (5) BFG MT KM2 35×12.50R17
• AEV ProCal Module
• ForMatt Fab CO2 Tank
• Warn Winch Plate
• BullDog Tow Strap
• PowerTank Roll Tube Mounts
• (2) Riddler Dif Covers
• Best Top Hard Top Cart
• AEM Silver Air Intake System
• DayStar JK Dash Panel
• Entry Handles
• Fire Extinguisher Holder

[Link]

“The brackets mount in the door hinge and maintain a stock location for the mirrors when the doors are removed. I had a prototype set last year for a little bit before it got cold. The image of my Jeep is with the prototype. The notable difference is the pin design which supports the stock hinge screw bolt for a complete factory look.”

[Info Link] [Retail Link]

I was search around a few weeks ago for my brother in law.  I was looking for an inexpensive XJ for my Niece.  I came across a great little site.  The site shows eBay auctions for salvage title and other wrecked automobiles.  What a great place to find a new Trail Builder.  I will be searching there if I ever feel the need to build a Trailer Queen

[site link]

The bumper came in plain back powder coating.  I was tossing around the idea of coating it in the Jeep’s Red Rock color.  The plan right now is to install it and see how it looks in black.

The other thing I was confused about was the factory fog lamps.  I was not sure what to do with them.  Then I found the picture below.  This guy used some 3″ PVC to make “cans” to hold the factory lights.  Awesome idea!  I sure wish I could find a picture of how he closed off the back of the light.  I will mount my lights a little closer to the front, but I sure love the idea.

EDIT: I found some more links to his build

This was kinda tricky. The rear safety bar has a mount for the softop on it. The seat belt roller is also sort of in the way. Here is what I did. Post your questions by clicking “Add Comments” at the bottom of this post.

I am a long time BFG fan. In 10 years I ran two different vehicles and four different sets of BFG’s on them. (1) Set of BFG A/T’s which are great on everything besides mud. (3) Sets of BFG M/Ts which are an all around great tire which I managed to abuse quite regularly and still got 60,000+ miles on each set. They only sucked on the street on snow and ice until I had them siped which kind of helped, but there is no perfect tire for all terrains.

Last year I had an epiphany; “How do I know if there is anything better if I have never tried them?” So I decided to try Interco’s Trxus M/T’s. I read plenty of reviews of satisfied customers who ran them and I thought I will give them a try. I bought a set May ‘07 and it is now September ‘08. They have taken plenty of abuse as I have put 30,000+ miles on my XJ in almost a year and a half and they have also been on eight off-road trails in Colorado since putting them on.

The good; I have beat them, bashed them, ground them against rocks, trees, curbs…….and they still have integrity to the sidewall and never punctured them. They were great in the snow and ice last winter and other than frozen icy streets, they still got me traction. They look cool; I get lots of compliments on their design. Plus the first 6 months they were quieter than my BFG M/T’s

The Bad; Referencing above; eight wheeling trips since mounting them and I have slashed and missing chucks of tread. The rubber they use is really soft; I believe that is what has led to this chewed up effect as I never had this bad of a problem with my BFG’s. The Trxus M/T’s only come in 31×10.50×15’s and then jump to 33×12.50×15, I would like to run a 32×11.50×15 next……….

The Ugly; I repeat only 15 months of being on the Jeep and they only have 25% tread left, I think that I will have to replace them by end of the year, so no where near the mileage I got out of my BFG’s. Oh and now, they are LOUD, louder than my BFG M/T’s, sounds like I am running paddle tires on the street!

Overall I enjoyed these tires; they have done me more good than bad. However even being one of the cheapest aggressive M/T’s out there, the price to purchase them every 1 ½ years will cost me more in the long run than getting some good high mileage set of BFG M/T’s again……………… although I heard Cooper STT’s are a great tire and they have a 32×11.50×15’s?

Storing your Jeep’s hard top can at times be challenging.  In the past I have tried everything.

The pulley systems that pull the hard top off the Jeep and then suspend it in the rafters was ok.  However it never seemed to pull it high enough.  It was still “in the way”.  This method lead to some sleepless night wondering if I tightened everything.  I was afraid it was going to fall.

More recently I have it sitting on some cinder blocks at one end of the garage.  While this was the easiest and cheapest method it was not free of worry, and was still taking up a ton of space.

A few days ago I ordered what has turned out to be a great solution.  BIGoffroad mailed me out a HOSS™ Hardtop Cart for my JK Unlimited.  Here is link to the installation guide.

It’s pretty straight forward.  Putting it together was simple.  The top now just rolls around the garage when I need it out of the way.

JKS Manufacturing Eliminates Track Bar Failures on JK

JKS Manufacturing has just released a highly effective and economical solution to a problem that has plagued many owners of the current Jeep Wrangler. The problem involves the factory track bar mount on the rear axle housing. Vehicle owners and industry specialists have reported an alarming number of rear track bar failures due to insufficient bracing of the factory mount. Most failures occur after the vehicle has been lifted, especially when aftermarket extension brackets are involved. However, some have even experienced failure on stock applications.

For the complete press release, click here >

UPDATE: added some more pictures

Thanks to Chris and all the guys and gals with Edge Offroad.  I’ve known Chris for years and it was really nice to get out with him and his crew.

We all ran Jenny Creek backwards today.  I had never run it that way before.  Great change of scenery.  The JK did great, only used the lockers once. At the end of the day I got a little high centered on the exit/entrance.  I pushed the locker button and was off.

This was the first trip for me on rig with 17″ wheels.  I’m use to 15″ rims.  They get aired down to 15psi or so.  The BFGs on the JK worked very well at 22psi.

On the way back down Rollins Pass I developed a knocking noise…NOT FROM MY HEAD, from the Jeep.  I could not for the life of me figure out what it was.  It would only knock during suspension movement. After I got home I aired up and pulled out the “creeper” to try and find the knock.  It sounded like a rock had gotten in the frame and was bouncing around in there.  I looked everywhere, nothing.  I am chalking it up to the D-ring in in the rear receiver hitch.  i was probably getting more noise than i am use to out of it.  The knock  has a huge frame to reverberate the sound.  In my unibody XJ I never heard it.  I guess the fast speeds on the way down the dirt road loosened up the screw and allowed it bang.  I hope that was it.

All in all the JK performed excellent.  It is so nice to trail something that doesn’t creak, squeak and smell like diff oil.  The JK is very capable and comfortable.

More pictures

Forum Thread Discussion

Daystar came out with a replacement center dash.  I got one with delivered with a CAI from BIGoffroad.

More pictures

Forum Thread Discussion

If you need anything for your rig call Troy. Great prices and even better service.

More pictures

Forum Thread Discussion

Last night I picked up my 9th Jeep.  Let’s recap.

1. 1997 TJ Red
2. 1999 XJ White
3. 1988 XJ Red
4. 1998 XJ Green
5. 2001 TJ Rubicon Silver
6. 1971 Comando
7. 1989 XJ Tan
8. 2006 Jeep Commander
9. 2008 JK 4dr Rubicon

Red Rock Chrystal Pearl, Black Hard & Soft Top, Tan interior, 4dr, Auto, Rubicon, 3.8L V6, PW, PL, Tow Package, Cruise Control, Air Conditioning, 6 Disc, Remote Start, Clear Bra, Tire Cover, Deep Tint Windows

I have truly seen it all. Let’s all take a moment here. We all have a certain responsibility, a set of by-laws let’s call it. If you own Jeep PLEASE stop driving over the curbs at the mall.

Fuel can be added to this fire via the IH8MUD.com Forum. Go cautiously folks this is a Toyota forum. Solving things with more money is frequent occurrence, so offer solutions like…”should have paid $8500 for his lift”…things like that.