Behold….Grumpy

[GordoSmasho]

Well. I picked this rig up during the winter. It was originally from the reno area and had been rolled. Then purchased and moved to redding area and sat outside for 6 yrs with no top on it. But remained unchanged.

As i bought it
97 TJ 4.0 Ax-15 6” long arm kit currie steering with bent bumpers and winch with no cable. 167k miles

I used it a few times during the crazy winter on vehicle recoveries in the neighborhood. Biggest was my own truck.

That was an 10 hour day as i was on my own.

 

[GordoSmasho]

About 6 weeks before reno run 2023 I decided to build this as my main rig and retire the Gorilla. So i started ordering parts and build it out to trail ready status in about two weeks time.

It did awesome for a first time out. My shakedown was prison hill on friday. Had deathwabble a bit bit i drove it to every run. No trailering. Its nice to be back to a streetable rig.

 

[GordoSmasho]

Even since Reno Run 2023 ive been doing a ton of work. I added hydro assist, boatsides, did some adjustments to the bumpstops and alignment. Swapped the front unit bearings out. Added a rear shelf setup and put in my new fridge and slide. Added a new lighting control system and a bunch of other stuff. I friggin love this rig. It doesnt bomb trails like the gorilla did, but its so maneuverable on the trail. So stable.

 

[GordoSmasho]

So current stats are

Ax-15
Atlas 4spd 10.3:1
Jk 44s 35spline front and rear
Ox air locker front
Arb rear
3.5” lift with 12”shocks front and rear
Hydro assist
Flat belly

Gonna be doing raised body mounts as my boat sides hang them out pretty good. Gonna try to get that done before Sierrafest. Most of the rest on my list is just maintenance related as i just swapped the entire drivetrain over from my other rig. I did no maintenance due to time constraints.

So thats it for now. Ill be doing 3 link front and new arms front and rear. Tucking the belly another inch higher and i might drop it another inch. But that will all be over winter. Ill be focusing on the White Chick build to get it done for October and the trip to moab.

 

[jeep ride]

Grumpy turned out good ��

 

[GordoSmasho]

Grumpy turned out good ��

Thanks man.

 

[GordoSmasho]

Played a little mobile mechanic today for a buddy in the neighborhood. I like testing out my trail tool kit when not on the trail.

He got a flat on the hyway and it bent the axle so we are pulling the shaft and taking it to a place that will straighten it. It’s temporary as he already ordered a replacement. Jl stuff is hard to get right now.

 

[Rob Mayercik]

A flat tire caused a bent axle shaft? Is this a thing with 35s and up?

 

[maxbraketorque]

A flat tire caused a bent axle shaft? Is this a thing with 35s and up?

I was wondering the same thing.

 

[GordoSmasho]

A flat tire caused a bent axle shaft? Is this a thing with 35s and up?

It was less the flat itself and more the reaction into the guard rail at 70mph

 

[Rob Mayercik]

Got it - the flat really only "got the assist" on the bent shaft then.

Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[blondejoncherokee]

damn man

 

[GordoSmasho]

First half of Sierrafest 2023 down. Jeep did awesome. Made it up soupbowl fully loaded. Was ridding on the rear bumpstops for the whole trail but made it just fine. Scarlett drove all of big sluice and the top half of Cadillac and most of the drive out to the staging area. Rolling to packsaddle right now. See yall there.

 

[GordoSmasho]

 

[GordoSmasho]

Some night shots

 

[jeep ride]

Looks like a good time thanks for sharing.

 

[maxbraketorque]

Great photos.

 

[GordoSmasho]

Killer views near gold lake for the back half of sierrafest 2023.

 

[jeep ride]

That's some awesome scenery maybe some day I'll be able to see it in person.

 

[GordoSmasho]

So not much has changed in the last month or so. Ill need some heavier duty springs as this set is clearly sagging substantially. I had to throw in some 1-3/4” spacers in the rear after the rubicon as i was on the bumpstops almost the entire trail. And the front driveshaft is rubbing on the tub a bit now on bumps. So i dont want to go any taller but need a better springrate to carry the load. Not sure what brand the ones i grabbed up on facebook were so im shooting in the dark a bit.

Had one of my lower rear arms come apart on a trail a few weeks ago. Welded it back together but it was the one that was seized and i can’t adjust it. So im picking up some partsmike dual joint arms to put together. It should also help out with rear flex because they are all bushings right now.

Getting ready for moab one step at a time