New to Raleigh

[J Pugh]

Hey guys, I moved from Greensboro to Raleigh a few months ago, and I'm hoping someone can tell me about/show me some local trails to go get dirty.

I saw a 97+ black XJ on I think 35s with bushwackers when I was leaving school today, on centennial. Is that anybody on here? It was a nice Jeep!

I'm not looking for much of a trail, my Jeep is basically stock, I'd just like to get a little dirty.

 

[Cnickgo]

Welcome! There are no legal trails in the area. The closest location to go wheeling is Uwharrie National Forest in Troy NC. URE is a great trail system for small rigs. You will have a blast stock.

 

[UNCC_99XJ]

Next time I head up to Nick's we'll have to go meet up for a beer or something!

 

[J Pugh]

Welcome! There are no legal trails in the area. The closest location to go wheeling is Uwharrie National Forest in Troy NC. URE is a great trail system for small rigs. You will have a blast stock.

That is pretty depressing. In HP there were 2 little trails through the woods right by my apartment that were nice to get rid of the itch.

Wait, so is this the kind of thing where you can't discuss less than totally condoned legal trails on here? cuz... PM me lol

Next time I head up to Nick's we'll have to go meet up for a beer or something!

I'm definitely down for a beer, it would be nice to meet some guys on here face to face.

 

[Ghost]

We need to do a day run at URE.... or you guys can come down here and hang out one weekend!

 

[J Pugh]

I'm convinced I would break my jeep if I went to URE, my suspension is in bad shape. I have this mystery jingle jangle sound, not to mention all the thuds and pops from like ALL of my bushings being shot. My poor jeep... damn those previous owners! And damn my thin wallet!

Actually, anyone have ideas about the jingle jangle sound, I've been under there for a bit just now and I haven't any ideas.

 

[UNCC_99XJ]

I'm convinced I would break my jeep if I went to URE, my suspension is in bad shape. I have this mystery jingle jangle sound, not to mention all the thuds and pops from like ALL of my bushings being shot. My poor jeep... damn those previous owners! And damn my thin wallet!

Actually, anyone have ideas about the jingle jangle sound, I've been under there for a bit just now and I haven't any ideas.

I wheeled and daily drove my XJ for 3 years with leaf spring bushings so bad, the entire springs were moving a solid 1-2 inches up and down over every bump! Of course I didn't know they were THAT bad until I finally got around to fixing it.

My point is, URE is what you make it to be. There's plenty of "hard" stuff, then there's plenty of easy stuff to get your feet wet a bit and get a feel for your Jeep.

Plus, it's an EASY day trip even from the Raleigh area. And we always make sure everybody gets off the trail and on their way home in one piece.

 

[J Pugh]

I wheeled and daily drove my XJ for 3 years with leaf spring bushings so bad, the entire springs were moving a solid 1-2 inches up and down over every bump! Of course I didn't know they were THAT bad until I finally got around to fixing it.

My point is, URE is what you make it to be. There's plenty of "hard" stuff, then there's plenty of easy stuff to get your feet wet a bit and get a feel for your Jeep.

Plus, it's an EASY day trip even from the Raleigh area. And we always make sure everybody gets off the trail and on their way home in one piece.

That would be good, I have only been once, and that was 10 years ago in my 4runner. I don't remember doing anything remotely difficult except a rock face that I had some trouble on OOOH I might have a picture!

Are stock leafs supposed to be pretty much flat when just sitting? I can't say I've ever paid attention to them until just now poking around looking for the jingle jangle. It makes a sound like I have a length of chain just hanging down, and every time I hit a bump, JINGLE JANGLE!

 

[UNCC_99XJ]

Nope, shouldn't be flat. That being said, my OEM leaf springs were actually inverted when I took them off :eyes:

Checked all bushings? In particular, shock bushings and sway bar bushings.

 

[Shorty]

That would be good, I have only been once, and that was 10 years ago in my 4runner. I don't remember doing anything remotely difficult except a rock face that I had some trouble on OOOH I might have a picture!

Are stock leafs supposed to be pretty much flat when just sitting? I can't say I've ever paid attention to them until just now poking around looking for the jingle jangle. It makes a sound like I have a length of chain just hanging down, and every time I hit a bump, JINGLE JANGLE!

check the leaf spring clamps-- when the springs start to flatten, they can get lose and "jangle" like a chain.

 

[J Pugh]

That would be good, I have only been once, and that was 10 years ago in my 4runner. I don't remember doing anything remotely difficult except a rock face that I had some trouble on OOOH I might have a picture!

Pictures:

I think my running board came down on that rock pretty hard. There were points getting up this face that I thought I wasn't gonna make it.

So, anybody recognize that spot? I was on like the bypass part of the rock face, to the right of and behind the camera there were some buggys doing it big. (I think it was in that spot)

Here is another pic of it at Uwharrie:

YES, I am wheeling in the middle of the day with my blue headlights on and my wal-mart fogs on, I was in high school, certain things were cool to me.

I really liked that yota.

Nope, shouldn't be flat. That being said, my OEM leaf springs were actually inverted when I took them off :eyes:

Checked all bushings? In particular, shock bushings and sway bar bushings.

Yea, mine are barely bowed at all, pretty much just flat. The height seems right though... Should this keep me from removing my swaybar and flexing the rear? My shackle angle looks to be at about 55-45*

And yea, I have checked my shock and swaybar bushings, enough to tell you they are shot. This noise just seems weird to be coming from an auto, I need to get someone to listen while I drive by.

 

[J Pugh]

check the leaf spring clamps-- when the springs start to flatten, they can get lose and "jangle" like a chain.

Sounds like a prime suspect, I'll check that out on the morrow. Thanks.

 

[UNCC_99XJ]

Haha, the lights on make for a certain effect on the picture. Went through a similar phase in my HS days.

Take your rear sway bar off and throw it away. Does basically nothing in terms of preventing sway of the Jeep.

 

[Ghost]

That looks like the area above Kodak rock before it was what it is now. It's a huge ledge now and the only thing that is a challenge out there now. To give you an idea about our dedication... I meet a guy out there one time and he put a softball size hole in his Tcase. He was friends with a good friend of mine. They watned to drive it back to concord,nc. I was like.... no. So we put it on my trailer got him home and I went back for my jeep at the Outpost. Man I have not thought about that in a while. That was a good day of wheeling!

 

[Cnickgo]

It's policy to refrain from illegal trails, and mine too. It's just not smart!

I just need to get my transfercase linkage fixed (converting to hiem), and get an electric fan set-up installed that won't melt on me, and I'm down for a URE weekend. Preferably before December, I would like to not freeze my tail off again! Not that I wouldn't go anyways...

 

[Ghost]

If I get up to URE before they close and the heep holds together till February we need to do an Abominable Jeep run at Callantee. LOL

 

[UNCC_99XJ]

That looks like the area above Kodak rock before it was what it is now. It's a huge ledge now and the only thing that is a challenge out there now. To give you an idea about our dedication... I meet a guy out there one time and he put a softball size hole in his Tcase. He was friends with a good friend of mine. They watned to drive it back to concord,nc. I was like.... no. So we put it on my trailer got him home and I went back for my jeep at the Outpost. Man I have not thought about that in a while. That was a good day of wheeling!

Did you ever hear about Josh's little adventure a year or so ago at Uwharrie? The broken leaf spring ordeal? It was posted on here and he got flame broiled over it...

It's policy to refrain from illegal trails, and mine too. It's just not smart!

I just need to get my transfercase linkage fixed (converting to hiem), and get an electric fan set-up installed that won't melt on me, and I'm down for a URE weekend. Preferably before December, I would like to not freeze my tail off again! Not that I wouldn't go anyways...

Agreed. The illegal wheeling is what A) Gives us good folk a bad rep, and B) Gets all the legal places shut down.

I would like to make a fall trip to Uwharrie as well. Need to figure out what this front end shifting violently under braking in reverse crap is all about, as well as build some funds back up in the bank account. Wouldn't mind if it was cold while on the trail, but don't feel like camping in 12* weather again!

 

[J Pugh]

It's policy to refrain from illegal trails, and mine too. It's just not smart!

Agreed. The illegal wheeling is what A) Gives us good folk a bad rep, and B) Gets all the legal places shut down.

For the record, I was not implying that I wanted the low-down on some illegal places to wheel. I just thought there might be some places that fell into a sort of legal gray area, like the ones I am used to back in High Point.

As much undeveloped woodlands as I've seen driving down to Holly Springs on the 55 bypass, I was sure there would be some place to go get dirty. Oh well!

 

[J Pugh]

I just need to get my transfercase linkage fixed (converting to hiem), and get an electric fan set-up installed that won't melt on me, and I'm down for a URE weekend.

I am trying to solve my fan woes as well. I need a second e-fan to replace my absent mechanical fan, and also need to wire them up. Right now the only fan I have is the e-fan with stock wiring, and it only comes on when it's already too late! :shocked:

I had triple 10" fans I put together when I first finished the stroker, and they crapped out in a matter of weeks, then I tried the Taurus fan, but even after cutting the hell out of it it's just too deep, I think because I have a 3-core.

Anyway, obviously no good for crawling around URE as-is.

 

[Ghost]

I remember something about the leaf spring mess but dont remember the details. Some on here are a little too over zelous at times.