The Frog Blog

[Forceful Llama]

What did you do to remove the spider gears?

 

[rocknxj]

What did you do to remove the spider gears?

Removal was easy once I figured out how. I chocked one wheel and rotated the other. After overcoming a bit of resistance the spider gears dropped right out. Yeah, just like everyone on the forum said...

 

[Forceful Llama]

Removal was easy once I figured out how. I chocked one wheel and rotated the other. After overcoming a bit of resistance the spider gears dropped right out. Yeah, just like everyone on the forum said...

Hah, nice. Frog is still looking great btw.

 

[rocknxj]

Hah, nice. Frog is still looking great btw.

Thanks man. The build has been enjoyable.

 

[XJDaniel]

Man I need to come wheel around your neck of the woods sometime. That just looks like a blast. That's the Go-Ferit tie rod flip insert right? I am hoping to add one of those to my Currie steering soon. Notice any big changes in steering response on top of the knuckle versus under it?

Random question, but where do you keep your spare tire?

 

[Rammin97]

hey Kelly, the Frog is looking good still! i wish I would have upgraded the sliders on the kids jeep before taking it out.. So much for keeping it clean..

 

[rocknxj]

Man I need to come wheel around your neck of the woods sometime. That just looks like a blast. That's the Go-Ferit tie rod flip insert right? I am hoping to add one of those to my Currie steering soon. Notice any big changes in steering response on top of the knuckle versus under it?

Random question, but where do you keep your spare tire?

I bought throw tie rod taper on Amazon. Essentially the same as the gofer it spacer. I have had no real difference in steering but I had to modify my driver's side sway bar bracket to regain full steering. I keep my spare in the cargo area. 33" fits fine with seat folded up.

 

[rocknxj]

4WheelParts are freaking morons. I've had four separate part orders with them that they have found a way to screw up. Orders for control arm bushings (2 sets), shocks, and leaf shackle bushings were all goofed up and left me hanging for an extra week until the right sh*t arrived. I was hoping to have my worn out RE bushings swapped out before next week's Poker Run on the Rubicon, but that won't happen. Maybe they'll be ready for Sierra Fest. F*ckhead asshats.

 

[#S194]

4WheelParts are freaking morons. I've had four separate part orders with them that they have found a way to screw up. Orders for control arm bushings (2 sets), shocks, and leaf shackle bushings were all goofed up and left me hanging for an extra week until the right sh*t arrived. I was hoping to have my worn out RE bushings swapped out before next week's Poker Run on the Rubicon, but that won't happen. Maybe they'll be ready for Sierra Fest. F*ckhead asshats.

This is why I don't buy very much from 4 Wheel Parts!

 

[l1kenother]

Go Through Central 4wd. Ask for TY. Always good customer service and good prices.

 

[rocknxj]

I'm finally getting around to posting a few pics from the Poker Run over Father's Day weekend. We drove up on a Thursday and spent a week in NorCal. Wheeled the Rubicon a bit on Friday and Saturday morning, then did Prairie City with the kid on Monday.

I also had fun with the Axial Wraith...

Even Piper had fun.

Early Saturday morning on the Poker Run is always fun.

The XJ performed flawlessly and I took every hard line I could find. The Jeep impressed many that day.

Hooked up and ready to roll back to Rocklin for a few days...

 

[rocknxj]

I met up with the kid on Monday, right after the weekend on the Rubicon. I have not seen him since Christmas so we wanted to do some wheeling like the old days. Prairie City was close and a great time. His Green Machine is still looking great.

My wife grabbed my keys....I think she's hooked.

This is her first time on the pyramid. She did great. (I was hoping she'd break something so I could do an upgrade).

Nothing's better than a day at the park with your kid.

 

[100K XJ]

Agreed, fun times at the park and on the trail. Wish I could've made it to the Poker Run also, though. Here's a few more pics from the Prairie City trip:

 

[KTMqdracer]

Nice! Thanks for sharing

 

[rocknxj]

Nice! Thanks for sharing

I particularly like the steep hill at PC where you get to climb the nearly vertical wall (photo 3 above). I broke a shock on that same hill last year after rolling back down hard. Front and rear lockers and long wheelbase makes short work of it, and coming down is even more fun. The fun part was doing it in front of the blue TJ, who wouldn't come close to trying it. That's how I get my amusement.

 

[l1kenother]

^^^ haha. I like that hill too. Nice pictures. Both rigs are looking great.

 

[smokinu]

how do you like the rocker protection? i need something for my jeep, and yours seem to be holding up great!

 

[rocknxj]

how do you like the rocker protection? i need something for my jeep, and yours seem to be holding up great!

Rocker protection is from AJ's Offroad. Not sure he's still building parts, but this is my second set of the same on the second Jeep and both held up well. For a similar design, try JCR Offroad. There's a few other options out there, so have fun shopping.

You definitely want something that bolts to the unit body and pinch seam. AJ's has one extra bolt that mounts to the rear spring hangar, which seems to be a nice idea. You'll find options for a rail directly under the rocker panel, and extended bars that provide a step for gaining access to the roof rack. I like the side steps because I have used the rock sliders to actually pivot around rocks without causing damage to the lower portion of the Jeep. If you go this route, make sure the extended step rail is mounted to the rocker rail by at least three points. There's good shots of AJ's rockers on page 1 and 2 of this Frog Blog.

 

[smokinu]

Rocker protection is from AJ's Offroad. Not sure he's still building parts, but this is my second set of the same on the second Jeep and both held up well. For a similar design, try JCR Offroad. There's a few other options out there, so have fun shopping.

You definitely want something that bolts to the unit body and pinch seam. AJ's has one extra bolt that mounts to the rear spring hangar, which seems to be a nice idea. You'll find options for a rail directly under the rocker panel, and extended bars that provide a step for gaining access to the roof rack. I like the side steps because I have used the rock sliders to actually pivot around rocks without causing damage to the lower portion of the Jeep. If you go this route, make sure the extended step rail is mounted to the rocker rail by at least three points. There's good shots of AJ's rockers on page 1 and 2 of this Frog Blog.

Thanks buddy, I actually re read this whole thread last night as well as Jeep450r's thread because both of your jeeps are the inspiration for me.

 

[rocknxj]

Thanks buddy, I actually re read this whole thread last night as well as Jeep450r's thread because both of your jeeps are the inspiration for me.

Oh dude, you need to buy a book ha ha ha.

Jeep450r has a nice rig and is a real build. I'm mostly stock with some armor. I'd love to build up stronger axles and larger tires, but not on this rig.