The Frog Blog

Well I missed Prairie city by a few hours, but I had a great time near Tahoe, at least i can go on the Poker Run now :) I'll show you up
I think you'd do fine Connor, you just have to find that perfect line
 
Well I missed Prairie city by a few hours, but I had a great time near Tahoe, at least i can go on the Poker Run now :) I'll show you up
I think you'd do fine Connor, you just have to find that perfect line


I dont think i can make this one, but I will almost for sure be making the Sierra fest...only thing stopping me is the Jeepers Jamboree, and i havent found out for sure if i am going to that or not
 
I'm having issues with my 'puter at home and I cannot display images on my photo hosting site, so I'm late at posting these PC pics and I'm losing interest fast....I mean, the weekend is over, right? On to newer and better things. I'll post a few anyway.

After arriving at the OHV park, I disconnected my sway bars and eagerly piloted my red beast into a run of wet Prairie City goo that would entrap me in a silent, but powerful fixation of sticky madness. Despite sporting a front locker, fresh KM2's, and a penchant for mud, I stuck within seconds of entering the pit of horror.

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Sinking to the axle shafts and getting stuck at an OHV park is bad enough, but I also had to deal with the relentless comments from my 6-year old son and jabs at my manhood from my wife of 24 years. "Good one, dad" he mused under his juvenile breath.

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Thankfully, I was able to beg for assistance from Connor and Sean who met us at the park. Good thing they are not old enough to drink or they'd want a beer.

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Mere hours before this event, I teased Connor on the forum about me bringing a strap to PC in case they needed it. The guys took great pleasure in reminding me of my earlier comments. Perhaps you can sense Connor's enjoyment in the photo above. How bitter the taste of irony.

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In the shot above, Connor is yanking me free with his 2000 XJ. Despite what Frontman will post below this tread, we figured pulling backwards was safer with his low pinion D30, plus it would look less like a tug-o-war contest than a recovery mission. (He may also say something about the rear 8.25 being stronger than the front...he may be right, but I was not thinking clearly at the time...)

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A few good tugs and full reverse power ensured a safe extraction from the pit of despair. Now adorned with a smattering of heavy clay, I was ready to enjoy the rest of the day.

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This is a nice shot (above) of Connor and Sean making their way up some of the easier challenges at PC.

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Here is a view of the steeper hill adjacent to the previous shot. Despite mud-caked KM2's and not airing down, the hill climb was a breeze.

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This non-NAXJA guy in his stock XJ was clearly having fun at PC, but he was not equipped for such frivoloties. No front recovery points, no pin for his rear shackle (at least he had a shackle), street tires, and more balls than wisdom. Not a good combo.

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We circled his mud encased carcass a few times, and solicited our assitance. After asking if he needed a tug (been there, done that), I pulled in front and set up my own recovery gear. While I was doing this, his passenger wrapped his recovery strap around his front bumper and declared "OK, I got it wrapped around the frame." After schooling him on what a frame is and how he really did not want to see his bumper fly off and embed itself into my rear hatch, we convinced him and his buddies to borrow a pin for his shackle.

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I must give some advice to the novice wheelers out there. If you are going to wheel your rig, make sure you have proper recovery points, tools, and a buddy with you. Beer helps in case you need to pay off somebody to help you get unstuck, by the way.

<part II continues below>
 
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In the shot above, Connor is yanking me free with his 2000 XJ. We figured pulling backwards was safer with his low pinion D30, plus it would look less like a tug-o-war contest than a recovery mission.

Nope, the rear axle is stronger then the front, larger ring and pinion, larger axle shafts, and I think pulling in first is always better then in reverse. Everything should be fine as long as he did not pull too hard or try to jerk you out.
 
<Part II>

Sean, with his mighty 5.2L ZJ, helped with the second extraction of the day.

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Here goes the stock white XJ, being pulled lifeless and limp from the mud bog. Shame and embarrassment struck it's second victim in less than an hour.

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...Back in action, our Cherokees engaged the hills and rutted trails of PC.

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Here is my wife driving the Frog in a non-mall environment.

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At the end of the day, there's always room for poser shots.

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This is a good shot of my Ruff Stuff diff cover and JCR Offroad TC skid.

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Despite getting severely stuck and taking two hours to wash off the hardened clay, it was a good day. We'll be back out there soon.
 
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Despite getting severely stuck and taking two hours to wash off the hardened clay, it was a good day. We'll be back out there soon.

Yea, it took me an hour and a half with a powerwasher and a bucket of soap!!!

I hate mud... Looks like you guys had a fun time out there though!
 
Since I tweaked my stock rear bumper, I'm shopping for a new one. So far, I like the JCR Offroad Stage 2 bumper, with the 2" receiver built in. Rear side protection can be added later to finish off the look.

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http://www.jcroffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=2XJRST2&Category_Code=XJB

You?


I would be sceptical about this. This guy over on Jeepforum ordered a whole bunch of JCR parts. He ordered the rear bumper and side protection... they didnt line up. He had to resort to making his own side protection and never got his money back. Heres the link, its a good read.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f22/my-2000-xj-build-fully-armored-fully-capable-979162/

Hope this helps
 
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Remember this rocknxj? I went all out in the mud, I had way too much fun that day. It was one of those times where I had to go all out and say that I did it, and now that it's been done i'm content, The Green Machine shall stay clean.

As for the bumper, nice choice. I like the side protection, I'd see if you can get the tire swing added on later
 
In the shot above, Connor is yanking me free with his 2000 XJ. Despite what Frontman will post below this tread, we figured pulling backwards was safer with his low pinion D30, plus it would look less like a tug-o-war contest than a recovery mission. (He may also say something about the rear 8.25 being stronger than the front...he may be right, but I was not thinking clearly at the time...)

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>

Regretably I could not attend this outing and so I could not have said these things. But It sure does look like fun. Wish I could have been there. For those of you whom I have met, and for those who have not... I have a 1 yr old, and my wife and I are expecting another in about 2 months. Needless to say as I was walking out the door to attend the madness I was quickly reminded that I dont get to spend the whole summer playing with my heep. So I stayed and and waited for these pics to show up. Mabey next time
 
I hear ya, Frontman. As soon as my older boy was at the age to be left alone, out popped another kid and I started that process all over again. The little kid is now old enough to enjoy the occasional wheeling trip, the the older boy has an XJ of his own to beat on the rocks. Very cool.

Best wishes to you, your wife and the kids.
 
Since I tweaked my stock rear bumper, I'm shopping for a new one. So far, I like the JCR Offroad Stage 2 bumper, with the 2" receiver built in. Rear side protection can be added later to finish off the look.



You?

Do it! I like the Stage 3 myself! :D
 
Well, let's see...it's Friday and I should post something on the FB.

I spent the week supporting the cub scouts and tonight is the last night of their Twilight Camp. I like to help the little kids and influence them to be future wheelers of America. I just hope some trails remain open for them.

My spare BFG KM2 tire arrived last week and I was able to fab up a new mount on the Conn Ferr rack. This will have to hold the 76 lb tire until I can order the Stage 3 rear bumper from JCR (thanks for the suggestion, FlexXJ, it is the best option). I may wait until it goes on sale during their post T-Giving Black Friday sale, or similar as too much cash has been flowing out toward the Jeep lately and I have a master bathroom in the beginning stages of remodel...

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100K XJ and I will be wheeling at Prairie City tomorrow (Saturday 12 June). I need to adjust my TC linkage to regain my 4-Lo, so that is a priority job before next weekend's Poker Run on the Rubicon. On a related note, a friend of a friend is wheeling the Rubicon today and says the conditions are bad. He says he may not be able to go all the way through to Tahoe. This snow has GOT to melt, right?

As usual, pics are forthcoming.
 
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A couple of us made it to PC on Saturday, so here are a few pics of the fun. I like my weekends on the rocks...

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Here's 100K XJ in his Green Machine.

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...I think he's rubbing a little...

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There's Ryan in the background. He basically swiped that Jeep from his girl friend. Not sure how he got away with it, but that's cool I guess.

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Ah...here's my new spare tire. I had to keep it on the rack until I can buy the JCR Offroad rear bumper and tire swing. I don't like having a 76 lb tire, plus 30 lb Hi Lift jack up there, but I have no other choice.

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Here's a little follow-the-leader on the Frame Twister trail.

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Fun stuff. Hope to see you out there one day.
 
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