The Frog Blog

Thinning the herd. Looks like you got your use out of the WK!
 
Yesterday marked the three year point since owning the Frog. Despite the (mild) abuse, it has never let me down. I have threatened to keep it stock, sell it, and beat it senseless, but none of that has happened. We'll see how the next three years goes.
 
It's never too early to advertise the annual Hi-Lander's Poker Run on the Rubicon Trail during Father's Day weekend. I just received my registration form yesterday and will be sending that in this weekend. Although I'll be living in SoCal, I plan to be back for that excellent trip and plan to wheel my nards off and win great prizes. This is a family friendly event and kids get free stuff during the Saturday evening raffle.

I will be camping in my deluxe luxury suite on wheels with my old 4x4 club out of Sacto, but if anyone is interested, please post here or PM me for info. If we get enough XJ participants, we could always register under a separate club name and do what we do best (show the Wrangler weenies how to wheel). The trip is officially 16-17 June, but most of us typically arrive mid-week (Wed, Thurs, or Fri) and set up camp at Airport Flat for a few days of wheeling on the Rubicon prior to the Saturday morning event. I

Registration details can be found by visiting the Hi-Lander's Poker Run website. I rarely miss this event as it is the second best organized wheeling trip of the year (second to Sierra Fest...er Jeeper's Jambo is sweet too). I understand last year sucked due to the late snow, but I did manage to miss that for a two week trip through Utah and Arizona, including Moab.

I'm still hoping my kid (100K_ XJ) will be able to make at least the Saturday run, but he may be holed up at Travis learning to be a C-17 Avionics mechanic. Service before self, he aways says...The run starts at Gatekeeper, runs through the granite slab, and takes the Wentworth Springs trail back around to Airport Flat campground. This is a good opportunity to wheel something other than the entire length of the Rubi.

There are tons of pics throughout the Frog Blog of past Poker Runs. Check pages 20 and 21 for the 2010 event. Always a hoot.

DSCN4471.jpg
 
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I drove up this weekend to visit with the family and to prepare to haul some of my crap down south. I found this trailer on Craig's and will be buying it tomorrow from a guy in Georgetown. It's not as large as I wanted, but it will look good behind the Frog and will help me with my move, landscaping projects for the new house in SoCal, and camping trips. Comments? Anybody have anything like this?

5K15F45Mc3G83Je3H4c5qa9423d6c10541cc2.jpg


5L65K15M93F53M43H3c5qb9b517d9f4891bb8.jpg


Oh yea, the next trip North will be to wheel the Rubicon on Father's Day weekend. The kid is back from his Air Force training and we'll have a blast on the Hi Lander's Poker Run.
 
Going expedition! I like it... I had one in a similar size a few years back and am still kicking myself for selling it.
 
I got the Jeep tilt trailer (nicknamed the "Toad" ha ha ha) home and rewired the light harness. A previous owner wired it with a 7-pin round connector so I returned it to it's preferred 4-pin harness. I lubed all zerks and gave it a good inspection. I may head over to a tire shop and find new rims and tires today. Time permitting, I will also mount my Tuffy security box for holding straps and junk.

IMG_2216.jpg


IMG_2217.jpg

This morning I decided to adjust my rear brakes. I have not been very happy with the performance of the Bendix shoes that I got from SummitRacing back in August. After removing the drums, I found the rear passenger shoe to be disintegrating, with a large chunk of pad sitting loose on the shoe.

I
IMG_2221.jpg


I installed these shoes at 151k and I'm at 156k miles now. I suspect they started disintegrating immediately after installation. If you are looking for brake shoes, stay away from the Bendix R-538 relined shoes. These are not worth the trouble when trying to save a few bucks. I'll now need to replace the drums, shoes, and will likely buy the master rebuild kit.
 
I bought a set of Raybestos brake shoes, new drums, and a spring kit for $150 and installed them in about an hour. Of course, i spent another hour trying to get them adjusted just right, but i finally got them to where they feel great. Having no short term memory in my advanced years, I tend to forget which direction I need to move the brake adjustment wheel.

Nice brake changing weather on this Memorial day for sure.
 
XJensen said:
You could have gone to zj breaks for a little more. Why not? Time?
Click to expand...

Yeah, time mostly, and I did not expect to find bad brakes this morning. I'm only here for a couple of days, and need to leave again tomorrow. I was here two weeks ago and my garage door opener died, so I spent an unexpected day replacing that. Its been dicey trying to manage time to sell a house, buy a house, and move the family in a few short weeks. Once I get settled I'll focus on the Heep again (long arm upgrade in the near future).
 
I've been wanting a set of those too. But I only get to work on one project at a time. So I'll have to wait 'til I get my 44 done. Maybe I'll be able to sell off my d30 stuff for enough to pay for a set. :D
 
good choice! those are the same ones i run on my green heep.
they have saved my rear hatch & side windows from damage numerous times already.
 
rocknxj said:
My new junk. Will try to install this week prior to the Poker Run.
Click to expand...

Is this the Hi-Landers Poker Run up at Wentworth Springs this weekend? I'll be out there with my old man and maybe Tim as shotgun - keep an eye out for us. We plan to get up there Friday late afternoon.
 
the_weirdo said:
Is this the Hi-Landers Poker Run up at Wentworth Springs this weekend? I'll be out there with my old man and maybe Tim as shotgun - keep an eye out for us. We plan to get up there Friday late afternoon.
Click to expand...

Yes, this is the Hi Lander's Poker Run. This is my 4th year. I plan to get there Friday morning and will look for you on the trail and the raffle.
 
rocknxj said:
I got the Jeep tilt trailer (nicknamed the "Toad" ha ha ha) home and rewired the light harness. A previous owner wired it with a 7-pin round connector so I returned it to it's preferred 4-pin harness. I lubed all zerks and gave it a good inspection. I may head over to a tire shop and find new rims and tires today. Time permitting, I will also mount my Tuffy security box for holding straps and junk.

IMG_2216.jpg


IMG_2217.jpg

This morning I decided to adjust my rear brakes. I have not been very happy with the performance of the Bendix shoes that I got from SummitRacing back in August. After removing the drums, I found the rear passenger shoe to be disintegrating, with a large chunk of pad sitting loose on the shoe.

I
IMG_2221.jpg


I installed these shoes at 151k and I'm at 156k miles now. I suspect they started disintegrating immediately after installation. If you are looking for brake shoes, stay away from the Bendix R-538 relined shoes. These are not worth the trouble when trying to save a few bucks. I'll now need to replace the drums, shoes, and will likely buy the master rebuild kit.
Click to expand...

This makes me very happy with my 8.8:loveu:! 4 wheel discs FTW! Love the trailer!
 
jeep is armored nicely. I just spent way to much time cleaning and adjusting my rear drums as well. Made me realize how inefficient drums are. Can't wait to swap to disc.

Trailer is bad ass.
 
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