Any Jeepers in here?

[terrehautian]

I am 6'1" and have a 99 XJ and have no issues with head room or getting in or out? I have had my XJ since 148k, I knew the previous owner and she had it from 20k. Never had an issue with overheating, or anything other then brakes, battery, water pump and thermostat. Don't blame the XJ for the overheating, as it could have been previous owner neglect for the overheating.

 

[lovemachine]

What's Wilstem/The Ranch?

 

[Twentyfootdaredevil]

What's Wilstem/The Ranch?

Its a place that holds two trailrides a year. Jeepers jamboree and an IFWDA ride.

IFWDA members won't like this but, you don't go to Wilstem for the trails(they are stupid easy) you go for the people.

The only reason for me to be there is to see people I don't normally get a chance to see.

 

[Dick]

My first vehicle I purchased when I graduated high school was a Jeep CJ-5.
By 500 miles I had to replace the oil pump, then the radiator due to overheating. At 1,000 miles it started smoking and the clutch started to slip. The speed odometer started to rust cause I left the top down and it rained on it. So I got a Ford high boy F250. I was one of the founders of the local 4X4 club after I got the Ford.

forward to 2010. Purchased a Jeep Cherokee (1998) for my 15 year old daughter to drive. the thing overheated and had to have a new radiator in it. Not enough head room for a 6' guy to get in and out of.

I've had it with jeeps. I pushed snow in the blizzard of 78' I do have experience with 4X4's. I've tore them up, rolled them, sunk them in mud. Let's just say I've had much better luck with the Fords.

I've done quite a bit of work with the local county fairs doing truck pulls. Seems Dodge always breaks. There were 3 Dodges this year at on county fair. Two had to be pulled away.

Im a 6' guy and have no problem in our XJ. But aside from that, if you dislike Jeeps so much, why would you open the thread obviously about Jeeps???? Perhaps start a Ford thread if there isnt one? But I wouldnt own a Ford because I used to be a technician. Should appreciate them though i guess, they did keep a check coming.


Back to talking about the evil Jeeps

Im going with a group of friends up to Bundy Hill in Michigan this weekend, if anyone else is going, find my raggedy, gutted ZJ and say HI!

 

[eldirector]

Its a place that holds two trailrides a year. Jeepers jamboree and an IFWDA ride.

IFWDA members won't like this but, you don't go to Wilstem for the trails(they are stupid easy) you go for the people.

The only reason for me to be there is to see people I don't normally get a chance to see.

Hey! I don't mind, since I'm one of the folks you'll get to see.

The Ranch doesn't have much 'extreme' stuff. If you are running 1-ton axles, 40"+ tires, and big power, it would be pretty boring. Its a blast in mildly-modded 4x4's, though. My CJ walks through about everything. My TJ should be more challenging, and a lot more fun, this year.

The Ranch is actually a private "farm" down between Paoli and French Lick, that has some cabins and horseback riding. They open it up to IFWDA each August for a trail ride, and then again for the Jeep Jamboree in October. They've just recently let smaller events on the property, but it is pretty pricey to arrange. It has some fun 2-tracks, creek beds, and a couple of ravines. In its heyday, we would have 130+ vehicles and 200+ people on the trails. Thanks to the economy, we are down to 50-60 vehicles a year.

On another topic: my wife ordered a bunch of stuff for me this week! Should start work on the CJ's front suspension pretty soon.

 

[lovemachine]

Hey! I don't mind, since I'm one of the folks you'll get to see.

The Ranch doesn't have much 'extreme' stuff. If you are running 1-ton axles, 40"+ tires, and big power, it would be pretty boring. Its a blast in mildly-modded 4x4's, though. My CJ walks through about everything. My TJ should be more challenging, and a lot more fun, this year.

The Ranch is actually a private "farm" down between Paoli and French Lick, that has some cabins and horseback riding. They open it up to IFWDA each August for a trail ride, and then again for the Jeep Jamboree in October. They've just recently let smaller events on the property, but it is pretty pricey to arrange. It has some fun 2-tracks, creek beds, and a couple of ravines. In its heyday, we would have 130+ vehicles and 200+ people on the trails. Thanks to the economy, we are down to 50-60 vehicles a year.

On another topic: my wife ordered a bunch of stuff for me this week! Should start work on the CJ's front suspension pretty soon.

Interesting. Is there a website? How much is it?

 

[kludge]

Indiana 4WD Association - Home Page

members only

 

[eldirector]

Interesting. Is there a website? How much is it?

Indiana 4WD Association - Home Page

members only

Yep. You can also join IFWDA right on the registration form (top right of the IFWDA website).

$30 IFWDA dues, and then $50 per adult. Sounds expensive, but this is the same property used by Camp Jeep, and that's more like $300.

Trail rides start Friday afternoon and go through Sunday. Dinner Friday and Saturday night, with a party after on Saturday. Camping is available (for a few bucks) and there is a little hotel down the road (where my wife and I stay). French Lick is a few miles the other way, if you want nice lodging, the casino, and fancy restaurant.

Its a hoot. You can meet tons of other offroaders, and ride some decent little trails. I'll be on oh-fish-all trail guide again this year, and will make sure we hit everything at least once. Damage is unlikely, unless you try the 2 or 3 "most difficult" spots (Randy's Ravine, the top of Little Rubicon, and whatever that creekbed is called on the north side of the property).

Edit: just noticed the late registration fee for after 7/1. If you REALLY want to go, PM me and I'll see if we can get that waived (its good to be on the Board!).

 

[lovemachine]

Edit: just noticed the late registration fee for after 7/1. If you REALLY want to go, PM me and I'll see if we can get that waived (its good to be on the Board!).

I appreciate that.

When do you need to know for sure?

 

[lovemachine]

What type of Synthetic Line do you guys run on your winch?

 

[eldirector]

I appreciate that.

When do you need to know for sure?

Its less than 3 weeks away, so pretty soon. They need to let the caterers know a headcount (if you are doing the meals) and get t-shirts printed.

Hit me up offline (PM) if you want trip details. Our group is pretty tame, and is a great bunch of guys to hang out with. Of course, I AM a bit biased.

 

[Twentyfootdaredevil]

What type of Synthetic Line do you guys run on your winch?

Masterpull land use green. Profit goes toward land use issues.


http://www.masterpull.com/Off-Road/Winch-Lines/

 

[lovemachine]

I've been reading about these:

Viking Offroad 102112 - Viking Offroad Amsteel Blue Synthetic 3/8" x 100' Long Winch Line - Quadratec

Viking Offroad 100515 - Viking Offroad Safety Thimble in Black - Quadratec

Viking Offroad

Viking Offroad Synthetic Winch Line - 1

 

[Twentyfootdaredevil]

I've been reading about these:

Viking Offroad 102112 - Viking Offroad Amsteel Blue Synthetic 3/8" x 100' Long Winch Line - Quadratec

Viking Offroad 100515 - Viking Offroad Safety Thimble in Black - Quadratec

Viking Offroad

Viking Offroad Synthetic Winch Line - 1

That link is about $100 more than I would pay.

 

[redbaron]

This is what I had on my jeep when I sold it. It is pricey but I couldn't complain about it. Very nice line.

3/8" x 100' Viking Offroad Winchline - Black w/Safety Thimble

 

[Ambu]

My cherokee has started the overheating at 182k miles
Is there hope left for it?

 

[eldirector]

My cherokee has started the overheating at 182k miles
Is there hope left for it?

Sure. Why is it overheating? Probably just needs some maintenance.

 

[kludge]

There is always hope.

 

[chuddly]

My cherokee has started the overheating at 182k miles
Is there hope left for it?

thats like saying "my gun doesnt like X brand ammo should i throw it away?" Just fix what ever the problem is. Jeeps run forever. Have the cooling system checked/flushed. Maybe it needs a new radiator or thermostat nothing hard or expensive about STOCK jeeps (notice the stock part)

 

[terrehautian]

What year XJ? If it is the 00-01 with the dreaded 0331 head (I think that is the right number), watch out. My 99 just hovers at 1/2 way or a little above or below with 183k int his heat. In winter, it hovers a bit above the mark to the left of 1/2.