Sponsored
OP
OP
Flyin6
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #47
Although I purchased the IronMan fridge slide, I ended up not using it. Look, the thing is massive. It has to weigh 40 pounds and has a really big footprint. That sheet of plywood was going to be the base to which I bolted the slide...after boring a ton of holes into my pristine truck bed. I opted to just toss it and secure the fridge on the back seat platform. No added weight, no unnecessary permanent anything flopping around in the Jeep, and it works!
Simple, Done!
Simple, Done!
OP
OP
Flyin6
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #48
More progress. Go here for the details:
Building a Gladiator for adventure (real-man-truckworks-and-survival.com)
The electrical system is in and functioning.
The fridge found a home.
I have some added fuel capacity.
I have a place for my awning poles and fishing rod
I have some air bags to carry more weight, effectively.
Building a Gladiator for adventure (real-man-truckworks-and-survival.com)
The electrical system is in and functioning.
The fridge found a home.
I have some added fuel capacity.
I have a place for my awning poles and fishing rod
I have some air bags to carry more weight, effectively.
OP
OP
Flyin6
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #50
Progress is a bit slow due to some nagging Arthritis, but I am getting there.
Airbags are in
Rod carrier is in
Auxiliary electrical system is installed and functioning
A handy step ladder storage rack went in today
Had a new two-piston air pump (heavy!) delivered today.
Blast off is in 10 days for the San Juan mountains, then over to MOAB. Still need to change oil, rotate tires, repack everything, sort out propane/hose/stove, and go through the toolbox to see if I can delete some stuff to lighten that up some more. Oh, and I need to test fire the heater, which I think I just might need if we overnight in the high alpine instead of camping lower in the valleys.
Airbags are in
Rod carrier is in
Auxiliary electrical system is installed and functioning
A handy step ladder storage rack went in today
Had a new two-piston air pump (heavy!) delivered today.
Blast off is in 10 days for the San Juan mountains, then over to MOAB. Still need to change oil, rotate tires, repack everything, sort out propane/hose/stove, and go through the toolbox to see if I can delete some stuff to lighten that up some more. Oh, and I need to test fire the heater, which I think I just might need if we overnight in the high alpine instead of camping lower in the valleys.
Sponsored
OP
OP
Flyin6
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #51
Getting closer to leaving
Update of progress:
New twin cyl air pump
I settled on a single-burner Blackstone
Fabed a Diesel heater temporary mount and ran a hose to the tent.
Reconfigured the recovery gear kit.
Redid the toolbox to make it lighter.
Coming down to the final loadout configuration
Pics and story here:
Building a Gladiator for adventure (real-man-truckworks-and-survival.com)
Update of progress:
New twin cyl air pump
I settled on a single-burner Blackstone
Fabed a Diesel heater temporary mount and ran a hose to the tent.
Reconfigured the recovery gear kit.
Redid the toolbox to make it lighter.
Coming down to the final loadout configuration
Pics and story here:
Building a Gladiator for adventure (real-man-truckworks-and-survival.com)
OP
OP
Flyin6
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #52
I can report that the setup just survived two weeks of western US off-roading, and passed with flying colors.
There was a slight complication as we ended up staying mostly in hotels and B&Bs. I had a pretty significant flare of RA which darn near grounded me. I decided to get as much off-roading as possible, just skipping the setting up/teardown of a camp every day.
We actually started down in Grapevine for a reunion of an Armee unit I was once a part of. From there we made our way via Amarillo (Big Texan Steak House) to Red River NM. We did a nice trail there with a creepy shelf road and a couple of technical spots. That one took 4.5 hours. From there it was over to the Taos Ski Valley where we found a trail that took us up above 11,000 feet.
The next few days were spent in the San Juan mountains. We based in Silverton. We did most of the Alpine loop, including Corkscrew Gulch/pass, Hurricane Pass, California Pass, Engineer Pass, and of course Cinnamon Pass. We would take the passes over to Lake City or Ouray and find a way back before nightfall. We were barely successful.
Our best day recorded just under 80 miles of trail finishing just before sunset.
I think I'd have been psycho to do Engineer or Corkscrew in the dark. Well, any of them really. Those shelf roads were the most extreme I have driven in my life. I was actually relieved to discover Black Bear Pass was closed. I was really getting over seeing my KM3s playing with the edge of the road with a 1000+ foot drop-off.
I'll see if I can rustle up some pics of the JT sitting on the top of those passes.
I can say, that this JT platform with 37's, the Clayton 3.5" system and the Falcon shocks performed perfectly. I never got stuck. I never met an obstacle I couldn't get over in 4WD-L. I did one easy/moderate trail partially in 2WD. I will say that over the 3,500 miles we just pedaled the little 3.6 gas was barely adequate. Without constantly going into 6th or even 5th gear I had to really limit my speeds. In the east down to Texas, I was good up to 73-74 mph. Once we started climbing onto the high plains of New Mexico, all that was gone. I could only do 68-69. Around Sivlerton and Ouray there was no need for speed, but at the top of one of the passes I was in 4WD-H in 1st gear completely floored. I pushed it down into 4WD-L and had no problems. Coming home, the speed ran from the high 60's to the mid 70's. I recorded a low mileage of 10.36 4-wheeling in the mountains and a high of 17.43 going across the plains of Colorado. Average mileage generally came in just under 14mpg.
There was a slight complication as we ended up staying mostly in hotels and B&Bs. I had a pretty significant flare of RA which darn near grounded me. I decided to get as much off-roading as possible, just skipping the setting up/teardown of a camp every day.
We actually started down in Grapevine for a reunion of an Armee unit I was once a part of. From there we made our way via Amarillo (Big Texan Steak House) to Red River NM. We did a nice trail there with a creepy shelf road and a couple of technical spots. That one took 4.5 hours. From there it was over to the Taos Ski Valley where we found a trail that took us up above 11,000 feet.
The next few days were spent in the San Juan mountains. We based in Silverton. We did most of the Alpine loop, including Corkscrew Gulch/pass, Hurricane Pass, California Pass, Engineer Pass, and of course Cinnamon Pass. We would take the passes over to Lake City or Ouray and find a way back before nightfall. We were barely successful.
Our best day recorded just under 80 miles of trail finishing just before sunset.
I think I'd have been psycho to do Engineer or Corkscrew in the dark. Well, any of them really. Those shelf roads were the most extreme I have driven in my life. I was actually relieved to discover Black Bear Pass was closed. I was really getting over seeing my KM3s playing with the edge of the road with a 1000+ foot drop-off.
I'll see if I can rustle up some pics of the JT sitting on the top of those passes.
I can say, that this JT platform with 37's, the Clayton 3.5" system and the Falcon shocks performed perfectly. I never got stuck. I never met an obstacle I couldn't get over in 4WD-L. I did one easy/moderate trail partially in 2WD. I will say that over the 3,500 miles we just pedaled the little 3.6 gas was barely adequate. Without constantly going into 6th or even 5th gear I had to really limit my speeds. In the east down to Texas, I was good up to 73-74 mph. Once we started climbing onto the high plains of New Mexico, all that was gone. I could only do 68-69. Around Sivlerton and Ouray there was no need for speed, but at the top of one of the passes I was in 4WD-H in 1st gear completely floored. I pushed it down into 4WD-L and had no problems. Coming home, the speed ran from the high 60's to the mid 70's. I recorded a low mileage of 10.36 4-wheeling in the mountains and a high of 17.43 going across the plains of Colorado. Average mileage generally came in just under 14mpg.
Clayton Off Road
Summit Sponsor (Level 3)
- First Name
- James
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2020
- Threads
- 38
- Messages
- 879
- Reaction score
- 1,216
- Location
- Hamden, Ct
- Vehicle(s)
- 2018 JLUR
Awesome to hear! Looking out for the photos
Sponsored
OP
OP
Flyin6
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #56
Some fun along the way. Eating a steak at the Big Texan in Amarillo, driving across New Mexico and Colorado. Our first cold morning in Silverton CO, and who knows what.
No pictures here but we also hit Red River in NM and a trail in Taos Ski Valley where we actually stayed at a mountain ski resort. Those access trails up and over the mountains were all open, so we took advantage.
No pictures here but we also hit Red River in NM and a trail in Taos Ski Valley where we actually stayed at a mountain ski resort. Those access trails up and over the mountains were all open, so we took advantage.
OP
OP
Flyin6
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #57
As a parting comment, I really want to point out some great products. First, the Clayton suspension pieces combined with the Falcon shocks performed so well, that I was constantly overtaking other vehicles.
On one particular day, I made it up and over Engineer Pass and ended up at Lake City, CO. Because we had stopped so much along that route to take photos and explore it was like 1530 when I plugged the return (road route) into the GPS. It was almost a 4-hour drive! I was not going to do that. Someone there suggested I just go back over either the Engineer pass or Cinnamon pass which was easier, but the local guy also mentioned most people will not start on either pass that late in the day.
I thought about it and decided to push it up and over the hard stuff, we decided to cross Cinnamon Pass back to Silverton which was much shorter but still hours of 5-mpg driving. With a setting sun coming right up, I pushed that jeep all the way to 25-30 on the lower steps only braking and slowing for the hard spots. I kept pushing it and made it over the summit in the sunlight. Coming down the back side I started to overtake a bunch of Rubicon's, Tacos, Broncos, and even a Land Rover. Everyone pulled over and let me pass. I don't know but I could float over the not-so-big stones without losing control, ever!
One guy asked me how I could drive that fast and I just pointed to the Clayton decal and the Falcon shocks. I told him there was a reason for spending big bucks on suspension stuff. His stock Ruby suspension simply could not keep up.
So not being one to drive faster than conditions, I was just simply able to carry more speed and I believe it was because of the suspension, all of it.
On one particular day, I made it up and over Engineer Pass and ended up at Lake City, CO. Because we had stopped so much along that route to take photos and explore it was like 1530 when I plugged the return (road route) into the GPS. It was almost a 4-hour drive! I was not going to do that. Someone there suggested I just go back over either the Engineer pass or Cinnamon pass which was easier, but the local guy also mentioned most people will not start on either pass that late in the day.
I thought about it and decided to push it up and over the hard stuff, we decided to cross Cinnamon Pass back to Silverton which was much shorter but still hours of 5-mpg driving. With a setting sun coming right up, I pushed that jeep all the way to 25-30 on the lower steps only braking and slowing for the hard spots. I kept pushing it and made it over the summit in the sunlight. Coming down the back side I started to overtake a bunch of Rubicon's, Tacos, Broncos, and even a Land Rover. Everyone pulled over and let me pass. I don't know but I could float over the not-so-big stones without losing control, ever!
One guy asked me how I could drive that fast and I just pointed to the Clayton decal and the Falcon shocks. I told him there was a reason for spending big bucks on suspension stuff. His stock Ruby suspension simply could not keep up.
So not being one to drive faster than conditions, I was just simply able to carry more speed and I believe it was because of the suspension, all of it.
fourfa
Well-Known Member
I had a similar experience this summer on those same trails - Clayton springs, falcon shocks, 37s, and constantly wondering why everyone was driving so dang slow. I eventually figured it out and tried my best to be patient and friendly. But yeah, when you need to, it can carry a lot of speed safely. What a machine
OP
OP
Flyin6
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #59
Exactly! I kept wondering why everyone was so slow (In their stock rental jeeps).
There is a good reason we seek to find the best stuff and install it...
Kinda like flying aircraft into battle built by the lowest bidder! No, wait, that isn't right, no not like that... ;-)
There is a good reason we seek to find the best stuff and install it...
Kinda like flying aircraft into battle built by the lowest bidder! No, wait, that isn't right, no not like that... ;-)
OP
OP
Flyin6
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #60
Here are a couple more after-action review comments that may prove helpful:
Just as expected, things are going to fail. I would not know how to prepare for all that may happen, and one cannot carry along a hardware store and a Jeep service department, but you most probably will need something.
1. At one point our 175W flexible solar panel tried to detach itself. We were near the top of Pikes Peak and subjected to what I estimate to be 50Kt or better wind gusts, the moorings ripped loose and I suddenly had a sail panel. I did not have extra Gorilla tape, so that is now in my tool kit.
2. When I first aired down, one of the air valves failed. Yep, stopped doing anything. This is the first time this has ever happened to me, and therefore I did not have an extra, or the tool available.
3. I forgot to pack my multi-tool pliers. I needed that thing at least a few times to bend things back or help secure stuff. I am velcroing a pouch to a pillar with one permanently installed.
4. I overheated my brakes several times! Ya, a new one on me too! the last day in the San Juan, when I was airing back up at the lower end of Corkscrew, I could smell burnt fluid and heard something like boiling! A couple of days later, descending from the summit of Pikes Peak I made the mandatory stop at the Ranger station 1/4th the way down from the summit. The Ranger there checks everyone's brake temps before allowing them to drive the rest of the way down. Mine registered 380F and he was not wanting me to continue until things cooled down. I smelled that same scent and immediately knew the Corkscrew and a couple of other times I had smelled my brakes. I plan to upgrade to the big brake kit before next year's mountain adventure.
Preparedness is an evolving process. You learn from what you just did. You make calculated adjustments to your formula and go at it again. I do that, I think most people do that. But Murphy is out there in the shadows, under a rock or behind a tree, and he is waiting to get you. Although I mostly do solo trips, I am starting to think the best defense to having an unauthorized visit by Murphy is to travel in a group. Hopefully, the others just may have that one little sniffler valve or fornutin tube you just broke.
Happ-ee trails, safe travels!
Just as expected, things are going to fail. I would not know how to prepare for all that may happen, and one cannot carry along a hardware store and a Jeep service department, but you most probably will need something.
1. At one point our 175W flexible solar panel tried to detach itself. We were near the top of Pikes Peak and subjected to what I estimate to be 50Kt or better wind gusts, the moorings ripped loose and I suddenly had a sail panel. I did not have extra Gorilla tape, so that is now in my tool kit.
2. When I first aired down, one of the air valves failed. Yep, stopped doing anything. This is the first time this has ever happened to me, and therefore I did not have an extra, or the tool available.
3. I forgot to pack my multi-tool pliers. I needed that thing at least a few times to bend things back or help secure stuff. I am velcroing a pouch to a pillar with one permanently installed.
4. I overheated my brakes several times! Ya, a new one on me too! the last day in the San Juan, when I was airing back up at the lower end of Corkscrew, I could smell burnt fluid and heard something like boiling! A couple of days later, descending from the summit of Pikes Peak I made the mandatory stop at the Ranger station 1/4th the way down from the summit. The Ranger there checks everyone's brake temps before allowing them to drive the rest of the way down. Mine registered 380F and he was not wanting me to continue until things cooled down. I smelled that same scent and immediately knew the Corkscrew and a couple of other times I had smelled my brakes. I plan to upgrade to the big brake kit before next year's mountain adventure.
Preparedness is an evolving process. You learn from what you just did. You make calculated adjustments to your formula and go at it again. I do that, I think most people do that. But Murphy is out there in the shadows, under a rock or behind a tree, and he is waiting to get you. Although I mostly do solo trips, I am starting to think the best defense to having an unauthorized visit by Murphy is to travel in a group. Hopefully, the others just may have that one little sniffler valve or fornutin tube you just broke.
Happ-ee trails, safe travels!
Sponsored
