2020 HOOKSTER 🪝

[XJADDICTION]

My JT has run well over the 4000 miles I thought I did this Summer... more like 7000. So the stock Bridgestone tires are done at almost 50,000 miles.

I bought some used wrangler Rubicon take offs as temporary wheel and tire set until I have time to figure out best lift, getting these headlights and fogs switched to LED,better tail lights, front bumper, winch, and tires will be 37x12.50x17 BFG AT KO’s.

Here are pics with new to me wheels and 285x70x17 BFG at KO’s.

I will say that the Jeep steers m, looks and handles much better with these.

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[XJADDICTION]

A few updates for the ‘ol Max Tow JT

- Tazer
- 37 x 12.50 x 17 BFG ATKO2s

I ran about 1500 miles with no lift and the BFG s , no rub and ride is very smooth. MPG dropped from 20-21 with th original 245x75x15’s on a trip to 18 mpg with 285x75x17’s and with the BFG 37’s I got around 16 mpg.with the tazer added.

with 4:10’s and 37’s with a tazer the drive is very livable. Still feels like same amount of power, but rarely see 8th gear.

Today I had a 3.5 Rubicon Express lift put on by 4 wheel parts (they always do an excellent job for me, especially since I do not have time to do a lot of work myself). They had it aligned, the lift kit comes with adj trac-bar etc and springs for all four corners and their basic shock.

the ride? Is perfect! Will cruise 70-75 no problem. Feels a little stiffer but that is a good thing as my original suspension started to feel really sloppy after 50,000 miles. You definitely know that you are driving a lifted Jeep on 37’s but it is very stable and comfortable smooth… really smooth ride.

if you’re not looking for a full 37” tire (these measure about 35.8 at 34 psi. The ride is awesome! I love it.

I also got the arcus bumper in and a 10,000lb Smitty Built Winch with Synthetic line. I’ll put that on in a couple of weeks.

the rear sits level now, I do not like it. I will add a 2” spacer for now, but probably add some heavier springs for the rear. I will see what the new bumper and winch do to the front fo
Irate though.

I enjoy the JT more now even though it’s a little slower (still cruises well in the interstate). The 2013 GT Mustang 5.0 6 speed manual convertible is there for a thrill when ever I need that!

 

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Does this Chebby make my JT look big?

 

[XJADDICTION]

Quick update on my set up… i love it!
The 3.5” Rubicon express lift is really nice even with their basic shocks. I’ve driven about 2000 miles with this lift, 37x12.50x17 BFG KO2s, 17x7.5 Wrangler Rubicon JL rims, taser mini. With 4:10 gears and the taser the JT handles the 37’s with no issue.
MPG’s around 16.

I have a Arcus front bumper and SB synthetic 12,000 lb winch, 2” wheel spacers, black lug nuts, DV8 LED head lights and Diode Dynamic HID yellow fog light bulbs, as well as new Oracle LED tail lights yet to install.

This set up is absolutely awesome and very reasonably priced for 37’s. This could be a daily driver, though my JT is not a DD. With Taser and 4:10’s I can see 8th gear in flats on interstate, 7th on hills to 5th on steeper hills. I feel like there is plenty of power and cruise smoothly at 70-80 mph.

But… a heart attack last Thursday has stopped it all! That’s right for all you fit dudes out there like me, it can happen to you. 56y/o 6’1” tall, 167 lbs… right now 162lbs… non smoker (never have), whole food eater, Mntn biker, no drugs, CrossFit in am, hand stand push-ups and all that morning of the attack. I’ve never had heart issues.

Ate a healthy breakfast and suddenly chest pain weakness diaphoresis, left hand numbness, shoulder pain left, and pain in back of my head. I called 911 and saved my life. 10 min for ambulance to arrive, 10 min to begin transport, 1st full cardiac arrest in ambulance, then a second cardiac arrest In ambulance. Thank God for an excellent 1st responder team as well as the best paramedic I could ask for… she saved my life!!

Ambulance diverted to nearest hospital, Life flighted to major hospital, immediate stent with 100% blockage of left coronary artery. 5-10 minutes is all I had to make a call to save my ass and thankfully I did it (I live by myself).

know your symptoms!!
- along with usual cyclical intense chest pain
- sudden chest pain
- weakness (once I was on the floor I could not get back up).
-diaphoresis = excessive sweating, my t-shirt was soaked in 30 seconds
- left hand numbness
- shoulder pain left
- pain in back and base of my head

DO NOT WAIT TO CALL 911 immediately!! Even if you mis diagnose and a big fart takes care of the problem (though my previous clinical experience told me heart attack not indigestion)…. Don’t be afraid to call 911!!!!

 

[XJADDICTION]

Okay, Time for the final name change! With the help of my girlfriend… well it’s all her on this one but I like it!

HOOKSTER

So if you want a laugh first off need to explain the “ Hookster “ name’s origin.

I have had one hell of a year starting in June 2021 when arriving back home after a business trip. My wife of 25 years said she wanted a divorce (that is a long time to be married for this to happen). Amicable of course… not! I lost My daughters communication and love, one is 23 and married, the other just graduated from HS. My wife got a bulldog attorney in a small town and that precluded me from being able to reciprocate with an equally ferocious attorney… the two Ttornwys i wanted, wouldn’t take my case.

So… long story short, I lost a lot of money, lost my daughters, sold the house I painstakingly built (I was GC) that was designed by my father. By November my divorce final decree was completed, but I was battling for my right to see my daughter still living with my wife, and getting my half of one of our retirement retirement accounts.
Then December 9th after a CrossFit Competition that morning I went home and had an AFIB event that threw a clot that just happened to occlude my left coronary artery 100% (I am in very good health, eat well, visit Dr often). After 3 cardiac arrests and a life flight ride to save my life I found myself now with damaged heart and kidneys… at 56y/o.
The good news;
I pulled out of it and I ran into my HS sweetheart who came to help me get through heart attack recovery as my family would not help or visit me. My Sister also came to the rescue in a big way… you find out who your friends are quickly on this.
Wasn’t long for my HS sweetheart and I to start dating and now we are a couple.

Ok “Hookster”: well when I was in HS as a 17 y/o I had trouble unhooking her bra… many times… I swear her father pinched those hooks down with some needle nose pliers!
So… she came up with “The Hookster” The Captain of the Hook!

life is funny, my ex-wife continued to push on my company owners wife until I was fired a few weeks ago, a job I’ve held in sales for 5 years and increased their revenue from day one.

so my ex-wife seems to be done with what she said would do… a complete push to crash and destroy my life.

I won’t let that happen and the firing from the job just opened up opportunities to travel all summer.
So there is the reason for the name change. I will replace JT Max Tow on the hood (some on here will be so happy).

so advice I could give any of you is something I learned in Army Gorilla Warfare, Hand to Hand combat… “if your face up… you can get up!” That is just what I am doing!

 

[drewcnit]

I think I saw you yesterday out in Hermitage, stopped at the nursing facility with a trailer attached.
If it wasn't you, then someone else has the 'JT Max Tow' on the hood, just like yours.
I was by there visiting mom and as soon as I saw it in the lot, I was like I know I've seen that truck on the forums.

 

[XJADDICTION]

Yes that was me, I was visiting with my Father.
Was that you in the Blue Gladiator… Overland I think?

 

[22_Sarge_Sport]

I have had one hell of a year

I would have to agree! Your truck is awesome and it is great to see a JT getting used like it was meant to be used. Plus a lot of those pics bring joy to this Michigander. I wish you the best of luck with your health and your situation at home.

 

[drewcnit]

Yes that was me, I was visiting with my Father.
Was that you in the Blue Gladiator… Overland I think?

No, I'm a White Sport S, was probably there and gone before you saw me, only stayed about an hour yesterday. The blue one is there nearly every day as well, been wondering who that one is..
Well now that I know you are around town, hope to run into and chat some time.

 

[XJADDICTION]

That would be great, I will look for you.
Actually headed to Michigan tomorrow! Love that place!

 

[XJADDICTION]

So… … a lot has happened!

I lost my job in May, suddenly fired for reasons I won’t discuss on here. They had nothing to do with my job performance.
I decided, screw it I’m taking the summer off (I have money saved up and after the crazy year needed to stop and think for a while).
I have been all over Michigan, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and Colorado this summer.
The build ;
-added a JB EVO XXL RTT
- Goal Zero 1500
-100w solar panel
- refrigerator
- JCR Full height rack
- and some other camping items to go off grid on BLM out west.
This was a fantastic summer and I am glad that I just stopped the madness and left.

The Bad with T;
- The Rubicon Express Lift is not meant for my heavy towing and overland setup.
- when loaded I was on the RE rear bump stops so I took those off and installed a 1” spacer lift in the rear to get me through until I figured out what to do for a fix.

- the fix will end up being Clayton full overland 3.5” lift (I hope it fixes my rear sag and loose ride). I am also finally having the front Arcus Bumper installed as well as the SB 10,000lb winch with synthetic line.
The RCR rack was too low to allow RTT to ride over the truck cab. I hade to raise the using 3 square stock 2” steel cross bars that I made (still had to add a 1” spacer). I really want to be able to swap hard top for soft top in the summer. I am hoping there is a no “man bun” option coming soon.

I’m having the JCR rack modified to add a rear open lift gate. Also am having an engineered lift made for the RTT while on the JT. This electric lift will have a HD aluminum rear hinge and two front electric lift actuators that will allow the front of RTT to be auto tilted up in the front to allow the hard top to be removed and soft top installed.

Hard maybe to visualize but the JT is in the shop for a few weeks and I will get her back out after I get back from more travels. Some for fun and some for my new job (Oh well, I’ll have to drive the Mustang Convertible Coyote 5.0 6 speed manual some while I await the next phase of the JT to be completed.
I have a bunch of small projects to complete when I get the JT back. I will post up some pictures then.

 

[XJADDICTION]

Well, I am still out of town and the JT has a new 3.5” lift (Clayton Overland with falcon shocks) new bumper and winch. Tomorrow parts for RTT lift to change hard top to soft top and back should be in tomorrow.
TN Off Road put a pic on FB today. Will have to do until I get back home to see 🪝ster then.

 

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Couple of new pictures. Drove it today for the first time and Clayton has it right. The Overland 3.5” lift with Falcon Shocks is incredible!

 

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Finally added the Oracle tail lights! I absolutely love these! They are very bright and IMOP look better than the fancy LEDs the factory sells.
I know the Max Tow haters will be so happy, I have the new “HOOKSTER “ hood decals so the Max Tow will go. I also have the rear tailgate and light surround satin black out wrap as well as the GLADIATOR raised red outlined tailgate emblem to put on. I still have the HID fog lights to install and the hood lights and rack lights to hook up.

 

[XJADDICTION]

I have done a few more fall mods to Hookster and I still have a bunch of stuff to finish.
So, here it is with the voyager soft top and steel tube doors.

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