Overlanding trip, looking for suggestions

[chorky]

After I swap engines I plan to add an aux tank or just design a custom replacement.

A custom option would be sweet if you could find a place to make one. I'm planning on the LRA tank - the one thing I really dont like though is they build it out of steel instead of alum or plastic so it's a lot of extra weight added which is unfortunate. But it's the best option IMO currently. Although the side trecker is another nice option if you dont use the side of your bed.

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[smlobx]

I have one of the first LRA tanks for the JT and it’s been a very good addition. 17 gallons means I don’t have to worry about running out don't have to worry about running out of gas in the back country.
one other interesting side benefit is that I can fill up in areas with lower gas prices and drive right through area of higher gas prices. Has saved me a bunch when traveling cross country.

 

[Flyin6]

A custom option would be sweet if you could find a place to make one. I'm planning on the LRA tank - the one thing I really dont like though is they build it out of steel instead of alum or plastic so it's a lot of extra weight added which is unfortunate. But it's the best option IMO currently. Although the side trecker is another nice option if you dont use the side of your bed.

I have a friend, Dan. He was a welder/heavy equipment repair, then started building all sorts of aluminum boxes and eventually whole custom beds for trucks in the 450-750 class. Mostly for emergency services. He also has built fuel tanks for racing boats, some for my crazy builds and now even does bumpers. He has an entire shop, all on his farm here in the Tuck.

Starts with measurements, then CAD, then the plasma table, then brakes and who knows what. I would put his work at the top of the hill when he is done. He and another friend of mine are currently doing a SEMA build, a 1976 Dodge crew cab power wagon. It's off the block, so well-built!

Anyway, you have heard me mention wanting to do an aluminum rear bumper, fuel tanks, and the like. He is the one who will build them. The cool part is the stuff you will see coming out on my JT will be repeatable.

 

[Jeepsrnotcheep]

My wife and I are planning our early fall trip this year. We will start in Taos NM for some hiking then over to Silverton for some trails. Then we drive to Moab, and finish with a couple/few days in Breckenridge for hiking and maybe an alpine drive. From there over to Colorado Springs vcty just to buzz up Pikes Peak.

We will mostly stay in hotels adventuring during the day. The reason we will be doing that is I just don't see this JT of mine with the weezer V6 gas as being able to haul much else other than a six-pack of ginger ale! As we all know the gas motor is pathetic, and I have lightened my truck to the tune of -250 lbs just to try and give it some help. Thanks to MOPAR installing a new computer system that will not allow a power adder, I am stuck with two hundred something torque to haul this thing and all my stuff.

Honestly, I would have ditched this truck after three months because of its lack of power, but I have decided that the rest of the thing is outstanding and so I'll bolt in a V8 in a year or so. Now, that truck will be exactly what I want.

So back to the upcoming trip. I would have installed a Go-Fast or I-Camper or something if I thought that motor would accelerate the increased mass 0-30 in a minute, but frankly, I doubt it. Therefore I have no tent per see to sleep in overnight in the alpine. Another thought, normally aspirated motors lose power with increasing altitude. Can this Jeep even move at all at 10,000 feet? OK, yea I am being a bit sarcastic, just the abiding disappointment in the power coming out.

So, certainly, others are driving these things cross country and adventuring at altitude, so for those who do, how do you do it? I am having trouble maintaining 70 MPH indicated in Kentucky on hills without dropping all the way to 6th sometimes. I have 37s and 5.13 gears. Well, you can look at the signature to see the setup. Am I just stuck driving 65 across the country and then relying on low range in the alpine?

If you wanted to go fast you should have bought a corvette

 

[Chief_jeep]

What information are you looking for? The title says you want recommendations but then you rant about how the 3.6 can’t overland. I have the Ecodiesel but I know there are plenty of people with the 3.6 regeared on 40s, with tons, steel bumpers, sliders, fridges, bed racks, roof top tents, etc that drive long distance and wheel there Jeeps. Modern Jeeps are not fast but they will go 70 down the freeway and climb grades, albeit, not in 8th gear. Once you’re on the trail you’re not going very fast so I don’t see the concern there.

Are you looking for trail recommendations? Or hoping someone talks you into overlanding and camping with your Jeep?

 

[CJ5w4wdSmokyOnMyTail]

My wife and I are planning our early fall trip this year. We will start in Taos NM for some hiking then over to Silverton for some trails. Then we drive to Moab, and finish with a couple/few days in Breckenridge for hiking and maybe an alpine drive. From there over to Colorado Springs vcty just to buzz up Pikes Peak.

We will mostly stay in hotels adventuring during the day. The reason we will be doing that is I just don't see this JT of mine with the weezer V6 gas as being able to haul much else other than a six-pack of ginger ale! As we all know the gas motor is pathetic, and I have lightened my truck to the tune of -250 lbs just to try and give it some help. Thanks to MOPAR installing a new computer system that will not allow a power adder, I am stuck with two hundred something torque to haul this thing and all my stuff.

Honestly, I would have ditched this truck after three months because of its lack of power, but I have decided that the rest of the thing is outstanding and so I'll bolt in a V8 in a year or so. Now, that truck will be exactly what I want.

So back to the upcoming trip. I would have installed a Go-Fast or I-Camper or something if I thought that motor would accelerate the increased mass 0-30 in a minute, but frankly, I doubt it. Therefore I have no tent per see to sleep in overnight in the alpine. Another thought, normally aspirated motors lose power with increasing altitude. Can this Jeep even move at all at 10,000 feet? OK, yea I am being a bit sarcastic, just the abiding disappointment in the power coming out.

So, certainly, others are driving these things cross country and adventuring at altitude, so for those who do, how do you do it? I am having trouble maintaining 70 MPH indicated in Kentucky on hills without dropping all the way to 6th sometimes. I have 37s and 5.13 gears. Well, you can look at the signature to see the setup. Am I just stuck driving 65 across the country and then relying on low range in the alpine?

I towed a trailer from TN to UT and the power seemed fine. Oh, wait - that was probably because we never drove on a paved road the whole way - we were on the all-dirt Trans-America Trail averaging 24 miles an hour But, man was it a blast!. Well, we did highway back home to MI and the power seemed fine. But I did have the soft doors on and they are scary at high speeds so I wasn't pushing it.

Moab was great - you'll have a fun time!

 

[Flyin6]

If you wanted to go fast you should have bought a corvette

Pretty useless comment
Meant to demean, correct?

 

[Flyin6]

What information are you looking for? The title says you want recommendations but then you rant about how the 3.6 can’t overland. I have the Ecodiesel but I know there are plenty of people with the 3.6 regeared on 40s, with tons, steel bumpers, sliders, fridges, bed racks, roof top tents, etc that drive long distance and wheel there Jeeps. Modern Jeeps are not fast but they will go 70 down the freeway and climb grades, albeit, not in 8th gear. Once you’re on the trail you’re not going very fast so I don’t see the concern there.

Are you looking for trail recommendations? Or hoping someone talks you into overlanding and camping with your Jeep?

I want to hear from people who have carried some weight (Camping stuff) into the alpine, hopefully in the area I specified.
Concept of the operation: If I get enough positive feedback from informed sources (And not: you should have bought a Corvette) then I have real experience telling me it will work fine.
All I have so far in my own experience is a Jeep that has insufficient power in my estimation.

Smart people can show me I am wrong in that estimation, and perhaps give me some helpful ideas such as, "Don't take this, but carry that instead," and that is what I am looking for here.

 

[chorky]

I want to hear from people who have carried some weight (Camping stuff) into the alpine, hopefully in the area I specified.
Concept of the operation: If I get enough positive feedback from informed sources (And not: you should have bought a Corvette) then I have real experience telling me it will work fine.
All I have so far in my own experience is a Jeep that has insufficient power in my estimation.

Smart people can show me I am wrong in that estimation, and perhaps give me some helpful ideas such as, "Don't take this, but carry that instead," and that is what I am looking for here.

Aside from those with the alu-cab, I am probably (totally guessing) one of the heavier rigs here when fully outfitted for a trip (excluding those towing). What kind of questions are you looking to answer?

I know that torque is one of your biggest gripes and I will say that it is certainly noticeable on the interstate. Quite a lot really compared to when it was stock and unloaded. But it just doesn't bother me that much and still gets up to speed in time to merge, so safety isn't an issue. Braking performance of course is always a factor and I have only had a couple of really hard braking maneuvers so far and they were fine. I do suspect in an emergency though it could be iffy - but an emergency braking maneuver is always iffy. Once I am on dirt though, it really only is noticeable in a couple situations. Up very steep hills - like a super tight switchback that makes you go into 2-hi to prevent axle binding and is greater than 20% grade. It is apparent the vehicle is pulling some weight. And higher speeds over bumps - but not all bumps are bad just certain ones with the right rhythm that make the suspension progressively work more and more if that makes sense. I have bottomed out a lot - but I also put in progressive bump stops specifically for that reason and it is never harsh. I do probably need stiffer springs though.

 

[BAT]

Once you have the V8 it won’t be as much of a problem or at least better masked.

I honestly don’t think it is as much of a problem as much as it is a “what the hell this thing was $XXXXXX and won’t do the speed limit”.

Jeep’s have never been about doing 90 down the interstate, especially with bigger tires and what not. At some point you are just fighting physics. Once you get to the Moab trails you’ll have that “oh I get it” moment.

I'm not so sure about that cause I just did a drive to Dallas and while I was doing 75 in my rig casually driving I lost count how many jeeps in big tires wide and tall were blasting past us probably doing 90. I just kept thinking damn that fuel needle must just be going down quickly (LOL)

 

[Flyin6]

I'm not so sure about that cause I just did a drive to Dallas and while I was doing 75 in my rig casually driving I lost count how many jeeps in big tires wide and tall were blasting past us probably doing 90. I just kept thinking damn that fuel needle must just be going down quickly (LOL)

I see the same thing and I have to wonder, "What are they thinking?"

I'm sure my Jeep will do 90, but I am just as sure, I will never see that moment. The Chinook I piloted would do 170 knots indicated, although I only ever did that once in over 6,000 hours in that machine. I mostly did 125-130 knots.

I would like to be able to effortlessly cruise at 70-75 as my Ram truck does on the highway. I already know from taking the Jeep off-road it is super capable in that realm.

I am hearing more and more of you saying it will be "OK." That is a relative term...Relative to one's personal experience. Well, soon enough I will discover all that highway business myself. I scheduled a week-long trip through the Applicians this month to see how that goes and get a better idea about how the thing does in the hills at lower altitudes. Now playing around between Silverton and Ouray, well, that is going to be altogether different conditions.

Most of the air on this planet lies between sea level and 4,000 feet. Going upward and the concentration of O2 quickly diminishes. I can never forget a trans America trip I and some college buddies did (Back then). One of the guys was on a 500CC bike and going up and over the divide outside of Denver, that bike had so little power, he had to stay mostly in 1st gear! I recall he was so frustrated that he slammed his fist into the top of the gas tank. He dented it so badly, the thing wouldn't hold nearly as much gas and limited his range!~ True story...

That Kawasaki I mentioned had a small motor, just like my Jeep has a small motor. So, according to MY EXPERIENCE, I am connecting the dots and they do not connect well.

I do, appreciate all the informative comments, they help.

 

[Flyin6]

Aside from those with the alu-cab, I am probably (totally guessing) one of the heavier rigs here when fully outfitted for a trip (excluding those towing). What kind of questions are you looking to answer?

I know that torque is one of your biggest gripes and I will say that it is certainly noticeable on the interstate. Quite a lot really compared to when it was stock and unloaded. But it just doesn't bother me that much and still gets up to speed in time to merge, so safety isn't an issue. Braking performance of course is always a factor and I have only had a couple of really hard braking maneuvers so far and they were fine. I do suspect in an emergency though it could be iffy - but an emergency braking maneuver is always iffy. Once I am on dirt though, it really only is noticeable in a couple situations. Up very steep hills - like a super tight switchback that makes you go into 2-hi to prevent axle binding and is greater than 20% grade. It is apparent the vehicle is pulling some weight. And higher speeds over bumps - but not all bumps are bad just certain ones with the right rhythm that make the suspension progressively work more and more if that makes sense. I have bottomed out a lot - but I also put in progressive bump stops specifically for that reason and it is never harsh. I do probably need stiffer springs though.

I know yours is heavy, so hearing that you think mine will work is comforting. You're living this out nearly every day, so the little motor obviously works for you. I'm going to give it a try, starting in just a couple of weeks. Coming back from that little test run, I'll have a better idea of what to expect for the western trip.
Thanks!

 

[BAT]

I see the same thing and I have to wonder, "What are they thinking?"

I'm sure my Jeep will do 90, but I am just as sure, I will never see that moment. The Chinook I piloted would do 170 knots indicated, although I only ever did that once in over 6,000 hours in that machine. I mostly did 125-130 knots.

I would like to be able to effortlessly cruise at 70-75 as my Ram truck does on the highway. I already know from taking the Jeep off-road it is super capable in that realm.

I am hearing more and more of you saying it will be "OK." That is a relative term...Relative to one's personal experience. Well, soon enough I will discover all that highway business myself. I scheduled a week-long trip through the Applicians this month to see how that goes and get a better idea about how the thing does in the hills at lower altitudes. Now playing around between Silverton and Ouray, well, that is going to be altogether different conditions.

Most of the air on this planet lies between sea level and 4,000 feet. Going upward and the concentration of O2 quickly diminishes. I can never forget a trans America trip I and some college buddies did (Back then). One of the guys was on a 500CC bike and going up and over the divide outside of Denver, that bike had so little power, he had to stay mostly in 1st gear! I recall he was so frustrated that he slammed his fist into the top of the gas tank. He dented it so badly, the thing wouldn't hold nearly as much gas and limited his range!~ True story...

That Kawasaki I mentioned had a small motor, just like my Jeep has a small motor. So, according to MY EXPERIENCE, I am connecting the dots and they do not connect well.

I do, appreciate all the informative comments, they help.

I can't comment on altitude driving it but on flat lands and small hills it is smooth at 70 MPH. Its not the quietest ride but I think 70 MPH or at least or me is perfect speed for me to set my cruise control on. Even when I have the truck loaded with stuff and my kayak it still has no issues. It doesn't have what my V8 Ram 1500 had but I couldn't take the doors and top off of that thing and my jeep lives with the doors and top down every chance I get

 

[stampedingTurtles]

Well, that's a good point! I suppose it would not be except that I am used to vehicles with power. Dived a supercharged Suburban and a 2022 Ram Cummins. They do not downshift, just torque up hills. I have very little experience with motors that are (IMO) so short on power.

There are multiple ways for an engine to produce the power/torque necessary, a large-capacity engine spinning at a slower speed or a smaller-capacity engine spinning at a higher speed. I'll just point out here that someone could make a similar post and ask similar questions about a diesel and say something about it how it doesn't rev to 6000 rpm and they are concerned it won't be able to do whatever because it doesn't rev high enough.

But no, I do not think I could just maintain 70 without really getting into the skinny pedal. I think this jeep is using most of its available power where I am used to having huge reserves.
But I DO NOT LIKE the lack of power.

As long as it isn't having trouble maintaining 70 with the pedal all the way down, what exactly is the concern?
Are you going to be pulling a trailer or something? The only real complaints I've seen from people about lack of power are either people who have swapped on big tires and haven't changed their gears and reprogrammed their ECU, or people pulling large trailers (actually, usually people doing both).

 

[Flyin6]

There are multiple ways for an engine to produce the power/torque necessary, a large-capacity engine spinning at a slower speed or a smaller-capacity engine spinning at a higher speed. I'll just point out here that someone could make a similar post and ask similar questions about a diesel and say something about it how it doesn't rev to 6000 rpm and they are concerned it won't be able to do whatever because it doesn't rev high enough.



As long as it isn't having trouble maintaining 70 with the pedal all the way down, what exactly is the concern?
Are you going to be pulling a trailer or something? The only real complaints I've seen from people about lack of power are either people who have swapped on big tires and haven't changed their gears and reprogrammed their ECU, or people pulling large trailers (actually, usually people doing both).

The thing about these forums is you never really know much about who you are responding to or how much they may know. I have a ton of experience with big motors, small ones, turbo and supercharged ones, all three brand-name diesel and foreign stuff too. I am not asking about spinning a diesel to 6000 rpm. I am trying to focus on the V6, its lack of power, and driving heavy at altitude. For those who have experience with those conditions, opinions are appreciated. Some have already weighed in.

Looking at your sentence, "As long as it isn't having trouble maintaining 70 with the pedal all the way down, what exactly is the concern?" It seems you are suggesting if the vehicle maintains 70mph with the pedal to the floor, you should be satisfied. I can only imagine I am misreading that. I am sure you did not mean it that way...

The English language...Seems to be a barrier to effective communication. I'll try again, and not trying to be a smart a$$ here.

I believe the V6 is a poor choice and leaves the JT wanting. It is slow to accelerate and gets even more sluggish when loaded.

With that in mind:
I will be driving a rig loaded for some mild overlanding on the alpine loop and similar trails, so in and around 10,000 feet. The motor will make far less horsepower at altitude than at sea level and at 959MSL where I live the thing is a dog IMO.

So, I know I am in for a struggle on paved roads in and around the continental divide. Again, I am simply asking for opinions from folks who have done this with the V6 gas engine. And if there are any notes, cautions, or warnings associated with this undertaking.

The propensity of you seems to think I will be OK with the JT as is, so that is good news.
Now, later on, I will set up this little jeep with a proper motor and be done with it.

Oh, and a trailer?
Well, I would have taken one but there is no way I would pull an extra quart of milk with a vehicle with such a poor power/weight ratio. I have an off-road camper that can take anything the JT can get through, but it will be staying home this time.

And, I think it is time to put this discussion to bed.

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