The Robocon on 38's

[Rumpofsteelskin]

I bought a used 2021 Willys with a 6-Speed manual on 26 October 2024. The previous owner had installed Oracle LED headlights, and someone that crawled under it prior to my ownership installed a joke.

When the stock tires need replacing, I put on 315 Patagonia MT-02’s, Oracle tails and bumper lights, and a 2” AEV spacer lift.

As I rounded out my retirement plan, I decided to add:

Metalcloak 3.5” Gamechanger lift
Raceline Avenger beadlocks (17x9, -12mm offset)
Milestar Patagonia MT-02 (38x13.50r17)
AAL front bumper
Badlands Apex winch
Stock Rubicon fenders
Max Tow axles, Artec-trussed, with 5.38 gears (E-locked front/LSD rear)

The only work that I did not do myself was installing the gears and locker, I found someone here that wanted to uograde, and I thank them!

Drama time:

Today, I buttoned up everything except swapping the front driveshaft, went to fill it up with gasoline, speed limit was 45, and it drove very well. Impressive, even.

Fueled up, headed back on rhe higher speed limit route (55 MPH), got about halfway back, and it took me into the oncoming lane, shaking suddenly and violently. I let it cruise down to 25-ish, and it stopped. I was only about a mile from home, I drove 25 the rest of the way. My dumb ass was thinking, “So… This is death wobble… Okay, work it out.” I guess the military programmed panic clean out of my system. Kinda wondering why I didn’t panic…

38’s and 5.38’s with the 6MT was nice (at state road speeds), the clutch didn’t feel as weird as stock, and I could roll up to speed in the intermediate gears whereas I usually had to downshift with the stock arrangement. These gears might be a touch low for freeway speed with these tires, but I usually avoid driving yardstick sized tires on a 3 ton boxcar at 70. Betcha the 20 MPG that I was so proud of on 35’s is gone!

As I got it:

Bumper and Winch

Fenders

Currently

The Joke:

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[Bandit’s Lair]

Now that is an upgrade I’ve never seen on a used Jeep before.

 

[Rumpofsteelskin]

Now that is an upgrade I’ve never seen on a used Jeep before.

Yeah, I was wondering if it was a dealer-installed option that I hadn’t heard of. When I did my once-over during purchase, it was a deciding factor.

 

[Jteakus]

I would check balance on the tires.

 

[Rumpofsteelskin]

I would check balance on the tires.

Thank you. One more thing that I have added to the list. Ive been scouring this site (and every other corner of the ‘net), making a list of checks.

So far, I’m planning to review all measurements, torque values, and geometry, then check all rod ends, then get pros to do the alignment specs and tire balancing.

Just thought about it: Wonder if the weight of 18 gallons of fuel made a difference… It didn’t happen at that speed until fuel was added. The road is a smooth repave.

 

[drexotic]

I would check balance on the tires.

This. And get it aligned. While it's off the ground have them, or you, check that there is no excessive play in bushings or joints and that all the bolts are torqued correctly.

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