The Robocon on 38's

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:

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

Bandit’s Lair said:

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

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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.

I would check balance on the tires.

Jteakus said:

I would check balance on the tires.

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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.

Jteakus said:

I would check balance on the tires.

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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.

Since it has been raining lately, and I work outside, I just did quick checks.

I need new rod ends for my drag link, it’s all flippy-floppy (to use the technical term). Measured the toe, not technical at all, just a tape measure on the rim edges, and it’s neutral. I need to find a level spot to check my caster, my environmentally heated and cooled shop (driveway) has a 4% slope. When my shop dries up, I’m rechecking torque values and geometry, correcting my errors, and taking it to the professionals.

Thank you all for your support and advice, it has helped a ton.

I'm thinking you got this!

Rumpofsteelskin said:

Raceline Avenger beadlocks (17x9, -12mm offset)
Milestar Patagonia MT-02 (38x13.50r17)

Drama time:

shaking suddenly and violently. I let it cruise down to 25-ish, and it stopped.

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I think it's the tires and wheels, better give them to me and I'll suffer through.

That's a good looking side view.

That’s a good looking side shot , standing tall !

@RudeJeepin I appreciate your offer. I think they looked better online, (and maybe on someone else’s Jeep) and inside my garage, than on my Jeep. I thought they’d be less blingy.

I wanted a “hose it off and go” kinda thing. I later found out that they’re raw aluminum (always do your research!) I need to find a clear matte coating so that I don’t ruin them. I appreciate shiny, beautiful stuff, but that requires more maintenance than “Hell, it’s running well, not wrinkled up or rusted out, I’m good!” I’m lazy.

This is my first offroad vehicle that isn’t over a decade old, and by far the shiniest and prettiest truck I have owned.

Rumpofsteelskin said:

@RudeJeepin I appreciate your offer. I think they looked better online, (and maybe on someone else’s Jeep) and inside my garage, than on my Jeep. I thought they’d be less blingy.

I wanted a “hose it off and go” kinda thing. I later found out that they’re raw aluminum (always do your research!) I need to find a clear matte coating so that I don’t ruin them. I appreciate shiny, beautiful stuff, but that requires more maintenance than “Hell, it’s running well, not wrinkled up or rusted out, I’m good!” I’m lazy.

This is my first offroad vehicle that isn’t over a decade old, and by far the shiniest and prettiest truck I have owned.

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Black chrome em and then do a flat clear coat. Something like 2K or something. That one seems to work well. I think Raptor has one that might take more of a beating. Haven’t used that one though.

Bandit’s Lair said:

Black chrome em and then do a flat clear coat. Something like 2K or something. That one seems to work well. I think Raptor has one that might take more of a beating. Haven’t used that one though.

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Thanks! I’m a dinosaur. If this thing wasn’t as pretty as it is, it would get the “rattle can it until it needs replaced” treatment. There’s a ton of nice fancy stuff that I never dealt with until I retired.

Rumpofsteelskin said:

Thanks! I’m a dinosaur. If this thing wasn’t as pretty as it is, it would get the “rattle can it until it needs replaced” treatment. There’s a ton of nice fancy stuff that I never dealt with until I retired.

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Rattle cans have come a LONG way. Rustoleum or one of em have a nice trigger attachment that’ll save your finger some cramps and lays down spray very evenly. And not very pricey. The black chrome is fairly easy to do if you take your time with it. For raw aluminum wheels that are already polished it’ll lay down well. It’s a pretty cool effect I’ve helped a couple people do in the past.

I have 38s on my JT now and I really feel like that's the Goldilocks tire size on these