Gettin' ready to ride

[KenB]

Three weeks and counting till Big Bend.
Been doing what I can to get this rig ready to hit some backroads in both Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park (the prime target). Carb upgrade to MC2100 from BBD (you can FEEL the difference), Warn 8000 in front (couldn't pass up the sale price), extra spare tire mounted, dash cam in place with inverter power, new shoes (BFG MT KM's), and bumper mount swing away tire carrier with jerry can holders. That last one has me a little concerned, cause there just isn't a lot of metal on that rear cross member that it bolts to.

 

[elwood blues]

Sounds sweet, I want to see some more pics

 

[KenB]

OK, I'm a little slow, but here's some more pics.

The MC2100 in place. Still don't like all the hose routing, but that's for another day. Front end - hope I don't have to use it. Two spares.
And a dash cam.

 

[Trapshooter]

Love the video camera mount, you'll have to let us know if you post anything on YouTube.

Who is the manufacturer of the swing away spare and fuel can carrier. I have been considering a unit from Body Armor. The Body Armor unit retracts when you don't need to carry the extra fuel.

Keep up the good work.........

 

[smoothie]

Can't wait!

 

[coldwater]

Three weeks and counting till Big Bend.
Been doing what I can to get this rig ready to hit some backroads in both Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park (the prime target). Carb upgrade to MC2100 from BBD (you can FEEL the difference), Warn 8000 in front (couldn't pass up the sale price), extra spare tire mounted, dash cam in place with inverter power, new shoes (BFG MT KM's), and bumper mount swing away tire carrier with jerry can holders. That last one has me a little concerned, cause there just isn't a lot of metal on that rear cross member that it bolts to.

Jesus,, That's just one of the most beautiful sights I have seen in I don't know how many years. A kitted out, just about stock CJ JEEP getting ready to do what It does best. You're my hero. I insist on seeing a mess of piks!!!!!

 

[KenB]

Thanks guys.
The tire carrier is the Body Armor unit, and it is solid. It comes with all the necessary bolts, nuts, brackets, etc., and a pretty good installation guide. If you get one of these, be sure to have some help when you get ready to mount the bumper, cause that's one heavy sucker. Without the jerry cans, the tire mount will slide in to put the spare closer to the tub. The only negative so far is not with the carrier, but the Jeep. The rear cross member is fairly lightweight steel, and tends to flex some with the tire mounted outboard for the fuel cans. Might want to put some channel iron back there and some longer braces to the frame.
The video cam mount was kind of a brain fart. Didn't want to put any holes in the dash pad, and stumbled on these velcro picture hanger strips at Walmart. Each one is supposed to hold about 40# and supposed to peel off cleanly when you're through with them. A couple of test runs, and they hold the camera really well.
CW, that is high praise, and I appreciate it. I'm not into muddin or rock crawling, just wanted a Jeep to do, as you say, what a Jeep does best.
Hoping to get lots of pics on the trip. Probably have to get one of the granddaughters to teach me how to edit and YouTube.

 

[gert]

I agree with the flimsy rear cross member bit... One of the POs on my Jeep welded 1/4 plate across mine before installing a massive pipe bumper

 

[elwood blues]

I love where you put the stock tire carrier, that was a great idea. Post up all the pics from you're trip, I'm interested in seeing them. Hope you have a great trip, the CJ looks sweet

 

[KenB]

Well, we made it, and it was a great trip.
It's just over 600 miles from here, so Lady CJ got to be a trailer queen on the way there and back.


My son took his Cherokee, which is a pretty decent rig except for the square headlights. He had finished a 6" lift a few weeks before and was eager to try it out.


Almost all the trail pics are on video, but I'll get around to pulling some frame shots soon. This was our campsite at sunrise after a night under a clear, star filled sky.


If you're into running backroads, and don't have a problem with desert pinstripes, Big Bend Ranch State Park is the place to go. It IS isolated, and you have to carry everything in that you might need, including extra fuel. It's a long way to the nearest gas pump. In return, you'll have access to many, many miles of roads that are rarely traveled, to places few people have ever been.

 

[CJKrawler]

That looks like beautiful country there, wish we had something like that a little closer here.