flexy flexy

'01TJeff

"Roads? Where we're going; we don't need...roads"

 

I've never had my jeep up there, but I used to go on four-wheelers alot. It's a great place for four-wheelers. We used to ride from Windrock (Oliver Springs) to Caryville (70 miles one way). They require permits up there now don't they?

 

They require permits at Windrock now. Windrock is a little disappointing too. They have one trail that is all day and about 1/4 of a mile. Last time I was there a bunch of Jeeps broke trying to do it (I waited a couple hours then went elsewhere to play). Most of the other trails I did in 2 wheel drive. Hard Luck which was a really good trail has been graded. Big Mountain is still there and so is Jackson mine. Their rating system needs some work as Moderate was mostly gravel roads. I am glad to see it managed, they have cleaned the majority of trash up (although the $10 charge is a little steep). When they get a few hard trails opened up it will be better.

 

Steve how is your 12 bolt holding up?

 

Looks real good.
A well designed anti wrap/traction bar, should'nt hinder your articulation, much at all. I run an old bronco radius arm, at the rear axle as an anti wrap bar, I cant even tell its back there, except my traction when climbing steep, is 100% better than without. The last time I put it on a ramp was on the Moonlight Madness trail run. John Adair's Scorpion got on the 25 degree ramp amd scored a 1550 RTI, I wanted to see how close I could come, I scored a 1335.

Jeff
89 YJ
Adversity is imminent, versatility is mandatory, misery is optional.

 

cj7jeep - I have never had any trouble out of the 12 bolt. I am eaiser on it now than I was when I had my 360 and 3 spd (I used to have to use the skinny pedal alot more). I had a dana 60 in the back but it drug on everything and I really couldn't find a easy and cheap way to upgrade the brakes. The 12 bolt has more clearance and it cost me $130 to put disc brakes on it. Two of the guys I ride with alot run 12 bolts and 42's with the 12 bolt welded up. I have seen one broken shaft and he has a scout 2 drivetrain 304 t19/dana20 with a willy's jeep body on it and 42's (weights alot). He was heavy into the gas and bouncing up and down like mad. The disc brake caliper on the back held the axle and the 42 on so he could get out of the woods (which amazed me).

 

H8monday - I have looked at those radius arms and thought they would make a great power steering gearbox brace (and I bet they do work wonderful as traction bars too). The bottom of a connecting rod also works great for a steering gearbox brace. I like to make most of my stuff instead of buying aftermarket stuff.

 

The disc brake calipers do a surprisingly good job at holding the hub in place when the shafts break. I recently snapped both axle shafts on my 8.8 while wheeling Fordyce. The driver side was no problem as the calipers were in place, the passenger side was a different story. The caliper, had been ripped off of the mounting bracket the night before when I slipped off a rock. So we welded a piece of angle iron to the caliper bracket to retain the rotor, and I applied grease to it to stop the squeking every mile or so. Both sides, held for the entire 14 mile rough trek, back out to the tow rig.
C clips arent that bad of an assembly if used with disc brakes(and you dont rip off the calipers).

Jeff
89 YJ
Adversity is imminent, versatility is mandatory, misery is optional.

 

Steve can you tell me more about the disk conversion for the rear? I am at the point of my rebuild to start on the brake system. Thanks for any info, email the info if you want.

 

cj7jeep - The parts for the swap are pretty simple. I used front calipers from around the same year as the front (70's). The rotors just need to be 7/16 stud hole size. I used a different model rotor from the front to get a bigger opening for the axle flange. I had to make the center opening a little bigger to fit using a die grinder and burr type bit (as long as the holes in the rotor are for 7/16 it doesn't matter if the hole isn't perfectly round as the lugs support it anyways). The brackets came from a company that I can't remember the name of right now (I'll check). The brackets were about $20 each. You can also use some year model of cadillac rear caliper that has the hook up to keep your e-brake. The bracket is weld on. I bolted the caliper to the braket and bolted the rotor on. I set the caliper and bracket on the axle tube and used popsicle sticks to get my spacing and heigth right and welded it up. You want to make sure the bleeder valve is at the top of the caliper so it will bleed properly. If you need anymore info feel free to email me.

-Steve