tips for first time wheelin

NPerry05X · 08-10-2005, 05:26 PM

im bringing the TJ wheelin this sunday for my first time with a few people, no mud just trails and rocks (not risking going alone) and i was wondering a few things.. how well will the top hold up to some branches and whatnot.. is it fairly strong or will it rip easily (basically should i leave it up or put it down? and second, i dont have disco's, how hard is it to just disconnect with a torx and rebolt it when we're done? any other tips for the trails would be nice too thanx

**Steelman** · 08-10-2005, 05:30 PM

I believe that the top will be fine, but the windows (if it's a soft top) could get scratched. I say that the best way to wheel is without a top anyway!

Another tip...don't roll over!

articulate · 08-10-2005, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nperry03

im bringing the TJ wheelin this sunday for my first time with a few people, no mud just trails and rocks (not risking going alone) and i was wondering a few things.. how well will the top hold up to some branches and whatnot.. is it fairly strong or will it rip easily (basically should i leave it up or put it down? and second, i dont have disco's, how hard is it to just disconnect with a torx and rebolt it when we're done? any other tips for the trails would be nice too thanx

Interesting questions.

I don't find it necessary to bring the top down just because I might run into heavy shrub and trees. When it's nice out, I enjoy a trail with the top down; however I also batten down the hatches in my brain and prepare to breathe dust. That's a major downside.

Disconecting your anti-sway bar is not all that easy to do "on the trail." It is also not all that necessary to do in order to enjoy your first day on the trail. That might be the better reason not to worry about doing it.

Be aware of your tire sidewalls, that is don't scrape them on rocks; come down obstacles slowly to prevent your rear from hitting. Make conscious judgements about when to drive over, around, or on top of large rocks.

Have some fun. Cheers,
M

ProfessorCRX · 08-10-2005, 05:57 PM

Really no need to disconnect if they're just basic trails. I'd take the windows out and leave the top up. Decide whether you want it down or not when you get there. If you have worms or beetles infesting the trees, I would reccomend leaving it up if you don't want to get covered in them every time you hit a branch. The top is pretty thick and resiliant.

tiger-bailey · 08-10-2005, 10:05 PM

This looks pretty easy and inexpensive:

http://www.4x4xplor.com/homediscos.html

NPerry05X · 08-10-2005, 10:12 PM

thanks Steelman, i'll try to keep her on all fours....(the jeep) thanx for the tips everyone... im sure i'll have fun out there.. i cant wait!

**Steelman** · 08-11-2005, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nperry03

thanks Steelman, i'll try to keep her on all fours....(the jeep) thanx for the tips everyone... im sure i'll have fun out there.. i cant wait!

Have a great time!

crf250racer · 08-11-2005, 10:42 AM

O and dont baja the hell out of it. I used to do that

every now and than on the woop sections on the dirtbikin trails we ride, and if ur bumpstops are eaten away, ur axle will break ur oil pan. (BTW- am i the only idiot in the world who has ever done that?) But have fun!!!

0IIII0 · 08-11-2005, 10:53 AM

This allows me the opportunity to ask a question about wheeling the first time I went out with other folks. it concerns going down an obstacle/hill

1. The way I was told was to put the Jeep into low gear, and let the engine "brake" the vehicle down hill.

2. However, while I was wheeling a fella with us recommended that I leave the jeep in 4hi, put the trans in neutral and "brake" down hill easy...He stressed to not be abrupt on the brakes, but to ease down the hill on the brakes.

I felt less control with #2 than #1, but the conveniece of not having to shift back into 4hi was nice with #2. We were descending some steep hills, with loose dirt/gravel w/ ruts/obstacles.

So what do you guys think?

urwaker · 08-11-2005, 11:24 AM

ive always done #1, i think your less likely to lose control and you dont have to worry about locking the tires up. just pump the brakes slightly as you decend and make sure you take a few moments while descending to enjoy it. its not often you get that sensation you do when you descend like that.

bcar240 · 08-11-2005, 12:43 PM

Have you ever tried to go down a hill in 4h in the lowest gear? That and a little braking usually does it for me. Well, at least on trails that are moderate enough to let you stay in 4h intead of 4l all the time.

denverd0n · 08-11-2005, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0IIII0

1. The way I was told was to put the Jeep into low gear, and let the engine "brake" the vehicle down hill.

Yep, that's the way to do it.

Quote:

2. However, while I was wheeling a fella with us recommended that I leave the jeep in 4hi, put the trans in neutral and "brake" down hill easy

Very bad idea. Riding your brakes heats them up. Heat them up enough and they fade. If you don't know it, "fade" means they quit working. No brakes, no fun.

You don't necessarily have to shift into 4-lo everytime. It depends on the hill and how fast you can go down it without danger. You can just put the transmission in 1st, or 2nd, or whatever is appropriate.

The main thing is that you do not want to have to ride your brakes constantly. If you can let the engine do most of the braking, it won't hurt to occassionally step on the brakes to slow yourself down a little more. But don't ride them. If you have to step on the brakes, step on them hard enough to really slow yourself down and then get off of them and let the engine do the braking for a while.

This applies not only off-road, but also if you are driving on the highway through mountains. If you find yourself constantly on the brakes then you need to downshift and let the engine do some of the work.

MrBurns · 08-11-2005, 06:20 PM

To the first poster: I personally like having the top down every day during the summer but it's up to you. I will say that my top is scratched all to heck from branches. It's never torn, and I doubt it ever will unless I do something stupid, but it has a lot of scratches. No one ever sees them, but they're there. I do recommend that you disco. It'll probably take 5 minutes or so but it's not that hard. I think the ride is 100 times better disconnected and I disco even if I'm only on bumpy dirt roads.

To the second poster, I think everyone already covered this part but don't ride the brakes downhill. They'll get hot then you'll push them to the floor and nothing will happen. You can put the transmission in first gear and go downhill in 4HI that way, applying brakes for a few seconds if needed but if you see that you're riding the brakes, stop and put it in 4LO.

You say this is while you're going downhill "with loose dirt/gravel w/ ruts/obstacles". You want to go as slow as possible and not touch the brakes if possible in that situation. It's best to use the engine or 4LO to keep you slow instead of speeding up then slowing. When you're going down a steep hill a lot of weight is shifted to the front of the Jeep and the rear is light. If you hit the brakes the rear may lose traction and keep going while the front is biting hard and slowing down. The Jeep can swing around and cause you to go flipping down the hill.

If you have to hit the brakes while going downhill on loose ground, the two best things I can tell you is not to hit them hard and, if possible, wait until the front of the Jeep is climbing an obstacle. For example, hit them as the front end is climbing a rock or coming out of a hole. That way your Jeep is sitting more level plus the obstacle may help slow it down some too. But it sounds like you made it ok so my biggest tip is that you should never sacrifice control for convience. Losing control and flopping down a mountain is usually considered a big deal, whereas shifting the t-case is generally not.

Traveller · 08-11-2005, 10:53 PM

Save the beer until the end of the day, it tastes better then anyway. Having a few while exploring the trails might make it more interesting, just don't do it if I'm in front of you.

Go with a group, follow a few vehicles back so you can get an idea of what to do by watching the vehicles ahead of you. Take it slow and easy, and pay attention.

Don't go out by yourself, if nothing else, have a friend ride with you. Have some basic tools with you, it sucks trying to dig yourself out with only a tire iron and your bare hands (been there done that).

Some old mottos come to mind, the Scout's "be prepared" and the first standing order of the Rangers "don't forget nothing".

Have fun.

**HVACman** · 08-11-2005, 11:29 PM

Just remember... you're not having fun until you break something!

08-10-2005, 10:12 PM	#6
NPerry05X Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Westfield, MA Posts: 224 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	thanks Steelman, i'll try to keep her on all fours....(the jeep) thanx for the tips everyone... im sure i'll have fun out there.. i cant wait! __________________ [COLOR=DarkGreen]Green Jeep Member #171[/COLOR] 3.07 Gears Club Member #10 :( 2005 TJ X 3" BDS springs, 1" body lift, Rancho RS5000 shocks 33x12.5 Pro Comp mud terrains, Banks Monster cat-back stainless, some lights, and a stereo delete.. because the speaker pods got in the way of loading up the back with stuff and the sound of the tires and exhaust is all i need

08-11-2005, 10:53 AM	#9
0IIII0 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 71 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	This allows me the opportunity to ask a question about wheeling the first time I went out with other folks. it concerns going down an obstacle/hill 1. The way I was told was to put the Jeep into low gear, and let the engine "brake" the vehicle down hill. 2. However, while I was wheeling a fella with us recommended that I leave the jeep in 4hi, put the trans in neutral and "brake" down hill easy...He stressed to not be abrupt on the brakes, but to ease down the hill on the brakes. I felt less control with #2 than #1, but the conveniece of not having to shift back into 4hi was nice with #2. We were descending some steep hills, with loose dirt/gravel w/ ruts/obstacles. So what do you guys think? __________________ [b]SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING[/b] Books may introduce unfamiliar or confusing ideas. In the event of uncomfortable self-reflection, heat to 451° Fahrenheit and seek television immediately. "Every argument has a motive, but only the arguments given matter." [COLOR=SandyBrown]Khaki[/COLOR] Jeep Club Member #[B]28[/B] Jeep Sahara Club #70

08-11-2005, 06:20 PM	#13
MrBurns Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Maryville, Tn Posts: 211 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	To the first poster: I personally like having the top down every day during the summer but it's up to you. I will say that my top is scratched all to heck from branches. It's never torn, and I doubt it ever will unless I do something stupid, but it has a lot of scratches. No one ever sees them, but they're there. I do recommend that you disco. It'll probably take 5 minutes or so but it's not that hard. I think the ride is 100 times better disconnected and I disco even if I'm only on bumpy dirt roads. To the second poster, I think everyone already covered this part but don't ride the brakes downhill. They'll get hot then you'll push them to the floor and nothing will happen. You can put the transmission in first gear and go downhill in 4HI that way, applying brakes for a few seconds if needed but if you see that you're riding the brakes, stop and put it in 4LO. You say this is while you're going downhill "with loose dirt/gravel w/ ruts/obstacles". You want to go as slow as possible and not touch the brakes if possible in that situation. It's best to use the engine or 4LO to keep you slow instead of speeding up then slowing. When you're going down a steep hill a lot of weight is shifted to the front of the Jeep and the rear is light. If you hit the brakes the rear may lose traction and keep going while the front is biting hard and slowing down. The Jeep can swing around and cause you to go flipping down the hill. If you have to hit the brakes while going downhill on loose ground, the two best things I can tell you is not to hit them hard and, if possible, wait until the front of the Jeep is climbing an obstacle. For example, hit them as the front end is climbing a rock or coming out of a hole. That way your Jeep is sitting more level plus the obstacle may help slow it down some too. But it sounds like you made it ok so my biggest tip is that you should never sacrifice control for convience. Losing control and flopping down a mountain is usually considered a big deal, whereas shifting the t-case is generally not. __________________ If we don't change direction we'll end up where we're headed - Chinese proverb Silver '01 Tj 4.0. XM/mp3, Warn RC bumper, discos, Superwinch EPi9.0, REBB, 31 Procomp MTs, Hi-Lift, shovel, axe, Glock and a [B]locking gas cap![/B]

08-10-2005, 05:57 PM	#4
ProfessorCRX Web Wheeler Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: New York Posts: 1,295 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Really no need to disconnect if they're just basic trails. I'd take the windows out and leave the top up. Decide whether you want it down or not when you get there. If you have worms or beetles infesting the trees, I would reccomend leaving it up if you don't want to get covered in them every time you hit a branch. The top is pretty thick and resiliant.

08-11-2005, 10:42 AM	#8
crf250racer Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 125 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	O and dont baja the hell out of it. I used to do that every now and than on the woop sections on the dirtbikin trails we ride, and if ur bumpstops are eaten away, ur axle will break ur oil pan. (BTW- am i the only idiot in the world who has ever done that?) But have fun!!!

08-11-2005, 11:24 AM	#10
urwaker Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Burr Ridge, IL Posts: 164 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	ive always done #1, i think your less likely to lose control and you dont have to worry about locking the tires up. just pump the brakes slightly as you decend and make sure you take a few moments while descending to enjoy it. its not often you get that sensation you do when you descend like that.

08-11-2005, 12:43 PM	#11
bcar240 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 71 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Have you ever tried to go down a hill in 4h in the lowest gear? That and a little braking usually does it for me. Well, at least on trails that are moderate enough to let you stay in 4h intead of 4l all the time.

08-11-2005, 10:53 PM	#14
Traveller Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 319 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Save the beer until the end of the day, it tastes better then anyway. Having a few while exploring the trails might make it more interesting, just don't do it if I'm in front of you. Go with a group, follow a few vehicles back so you can get an idea of what to do by watching the vehicles ahead of you. Take it slow and easy, and pay attention. Don't go out by yourself, if nothing else, have a friend ride with you. Have some basic tools with you, it sucks trying to dig yourself out with only a tire iron and your bare hands (been there done that). Some old mottos come to mind, the Scout's "be prepared" and the first standing order of the Rangers "don't forget nothing". Have fun.