Had some fun on the rocks today.

[JeepCrawler_98]

Had some fun in Florence, AZ today. Had my chance at an obstacle called the fire-hole. I think so far I've been the smallest rig, and open-diffed, to make it up and over. Still waiting for a few more pics, but its got a few decent ones of me on the 'hole. Ran into somebody that just finished building their rock buggy - he started it in february and got it done for a first test this weekend. Unfortunately a few minutes after unloading he popped the inside-bead (the ones that your average beadlock wont hold in place) and dint have a spare so it went back on the trailer. Needless to say he was a tad bummed out.

Anyways, I know you guys want your pics so here you go => http://4x4tj.dyndns.org:81/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album46 The hole itself is actually very steep - you can use my spotter as a frame of reference as he's obviously standing straight.







And yes I did fall inside the crack on a few of my tries. Considering its 4' deep and 3' it made for an interesting feeling - but the sides prevented me from flopping. No body damage though rockers and the wide tires took the fall.

[StealthTJ]

Your spotter had you going wrong in that group of photos, which is why you had the problem.
The Firehole is actually pretty simply (though it gets a lot of "wows" from lookers).
He should have had you turning a little to the right, and your right tire/sidwall would have held you just fine.
In your middle photo, your turned to the left and that's wrong. He should have had you turned to the right a little and you simply ride that little ridge (on the right) down. Piece of cake.
I've done it a ton of times.
Here's the line (that's me):





This is a wrong line, too far to the right:




And this is wrong, a little too far right also, but the spotter is correcting him here:





BTW, here's an even steeper one in Lower Woodpecker, that I'm coming up:




I'm at the top. Look down between the rear tires to get an idea of what this steep notch looks like in Lower Woodpecker:






Here's a panoramic view of part of the stuff in Lower Woodpecker. I'm 4th in line:





Here are a couple of photos of a missed line in Lower Woodpecker:








A nice day trip is running Lower Woodpecker, Upper Woodpecker and Ajax.
I'll let you know next time I run up that way.



Fred

[JeepCrawler_98]

Yeah - I only got pics of the messed up tries (cuz theyre the most fun to watch nautrally). The one that ended up working is exactly the one you pointed out. Still dont think I did too bad though considering I only have a BB, 33"s, and no traction aid whatsoever.

edit (sorry for the late edit, my cable modem went down - which prolly took the pics with it for a little bit): We did also spent some time on the lower wash. FUN play area, short, but definitely has what it takes. The obstacle where that blue TJ flopped on is definitely a scary one if not hit right. I went through it (though I almost bailed on it - stupid open diffs really limit my lines), but my friends full width YJ slipped in HARD into it. Blew a bead and we had to yank him out in reverse. Funn stuff - though he didn't think so Be sure to hit me up next time you go - by the end of the summer I hope to have new axles and lockers front and back, and most likely 35"s or 37"s. This going on the assumption that I find a job of course.

[superman613]

awesome pics!!

Are you really just running a 2" BB and 33's????

and how does that 2.5L with the K&N and taurus fan do with that size tire (im thinking of doing the same mods and upgrading tires)

do u think the two engine mods are worth it, any good or bad opinions?

thanks

superman

[StealthTJ]

Mmmm, hadn't looked at the link, in your sig., to see your Jeep specs.
How long have you been in Arizona ?
I'll *HIGHLY* recommended that you ditch that K&N filter, also know out here, as a silica injection device, if you're going to be out here in Arizona for any length of time.





Fred

[JeepCrawler_98]

Yep - the 2.5L is a dog on the street, but does good off-road (for the kind of rig it is anyways). It has a lower COG than the 4.0, and the engine is located behind the front axle meaning you get better balancing/weight distribution. In 4-lo I dont really find it limiting (leave the open diffs to do that ) I find the K&N and taurus fan obviously arent a huge difference in power, but you do notice it off the line, and it has better holding power. The taurus fan also upped my mileage by about 20% (calculated, not guessed), aside from making my engine bay a BREEZE to work on. Even if I didnt gain power I'd still do the mods. The K&N doesnt cost anymore than the stock fitler, and the fan is nice for deep water, and gives you like a foot of room in front of the engine.

[JeepCrawler_98]

Originally Posted by StealthTJ

Mmmm, hadn't looked at the link, in your sig., to see your Jeep specs.
How long have you been in Arizona ?
I'll *HIGHLY* recommended that you ditch that K&N filter, also know out here, as a silica injection device, if you're going to be out here in Arizona for any length of time.





Fred

Lived in AZ for about a year and a half (been wheeling a little shorter than that). I know a K&N is a nono down here - but I do run a prefilter on it, and I no longer find any residue inside the TB since adding it, oil coated dirt no longer gets thru and contaminates anything AFAIK. Besides - I couldnt find a cone filter thats non-oil based (my filter clamps straight to the TB)

[Jeep3607]

looks great... wish I lived near some big rocks LOL!!!