Xmas for kids 12/2 at Gray Rock

[ChuckstrPT]

Anyone planning on hitting Gray Rock on 12/2 for their Xmas for kids Ride? http://www.grayrockorv.com/Home.htm
Admission is a toy/toys worth atleast $20. I'm trying to make arrangement to be there, and I'm looking for some trucks on 33's or less to ride with....any takers??? AUCherokee?? Clay?? Mr. Foo??:wave:

[caglezxj]

I will be there, maybe not 33's but I will be there. What time is everyone getting there?

[kf_chris]

I'd like to head up there, but the Jeep is stock with street tires so I don't think I'd do much other than taking pictures.

[ChuckstrPT]

I'd like to head up there, but the Jeep is stock with street tires so I don't think I'd do much other than taking pictures.
If you've never been to Gray Rock, there is a "Perimeter Road" that gets you between all the more serious trails. It's likely we could get you around, and you'd have some fun. You can also easily walk into most of the more serious trails to watch others break their Sh!t....
I'm open, and just recently on 32's. You can have some fun without destroying your truck.
Andy

[ChuckstrPT]

I will be there, maybe not 33's but I will be there. What time is everyone getting there?
Haven't set a time....I'll have the 3 year old son, and wife with me. Not likely too early. What time is good for you? Maybe before lunch, trail for a few hours, then break for lunch, possibly hit the road for nappy pooh...;)

[XJ FREAK]

Hey i am new 2 the group, but it sounds great can you give me a location and time

[kf_chris]

After checking mapquest and the bank account, I'll have to double check if we can make this trip. I think that the 4 year old is having heart surgery in the immediate future so all trip plans are on hold for about a month or 2 or 3. Next spring I'm hoping to get a lil lift and 31's on this XJ, and tax returns are providing me with funds for another one (bout $3K should do it)
Have fun guys!

[ChuckstrPT]

Hey i am new 2 the group, but it sounds great can you give me a location and time
Click the link above to get to the Gray Rock web site. They should have a map there. It's in the Gardendale/Mount Olive area, maybe 20-30 min north of Birmingham. I think the gate opens at 9, and they'll be riding til the sun goes down...No Night Riding... I'm thinking we'll be there by mid AM.

[ChuckstrPT]

After checking mapquest and the bank account, I'll have to double check if we can make this trip. I think that the 4 year old is having heart surgery in the immediate future so all trip plans are on hold for about a month or 2 or 3. Next spring I'm hoping to get a lil lift and 31's on this XJ, and tax returns are providing me with funds for another one (bout $3K should do it)
Have fun guys!
Those would be the correct priorities...take care of the little one! There will always be trails to ride....Hopefully!

[kf_chris]

Those would be the correct priorities...take care of the little one! There will always be trails to ride....Hopefully!
yessir, hopefully we can get a lift on it and bigger tires by feb or march and head up to Gray Rock shortly after.

[ChuckstrPT]

yessir, hopefully we can get a lift on it and bigger tires by feb or march and head up to Gray Rock shortly after.
Skids are good too...I scrapped mine up real good going through The Canyon last time....
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q93/ChuckstrPT/FallforAll06022.jpg
That is from one trail ride........:shhh:

[kf_chris]

that'll buff out!

I'll seeabout the skids also, depending on the money situation.

[XJ FREAK]

Hey I am going to try to meet yall down there , my jeep is mostly stock ( a project my grand father willed it to me) but the trails sound fun, and like to get some pics of everybodys ride to put in my showroom

[caglezxj]

I just got done with my double ended cylinder, and noticed a lot of slop in a ball joint, I replaced it today. Not to bad of a job. However I am tired of all the work, I am ready to go play.

[BIGWOODY]

oh no!...another 8 hour ride in the Dodge, I may make it.

[kf_chris]

Skids are good too...I scrapped mine up real good going through The Canyon last time....
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q93/ChuckstrPT/FallforAll06022.jpg
That is from one trail ride........:shhh:

so if I should get some skidplates, what would be the best first one to get, we're on a budget, I'm gonna try to get the lift, tires and skidplate all at the same time so I'm protected the best I can get for my money.

[ZachMan]

so if I should get some skidplates, what would be the best first one to get, we're on a budget, I'm gonna try to get the lift, tires and skidplate all at the same time so I'm protected the best I can get for my money.


rockrails, tow points and t-case skid.

Wish I could make the ride, figure I'll be at UAB :bawl:

[kf_chris]

thanks for the info, I'll look into it and see what I can come up with.

[caglezxj]

I bought my present for the ride today. I splurged a little. But the kids deserve it.

[ChuckstrPT]

rockrails, tow points and t-case skid.

Wish I could make the ride, figure I'll be at UAB :bawl:
I started "protecting" before I started lifting. You definately want to prioritize. First order of business if you want to get on the trail is tow points front and rear. Doesn't matter what lift you've got, or what tires you've got, if you get stuck and have nothing to attach to! After that...it's up to you to prioritize....you may be able to skimp on the protection being from Florida...they don't got too many big rocks down there do they??:rolleyes: Seriously, if you don't plan on much rocks, and do plan on much mud, get the lift and some good tires after the tow points. Then protect as the budget allows. If you aren't going to hit serious rock trails you may be able to sneak by for awhile without the protection.
I knew I wanted my truck lasting for a while when I started my build, so I actually put on Chassis Stiffeners prior to lift, and most of the protection. I got forced into my first set of tires prior to lift when the street treads wore out sooner than expected!
I'd get some tow points, and come on out!

[ChuckstrPT]

I bought my present for the ride today. I splurged a little. But the kids deserve it.
I'm going to let my 3 year old pick it out....we'll see how that goes!

[caglezxj]

I just wanted to remind everyone about this ride. I have my junk ready for the trail! I have also been buying tons of spare parts, if that tells you anything.

[ChuckstrPT]

We'll likely get there around 10am. What channel you guys usually run on? I'll hollar around when we get there.

[caglezxj]

We'll likely get there around 10am. What channel you guys usually run on? I'll hollar around when we get there.

I might have a channel by then lol. I will get there around 8:00 . You know what my ride looks like. I am going to try some of the harder stuff this go around.

[ChuckstrPT]

I might have a channel by then lol. I will get there around 8:00 . You know what my ride looks like. I am going to try some of the harder stuff this go around.
Good deal...I like watching other people break stuff!:spin1:
I'll try channel 4 unless someone else has another suggestion...

[caglezxj]

Good deal...I like watching other people break stuff!:spin1:
I'll try channel 4 unless someone else has another suggestion...

I have no radio so atleast I could listen to people raddle on the cb. I got my tubing bender in yesterday and added some tubing. Hoop across the radiator area and some by the back passenger door. I still have to do something about the back hatch area that is left unprotected. A few hours away and the big kids get to play.

[ChuckstrPT]

It sounds like there will be some Rover action from CAOS tomorrow too! Not sure who all is coming....we'll see you there! still shooting for 10am...

[caglezxj]

Nothing like bending up some expensive sheet metal. I am getting to the Mt.Olive exit at 7:00 Meeting my cousin and his wife. I will see you there, I am going to order me a CB, I looked at radio shacks stuff and found a nice Cobra that was made into the mic. But they did not have any good antenna's . Maybe next time.

[ChuckstrPT]

Nothing like bending up some expensive sheet metal. I am getting to the Mt.Olive exit at 7:00 Meeting my cousin and his wife. I will see you there, I am going to order me a CB, I looked at radio shacks stuff and found a nice Cobra that was made into the mic. But they did not have any good antenna's . Maybe next time.
Jason has just put quite a bit into his Disco....check it out
http://www.caos4x4.com/cmbs/index.php?topic=6954.0
I'm interested to see it.....

[ZachMan]

Have fun fellas, wish I could go...

[popsmrf]

hey saw a decal on an xj yesterday at grayrock and thought i would check it out. had a blast and hope get to ride with some of you in the future. i drive a 90 model xj.

[ZachMan]

hey saw a decal on an xj yesterday at grayrock and thought i would check it out. had a blast and hope get to ride with some of you in the future. i drive a 90 model xj.

Yeah theres a couple CAOSmember on here, heh.

[caglezxj]

I had a lot of fun. I kept trying to flip. I went through all the normal trails like the Canyon and snot rock, and most of them by the parking area as well. But Rock Holler and Poison Rock was very challenging. I made it with no winch, I now have a few more dents in my tubing, but that adds character right? Also Tub rock was fun, my wheelbase makes that an easy climb. I will have some pictures up soon.

[caglezxj]

The Canyon

http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL1106/4366861/14086608/210640478.jpg

http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL1106/4366861/14086608/210640488.jpg

[caglezxj]

Snot Rock

http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL1106/4366861/14086608/210640486.jpg

http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL1106/4366861/14086608/210640483.jpg

[caglezxj]

Tub Rock

http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL1106/4366861/14086608/210641490.jpg

Rock Holler

http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL1106/4366861/14086608/210641500.jpg

http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL1106/4366861/14086608/210641502.jpg

[caglezxj]

Rock Holler ( Poser Pic )

http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL1106/4366861/14086608/210641493.jpg

[caglezxj]

hey saw a decal on an xj yesterday at grayrock and thought i would check it out. had a blast and hope get to ride with some of you in the future. i drive a 90 model xj.

I have not joined NAXJA yet. I should though. This is a great place with a lot of xj knowledge. Glad to have you here.

[popsmrf]

thanks....like the cage....suprised i didn't see you. that cage kinda stands out. i went with the inside cage. i dig body damage. mine is a hideous light blue color with a silver cage. no back hatch with spare tire rack. will post my pics of the canyon ride later on.

[popsmrf]

http://thumb18.webshots.net/t/59/759/7/42/97/2089742970098023278SRHHYr_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2089742970098023278SRHHYr)

http://thumb18.webshots.net/t/57/157/9/17/37/2926917370098023278yyCfKB_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2926917370098023278yyCfKB)

[ChuckstrPT]

hey saw a decal on an xj yesterday at grayrock and thought i would check it out. had a blast and hope get to ride with some of you in the future. i drive a 90 model xj.
Dunno if that was me or not. We were there, but only on the trail for about 2 hours. We passed on the Canyon this trip. We banged our way through at the Fall for All. I'm in a Silver '01, ARB on the front etc...
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q93/ChuckstrPT/FallforAll06007.jpg

[popsmrf]

i recognize ya. i saw you i think saturday morning when we were headed toward the canyon. nice ride. i would love to find a nice newer xj for my family to ride along. with the cage and fuel cell inside my four door is a two seater. i got some time though, son is only two.

[popsmrf]

what kinda shocks are you running? in your pic your spring is dropped down from the mount. i would love that kinda travel. i am still running stock shocks with two inches of lift. i know i could get some more articulation with longer shocks.

[ChuckstrPT]

i recognize ya. i saw you i think saturday morning when we were headed toward the canyon. nice ride. i would love to find a nice newer xj for my family to ride along. with the cage and fuel cell inside my four door is a two seater. i got some time though, son is only two.
You don't have any time...my son went on his first ride shortly after his 2nd birthday!:viking: He's 3 now, and had a blast in Daddy's Jeep! That is exactly why I got my XJ too. Unfortunately, with 2 kiddy seats in the back, my 4 door is also a two seater for any adults!:sunshine:

[ChuckstrPT]

what kinda shocks are you running? in your pic your spring is dropped down from the mount. i would love that kinda travel. i am still running stock shocks with two inches of lift. i know i could get some more articulation with longer shocks.
Your shocks probably do suck. I ran "recommended" shocks for my 3 inch lift, and they only had another inch of droop from it's weighted position! I pulled the shocks, and took some measurement. I actually have shocks that should work with 4 to 4-5 inches of lift, cause that is about where I think I'll end up with 33's someday! I had to bumpstop it to protect the shocks, but they give me more droop than I can currently use! and I've still got some clearance for more tire(with the TJ flares)..... I think they are 27inches long? maybe 10 inches of travel. I could look up the part number if you are interested. They are RS9000s...got some long ones on back too!

[popsmrf]

sure if ya don't mind. are you using BPE's?

[ChuckstrPT]

sure if ya don't mind. are you using BPE's?
These were the two part numbers I was looking at:
RS99251 S42 LS43
16.125-27.0 10.875 travel
RS99234 S42 LS26
Same as 99251
They are identical except for the end attachments, and that was like a millimeter difference. I am using JKS BPE, and the bushings on the ones I have are a little narrow. It wasn't as tight a fit as I'd like. I've got the RS99234 on mine. You can go to the Rancho site http://www.gorancho.com/flash/docs/2005_shocks.pdf
for all the details. That droop is actually not all the shocks will allow. I think my stock UCA's are limiting me......