Cliffs anyone??

[Rocketman]

Next Fri Sat or Sunday perhaps? 22nd, 23rd or 24th. I need to get dirty and don't feel like burning $150 in gas just to go to and from Attica or Pittsfield. The Cliffs isn't RORP I know, but it is close (to Chicago area folks) and can be fun with enough people. It's only 30 to 40 minutes for me. I know it doesn't compare to web wheeling but is anyone up for some potential carnage?? I have all kinds of new stuff to try and break.

[jakepac]

saturday, the 23rd, sounds good to me. I'm in joliet and try to get out to the cliffs whenever I get the chance.

[jaymo]

Hey there , I wished I were a little closer to completion cause I would love to go. I noticed that your both kinda close, and was wondering if Either of you would like lend a hand to a struggling build!?. I do have beer!!!
I have been around this site for a while but hate to type. And before I do get hammerd I paid to become a member friday night.

I do love watching all the midwest guys hammer on guys like me, Its some funny sh%&#$t.

[Rocketman]

Whatcha buildin??

Details my young padawan. Then help provide, we can!

[MXJ]

Just might be able to make it. Just need to fix my trackbar, balance my tires and get some S-10 packs to fix the sagging rear end. I know some people around here that may want to go too if thats okay.

[Rocketman]

Still planning on Saturday morning. Meet at 9 or so in the lot hit it about 10.

Starting a list... Just copy and add if you are planning.

Rocketman (Rob)
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[jakepac]

Rocketman (Rob)
jakepac(jacob) in my smashin pumpkin
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[Rocketman]

Planning on leaving the house about 8:30. Takes me about 45 minutes to get there. Bringing my little buddy with me too. (4 year old son) I should be aired down by 10:00 and ready to hit it. I'm no trail guide, been there 4 or 5 times but wouldn't know North from South unless I'm up on the top of the hill or in the lot. I'm used to playing follow the leader. Anyone been there of late??? Any changes, improvements?? I do not have a winch but do have straps of course and recovery points. Haven't been there this year yet.

Anyone and everyone else is welcome of course. This is NOT an MWC or NAXJA sanctioned run. Come on guys, it's close, and even though a campfire isn't involved, I'm sure someone will break something!! (knock on wood)

[jaymo]

Have fun rocketman.I wish I could make it But my rig is still in pieces.

[Rocketman]

Oh well... I'm heading there in the AM, after the rain this evening, should be... interesting tomorrow. Hope to see someone else there besides the 4 wheelers.

[Rev Den]

As much as I would love to be there Rob, I will be spending my precious free time assisting a MWC member install a cage before he leaves for Moab. Have fun, take pics, it will probably be really dry. :D

Rev

[jakepac]

I'll be there same time. I've been there several times this summer and still get lost, never really know what trail I'm on. I use a compass. I got a new winch last time but haven't tried it yet. It's a, It's a, Uhhh, okay, it's a Champion 7500 from Sam's club. Okay I said it. Couldn't resist the cheap price(298.00). I know it's slow but it' better than the 4 ton come-a-long I've been using til now. Anyway, after tonights rain I'm pretty sure I'll get some use out of it tomorrow. Hope to see more xjs out there. Tired of seeing mostly ATVs out there when it rains.

[Rocketman]

Got there a little late but got there none the less. For those that haven't made a Cliffs run lately there are IMHO some pretty nice changes.

First, they now have an actual map. Not a great map, but a map.

2nd, they have all new signs directing the trails. NOT all trails are numbered but the major trails are.

3rd, Trail 10 is a pretty kick ass trail. It runs along the bottom of the ridge on the North side of the property. It is the old creek bed and has so many dips and gulleys. Besides tearing off both side mirrors by sliding along mud walls and a tree, it would be safe to say there were a couple times "off-camber" would have been a huge understatement. The mud pits were nice and thick gooey today, but generally the place was pretty dry.

It still is tight in areas but they have done quite a bit to make it more friendly to Jeeps and such and not catering to just the ATV crowd.

There were quite a few Wrangler posers from GLJT and NIJA and said it was their first time. Lot's of mud covered CHROME. It was kind of funny. Couple nice rigs too. Especially a newer TJ with 60's front and back and 44 mudders. A few capable ricers actually too. One was kind of funny with a full exo cage. Looked like a big ass 4 Runner.

Oh well, new mirrors and popping out a fender and I'm all good again.

Here's a pic of the pit and my carnage

http://www.robpettey.com/jeep/pit.gif

http://www.robpettey.com/jeep/side.gif

[jakepac]

Hey rocketman, glad made it. I didn't think you were coming. I Hooked up with those GLJT guys. You can't see me well but I'm behind that red jeep. I pulled him out. His jeep was stock with open diffs, no chance thru that. Most of them hadn't been there much and they had me lead even though I'm kind of lost half the time I'm there. 5 minutes in and I was the 1st one stuck. That's okay, I redeemed myself later pulling some of them out. You're right about trail 10. I left an axle, mirror, couple of broken windows(rear quarter) there in the past. today's damage? let's see, popped front spring, bent track bar, possible twisted LCA, bent tire rod, and to finish the day my idler pulley seized up, burnt the belt off and it overheated just as I got it back to the lot. Back to wrenching tomorrow. Let me know when you want to go, or anyone else.

[jaymo]

Now damit that looks fun!!!!

Hey jakepac, Im not sure of your setup but if you need some stock parts you can come and take them off this xj sitting on my trailer. I have a straight tierod.etc.....jay....

[Rocketman]

Damn, I forgot about it but the day before I threw away a good stock tie rod and ends. Jake has some wrenching to do before his next run. That driver side spring pad and the lower control arm didn't look good. Track bar didn't look kosher either.

I came away with some loose steering courtesy of #10 besides the trashed fender and mirrors. Even the little plastic thingy that holds the stock antenna is busted. Damn. After a wash this morning, I'll be tightening and adjusting all those "pipes" under the motor.

http://www.robpettey.com/jeep/fender.gif

Looking at the damage it looks like Anna Nicole fell against my fender...

[HaleYes]

Looking at the damage it looks like Anna Nicole fell against my fender...

Trim Spa baby!




Looks like fun!

Glad you guys had a good time.
I hope to make it up there someday.

[seanR]

http://www.robpettey.com/jeep/pit.gif

Not fun.....

[jakepac]

Thanks Jay, but it's time for upgrade. Still figuring out my set up as I bought built but it still needs some beefier steering. I may look for that v8 Zj setup or rusty's tie rod and adjustable track bar. I think I can get the spring back on the perch and save it. The fronts are rusty's 6 1/2 springs. I'll try to post some pics of the front end later today if I get back in time. How's your build going?

[Rocketman]

Went and washed things and now I got a wicked chirp. Either the front TC seal/bearing or the front DS ball. Hard to tell but it's damn LOUD!! I'll pull the front DS and it should tell me if I put it in 4lo and it squeels.

What's been your experiences with the chirp my brothers??

[Rocketman]

Chirp was a dead dry ball in the Cardan joint. Used the needle to regrease the ball and the cricket is dead. What kind of fitting do you use to grease those flat fittings on the ends of the caps on the u-joints??

[HaleYes]

What kind of fitting do you use to grease those flat fittings on the ends of the caps on the u-joints??

I use one very similar to this. It also has a quick connection that just slips over the end of the grease gun.
http://partners.drivewerks.com/catalog/images/tools2003/LNC-5803.jpg

The ones with the slanted opening at the end suck.(like a medical needle)

[Rocketman]

Thanks. Had to do some online searching to find the fitting. They even make a shorter one like a little stubby pin. I tried the needle, you're right, it didn't work.

Without tearing it down, I was able to inject grease under the rubber/plastic (?) socket. Does the ball & socket have a zerk fitting anywhere?

[Rev Den]

Nope.

Lubed for life.....riiiight.

Rev

[jakepac]

Chirp was a dead dry ball in the Cardan joint. Used the needle to regrease the ball and the cricket is dead. What kind of fitting do you use to grease those flat fittings on the ends of the caps on the u-joints??
I had that same "chirp" a while back. Lubed it the best I could and had to do it again each time I took it out. Ended up replacing that centering bearing on the back end of the front driveshaft, the original was shot. I just used a decent used one I found at pick-n-pull while picking up an axle shaft. I don't think it cost much new but I had picked it up for almost nothing as I was buying the axle shaft.

[Fairmonco]

You must of hit the same tree I did out there,I have the same broken mirror and dented fender!