Just because you can sleep in the back... without folding the seat down.eflores said:
expedition ish
So? any upgrades? I realize this is an old post, But wanted to know if anything has changed... also wanted to know, to you mentioned you had a Rusty's 4.5 lift and then lowered... so how much? I have a bone stock 2000 classic.. thinking about a 2 inch OME or a 3.5 RE. I really like the "Expedition Manifesto" - lots of confusion for an Expedition, Mud truck & rock crawler... thanksI see a lot of ideas bouncing around here but there are a few things to keep in mind.
1. Expedition doesn't mean hard core 4x4'ing. Its mainly exploring beaten paths and living out of the vehicle.
2. KISS, less modifications the better. Most suggest only lifting the vehicle using load increasing springs to carry more equipment and only increasing the tire size a maximum of 1 inch. Factory is more reliable period. Fixing well known factory weaknesses and making sure everything is in perfect shape is best. Also, if you break a part you dont have, replacing a factory part is 100x easier to find than an aftermarket.
3. Roof racks = suck. Increasing wind resistance and decreasing fuel mileage is counter productive, it also increases your center of gravity and is a nice thief shopping cart. Avoid at all costs and get creative with interior space.
4. skid plates/sliders/protection. Its like insurance, last thing you want is a break down that could have been avoided
5. lights/lights/lights. I can't tell you how much I've used them, from hid's in the headlights themselves to HID warn lights and the libby bar. You can never have enough vision in unfamiliar territory and no amount of planning will stop you from having to drive at night sometimes.
This is my rig, I've explored at least 5k miles in the south west. I've had to use the winch once and it was to pull another vehicle. The parts I use the most are a heavy duty inverter, the wilson cell phone amplifier and the dual battery setup and the electronics (I also use an ipad for almost everything)
Today I wanted to share my tool bag setup - it has been tested and tuned to have the right content for most any repair. When you start building your trail tool bag or box, I suggest doing all work on your XJ at home out of your Tool bag, than anything you find lacking, put it into the bag or box! This will allow you to fine tune your content for your rig over time.
Started with the CLC Tool Backpack and just loaded it over time. To make things easier to find, I used a silver paint pen to label many of the closed pockets, and it helps my wife finds things if I'm under the XJ and need another tool.
After 3 years using this pack, I'm hooked on it, it carries So Much and has proven tough with no failures of zippers or the like.
There are 75 pockets on this thing, and it took me some time to fill them all, but as you add things you find you need, they will get filled. Not shown, I carry a complete Craftsmen socket set and Jeep service manual which fits in between two of the layers.
@ KTMqdracer, I live in Lake County, you are welcome anytime as are anyMembers!
Great to see an expo thread here that has such history and an OP that is still active with it! *thumbs up*
I'm just getting into the more expo aspect of my own xj. I just don't know if I should add stuff here or post a link and make a build (more like REbuild, haha) thread.
Maybe a teaser pick... ; )
Thanks a bunch. It was my first time playing with metal thinner than 3/16s. Sheet metal work is more challenging.
That's yours!?! *drool* very nice sir! Is there a build thread on yours? I am mostly feeling my way through the design and using a lot of creative head scratching and over thinking. I made some pretty good progress today on the basic layout. The drawers are fairly thought out at this point. Tomorrow will show how/if it will actually work. I am torn on what to actually do with the new space where the rear seat/footwells were. I'd love to add a second (or third!) Battery and water would be great. I may save the extras (water and fuel tanks as well as a 3rd battery) for my lil trailer build.
