Looking to join Naxja - Moved to CLT NC, no garage, need service help

[Jonner]

Hi Guys,

I just moved from Columbus OH to Charlotte NC. I've been contributing to more (technical forums) in the past year while completing an engine rebuild and refreshing some other bits. I'm looking to give back by joining to support the community that's helped me out so much.

I wanted to see if anyone in the area would be willing to lend a hand diagnosing a P1391 CEL and also an exhaust leak (downpipe maybe?) after putting everything back together? I used to have a well-equipped garage, but I had to make some sacrifices with the move. I brought some basic tools, but my apartment complex doesn't allow working on vehicles in the parking lot (and they're strict!).

If not, maybe someone can recommend a local shop in Charlotte that can do some good diagnostic work?

Thanks ya'll!

Jonathan

 

[Lowrange2]

Welcome to the SEC! You're welcome to come down to SC one day and we can take a look at it.

Or, I'm sure one of the many fellas in Charlotte can help ya.

 

[Jonner]

Lowrange2 - Looks like it'd be a pretty drive down there through Sumter National Forest! Abbeville looks like a cute little town with lots of green space around it.

 

[UNCC_99XJ]

Welcome!

I'm in the Charlotte area, Concord to be exact. Right behind the speedway. I'd be happy to help any time. Have a 2-car garage on my house to work in.

What part of Charlotte are you in?

 

[Lowrange2]

Lowrange2 - Looks like it'd be a pretty drive down there through Sumter National Forest! Abbeville looks like a cute little town with lots of green space around it.

Yeah, it's a nice drive. Everytime folks come this way they comment on how I live in the middle of nowhere. lol My road has been compared to the Oregan Trail more than once.

 

[Jonner]

Welcome!

I'm in the Charlotte area, Concord to be exact. Right behind the speedway. I'd be happy to help any time. Have a 2-car garage on my house to work in.

What part of Charlotte are you in?

@ UNCC_99XJ

I'm in the Northlake area where W.T. Harris, I-77, and I-485 come together to form a triangle.

You got any pictures of your rig? Mine are floating around here in other threads - nothing too special though, just a clean daily driver with some Naxja favorite modifications. Pretty much a restored cruiser with a little rust belt patina.

 

[UNCC_99XJ]

Nice! Used to live out that way and have a friend that still does.

My rig at the Crawl this year in Kentucky:

 

[Jonner]

Nice Rig! It reminds me of the one my old landlord's husband had in Ohio. She told me about this time he went wheeling and she was shocked because he came back and had a dent in the back and no rear window anymore - was black and lifted about the same as yours.

I'd love to go to a crawl sometime, but am in no financial position to be breaking parts right now! It'd be fun to go sometime though.

Here's mine stopped for a picture in Wayne National Forest after a hike

 

[Jonner]

Holler at me if you need a second set of hands with projects. I know I'm going to miss having a garage with all sorts of greasy tools in it! I'll hit you up in the coming month or so and if you have a weekend free.

Are you going to Fall Flog once they get the details together?

 

[87manche]

be careful getting mixed up with the SEC boys, they'll have you out wheeling big rocks in no time doing massive body damage and wanting 60's.

but seriously, good group of guys down there.

 

[Jonner]

@87manche

Did you get those ball joints in yet? Sounds like you owed a favor to your buddy picking them up!

 

[Cnickgo]

Score another for NC! Welcome. Your rig looks perfect for putting around Uwharrie. I think a lot of us miss those days of a stockish rig. If you like exploring there is plenty opportunity in the Pisgah National Forest driving the FS roads.

87manche speaks some truth though... It's a slippery slope once you get that first dent!

 

[Jonner]

@Cnickgo
Awesome, I didn't even know those places existed!

Uwharrie is 1hr 21m from my place. They have a ton of trails listed, but I can't tell which ones are designated for Jeeps and which are for ATV's. They're website is partially down right now.

Pisgah is 2hrs 35m away. Looks like there are only a couple of trails available for Jeeps (trail 8 and part of trail 1 on the Brown Mountain OHV trail system).

Sounds like neat places to take a day trip and take in some of God's scenery. Both look like they've got some amazing views.

 

[Ghost]

Welcome. If you ever want to come down this way I have all kinds of neat tools to work with. Tim is a great guy and always willing to help. I have two xj's but atm both are in need of some attention. As for URE all the ohv trails are dual purpose. I'd gladly meet you out there with some heads up on when on just about any Saturday. Some people on here go and don't even tell others they are going......

 

[Cnickgo]

@Cnickgo

Awesome, I didn't even know those places existed!



Uwharrie is 1hr 21m from my place. They have a ton of trails listed, but I can't tell which ones are designated for Jeeps and which are for ATV's. They're website is partially down right now.



Pisgah is 2hrs 35m away. Looks like there are only a couple of trails available for Jeeps (trail 8 and part of trail 1 on the Brown Mountain OHV trail system).



Sounds like neat places to take a day trip and take in some of God's scenery. Both look like they've got some amazing views.

UWharrie (URE) is very beginner friendly, the easiest way to remember how to get around in a small jeep is to avoid the Ds, Daniel and Dickey Bell. It's within reach to most all of our SC/NC guys and like Ghost said usually someone can meet you there for a day trip. The off-road community has worked hard alongside a great US Forest Service unit to maintain and improve this area.

The Brown Mountain "trail" is nothing more than a gravel road and I wouldn't say is worth a drive by itself. You can certainly make a whole day there by enjoying the river either swimming or fishing. I used to fish Wilson's Creek which is the northern section of Brown Mtn Beach. I can show you a longer all day drive that starts in Blowing Rock and uses Brown Mtn and other FS gravel roads for a fun drive, nothing technical. I have only found one road/trail in that entire area that you would need 4wd, and you have to really choose a direct path to use it. Plenty of back country camping spots to enjoy there as well. Great fly fishing. Used to be my backyard and I will surely miss it.

 

[Cottontail]

I'm impressed that you drove the Lower Rock Garden with a dude standing on your windshield :cheers:
That is an awesome picture, but the scale messes me up. You have a little guy standing on the window, the other guy is next to weeds that are 5 feet tall. Heck, just those big a$$ weeds make your Jeep look like an R/C car!

 

[UNCC_99XJ]

Re: Re: Looking to join Naxja - Moved to CLT NC, no garage, need service help

Holler at me if you need a second set of hands with projects. I know I'm going to miss having a garage with all sorts of greasy tools in it! I'll hit you up in the coming month or so and if you have a weekend free.

Are you going to Fall Flog once they get the details together?

Not sure on the Flog. I'll have to see how the funds look.

I'm impressed that you drove the Lower Rock Garden with a dude standing on your windshield :cheers:
That is an awesome picture, but the scale messes me up. You have a little guy standing on the window, the other guy is next to weeds that are 5 feet tall. Heck, just those big a$$ weeds make your Jeep look like an R/C car!

Lol!

 

[Ghost]

There is the thought/consideration of a flog over here. IE Gulches or URE. Tim if there was one would you go then or is it still a funds thing?

 

[UNCC_99XJ]

Going to be a funds thing. And a Jeep condition thing

 

[Jonner]

UWharrie (URE) is very beginner friendly, the easiest way to remember how to get around in a small jeep is to avoid the Ds, Daniel and Dickey Bell. It's within reach to most all of our SC/NC guys and like Ghost said usually someone can meet you there for a day trip. The off-road community has worked hard alongside a great US Forest Service unit to maintain and improve this area.

I would have had no idea! So, Dutch John, Falls Dam, Rocky Mountain Loop, Sawmill, Slab Pile, Uwharrie hunt camp, and Wolf Den are all OK on a pretty much stock 4X4 XJ?

Any recommendations between that bunch on what to try first? Again, I really, really, can't afford breaking anything right now. I'm supporting my wife through school right now on a PT job and expensive rent and car payments. I'd like to see some scenery and try this thing out, without going down the slippery slope!

The Brown Mountain "trail" is nothing more than a gravel road and I wouldn't say is worth a drive by itself. You can certainly make a whole day there by enjoying the river either swimming or fishing. I used to fish Wilson's Creek which is the northern section of Brown Mtn Beach. I can show you a longer all day drive that starts in Blowing Rock and uses Brown Mtn and other FS gravel roads for a fun drive, nothing technical. I have only found one road/trail in that entire area that you would need 4wd, and you have to really choose a direct path to use it. Plenty of back country camping spots to enjoy there as well. Great fly fishing. Used to be my backyard and I will surely miss it.

I wish I could convince my wife to camp, and my brother hadn't broken my tent. Are there certain times of the year that swimming is recommended? I'm guessing June, July, August?

Thanks again for the advice. We went up to Crowder's Mountain for some hiking last weekend and had a great time. Although we wore ourselves out and my wife realized her running shoes gave zero ankle support on the way down!