We should definitely go hit some of the harder trails for fj's out in the florence junction area if not this one Mike! I'm confident we can get through most stuff and if not we'll just turn around haha...
Haha, I missed that last time I read this.... I'll take that as a compliment!
There aren't many of us who take near-stock FJ's to extremes... but our numbers are growing!
I've got a set of hammers and dollies if you'd like to beat your body metal back *close* to normal. I wouldn't recommend bondo... that's just silly. However, I WOULD recommend that if you're down to bare metal, apply touch up paint. Water gets under paint, even here in AZ... and it's detrimental.
We should definitely go hit some of the harder trails for fj's out in the florence junction area if not this one Mike! I'm confident we can get through most stuff and if not we'll just turn around haha...
I'm thinking if we do this, it should be a weekday or something to minimize the chance that our being out there would interfere with anyone more 'serious' who is running it.
Turning around, winches, abandoning our trucks and setting them on fire... we've got some options.
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BellyDoc previously said:
I've got a set of hammers and dollies if you'd like to beat your body metal back *close* to normal. I wouldn't recommend bondo... that's just silly. However, I WOULD recommend that if you're down to bare metal, apply touch up paint. Water gets under paint, even here in AZ... and it's detrimental.
Thanks, doc. I might take you up on that. Besides, I've gotta get you that metallurgy text yet! It is down to the bare metal in a few places on the body, and beginning to rust lightly... it's highest on my to-do list for sure.
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Something there is that doesn't love a wall, that wants it down...
I'm thinking if we do this, it should be a weekday or something to minimize the chance that our being out there would interfere with anyone more 'serious' who is running it.
Turning around, winches, abandoning our trucks and setting them on fire... we've got some options.
Thanks, doc. I might take you up on that. Besides, I've gotta get you that metallurgy text yet! It is down to the bare metal in a few places on the body, and beginning to rust lightly... it's highest on my to-do list for sure.
Speaking from experience... the plastic panel on the inside pops off, but you have to remove a few parts that are in the way first. You'll see what looks like a break in the plastic panel just behind the rear seat, but it's NOT a seam that you can open. It's plastic-welded there. You can pop the whole panel from the rear door to the suicide door in one piece. Then, you can hammer and dolly to your heart's content from both sides. The only thing in your way is some internal support that you have to work around.
While you're in there, it would be a good time to run CB wire, if you plan to. It's a straight shot to the door hinges with a clean result.
I give SEANK, Larry and the guys who run these difficult (to FJC) AZ trails a lot more credit than they give themselves for excellent spotting. That is precisely the sort of trail the demands an air locker. From what I saw from the photos it looked as if it might be worth a try (with SEANK and friends spotting), but there's no question that the FJ would leave skid and slider paint on the rocks. (even with peerless spotting, acumen and advice aiding the FJC driver)
There's also a weight problem with the FJC (I'm not talking about Jon's or any modified FJ in particular) - in addition to the gear ratio and the clearance. When you armor it to be more survivable, even thought weight can equal traction in some situations, there is just that much more steel to pull up over some of those obstacles.
The Jeeps with less armor, a shorter wheel base, better power to weight, better gearing, front lockers and BETTER TRAIL VISIBILITY do better than the FJ's do when it comes to crawling rocks, driving skills being equal.
Sol Bechtold's FJ would take that trail without much trouble based on what I know of his build-up. I'd LOVE to drive Sol's rig over any of that turf.
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...but there's no question that the FJ would leave skid and slider paint on the rocks.
Well that goes without saying... and I hope no one who even consider attempting this would give a damn about that. I little bit of Black Cherry paint wouldn't bother me either, just want to come back with the shape of the truck still generally resembling the original geometry of the FJ.
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-Mike (KE7ULD)
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Something there is that doesn't love a wall, that wants it down...
Well that goes without saying... and I hope no one who even consider attempting this would give a damn about that. I little bit of Black Cherry paint wouldn't bother me either, just want to come back with the shape of the truck still generally resembling the original geometry of the FJ.
as if your rig had all of the original geometry.
Well, that's the point, isn't it? I think there could be some power to gear ratio to weight issues on some of the larger rocks. I know that clearance is a problem but worst case there is a winchline and the skids will squeal like a stuck pig. Without front lockers, that's where I think you'd end up on that trail.
TIBAAL89, I know you have cajones and I've run some tame roads with you, but I wouldn't take on Elvis (as portrayed in photos) in an FJC with stock skids... I know you've taken that rig through some serious terrain without anything more than pot metal and plastic, but I suspect with the break-overs SEANK photographed, that you'd leave parts behind. -- no offense to your guts and grit at all.
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