Baja Grande Jeep Buildup (with photos)

Yes, it is another BajaNomad 4WD Baja Jeep buildup thread. But, this thread is not without a little storytelling...Baja style, that is.

Mike was at one time, the owner of a magnificent 2007 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited. The Jeep could go anywhere (in Baja), that Mike pointed it. It's long wheelbase was at times a hinderance, but Mike's ability to store 1 week's worth of gear for the Baja Grande 4WD event made that liability disappear.

Mike ran into some challenges with the finance company, and he recently had to sell the Rubicon. Gone with this vehicle was the Airaid Intake, Viair On Board Air system, Full-Traction Suspension, NEW oversized Xtreme All-Terrain tires, Body Armor bumpers and rear tire carrier, etc.

On Thursday evening, I saw the Jeep here in Riverside during my wife's commute to Adult School. While the Jeep was not spotted in Baja on one of it's dusty trails, at least it still had that menacing appearance as it turned onto Madison Avenue headed towards the 91 Freeway during rush hour.

Ambling up La Turquesa Mine 4WD Road

It takes a rugged vehicle to make this trek without problems. Mike's JK Unlimited Rubicon did whatever was asked of it.





Mike standing next to his garage-built Baja Beast!

Short Weekend Trip To Anza Borrego

While Baja always tops the outback itinerary, local trips to the Desert and Mountains have always been fit into our collective schedules.

The Jeep Rubicon as a PROVEN Baja-capable platform

Are there naysayers to this thread? Dare they speak up? My short wheelbase Jeep Rubicon was challenged to a challenging hill climb competition by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by this owner's wife. She challenged, and I didn't back down.





Because I'm not the type of individual to laugh at other's vehicles, nor do I put others down for the type of vehicle they choose to drive, I had to confront this elephant in the room.

While Mike did not choose to let his JK go, he welcomed his LJ with open arms. This takes us to examine the parts that will go into this Baja Grande LJ Buildup for 2010/2011!

The JK Platform only had this minor flaw associated with the steering stabilizer location.

The steering stabilizer is in a location that can bent and will rip off the associated lower steering apparatus if not protected by a Rancho part that had yet to be developed.

Repair field work on Thanksgiving day - 2007 at Ralph Shoemaker's Garage - Rancho Santa Ines.




The repairwork went so well, Mike was able to spend the rest of the trip doing what he loves best...playing in the mud!

New suspension - Rubicon Express 3.5" Lift kit

Mike's LJ Rubicon will have the 3.5" Rubicon Express (standard) lift installed. This is typically a 3 hour install job.

The parts as shown:


Components shown are:
RE1145 - SWAY BAR END LINK, FRONT
RE1155 - SWAY BAR END LINKS REAR TJ
RE1172 - DISCONNECT ADAPTERS TJ/ZJ 96+
RE1363 - COIL SPRINGS TJ 3.5" FRONT/PA
RE1365 - COIL SPRINGS TJ 3.5" REAR/PAI
RE1380 - BUMPSTOPS 2" FRONT LOWER
RE1385 - BUMPSTOPS 2" TJ REAR UPPER
RE1603 - TRACK BAR BRACKET TJ REAR W/O
RE2100 - T-CASE LOWERING KIT YJ/TJ 1"


The Rubicon Express Track Bar will make Mike's alignment go much easier. Plus, these parts wear out when combined with tough Baja terrain.



Daystar makes a 3/4" Coil Spacer leveling kit which we will install in concert with the 3.5" Rubicon Express lift, netting a total lift of 5" front-end lift!

Now, Mike's 33" Tires won't rub on the fenders when the swaybar is disconnected.

Daystar coil spacer lift


Features:

•ComfortRide™ Suspension Coil Spring Spacer Kit
•High Density Progressive Polyurethane
•Lifts Vehicles Without Sacrificing Ride Quality or Load-Carrying Capacity
•Easiest Way to Add Larger Off-Road Tires & Wheels
•Maximum recommended tire size: stock
•Improves Ground Clearance
•Limited Lifetime Warranty
•Front Lift Only; Budget Boost Kit
•Use With or As Factory Isolators

Mike is a real nice guy, and one of my best friends. He is such a nice guy that he gets invited all the time to 4WD events, trips, dinners, etc. He is always ready and willing to help out.



Thankfully, after his JK uprooting, he is able to step into a great used vehicle and has the means to UP THE ANTE with proven products that will get him back into the action again.

Mike in Anza Borrego



[Edited on 11-21-2010 by Ken Cooke]

New Smittybilt bumper!





Mike installed these bumpers on his LJ, and reports that the rear bumper did a great job pulling his quad trailer out to the desert recently. Mike also rides quads when not Jeeping.

Okay... him getting another Jeep was missing from your post! Good News!!

Hope he finds a new lady that won't make him choose between her and his Jeep!

Rubicon Express install

Mikes Jeep has been proven throughout the backcountry of Death Valley and Panamint Valley, but with the lack of clearance provided by his P245 tires, a suspension lift with 33"x12.5"r15s is the only way he plans to roll.

Stock with desert pinstriping



Parked next to my "Baja Tomb Raider" w/4.5" of lift, 33" tires



Not much clearance under that gasoline tank skid plate

Only the "good stuff"

Let's get started...





Kevin, Mike, and I turned wrenches from early morning to late afternoon. Sadly, we only tackled the front axle installation within that prescribed amount of time. Here is a run through of our installation.

Kevin (right) and Mike (left) getting started


At the heart of it all - 3" lifted coil springs over standard ride height comprise the core of this suspension lift kit. A heavier coil with a much greater spring rate will increase control over places like the Zoo Road, the dirt route to Gonzaga Bay (or what is left of it), and the Mission Impossible trail.

20 ton removal of a rust-hardened sway bar link



KER-POWWWWW!!!!



Enlargement of the Panhard Bar Bracket




Spectators raisin' a roost!



[Edited on 11-27-2010 by Ken Cooke]

Almost finished...

TROUBLE ON THE DRIVE HOME!

Mike casually planned to have his Rubicon aligned at the local tire shop, but those plans became more urgent along the drive home.

At speeds over 35 m.p.h., a violent oscillation was present indicating improper alignment, and possibly an under powered steering stabilizer.

Mike limped home safely, and he plans to get his Jeep aligned before installing the rear suspension lift.

The buildup continues!

Rubicon Express install - continued!

Let's get down to business..

Extending the rear swaybar links


Lifting the rear Trackbar mount

Let the welding begin!!!

Modifying the trackbar

Installing everything...final thoughts.

The finished product!

The only modification required for a standard height Rubicon to make the run to Mision Sta Maria is protection for the oil pan. But, with careful driving, this part is only a recommendation.

The TRD Tacoma is a great-looking and performing pickup. The non-TRD Tacoma that 'Frigatebird' drove on the 2008 Baja Grande with its street tires, and street-optimized ride height was no match for Mision Santa Maria. He had to back out of the run until his Tacoma had better tires and more suspension lift.

We also had a non-TRD 4 Runner that bumped and banged its' way out of Mission Santa Maria in 2007. The driver was determined to make it back to Hwy 1, but repeated trips like that could have damaged the vehicle since a rear locking differential works much better than a semi-functioning limited slip unit. TRD being the operative word here is very helpful in being the 'Trail Rated' equivalent of any Toyota product.

apples to oranges... a stock base Tacoma is like driving a Jeep Patriot or Compass, and doesn't belong on the Santa Maria run.

I drove my truck with its stock tires, stock everything, when it was 5 months old to Mision Santa Maria and back. The rear bumper did get caught on a rock ledge as I was dropping down a short grade (dropoff) but you expect just a tad of underbody damage from that road... my other two Tacomas also got small dents on the underpanel from big rocks we need to drive over. Only damage to my three Tacomas occured on the Mision Santa Maria road, in fact!

I was talking about a 4WD Off Road TRD Tacoma (bumpers are chrome not plastic) to a Jeep Rubicon... both off the showroom. I found that Toyota quality far outshines any American product... and you know I like Jeeps as a rule (I used to own one and my dad had two)... but who can afford them the way they are made now, always breaking down (or needing mods to trail)?

I have now had three Tacomas, total driving of 256,000 miles in over 10 years... never a breakdown or never in the shop for repairs preventing me from going to Baja. Neal Johns and many other Tacoma drivers on Amigos de Baja really talked me up on Tacomas before I got my first one... and I still went to the Ford dealer first to check out a Ranger (you had a Ranger then, too)... The wouldn't take my van in on a trade, so I went to Toyota Carldbad next... and it was soooo easy and not a bad thing was said about my trade in... and that was over 10 years ago... The same salesman is still with them.

My 2010 Tacoma turned one year old, six days ago... other than a drip that was fixed when it was brand new, it has never had any warantee type issue, squeeks, rattle, failures in the past year/ 18,600 miles... with 5 Baja trips, a Borrego trip, and local 4 wheeling runs with other Tacoma owners.

Oh, what a feeling!

Jeep build quality? Toyota hype? How about 7 years and two medium-level repairs?

David, better check to see if your Tacoma has a recall??

http://www.internetautoguide.com/10-12-2010-79-1251/2010-toy...
OCT 05, 2009 | Recall ID# 9292
FEB 03, 2010 | Recall ID# 29439
FEB 03, 2010 | Recall ID# 62362
FEB 18, 2010 | Recall ID# 74118

With Toyota's, there seems to be a great deal of hype. Mike made his decision based upon his desire to enjoy "Off-Roading" with Jeep clubs, not just mild-terrain dirt roads that lead to campsites. For that reason, I believe he made the choice to go with a Rubicon-level Jeep instead of a Tacoma pickup. I *DID* recommend to him the TRD Tacoma based on his type of off-roading, but he said the Toyota brand wasn't focused on dirt/rocks like Jeep is. Look at the Toyota warranty small-print if you don't believe me.

I think for mild-type off-road situations, the Tacoma is excellent. The Ranger is a piece of...well, junk. Mechanically, my Rubicon has had issues with its' fuel evap sender unit, two mode A/C switches and two O2 sensors after 110,000 mi. This is after 7 years of hard off-road use.

Oh, I bent the rims, punctured one tire, broke the frame where the tire carrier attaches, bent a steering knuckle on a boulder, trashed a tie-rod on another boulder, broke a fender flare on a boulder, but that was while having fun, not on the daily commute or anything.

No recalls on any of my Tacomas for 'defects'. They want to change my gas pedal 'just in case' I want to put two or three floor mats on the same side! I said no thank you, the truck is perfect... and it is.

You do have to get over the 'because it is a Jeep' it can off road thing... The word and history are great... but quality of American brand vehicles still needs work. How do you take being in the same place with Neal Johns... now he is Mr. Super Tacoma, more than I?!

Made in America doesn't mean what it used to... Anyway, my Tacoma is made in Baja... and so far, so good! Built in 'the Baja' for 'the Baja'! (sounds Canadian, 'eh?). Sometimes we need to look beyond our borders for the best in things... You have!

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Cooke ...The TRD Tacoma is a great-looking and performing pickup. The non-TRD Tacoma that 'Frigatebird' drove on the 2008 Baja Grande with its street tires, and street-optimized ride height was no match for Mision Santa Maria. He had to back out of the run until his Tacoma had better tires and more suspension lift...

Ken, don't you know discretion is the better part of valor? Could my rig have made it? Probably not without a tug, and some undercarriage damage to boot. Could a non-TRD Tacoma use some upgrades? Absolutely, but "no match for Mission Santa Maria"?, I don't know.

Next time down, my soon-to-be upgraded rig will finally get 'er done.

NEW SHOES!

Mike didn't go the "WIMPY ALL-TERRAIN" route - not since blowing a BFG AT/KO sidewall on the Pole Line Road. He went with the technological bad-boy of the Jeep Tire world - Goodyear's MTR w/Kevlar sidewalls!

...as always, photos to follow...


[Edited on 12-15-2010 by Ken Cooke]

Quote:

Originally posted by Frigatebird Quote: Originally posted by Ken Cooke ...The TRD Tacoma is a great-looking and performing pickup. The non-TRD Tacoma that 'Frigatebird' drove on the 2008 Baja Grande with its street tires, and street-optimized ride height was no match for Mision Santa Maria. He had to back out of the run until his Tacoma had better tires and more suspension lift... Ken, don't you know discretion is the better part of valor? Could my rig have made it? Probably not without a tug, and some undercarriage damage to boot. Could a non-TRD Tacoma use some upgrades? Absolutely, but "no match for Mission Santa Maria"?, I don't know. Next time down, my soon-to-be upgraded rig will finally get 'er done.

Back to the drawing board...

Mike reports that he still has a shimmy...although, his Jeep was professionally aligned. His next order of affairs involves installing a drop pitman arm and a new Rancho steering stabilizer.

His Jeep now, "Towers of a stock Toyota Sequoia" and it attracted attention outside of Carl's Jr. today during his lunch break. Not bad!

His steering dilemma has to be worked out...so, back to the drawing board...

Sorry Ramon, but Ken and I are friends... and we are jabbing each other and don't want to dis' any Jeep or Toyota product owners, okay?

Last July on Shell Island Ken Cooke's Jeep and my Toyota:


Ken added one of my small stickers to his Jeep:


I see that you are new, and may not have know this... but welcome to Nomad and post your own photos and stories? Maybe I can pick at your stuff too?

Plastic belongs on Barbie dolls!

Quote:

Originally posted by David K Sorry Ramon, but Ken and I are friends... and we are jabbing each other and don't want to dis' any Jeep or Toyota product owners, okay? I see that you are new, and may not have know this... but welcome to Nomad and post your own photos and stories? Maybe I can pick at your stuff too?

::Buildup update::

Mike walked out of his home last week after having the Jeep aligned, and noticed some metal objects on his driveway. He drove himself off to work, not thinking anything was wrong.




Returning home from work, the steering wobbled, and pulling into the driveway, Mike realized hisfront wheel weights fell off!!

Another trip to Goodyear, another rebalance of the two wheels missing their weights, and Mike's Jeep is now ready for the open road or dirt trail.

Quote:

Originally posted by Ramon Not new DK...you and Ken being friends, your constant reposting of the same pictures and your stickers is not the point.... just bored of seeing your continuous self promotion and hijacking of threads. Your an @$$ Quote: Originally posted by David K Sorry Ramon, but Ken and I are friends... and we are jabbing each other and don't want to dis' any Jeep or Toyota product owners, okay? I see that you are new, and may not have know this... but welcome to Nomad and post your own photos and stories? Maybe I can pick at your stuff too? [Edited on 12-19-2010 by Ramon]

Nobody is making you read what Ken and I post... it is a public forum, if you don't like what you see... find something that you do like.

Posting how unhappy you are isn't entertaining anyone but yourself. What you fail to realize is there are new viewers every day, and because you have seen something before doesn't mean they should be denied a look.

With only 9 posts on Nomad, who made you king?

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Cooke Mike walked out of his home last week after having the Jeep aligned, and noticed some metal objects on his driveway. He drove himself off to work, not thinking anything was wrong. Returning home from work, the steering wobbled, and pulling into the driveway, Mike realized hisfront wheel weights fell off!! Another trip to Goodyear, another rebalance of the two wheels missing their weights, and Mike's Jeep is now ready for the open road or dirt trail.

Thanks for your input, Ramon. Wheel weights are integral to a smooth flowing vehicle. I had a problem with bent cast aluminum wheels, and there weren't enough lead weights to solve the wobbles these rims had caused.




The solution? I purchased a new set of rims, and the tires that I perceived as "un-round" suddenly smoothed out.

Let's keep things on-topic. No need to put other Nomads down.

Ken looking at your thread gave me the idea to check my truck.. I took it to get alignment and they found that some rubber bushings that come with the lift kit are worn out. so now I got to go to 4wheel autoparts to see if the warranty covers thats or how much the replacement will be.. jusy trying to get my truck ready for March..also my rack & pinnion is leaking oil, i was told this problem is common with RAMS trucks dealer price over $700, Napa is $200 with lifetime warranty...

@ Baja Cat - The rubber bushings are very easy to change, although, you *may* need to realign your frontend when the work is completed (I think).

@ Wessongroup - Nuevo, CA. Very close to Hemet, though!

Mike informed me that his frontend does not wobble, but he has additional parts ready to install. A new steering stabilizer and drop pitman arm. The Drop pitman arm might be unnecessary, but Mike plans to install it to bring his steering geometry closer to the stock location.

Stay posted for further updates.

New Years Update

Mike came over to my New Years Eve celebration with his new Baja Grande buildup Jeep, and it looked great!

His transfer case was in the stock location without the need for a drop kit. This will aid in better clearance when the going gets rough.

His wheels looked great! LT305 Goodyear MTR-K tires ride a little rough, but he has since aired them down to about 28 p.s.i. for a softer ride.

But, the bigger issue of the wobbles coming from his front end were solved by simply torquing all of the bolts to manufacturers specifications! Fairly simple solution.

¡Happy New Year 2011!


[Edited on 1-19-2011 by Ken Cooke]

Ken the guy at the left of the picture, doesn't look that trill about the new year.It must be one of those Toyota owners....

That unhappy looking wallflower is Mike, the Jeep owner (after spending so much $$$ to make the Jeep driveable, he has no $$$ for the ladies)
JEEP= Just Empty Every Pocket

Yah... that's it

On-board air, Hi-Lift mounts, Rocker protection, Wheels, Tires...THE BUILDUP CONTINUES!

...this thread is still in its' infancy.


Before...(yawn)



After (a serious jolt of Caffeine!)



Don't knock my rocker!



Airtank, pump, the works!!



Interior mount for Hi-Lift jack



Lights-galore!



Mike really earned his new badge!

i WANT some of those tires,,

Almost weekly, I still see Mike's previous Baja Grande JK project vehicle on the streets of Riverside.


I hope to be getting a side by side photo of our Baja Grande Jeeps soon.

Throw out the TrXus MTs!

Mike and I drove up Cleghorn Ridge along I-15 yesterday, and the new Goodyear MT/R with Kevlar gave his Rubicon mystic powers!

Leidys ignoring the doggie bruhaha to stand next to Mikes recently built 'wheeling marvel!



On the way to Cleghorn Road



Beautiful - the Angeles Natl Forest



On the trail. Mud stuck to and packed in my TrXus MT tires while Mikes Rubicon with Goodyear MTR with Kevlar did not pack in the slop - at all. This allowed him much better traction characteristics and continued forward movement.






Engineering excellence!



We did not travel much past this location due to the mud hindering our travels.




Back to the trailhead - after fish-tailing along the trail.

Nice photos Ken! (you like those tires, don't you?)

Quote:

Originally posted by David K Nice photos Ken! (you like those tires, don't you?)

I also liked my Toyo Open Country ATs (had them on my '05 Tacoma)... I just got new tires on my 2010 tacoma, and really liking them so far... They are quiet but worked great in the mud and snow last Saturday:







Hankook Dynapro ATm

[Edited on 2-22-2011 by David K]

Maintenance time

Mike helped me with my Jeep tonight.

The Jeep is in great shape, but the wiring and melted fuses connecting my KC Daylighters and my Viair Extreme On-Board Air system needed to be replaced.

The winch works!

Good thing Ken... electrical failure in the middle of Baja is no bueno!

Is you air system working now? I was hoping to see it in action when Art was leaving..

Have you included a side trip to El Volcan on the 30th? TW is going after he escorts you to Mision Santa Maria.

13.3 miles from Hwy. 1... your group can see the onyx quarry and schoolhouse of El Marmol on the way in and out. Maybe find a lost mission with the group in El Volcan... Maybe see Baja's cold water geyser erupt?

Quote:

Originally posted by David K Is you air system working now? I was hoping to see it in action when Art was leaving..

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Cooke Quote: Originally posted by David K Is you air system working now? I was hoping to see it in action when Art was leaving.. Do you remember my air system inflating Art's rear tires? The problem with my system is that after inflating all four of my tires, it needs to take a rest in high temperatures or it overheats. The problem with my fuses under my hood was from moisture. The OEM fuses experienced no problems. I plan on wrapping everything up because the swamp could pose problems. El Volcan? A few of the guys going on this trip must sleep in Motel Rooms the entire time. Plus, we need to keep a constant flow of ice in our coolers. El Marmol? We'll have to gauge that depending on travel times.

El Volcan is 4 miles from El Marmol... if you go to one, then see the other. You are 2 hours from El Rosario if you put your foot into it to get there from El Volcan. So, no Shell Island or Laguna Percebu overnighting? Motel only, huh?

Anyway... you will have fun... just relax and enjoy the drive!

As it looks now, I am not going to be there...

Quote:

Originally posted by David KSo, no Shell Island or Laguna Percebu overnighting? Motel only, huh? As it looks now, I am not going to be there...

Baja Grande/Pole Line Road repair work

Today must be the day...My MX6 Monotube shocks are getting swapped out for Superlift shocks. Plus, the forged crowbar is getting swapped out for actual shock bar pin eliminators from Rough Country.

My Interco TrXus MTs will probably travel to Baja 1 or 2 more times, before getting changed out for a new set of tires early next year. I'll report back as to how well they handle the rocks of Cañon Enmedio en route to the disabled Suzuki Samurai - stuck on a pile of mini-boulders.

Are they any good?

The prices are comparable.

Transmission flushed/filled. There is no leak according to the mechanic that inspected my Transmission. Next, my differentials will be emptied/filled with Royal Purple Sythetic fluid.