BajaNomad

Baja buildup 2.0

Ken Cooke - 2-3-2013 at 10:17 PM

I switched from the venerable Interco TrXus MT to the All Terrain standard-bearer BFGoodrich AT/KO. I ran this tire in 2005, vowing never to go back. Why did I do it? $500 for a set of 5 (mostly new) tires with about 90% usable tread.

I'll report over the next several months on how this tire keeps up with my Baja trails.

Looking over the 35" meats



Baja Jeepin' getting ready for new treads


The drive home (past Malcom Smith Motorsports) looked like this




This set of tires handled Baja Grande '07, '08, '11 without a problem. Retirement time:cool:

chuckie - 2-4-2013 at 03:52 AM

Why all the pics of old tires? seen one seen em all........

David K - 2-4-2013 at 11:38 AM

Ken, just be careful in mud and snow with those BFGs... they load up and don't self clean... I suggest lowering air pressure before mud or snow, not just for sand. Naturally, you now have the most popular tire on Nomad, so you will have a lot of high fives... and they give long mileage... so it was a good find by you. My Dynapros are getting close to being lower on tread than I like... so, when I get a better job or sell more books (lol), I will be looking for new shoes for my Tacoma.

TMW - 2-4-2013 at 01:04 PM

I knew you would come back.

chuckie - 2-4-2013 at 04:49 PM

I have the same tires on my AWD Astro. On a hunting trip to Saskatchewan last October, we had a lot of mud and snow..had no real problem with them loading up...

David K - 2-4-2013 at 05:33 PM

Good to hear... I think it was Ken himself who were among the four wheelers who cursed the All Terrain TAs he had before, in the mud.

Ken Cooke - 2-4-2013 at 07:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Ken, just be careful in mud and snow with those BFGs... they load up and don't self clean... I suggest lowering air pressure before mud or snow, not just for sand. Naturally, you now have the most popular tire on Nomad, so you will have a lot of high fives... and they give long mileage... so it was a good find by you. My Dynapros are getting close to being lower on tread than I like... so, when I get a better job or sell more books (lol), I will be looking for new shoes for my Tacoma.


Trust me, I know the feeling. My old tires were down to 2/32nds tread depth. If you are comfortable with your tread depth at the moment, you can probably wait until the end of the calendar year to replace your current set. I suggest watching the forums later in the year and wait for a killer deal. With the sale of my old tires, my total out of pocket for 5 new(er) tires will only be $350.

liknbaja127 - 2-4-2013 at 07:51 PM

thats a great deal! I just paid 1,200 for 4 new 35"s been a great tire,
for me. Run then on all our stuff.

Ateo - 2-4-2013 at 08:02 PM

I like the BFG's but I don't like them in mud. Last month after the rains in Baja I was sliding all over the place when in mud. Like someone said, they don't self clean. But......................do any tires self clean? Mud is mud.

Ken Cooke - 2-4-2013 at 08:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ateo
But......................do any tires self clean? Mud is mud.


Answer: No. This rock star down in Panama makes an excellent example. 38" Super Swamper TSLs on a lifted '05 Rubicon - His tires packed in the sloppy stuff, but still made it through the Panamanian mud pit.

David K - 2-4-2013 at 11:50 PM

My Hankook Dynapros are excellent self cleaning for an
AT tire. Some say they work better than the Mud Terrain from Hankook which Four Wheeler or Petersen's
gave the highest votes of all mud tires tested, most more expensive.

CortezBlue - 2-5-2013 at 06:25 PM

I think you should change it to Baja 401k

I think what you have invested into your jeep would give you a great nest egg for your future?:bounce:

New Parts

Ken Cooke - 2-19-2013 at 07:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by CortezBlue
I think you should change it to Baja 401k

I think what you have invested into your jeep would give you a great nest egg for your future?:bounce:


I beg to differ. This will be a budget build meant to capably carry my Wife and I around Baja in comfort, while having fun in So Cal on the weekends.

1" Daystar Body lift - found on Craigslist for $65 :o
Rancho Steering Stabilizer - seriously fixed the shimmy on my frontend
Syntec Oil and K&N Oil Filter - It's been 8K Mi. since the last oil change
Tie Rod Ends - Install to come in the summer when I have nothing better to do


Ken Cooke - 2-19-2013 at 07:15 PM

Along with the 1" Body Lift and Currie Motor Mount Lift, I plan on lifting the front suspension an additional 3/4" - leveling the Jeep, and providing needed clearance for those big 35" BFGoodrich tires that I bought on the cheap.:yes:

Ken Cooke - 2-21-2013 at 12:13 AM

Today, I visited a new shop - Brothers 4x4 and was able to score a Currie 1" Lifted Motor Mount to run with my Daystar Body Lift. :bounce: Thanks to Brothers 4x4 for actually having this part in stock!




Now, I packed my Jeep up and will head down I-5 in the morning to get everything installed! Stay tuned, because this is going to get fun!:bounce:

Ken Cooke - 2-25-2013 at 11:02 PM

Mechanic Luis handled the Baja Buildup 2.0 duties, making my Jeep gain clearance, handle better, and drive safely on the streets and trails of Baja.:bounce:






Currie 1" Motor Mount Lift installed


Aligned, and ready for fun!

The quest to end my 50 mph shimmy

Ken Cooke - 3-18-2013 at 09:08 PM

At 50 mph, my front end shimmys like a washing machine in spin cycle. Unnerving is probably the best way to describe the feeling.:o


On Friday night, I installed these rear swaybar links. Now, my Jeep corners more effortlessly.


On Wednesday, this bad boy gets installed. Can't wait. Then, off for an alignment job.


Nice Heim end!


New Baja-sized hardware!

Ken Cooke - 3-18-2013 at 09:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by whistler
Track bar?


a.k.a. Panhard Bar

Bajafun777 - 3-18-2013 at 11:48 PM

Jeeps, OMG what can anyone say except money and more money, as they are just like Pac Man game but it is money these Jeeps eat, LOL. I have spent far more money than I will ever admit or want to remember changing things on my Jeep. This is something that others do also that own Jeeps, as we are never satisfied always want more for the Jeep. LOL
Ken, good to see you are getting the extras you need and hoping it makes your ride sooo much better. Additionally, I hope that you and your wife enjoy it all buddy. Take Care & Travel Safe---- "No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN" bajafun777

David K - 3-19-2013 at 08:59 AM

JEEP = Just Empty Every Pocket :light:

Ken Cooke - 3-19-2013 at 09:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
JEEP = Just Empty Every Pocket :light:


Not really. These parts listed below are all maintenance replacements. My tires were shot, and $500 for a set of 5 was a steal. Between the new and used parts, I did a great job of keeping this build under control. Keep in mind, my last front end rebuild (in 2009) cost me $900.

Tires = All 5 for $500 cash (Sold old set for $155) $345 after sale!
Body Lift = $65 cash (used parts)
1" Currie Motor Mount = $85
Rubicon Express Track Bar = $113
Rubicon Express Swaybar Links (rear) = $38
Rancho Steering Stabilizer = $58
Pro-Comp Control Arm Bushings = $98
Steering end links = $45
5.28 gal synthetic Pennzoil = $30
K&N Oil Filter = $11
Tijuana brake job = $120 *parts included FRONT/REAR
Tijuana front wheel spacers = $20 cash


[Edited on 3-20-2013 by Ken Cooke]

David K - 3-20-2013 at 10:27 AM

Is this where I say anything about Toyota's 4WD Off Road TRD Tacoma? I have had three (each leased for 5 years) and I am purchasing my third one now. Ken, I like Jeeps and used to own one, a Jeep Wagoneer is how we started going to Baja in the 60's... it was awesome. Kaiser-Jeep Corporation made quality 4x4s... AMC and Chrysler have not been so good at this (nor has a lot of American brands, sadly).

My Toyota can go from the showroom to Mission Santa Maria, Borrego, Shell Island, most anywhere, and with no additional mods, maintenance, or repairs (from factory work or product quality)...

When they need to be replaced because they are worn out or dirty: you just change the oil, tires, air filter, brake pads... No broken shock mounts, no being in the shop before or after every Baja trip, just drive it to work one day and to Baja the next... Oh, what a feeling!

Sure, it is a truck and not made to go the same places as a Wrangler... even the FJ Cruiser is a bit big for some of your rock crawling, so I understand that a Jeep may have been the only choice. It just seems that it needs far too much attention for the amount of traveling it does. I know it isn't even your daily driver, so it is only used on trips.

I just wish for you and other Jeep owners that they were made as well as a Toyota, and that would be good for sales and the customers, too!





I know, the final answer is: "It's a Jeep Thing" and we just don't understand! :tumble::cool:

So true...but, where's the fun in stock???

Ken Cooke - 3-20-2013 at 08:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
My Toyota can go from the showroom to Mission Santa Maria, Borrego, Shell Island, most anywhere, and with no additional mods, maintenance, or repairs (from factory work or product quality)... Oh, what a feeling!


I think that Toyota manufactures a quality product, and that for many people, the Toyota pickup is a symbol of capability - in South America. The FJ Cruiser that traveled the Pole Line Road most recently split its sway bar on the trail - a component failure which could have catastrophic consequences on many Baja highways.

Your Tacoma experienced a pretty bad bend to the rear bumper - No fault of yours, just a rugged trail leaving a nice souvenir. :yes: Neal Johns' Tacoma suffered a much worse trail failure which was spotlighted on your Mission Impossible thread from 2010. Let's be fair - my drivetrain while turning 33" tires for the past decade has not failed on me. Sure, I have snapped shock bar pins, blown out shock absorbers, destroyed OEM-level steering equipment repeatedly, flattened aftermarket Eagle Alloy wheels in Baja, cut tires, etc.

If your Tacoma was modified to the level of my Rubicon, I am sure somewhere down the line, parts would begin the inevitable failures that plague most modified vehicles. Which leads me back to my thread...:bounce:




Kevin lining things up...:wow:



My Tijuana wheel spacers


Removing the Track Bar/Panhard Bar


Blown out MX-6 Monotube shock


Heavily modified:!:


Opening up the frame mount to 5/8"


MICK - 3-20-2013 at 08:34 PM

blah blah blah, Ken, I have owned jeeps, Toyota trds as well as other vehicles. I have towed or pulled just as many Toyota's as jeeps doing what we do. I have seen thousands of dollars spent on Toyota's to go where we go. Comparing your Jeep to a stock Toyota is apples to oranges. Keep doing what your doing and have fun after all that is a big part of it. By the way Jeep aftermarket parts are cheaper that Toyota aftermarket parts.
Mick
P.S. See you next week for some Baja fun

Ken Cooke - 3-20-2013 at 08:41 PM

OEM-level Track Bar (purchased in 2009) - I can feel the difference in a frontend that does not bind.


Heim Assembly



The Rubicon Express misalignment joints had some large gaps:no: These will need immediate attention after returning from Baja.



Quality machined misalignment joints w/o large gaps



Assembled!


Installed!




Ready for the alignment shop...TO BE CONTINUED:!:

Ken Cooke - 3-20-2013 at 08:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MICK
Mick
P.S. See you next week for some Baja fun


I'm getting cabin fever. This Jeep needs some field time!:bounce:

David K - 3-20-2013 at 10:37 PM

I know Ken, just some friendly debate... as always. Neal's diff blew up, for sure... I don't think it was stock? Do you know how heavy that pop up camper of his is? Anyway, you know Neal likes to kid you about Jeeps, too... As I said, I love them... I just don't trust them! I do wish they made the Gladiator concept pickup, that was sweet! The FC (Forward Control) Concept as well! Cool Jeep stuff we may never see in production...

J.P. - 3-21-2013 at 08:52 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
I know Ken, just some friendly debate... as always. Neal's diff blew up, for sure... I don't think it was stock? Do you know how heavy that pop up camper of his is? Anyway, you know Neal likes to kid you about Jeeps, too... As I said, I love them... I just don't trust them! I do wish they made the Gladiator concept pickup, that was sweet! The FC (Forward Control) Concept as well! Cool Jeep stuff we may never see in production...










Maybe not in U.S. but there's a Cool looking one on the lot in Ensenada

[Edited on 3-21-2013 by J.P.]

durrelllrobert - 3-21-2013 at 11:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
My Toyota can go from the showroom to Mission Santa Maria, Borrego, Shell Island, most anywhere, and with no additional mods, maintenance, or repairs (from factory work or product quality)... Oh, what a feeling!


I think that Toyota manufactures a quality product, and that for many people, the Toyota pickup is a symbol of capability - in South America. The FJ Cruiser that traveled the Pole Line Road most recently split its sway bar on the trail - a component failure which could have catastrophic consequences on many Baja highways.

Your Tacoma experienced a pretty bad bend to the rear bumper - No fault of yours, just a rugged trail leaving a nice souvenir. :yes: Neal Johns' Tacoma suffered a much worse trail failure which was spotlighted on your Mission Impossible thread from 2010. Let's be fair - my drivetrain while turning 33" tires for the past decade has not failed on me. Sure, I have snapped shock bar pins, blown out shock absorbers, destroyed OEM-level steering equipment repeatedly, flattened aftermarket Eagle Alloy wheels in Baja, cut tires, etc.

If your Tacoma was modified to the level of my Rubicon, I am sure somewhere down the line, parts would begin the inevitable failures that plague most modified vehicles. Which leads me back to my thread...:bounce:




Kevin lining things up...:wow:



My Tijuana wheel spacers


Removing the Track Bar/Panhard Bar


Blown out MX-6 Monotube shock


Heavily modified:!:


Opening up the frame mount to 5/8"





I suppose that the orange stethoscope in the pictures is a must have for every Rubicon owner just to make sure that it still has heart?

[Edited on 3-22-2013 by durrelllrobert]

David K - 3-22-2013 at 03:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by whistler
Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
If your Tacoma was modified to the level of my Rubicon, I am sure somewhere down the line, parts would begin the inevitable failures that plague most modified vehicles. Which leads me back to my thread...:bounce:


Must of loss something in the translation.Normally you modify your vehicle to solve a known weakness or inherent problem.The more you modify your vehicle(correctly)then your failures should lessen.Of course correct modifications would allow you to do push the vehicle beyond it's stock factory design where I could see failures occuring.


Ken Cooke and Glenn (whistler) are my friends and I want them and anyone else to understand my comments are not anything more than bar room banter... Ken will always buy an American brand 4x4 I think, and I will never again... :light::lol:

The Jeep brand is historic, and one of the best known car brands in the world... When you say 'Jeep', you know what it is (or was)! While Jeep (now owned by Chrysler) makes or has made various models and 2WDs, the Wrangler 4WD and specially the Rubicon package is the "most Jeep" you can buy today with ancestry back to World War II, when the Jeep was born!

My dad owned two Jeeps, and I owned one... Sadly, only the first Jeep was something to rave about, for us... Made by Kaiser-Jeep Corporation, in 1965. It took us all over Baja and to the tip in '66.

The second Jeep was a 1970, and the first year to wear an AMC logo... It was too many problems for a new Jeep... and my dad quickly converted it to a new Chevy 4WD Suburban... with an engine that was defective, but did make a few trips into Baja, including a run to the tip in 1972 (when pavement began again in Santa Rosalia).

My Jeep (or our third family Jeep and last try at the product line) was a 1975.5 Cherokee Chief (Jeep J-10 truck axles and a 2 door wagon body, Quadra-Trac full time 4WD)... really a '76 model, but available too early in the year to legally call it a '76. Almost everything failed short of the motor (a 401 V-8) in the 2 years I had it.

Now, I have since the Jeep, owned 3 Subaru 4WD wagons, a Mitsubishi 2WD truck, a Mazda 2WD van, a Plymouth 2WD van and am on my third 4WD Toyota Tacoma.

ONLY the American brand (Chrysler/Plymouth) was a piece of junk... going through three transmission rebuilds in the 3 years I had it.

So, when my friend Ken Cooke is always fixing, modifying, and garaging his Jeep before (and then after) any trip with dirt roads (it seems to me)... I just am compelled to ask why??? It's a Jeep, after-all ! :light:

Have a grand time on the Pole Line Road amigo... and I wish I could go too (in a Jeep even)!!! :bounce::bounce::bounce:

durrelllrobert - 3-22-2013 at 04:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by J.P.
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
I know Ken, just some friendly debate... as always. Neal's diff blew up, for sure... I don't think it was stock? Do you know how heavy that pop up camper of his is? Anyway, you know Neal likes to kid you about Jeeps, too... As I said, I love them... I just don't trust them! I do wish they made the Gladiator concept pickup, that was sweet! The FC (Forward Control) Concept as well! Cool Jeep stuff we may never see in production...

Back in the '60s I had a 1956 model that I put a 283 Chevy in and added overdrive for the highway. Used it for deer hunting in the eastern Sieras for 8 years and the visibility was great on the goat trails.









Maybe not in U.S. but there's a Cool looking one on the lot in Ensenada

[Edited on 3-21-2013 by J.P.]

Meanwhile...in the garage

Ken Cooke - 3-22-2013 at 10:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by whistler
Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
If your Tacoma was modified to the level of my Rubicon, I am sure somewhere down the line, parts would begin the inevitable failures that plague most modified vehicles. Which leads me back to my thread...:bounce:


Must of loss something in the translation.Normally you modify your vehicle to solve a known weakness or inherent problem.The more you modify your vehicle(correctly)then your failures should lessen.Of course correct modifications would allow you to do push the vehicle beyond it's stock factory design where I could see failures occuring.



So, when my friend Ken Cooke is always fixing, modifying, and garaging his Jeep before (and then after) any trip with dirt roads (it seems to me)... I just am compelled to ask why??? It's a Jeep, after-all ! :light:

Have a grand time on the Pole Line Road amigo... and I wish I could go too (in a Jeep even)!!! :bounce::bounce::bounce:


The Pole Line Road awaits!! Currently, my Jeep is resting inside of its' garage space...waiting for a much-needed alignment.



WHY??Is my Jeep garaged?? Due to the amount of work done to my Jeep, it will need its Caster adjusted at the alignment shop (free lifetime alignments). If the alignment cannot yield the results necessary for a trouble-free drive w/o the 'wobbles', I will need to look into a set of upper and lower front control arms to get the results I'm after.

Currie Control Arms for Jeep TJ



Rokmen Control Arms for Jeep TJ





The ideas keep coming...:yes:

Ken Cooke - 3-24-2013 at 01:14 AM

The Rubicon Express Track Bar cost me $104 - After the alignment, with the caster set as close to '0' as possible, I'll know later today what direction to take with the control arms. Maybe, I'll pull the wheel spacers. We'll see when I take the Jeep on its test run.

acadist - 3-24-2013 at 02:37 AM

I rolled my Jeep after 3 months, the boss decreed I could not have another. So I bought a Bronco II last week. Lets see how long this one stays on it's wheels.:lol:

Ken Cooke - 3-24-2013 at 10:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by acadist
I rolled my Jeep after 3 months, the boss decreed I could not have another.


But, you just bought that Jeep! :?:

Be careful out there. :!:

russchung - 3-24-2013 at 10:54 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
The Rubicon Express Track Bar cost me $104 - After the alignment, with the caster set as close to '0' as possible, I'll know later today what direction to take with the control arms. Maybe, I'll pull the wheel spacers. We'll see when I take the Jeep on its test run.


Ken,

The front end specifications for our Jeeps call for the caster to be set to +7º plus or minus 1º. However, the pinion angle has priority over the caster, otherwise the drive line vibrations will be so high that you won't ever go fast enough to worry about death wobble.
:O
Depending upon the amount of your lift, your caster will probably end up less than +7º. I have a 3" lift, and my caster is between 5º and 6º so my steering is pretty sensitive. I considered getting offset ball joints so that I could have both the correct pinion angle and correct caster, but my alignment guy said it was not a good idea because the offset ball joints are weaker than the standard ball joints (he knows how much I go off road). I have Currie Heavy Duty steering and a heavy duty steering damper. I have been able to avoid death wobble by keeping my tires in balance.

Russ

Ken Cooke - 3-24-2013 at 10:59 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by russchung
Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
The Rubicon Express Track Bar cost me $104 - After the alignment, with the caster set as close to '0' as possible, I'll know later today what direction to take with the control arms. Maybe, I'll pull the wheel spacers. We'll see when I take the Jeep on its test run.


Ken,

The front end specifications for our Jeeps call for the caster to be set to +7º plus or minus 1º. However, the pinion angle has priority over the caster, otherwise the drive line vibrations will be so high that you won't ever go fast enough to worry about death wobble.
:O
Depending upon the amount of your lift, your caster will probably end up less than +7º. I have a 3" lift, and my caster is between 5º and 6º so my steering is pretty sensitive.

Russ



Russ,

Typically, my caster gets set to roughly 3.5º - I will keep this in mind as I go in for my alignment job today. Thanks! :spingrin:

David K - 3-25-2013 at 12:05 PM

When are you leaving for the Pole Line Road Ken?

Ken Cooke - 3-25-2013 at 12:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
When are you leaving for the Pole Line Road Ken?


In a couple of days.

David K - 3-25-2013 at 01:09 PM

Sweet... have fun!

Alignment Specs

Ken Cooke - 3-25-2013 at 03:18 PM

Front: Right
Toe 0.14deg. (Actual) 1.29deg. (Before) :!:
Caster 4.9deg. (Actual/Before)
Camber -0.8deg. (Acutal/Before)

Front: Left
Toe 0.11deg. (Actual) -0.71deg. (Before)
Caster 4.3deg. (Actual/Before)
Camber -0.6deg. (Actual) -0.5deg (Before)

Final suspension review

Ken Cooke - 3-26-2013 at 02:45 PM

The rear suspension exhibited a thumping/clunking sound that I wanted to examine. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that some good 'ole Baja damage was to blame.

The symptoms led me to discover this problem I was told of in Tijuana last month.


Broken Shock Bar Pin (right)




The shock bar pin on the left is actually an improvised shock bar pin which was previously a crowbar that was hacksawed on the side of the road north of Gonzaga Bay.


Dishwashing soap was used to fit the new bushing into place.


Mike setting up the bar pin.


After we fit the pin into place, locking it securely, the shock was ready for reinstallation.




With everything tightened into place, the Jeep is ready for Baja.:bounce:

acadist - 3-27-2013 at 05:08 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by acadist
I rolled my Jeep after 3 months, the boss decreed I could not have another.


But, you just bought that Jeep! :?:

Be careful out there. :!:


Not my best day, the good news is I must have got a good deal since I made $ on the insurance settlement

Ken Cooke - 3-27-2013 at 08:46 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by acadist
Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by acadist
I rolled my Jeep after 3 months, the boss decreed I could not have another.


But, you just bought that Jeep! :?:

Be careful out there. :!:


Not my best day, the good news is I must have got a good deal since I made $ on the insurance settlement


Jeeps can be funny - they carry a high resale value and when they are limited in quantity (like in California), carry an unusually high resale premium.

TMW - 3-27-2013 at 10:35 AM

Ken have fun on the Pole Line Road run and take it easy on Mick.

J.P. - 3-27-2013 at 10:42 AM

Quote:
Jeeps can be funny - they carry a high resale value and when they are limited in quantity (like in California), carry an unusually high resale premium.






What makes that so is not Quanity, there is lots of Wranglers here.Its because they are not RUST BUCKET'S for the most part.