Baystate Jeepers

Hi folks,

I'm a Jeep newbie of sorts and new to the club. I am driving a 2013 Jeep JKU with some minor mods including a 2" lift, 33" tires, ORF bumpers with hooks and a winch in the front. I think I attached a picture, but please feel free to heckle me if it did not post correctly. I said I would wait a year before getting this thing dirty and my year is up ...

I'm down in Groton, MA. and am hoping to do some off-roading with my kids (ages 11 and 8). Nothing too hard core as this is a daily driver and I don't intend to do too much more to this rig for the foreseeable future. If things go well, I may get ambitious and go for a rear locker with taller gear. I have had a couple of Grand Cherokees in the past, but those don't count as they never saw any real dirt.

My off-roading career was cut short long ago due to poor judgement and lack of funds back in my early twenties after blowing up my old Ford Bronco a couple of times. My brother finished her off after totaling it on Route Three.

I was hoping to get out soon on one of these Southern NH runs, but am working though some late summer obligations and can't make it out this weekend. May need to wait till after Labor Day, but I am committed to getting the ball rolling on this and could really use the help of some folks that know their stuff, wheel responsibly and show the little ones a good time out in the woods.

Looking forward to meeting folks soon, and if anyone happens to be in my neck of the woods let me know.

Dan

Dan Welcome to Baystate!

Your rig sounds like it's already set up to hit many of the trails and runs we do each season.
Most of the Jeeps in the club are daily drivers so yours will fit right in.
Hopefully you can get out an hit the trails with us when your schedule frees up.
You're virtually my neighbor... I'm just over in Pepperell near the North Middlesex High School.
Just finished wrenching on a club members rig in my garage tonight installing some rear new suspension parts to get ready for our trip to Rausch Creek this Wednesday.

Hello Dan : Sound like we have a few good stories for the camp fire. Cant wait to meet ya on a trail. Dont you for one second think your done modifying that JKU . Your not getting off that easy. FjR68

Welcome, Dan

The JKs and JKUs perform well right out of the box, with a small lift and 33's they're good. Make sure you add any armor you can afford - rocker protection and an evaporative cannister skid are good starters.

See you on the trails.

Thanks for the notes everyone. I forgot to add that I have ORF rock sliders too ...

Agree on the armor. I'll look into getting that Evap kit. Does it make sense to get the relocation kit or just strap the armor onto it?

Dan

shrevedc20 wrote:Thanks for the notes everyone. I forgot to add that I have ORF rock sliders too ...

Agree on the armor. I'll look into getting that Evap kit. Does it make sense to get the relocation kit or just strap the armor onto it?

Dan

Welcome Dan! You just joined a great bunch of people.

As to your question regarding an evap relocation kit or a skid, I'm sure both will do the job, but I decided to go with a Rock Hard Relocation Kit. It puts the evap above the rear axel (passenger side) and it also serves as additional protection for the bottom of the evap as well. It's a complete kit with whatever hoses are necessary as well as hardware. Hit a rock hard enough and even a skid can sustain damage when the canister is left in it's original location. My $.02.

Relocating is probably best, but I did the skid plate route on both Jeeps. I've never had a problem. The skids sold for them are pretty heavy duty and the canister is actually in a spot that's hard to hit to begin with. There are very few scratches on my skids, and none of them are heavy. It's still worth scrapping the stock one (useless) and investing in an aftermarket one, though.

Whats an E-Vap canister ? Old Skool Lives FjR68

Hey Dan! Welcome!!
I'm a newbie to the club also (not to jeeps or jeep clubs). I hope to hit some trails soon as well. Just finishing up my build now. See you out there.