Went off roading for the first time today!

"Viggen" (viggen37) 12/13/2014 at 19:52 • Filed to: None

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A friend and I were getting sick of our Jeeps being clean. After all, they say a dirty Jeep is a happy Jeep. So he found a place yesterday we could go and play. There's an off road vehicle park about 45 minutes away, but he'd burn most of his fuel getting there; CJ7s don't have big tanks. This is much closer. He called two other guys and they brought their trucks, a Ram and a Silverado.

There wasn't much mud. It hasn't rained a whole lot for a while now, but it's drizzled enough over the past few days to make a few small mud holes. Not enough to get past my fenders though.

For me, this was more of a learning experience. Finding out what my stock XJ could do and what I'd be willing to do. There was some alright descents and climbs. Only two which I didn't try, and rightfully so. I slid a little at one point getting back onto a path when the ground below my driver's rear wheel collapsed under the XJ's relatively light weight. Quick scare but I managed to keep her from going over by applying Jeremy Clarkson's first rule: POWEEEEEEEER! She never fussed and kept asking for more. I want to do more and can't wait to get her standing taller and wearing some bigger tires.

Only pictures I took because my phone was low on memory. I need to get a GoPro!

Birddog > Viggen 12/13/2014 at 20:22

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Nice XJ. They are surprisingly capable in stock form.

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > Birddog 12/13/2014 at 20:32

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Yup. Very capable. I've got a LWB MJ, and if it wasn't for the rear overhang, that thing feels like it'll go over anything. You can just only get the front wheels so far off the ground before the bumper starts dragging...

Viggen > Birddog 12/13/2014 at 20:32

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Thanks! Yeah I didn't even use four wheel drive.

Viggen > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee 12/13/2014 at 20:36

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YOU HAVE A COMANCHE?!

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > Viggen 12/13/2014 at 20:46

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Yeah... a '91 4.0 HO with 310,000 miles on it. Currently sitting in my parents yard 300 miles away with some bad crank journal bearings... long story short, 23 year old Jeeps with over 300,000 miles have no business doing 115 mph.

Viggen > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee 12/13/2014 at 20:49

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Ouch. Hope you can get it fixed eventually. MJs are getting rarer and rarer. How rusty is it?

PyramidHat > Viggen 12/13/2014 at 20:51

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Always liked these. Housemate has an '86 with a 5 speed and severely faded paint, and the damn thing keeps going. There is something to be said for simplicity.

Viggen > PyramidHat 12/13/2014 at 20:54

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I've got faded paint too. Classic Mopar thing!

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > Viggen 12/13/2014 at 21:04

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The rockers are shot but the floorpans aren't bad (at least they aren't rusted through) and there's a bit bubbling over the top of the rear fenders, but overall it's isn't too bad. It is far from mint, though. I'm currently saving up for a decent used motor to replace it. Eventually I'll get around to the body work as well, but I need to hone my welding skills first.

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > Viggen 12/13/2014 at 21:15

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Here's my favourite pic of it that I have, although it's a couple years old now:

Birddog > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee 12/13/2014 at 21:23

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The 2 wheelers are even more surprising. I had a 2wd MJ as well, It was a 4.0/5 speed on 31s that was like a Billy Goat.

Birddog > Viggen 12/13/2014 at 21:29

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You'll find that that's the case often in dry conditions. Jeep/Renault really hit the nail on the head with the XJ.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Viggen 12/13/2014 at 22:37

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My xj says hi!

Viggen > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 12/13/2014 at 22:48

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Ooo what year?

Hope the hood wasn't unlatched for any bad reason!

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Viggen 12/13/2014 at 22:57

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Its a 91. First year of the good 4.0 HO. Just cause the battery was not connected. Doesnt get driven much.