Is this shot with a tilt/shift lens, or a lensbaby? Awesome pics!

 

Sweet!!!!

 

so awesome!!!! I want to go!!!

 

Nice. I'll headed in this direction, too. Most of my travels are in the back country, but do need something that's climb over the obstacles, too! I tend not to drive over something just because it's there.

 

Nah, they're are plenty of 2 drs out there, some with trailers. Loads of SWB Defenders leave the UK headed for Africa. As long as you've got a safari rack and/or a trailer you're good to go.

 

So I've been looking at the new '12s (or reading about them) And I'm thinking I might want to take the leap from my '07 JKU-Rubi... for more comfy seats, engine, 5sp tranny, and I hear a better orange color.

Which of course leads me to thoughts about how I would build it... when suddenly it occoured to me.. even if I don't get a new Jeep.. I might want to rebuild the one I already have.... perhaps I've been building it wrongly... especially since I wouldn't do it that way again.

The mods that matter are a OME HD lift with LT shocks + control arms, and track bars. I also have an ARB deluxe front..



And I like the mods I have now.. I'm just not sure they suit me..

Let me be specific... I like the breakover angle. It rides better than stock imo.. it handles not quite as good as stock.. The bumper is tough as nails, and looks GREAT... I couldn't live without a winch.

I left a factoryish rake... but it still sags beyond level when loaded. the Jeep is never sitting level.. and pulls on the road due to this.. even though my break over level is good, my clearance is unchanged due to factory tires. My wife already has trouble with the height.. and I don't want to make it worse with bigger tires... and the Bumper bugs me because it's pretty heavy...

So here's what I was thinking.. Teraflex leveling kit (the coil version) with OME shocks... + the Airlift airbags w/ auto leveling system... Flat fender flares, and 35 inch tires.. I MIGHT still need front control arms and front track bar...

I was thinking of going with a J8 style front bumper with my same winch on it.. simple.. extremely light weight.

This way I would have higher clearance.. auto leveling.. sag reduction.. should still have a 2 inch lift for break over concerns (due to tire height) and a lower center of gravity...

Thoughts, or opinions?

 

some sweet pics so far. keep 'em coming!

and also post more camp pics. like to see everyone's setups.

maybe a new thread on expo gear that people like/dislike & why?

 

My busy schedule has limited my Expo's so far, but I like to venture to capture great shots of America. When I pack up I try to maintain effiecency. I have ditched the heavy typical expo stuff and been able to drop hundreds of pounds with light weight dual purpose back packing gear.

White Rim, Canyonlands (4 days of wheeling then 4 days of back packing)






My typical setup includes 10 gal extra fuel, 12 gal drinking water, food for 10 days (all dry), full recovery gear, and typical backing packing essentials.

 

I'll be interested in your experience. My rear end sags about 1.5" now when in expo configuration (hard top, rack, etc) and about 0.5" when in "summer" configuration (some type of softtop). I have 3" OME HD springs on order hoping to compensate. We'll see.

As for front trackbar and LCAs: Get those and straighten out your tracking and camber. You'll appreciate the better steering feel (LCAs fix that).

 

Last week in TN ...