The Lowly Stock Sport JK: 6 Speed, Dana 30, 3:21 Gears, 29" tires - still Trail Rated
06-18-2017, 06:14 AM
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The Lowly Stock Sport JK: 6 Speed, Dana 30, 3:21 Gears, 29" tires - still Trail Rated
We did a trail yesterday that I was not prepared to try - but did anyway. I was tricked into going with claims that "stock jeeps will have no problem" and "we'll stay off the scary trails". Yea right. In the very first 60 seconds, we hit a challenge that set the stage for 4 hours of nerve wrecking trepidation with victory, and ultimately defying defeat. First 50 feet after leaving the main road:
3 foot rock step, up a steep grade:
Yikes. Took two tries, with momentum, tumbling up and over. After that, I conceded that: 1) my wimpy Dana 30 with weaker-than-normal 3:21s was gonna break, 2) my 6-speed trans was gonna break a gear, with all the spinning, and trying to save the clutch, 3) I was gonna burn my clutch trying to avoid too much speed, even in 1st gear, and in low range, 4) metal is gonna get bent, scratches are gonna decorate my flanks, and so on. I was just hoping to have a couple gears and an axle left to limp home...
We did all advanced trails without detour. We even think we might have done a couple extreme segments accidentally - 1400 acres of trails. I was a nervous wreck the entire time, being a little frugal about repairs and damage, although my 2011 is paid for. This being my 3rd jeep with two previous CJs, I would normally gear up with a properly equipped rig for these kinds of trails such as greater clearance and a lift with 35's, extra low range transfer case ala Rubicon, 4.10 gears minimum, Dana 44 front axle, tie rod disconnects, lockers, in a more disposable vehicle. But it was too late, no going back, go for it, live with the $$$ at the end and laugh (cry)....
By the end, I only suffered a little caving on a rock rail, which is cheap and disposable. I was totally shocked that all the pounding, racing, bouncing and other off-nominal conditions didn't result in drive train damage. For what its worth, the basic JK, even in the wimpiest Sport configuration is definitely Trail Rated - in addition to the drive train holding up, the under carriage suffered no damage, due to proper clearance design, strategic skid plates (stock mind you), approach and departure design in the front and rear - In short, Jeep definitely put a lot of design and success into the JK. I don't think I'd have made several of these steep rock shelves in my CJ's, and they had lifts and tires, more power, and lower range transfer cases.
One last thing: I ran new 32" Federal Couragia 235/85R16s on the stock 16" steelies. I run two sets of tires and commute on the stock 29" Wrangler 225/75R16s, to get 21 mpg.
3 foot rock step, up a steep grade:
Yikes. Took two tries, with momentum, tumbling up and over. After that, I conceded that: 1) my wimpy Dana 30 with weaker-than-normal 3:21s was gonna break, 2) my 6-speed trans was gonna break a gear, with all the spinning, and trying to save the clutch, 3) I was gonna burn my clutch trying to avoid too much speed, even in 1st gear, and in low range, 4) metal is gonna get bent, scratches are gonna decorate my flanks, and so on. I was just hoping to have a couple gears and an axle left to limp home...
We did all advanced trails without detour. We even think we might have done a couple extreme segments accidentally - 1400 acres of trails. I was a nervous wreck the entire time, being a little frugal about repairs and damage, although my 2011 is paid for. This being my 3rd jeep with two previous CJs, I would normally gear up with a properly equipped rig for these kinds of trails such as greater clearance and a lift with 35's, extra low range transfer case ala Rubicon, 4.10 gears minimum, Dana 44 front axle, tie rod disconnects, lockers, in a more disposable vehicle. But it was too late, no going back, go for it, live with the $$$ at the end and laugh (cry)....
By the end, I only suffered a little caving on a rock rail, which is cheap and disposable. I was totally shocked that all the pounding, racing, bouncing and other off-nominal conditions didn't result in drive train damage. For what its worth, the basic JK, even in the wimpiest Sport configuration is definitely Trail Rated - in addition to the drive train holding up, the under carriage suffered no damage, due to proper clearance design, strategic skid plates (stock mind you), approach and departure design in the front and rear - In short, Jeep definitely put a lot of design and success into the JK. I don't think I'd have made several of these steep rock shelves in my CJ's, and they had lifts and tires, more power, and lower range transfer cases.
One last thing: I ran new 32" Federal Couragia 235/85R16s on the stock 16" steelies. I run two sets of tires and commute on the stock 29" Wrangler 225/75R16s, to get 21 mpg.
Last edited by jhol111964; 06-18-2017 at 06:23 AM.
06-19-2017, 07:18 AM
#2
Not surprised, my first Jamboree or off road experience ever I ended up in the wrong more advanced group and my stock Wrangler did everything we threw at it. Some with lifted and big tired rigs got stuck where I did not. Not to bash modding at all, it's cool but don't underestimate a stock Wrangler.
06-25-2017, 05:22 AM
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i see the day coming when gears and a rear locker will be added, but my 3:21 geared jeep has really impressed . bought it last year went to ouray, did the trails great, back home in mo, we have been on some "good trails" has not let me down.
06-28-2017, 10:10 AM
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