rocmoc

We have the early model with the storage under both seats. T2 is loaded with everything one would need; lug wrench, jack, flares, space blankets, folding shovel, tow strap, first aid kit and tools. That is all under the passenger seat. Under the driver is the winch, tarp and legal papers in sealed plastic. When we go out we always carry water & snacks in the ice chest. We are prepared. rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

flatbed, that is correct on my T2. rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

4x4x454, Yeah been there. While I was waiting for my spare to arrive I was climbing a hill with a huge rut down the the thing. Hit a rock and pop the bead on the left front tire. No damage except a flat tire. I was two mile off a 4x4 road with hills. I had cell service and called a friend that I ride dirt bikes with as he would be the only one that would know where I was. He started driving and I started walking carrying that stupid flat tire. Oh, did I say the tire was stupid, it was getting carried. Finally after walking for more than an hour I made it back to the 4x4 road. He finally arrived and took me back to the house for air. I left my brother guarding the T2. I loaded the inflated tire in my 4x4 pickup and head back out. I was able to get almost within a half mile. Arizona pin stripe all down the sides of my perfect painted pickup. Climbed the hill carrying the stupid tire, mount it back on the T2 and my brother drove it out. Total time nearly 5 hours. Phoned my dealer the next day and he pull tires from a in stock T2. One came with my T2 but after that ordeal I paid for a second. Never again since we do so much solo play.

Correct as the shock is fully extended at rest. rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

Finally Pics but I maxed my space. How or when do we get more? Kinarfi has already noticed I have reversed my tires. I did this nearly a year ago when I was playing in some dune sand in Mexico. I was trying to get some paddle action going. Well, it didn't work but I found out the tire rode smoother & quieter reversed on hard surfaces with no lose of off-road performance. The lugs in the correct direction are needed for the cleaning action when playing in the mud. So, YES they are reversed on purpose!

This is my roof/top!

Lug nuts for the Vision Wheels 15" rims. The lug nut on the left is the factory stock lug nut.

Pics!

4x4x454, When you feel it in you body. When your teeth hit, when you feel a pain in your neck, when you can't keep your hands on whatever you are holding on to, when you hear a bad sound upon landing or when you see smoke upon landing (oil from a blown shock). Just a few but mainly when it hurts! The factory shocks keep the suspension from over extending and pulling the CV joint apart. But if I had it to do over again, I think if I had installed limit straps it may have lengthen the life of the shocks. I think the banging of the shock rod/shaft on the shock body when extended contributed greatly the the failure of my shock. And it does not have to be a big jump. If you hear a bang when you go over a bump and the body of the car lifts upward, that is the bang I am talking about. My personal opinion. rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

flatbed, agree. The concern is when the shock is extended. rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

Thanks Flatbed. Yeah but I hate getting into moving coil over shock mounts. It is incredible how well the Trooper handles and rides with only 5" of travel in the shock. As you know but other may not the slanted/offset from vertical increases the shock travel over the 5". The problem is in extension where the CV joint can be pulled apart. NO PROBLEM in compression! Please ask you Fox guy prices without springs AND with springs. Thanks again, rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

The angle of the CV/axle to the carrier hub in the rear suspension is not centered/neutral, the axle is over committed to the extended position. There is very little extension travel in the Trooper's rear suspension. I had to back off the spring adjustment on my Trooper. The factory ride height has the spring maxed with the shock at full extension. If you lower the diff, you move the axle to a more neutral position. The Fox 2.5 shock with 8" of travel is 25+" extended. In this new diff position, the springs can carry the load to the exiting height with more travel in the extend position without increasing the CV/axle angle and without the spring load/adjustment maxed. If you do not move the diff, you will be required to run limit straps at around 22" or the axle will over extend the angle on the CV. In looking at the Trooper's rear suspension, I believe they made an error in not designing the CV/axle angle more neutral. This is a problem I had to work with on my last race car. People were doing the opposite, lowering the car's ride height too much making the CV/axle angle too severe in the compressed position. After just a couple races the CV would fail. In our case the CV could pull apart before it ever fails. I believe at this point a 25+" extend shock is required with limit straps until the diff is lowered or you will have to buy new shocks twice. Flatbed, what are the chances of asking your Fox Shock guy what his price would be for a set of two 2.5 remote reservoir shocks with 8" of travel? Also what would be his opinion of using our existing springs. The Trooper feels pretty balanced, the need is damping! Thanks, rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

More to ponder! The rear diff can easily be lower a couple of inches. If you do the shock needs to be a couple of inches longer to accommodate the new longer shock travel. Or use the same length shock and you will have more travel in extension. Something to think about when and if you have to replace your shocks and you are thinking about lowering the rear diff. rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

They are all good but I love my Joyner Trooper. My 2nd choice would be a RZR. After that anything you want to give me including a used sandrail. rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

How do you think the 1300 paddles would work on 8" wide rims? Everything I have read recommends at least 10" rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

Sounds like you had fun! What rims are the paddles mounted on? What is the width of the rims? How was your temp while you were climbing and running the dunes? Thanks, rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

4x4x454, That is correct and I have also removed the back section of the center console behind the E-brake where the little screen is. This increased airflow to the engine & rad. I also cut-out large half circles in the front of the small triangle panel for access to the top of the rear shocks. I then placed 3 flat washers between the panel's front bolt and the mounting bracket. This was to turn them into airflow ears for the engine & rad. I also have my light bar down as a sun visor over the windshield. A lot of mods to change the airflow into the cab & engine areas. I took pics today and will try to get them up tomorrow. rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

Cinda, Are you running a windshield? We don't seem to get that much dust but it maybe because of our windshield. rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

flatbed, IMHO, the 2.0 is too light for the weight of the Trooper. I think a min of 2.5 is needed. What do you think? I come to this conclusion from reading Fox's description of their shocks on their site. They write the 2.0 is for a light weight buggy. I don't consider the Trooper light weight. Thanks you for your work! rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

Talked to JoynerUSA today. Replacement shock of the same, best price $165/shock. The upgrade shock is a King knockoff but IS NOT King, a clone! I asked them about limit straps and they referred me to Unleashed Motorsports. Talked to Unleashed and they said some guys were using old seatbelts. What a great IDEA! I replaced both of the seatbelts in the Trooper with camlocks so I had two sets of belts just laying around. I used the lap-belt without the latch. I spread the slot so the lower shock bolt would fit thu. I mounted the slotted metal end on the lower bolt on tire side of the shock. Ran the belt around the upper support mount for the top of the shock and back down. Weaved the belt thu the lock. Now all I had to do is pull on the tightening loop I would normally pull to tighten the belt on my lap. One trick! The spring was adjusted down too much on my shocks, too much spring tension . All compression shock travel, no extension. I backed 1/3" of tension off the springs which equated to 1/2" of sag. This soften the springs, provided more shock travel and enabled me to be able to remove slack in the NEW limit straps. I was surprised how well T2 drove. Went over some up bumps and no banging of the shocks on extension travel. This will be a great temp fix while I sort thu the shock options. I did ask Joyner if they could rebuild T2 shocks. They said they did not have the parts YET, but it was something they were looking into. My only concern is quality of the existing shock. What is the difference between the Joyner replacement which includes the spring for $165 and an aftermarket shock less the spring at $300. Has to be quality or the aftermarket guys have a great markup or the price differential of China production cost vs. USA production cost Anyway I am back on the road at about 90%. I WILL be taking a bunch of pics soon! rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

No I did not misunderstand, but as the same time I did not want to be misunderstood. Now we can sing around the campfire, LOL! Glad to hear you cup is half-full. rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

Thanks Flatbed! rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

Sorry Kinarfi, did not mean to offend. Should have said, more expensive than the Wall Street Bailout. Again Sorry, rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

Forgot to mention, if you remove the shock two shock spacers the size of wedding rings will fall out. They are located between the shock and the bracket with the bolt running thu the ring/spacer. One on each side (2) of the shock mount, top & bottom (2) for a total of 4 per shock. You will need these to reinstall the/a shock. Don't loose them. They are hard to find at shock shops & 4 wheel drive shop. A regular parts house will not have them, been down that road before. rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

Yes there is a zert fitting in all of the Troopers on the front driveline carrier bearing. It is located under the plastic housing island between the seats under the shifter. The plastic is a pain to remove the first time. I did a lot of cutting an made it much simpler to remove & replace the plastic. I also removed the plastic under the dash for ease of access. rocmoc n AZ/Mexico