Unbelievable!

[rocmoc]

Finally got the new skid plate on and everything buttoned up. Took the Trooper out for a little run. I WAS FLYING! Where I use to have to gear down in the sand, just gave it more gas and she took off. That was in 2WD with NO locker engaged. A hill I use to power up a little, I decided to just crawl up. Not even a spin. I was flying across the desert running between 50 - 60 mph crashing thu the washes. I was pushing it on purpose for the first time since the new driveline and rims/tires to see what it would do or what would break. I tore the rear fenders off from maxing the travel. I thought I had cut enough of the fenders away but now there is very little fender left. I am getting it dialed in. Rear tires are good at 24 lbs and springs are great. Front tires are down to 15 lbs but I will take more out. Front springs need to be soften a little more. Could not even feel the washboard. The thing is FASTER with the high final gear ratios with the BIG tires. The powerband has lengthen and is more usable. It just keeps pulling thu the gears. First is still a creeper and I will push it more before Moab. Just Unbelievable, I am soooooo pleased! At speed, no need for power steering but creeping, would be nice.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[Guest Lenny]

That sounds real encouraging. When you say you can just crawl up a slope, what would you say the angle of the slope was? How is the sand your running on, is it coarse or sort of powdery fine? I'm still planning on getting 13.50 x 15 paddles. After what your saying, it will be a pretty fast sand bulldozer with big paddles. Maybe I'll start a towing business. I'll tow othger UTV up hills they can't make but wish they could. Now they will be able to say they made it. Where I ride in the sand most of the time is Coral Pink Sand Dunes in southwestern Utah. The sand is powdery and with the stock tires I had to be careful, I could get stuck but generally was able to make it around sorta of ok. When I ran 25" paddles, it made a huge difference and could nearly go anywhere but too small, would still dig in too much. I havn't ridden at Dumont yet but was told that the sand is coarser and staying on top is easier and climbing better.

Lenny

[rocmoc]

Coarse but I was comparing to past performance on the same sand. Closes power/blow sand is 4 hours away. Slope is about 45 degrees but it is the large ruts with boulders that makes the challenge. We have tougher hills of which I climbed a couple of weeks ago with the bigger tires, no problem. I didn't trying crawling but powered. Next time I will try to crawl, some time in the next week.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[4x4x454]

I must have missed it some were but what did you do to your springs?

[rocmoc]

I am going to back some of the tension off the fronts. I have plenty of ground clearnce now so I can give up a little to soften the springs. Fox Shocks in the future.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[Quacks]

The thing is FASTER with the high final gear ratios with the BIG tires. The powerband has lengthen and is more usable. It just keeps pulling thu the gears.

Rocmoc did you actually change the gearing in the diff or do you mean the change that bigger tyres gave to you?

[rocmoc]

I mean to the ground with the larger tires. Going from 25.5" tires/tyres to 31" changes the world for the Trooper.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[Quacks]

Sounds like I will be looking at some 31" tyres then and maybe some new rear gards

Cheers

[brostar]

Good on yar roc, I'm pleased it worked out and I'm sure a few Trooper owners will be following suit. Sounds awesome. Hey didn't Lenny say he was going to fabricate new fibreglass front guards? If that's the case Lenny sounds like a rear guard will be needed now. The same shape as the originals but flared up out of harms way. You never know, could be a nice little earner for you. Just a thought.

Cheers Mike.

[Guest Lenny]

Good on yar roc, I'm pleased it worked out and I'm sure a few Trooper owners will be following suit. Sounds awesome. Hey didn't Lenny say he was going to fabricate new fibreglass front guards? If that's the case Lenny sounds like a rear guard will be needed now. The same shape as the originals but flared up out of harms way. You never know, could be a nice little earner for you. Just a thought.

Cheers Mike.

I will be doing it hopefully this spring, I'll have my long travel suspension done 14.5" and will need them. I'll be making molds so more parts can be pulled. I have expierence in fibreglass so it will be quite simple for me. It's just a lot of body sculpuring type body work to developoe the form. Actually I'm looking forward to the project. For now, just do temporary fender clearance fixes. These fenders will not only address the clearance problem but the mud slinging problem as well. Both fronts and rears. I'll be allowing for 31" tires and 14.5" of travel.

Lenny

[brostar]

Let me know for sure, I will buy at least one set off you.

Cheers Mike.

[rocmoc]

Just remember with the 31" tires you have to adjust the front A-arms and hammer the firewall tube a small amount to assure clearance. I will take photos. I know I owe the group a bunch of pics. Have be more concern with finishing the Trooper so I could play again.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[Guest Lenny]

When you adjusted the A-arms, I assume you adjusted them to move the wheel forward for firewall clearence. When I do the fenders, I will look at what frame modifications will or will not be necessary. I'm not going to stop short just to avoid having to modify a frame member. Figure if I'm going to do it, I'm going to have it be right for once and for all.

Lenny

[rocmoc]

Yes but there is not a lot of adjustment, that is why you have to make the final adjustment to the lower firewall tubing. My post of my tire installed talked about how much adjustment I was able to get out of my Trooper. While there are a lot of threads in the helm, Joyner did not allow for moving the A-arm for ANY adjustment.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[Guest Lenny]

rocmoc, I'll be looking for your input when I begin designing.

Thanks

Lenny

[rocmoc]

OK, have to meet you at Coral Pink Sand Dunes. I'm sirius!

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico