First Renegade Run

AZ_Overdrive · **Posted:** Mon Jan 23, 2006 1:11 am

First time posting pics so bear with me. Here is a couple of shots of our 05 Renegade in Box Canyon AZ.

MODS: Rusty's 2.5" lift, 245/75R16 BFG AT/KO, Rear 1-1/4 wheel spacers (yes, they are the torqued stud type and they ROCK).

For the trip I removed the front sway bar completely. Wow! It really does come off in about 5 minutes! Left rear swaybar on (although you wouldn't think so in the pics).

Also, I was very turned off by the trail manners of the other jeepers that day. When I go out in my 04 TJ everyone smiles and waves. We got nothing but smirks and a few stupid comments... "That thing trail rated, he, he" We're about to find out I said. Another not so polite individual that was in a modified Unlimited Rubicon replied to my "how are you guys doing today" with "great since I got rid of my Liberty." Well, I am here to say that that attitude really sucks. While not quite as nimble as my TJ, I like the Liberty and it went everywhere the other Jeeps went just a little slower (it was my first time off-roading the KJ.)

Notice how stuffed the front left is and the droop on the rear but the vehicle is fairly level.

Post wheeling impressions: Thinking of wider tires, 265/70 perhaps. Spacers for the front wheels (til I find some rims the wife likes). MUST INSTALL CLEVIS LIFT!!!. Rubbed a little but need to raise that front end a little.

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RkyMtnKJ · **Posted:** Mon Jan 23, 2006 1:58 am

very nice pics and great flex! i love my BFG's. I recieved a comment or two like that myself from a mountain man and his 60's landcruiser.....very modded and very clean and shiny....some enthusiasts have no respect for other wheelers.

KW AV8R · **Posted:** Mon Jan 23, 2006 2:41 am

Welcome to the forum. You'll get used to hearing comments like that and will develop some standard responses in time but the best thing to do is to just 'wheel it and show people what it can do.

RespectMyLibertay · **Posted:** Mon Jan 23, 2006 3:38 am

Nice rock-crawling pics.

AZ_Overdrive · **Posted:** Mon Jan 23, 2006 8:52 am

KW AV8R wrote:

Welcome to the forum. You'll get used to hearing comments like that and will develop some standard responses in time but the best thing to do is to just 'wheel it and show people what it can do.

KW AV8R,
Yep. that's what I did. I don't make any comments like that (at least out loud:) while on the trail. When the Unlimited guy made that comment I just said, "Well, that's my wife's Liberty up there and it's doing well." Also, we were wheeling with my buddy from work and his bone stock Xterra. We had a blast! We stopped to take a ton of pictures and shoot some video at each obstacle we encountered. When we were almost done with the run we ran into the Unlimited guy going back down the trail and his comment was, with a smirk, "Well, it's taking a while but you guys are almost done." To which I replied in a nice manner, "we have been taking pictures and we also stopped to have lunch."

Of course, you always think of something whitty to say after the fact. The Box Canyon trail is rated a 2/3 most of it is a 2 but because of a few bolders and the weather it sometimes gets a 3. So, what I really should have said, in a polite tone, was, well geese, with such a modified Jeep (Unlimited, Rubicon, large tires) why are you running it on a 2 rated trail? My buddies Xterra here is bone stock, no lift, street tires, and no posi and we made it through.... Hehe, maybe next time....

I am always courteous and helpful when I wheel. We even helped a quad with a flat that day. Now I know why alot of people don't like Jeep (TJ) drivers because they are so smug. However, MOST I have encountered are just out having fun like we are. It's always those few....

Being a TJ owner as well, I can say, people do look at the KJ different but based on folks like all of you, we are proving the KJ is a capable off-road vehicle.

BTW, here is a pic of my TJ on that same big rock:

zeero · **Posted:** Mon Jan 23, 2006 4:24 pm

Nice pics bro...they're lookin good...both KJ and TJ....

When we went to get our KJ Renegade (pretty much the same as yours) we were at first torn between the TJ Unlimited and the KJ Renegade....then we came to realize that the four door thing was useful for one...the cargo space for another...plus ALL the options we could get over the TJ. At the end of the day...and a few proud moments on the trails in front of other TJs and "Sim-Jeeps" we are thrilled with our KJ and its capabilities. Overall it has shown itself to be more capable than TJs with similar mods, more durable, more room to carry things, better security for things we are carrying when we have to leave it somewhere, a solid unibody construction with four doors....that means four windows we can open fully for better airflow in the cab. Plus a multitude of other things that the TJ just doesn't do.

In our KJ we can wear our best clothes out and still be suitable...or we can get all scruffy and outdoorsy and still look the part. Total versatility....A MUCH better option.

As for the morons on the trails...I've showed them up a few times already...comments like "Hey becareful there, watch the paint" and "Hey sorry to bother you before you start out, but would let the guys in the real Jeeps jump ahead so we're not caught behind in some convoy"...I would say "don't worry about me man, I have this" and then surprise the heck out of them only to recieve compliments at the end. WHEN ARE PEOPLE GOING TO REALIZE THAT WHEELING IS ABOUT FUN....its NOT a race...its NOT a competition...it IS about getting otuside and having fun with friends and family...and just enjoying our respective countries wilderness....shame on these idiots that are ruining it.

Sorry its long....just had to get it out. :wink:

First Renegade Run

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