Too low for the Raid Bleu...

Topan · **Posted:** Mon Nov 01, 2010 8:35 am

My Frankenlift has not arrived yet (got 2 springs , but the other parcel is somewhere between LA and switzerland...) so i decided to go to the Raid Bleu with stock suspension.....not a good idea my fellow KJists !!!
2 flats: one torned out and one puncture:

Actually, i took a rock at very low speed in a downhill trail: 2 trenches and no way to get out, Enormous noise from the left and the driving wheel flew out of my hands, results: exploded tire and....broken rim !!! the rim was oval !!! :dizzy:

it started touching the disk brake caliper ! we had to switch the wheel to the back (smaller disk diameter) to get rid of the klong klong klong...

...and you wouldn't want to hear the noises from the shocks below the KJ !!!
i made the whole 1st day, and thought i would brake something every 10 meters!
and gave up the second day for the night trip: too fast, too rocky for my stock KJ.
So i enrolled as co-pilot in my friend Toy.HDJ80, a 3 tons monster! Broke the steering bar in an uphill path full of tree roots...

Anyway here are a few pics, from the Beaujolais!!

rocks rocks rocks...

and wine wine wine!! :5SHOTS:

i will put a few more if my buddies took some of the KJ.
Cheers !!!

ridenby · **Posted:** Mon Nov 01, 2010 9:31 am

Looks like a good time. :JEEPIN:

bugnout · **Posted:** Mon Nov 01, 2010 10:31 am

Thanks for posting up. Did you air down your tires at all? Its difficult to give up the clearance for a softer ride.

Topan · **Posted:** Mon Nov 01, 2010 11:34 am

bugnout wrote:

Thanks for posting up. Did you air down your tires at all? Its difficult to give up the clearance for a softer ride.

yes, you are absolutely right. i was at 2kg when this happenned, so i brought the 4 tires back to 2.5 Kg after => a more bumpy ride, a bit less grip but much less risk of tearing-off and a bit more clearance.
Actually all my buddies were positively surprised by the grip of the Duratrac, but wanted to trash them when their soft side-walls showed up...

Also, my rims are 15"....i know , its stupid....should have stayed for 16" and go for 235-85R16 for the tires....

Pippobug · **Posted:** Sun Feb 06, 2011 6:32 am

Hi Topan,

i think there is a picture of your KJ in the French magazine "4x4 Story Jeep magazine" February issue, you have a Swisse Geneva registration number?! I haven't finished reading the write up yet 9bit slow on reading in French).

Fil.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Sun Feb 06, 2011 12:42 pm

I don't think not having the lift had anything to do with getting the flats....from what you said happened. Sounds like the tires were not at a good PSI, not that great of tires and wheels, driver experience, or just plain bad luck (which even happens to the biggest and strongest of rigs).

Topan · **Posted:** Mon Feb 07, 2011 4:34 am

Pippobug wrote:

Hi Topan,

i think there is a picture of your KJ in the French magazine "4x4 Story Jeep magazine" February issue, you have a Swisse Geneva registration number?! I haven't finished reading the write up yet 9bit slow on reading in French).

Fil.

Yes, i have GE plates. and i was the only one in a KJ !!....except 1 from the organization, very well prepared and lifted...

i have been looking at different magazine with articles on the Raid , but saw nothing .
Thanks ! i will go and buy that one.
Cheers !

Too low for the Raid Bleu...

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