Building KJ for long trips

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sun Dec 06, 2009 5:26 pm

Here’s the rear bumper that I’m getting built for my KJ. You can see what it looks like with the tire carrier alone vs. tire carrier and hi-lift/gas can carrier. Also, this particular bumper has the built-in hitch receiver. I think this is the perfect setup for any expedition.

MojaveKJ · **Posted:** Fri Jan 15, 2010 9:56 pm

I thought about the SPOT as a "safety net" if things go seriously wrong. I plan to rent a satellite phone for most extended trips for safety's sake. I am also researching GPS systems, recovery gear, etc., etc.... as time goes on.

If all goes well, I may be able to take the first exploratory trip this spring.

Thanks to all for their advice and of course...

Keep it coming!!

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 4:14 pm

CRD is gangster and is the best Overland option! I wheeled from coast to coast in every terrain and always made it home.

On top of Comm gear and tools, fluids etc You also got to have the rockin' system and video screen.

durangotang · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 5:52 pm

JL Rockies wrote:

CRD is gangster and is the best Overland option! I wheeled from coast to coast in every terrain and always made it home.

x eleventy-billion

Honestly, just start going out... every time you go you 'll find something else that you wan to change to better suit your needs. Do that enough times and you'll be ready for some hardcore car camping

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 6:14 pm

Another key is to become external cargo certified.

durangotang · **Posted:** Sun Jan 17, 2010 1:11 pm

JL Rockies wrote:

Another key is to become external cargo certified.

True... but only for the serious enthusiast

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:26 am

MojaveKJ, have you planned your Spring trip? Have you made any more modifications to your KJ?

MojaveKJ · **Posted:** Tue Feb 23, 2010 1:41 am

Well...actually...I looked at a couple of CRDs in the past month or so but right now another payment is not practical so I'm sticking with the KJ I have for now. I've mostly been doing repair/maintenance/replacement in the last few weeks. So far it's been: Al's UCAs, LBJs, all front bushings, steering rack replaced, all rear bushings and ball joint, front bearing hubs, sway bar links and... (thinking). I suppose for the boring stuff next is drive train then engine. Along the way I am doing some cool stuff as well, like...

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=50426

But that's about it for the KJ. As for the trip, I am trying to get with some of my friends and decide on dates (near impossible it seems) for an adventure. My buddy in SLC has a some time in the spring but as of now...nada is on the calendar. It will probably include at least 2 states like CA, NV, AZ, NM, CO when we do go. :JEEPIN:

However, in early April I have a trade show to go to in Las Vegas and this year I'm going to drive to the Barstow, CA area and then pick up a trail I've heard goes overland to LV. Need a bit of research on that route of course but I figured as long as I can expense the gas, hotel, meals and such why not? :BANANA:

I'm thinking my next project will be OBA of some sort and a GPS...gotta find my way to Vegas!! I'm also looking into this cell phone booster that some people have, seems pretty great if it works as told.

Thanks for the interest in my KJ dieselenthusiast, I appreciate it. Your KJ looks awesome, really like the color matched bumper. What sort of areas have you been to in your Jeep? Any pics for inspiration on my trip!

Cheers,
MojaveKJ aka Tony

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Tue Feb 23, 2010 2:12 am

MojaveKJ wrote:

Thanks for the interest in my KJ dieselenthusiast, I appreciate it. Your KJ looks awesome, really like the color matched bumper. What sort of areas have you been to in your Jeep? Any pics for inspiration on my trip!

Cheers,
MojaveKJ aka Tony

Tony, thanks for the compliment. The KJ has been a work in progress.

I’m basically building it for the same purpose you are set out to do. Honestly, I haven’t had the opportunity to explore much in the KJ. I was in school the last two years, so the KJ sat most of the time. I just rolled 20,000 miles on her about a month ago. I lived in New Mexico for 3 years and explored a lot of trails in the Wrangler. Your idea of a true backcountry expedition is by far my favorite type of off-roading. Keep us updated!

hooperswish · **Posted:** Tue Feb 23, 2010 11:25 am

Park the jeep at a trailhead and get out and hike.....
"The Thousand-Mile Summer in Desert and High Sierra by Colin Fletcher (Hardcover - 1964)"
This hiking guru hiked from Mexico to Oregon across California in one summer- he later went end to end the long way of the Grand Canyon."
MAN WHO WALKED THROUGH TIME by Colin Fletcher (Hardcover - 1968)"

I know this has nothing to contribute to this thread, and I apologize, but what the heck...

kskj · **Posted:** Tue Feb 23, 2010 7:06 pm

Hiking is great fun, used to go to Colorado a lot when I was younger. Now I would rather take the jeep it is much easier on the feet. :lol:

Great thread I hope to plan a long off road expedition in 2011.

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Wed Feb 24, 2010 12:23 am

I used to hike all the time before I got a drivers license.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Mon Mar 22, 2010 1:13 am

Here's a nice addition:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=51238

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Mon Mar 22, 2010 1:18 am

And maybe one of these:

http://www.expeditionone.biz/Geri_intro.htm

MojaveKJ · **Posted:** Mon Mar 22, 2010 9:44 am

dieselenthusiast wrote:

And maybe one of these:

http://www.expeditionone.biz/Geri_intro.htm

Sure, I'd love to have cute blonde along on the trip to fill my tank when needed :wink:

Best idea yet in this thread!

The GERI can is super cool too. I've pretty much abandoned the idea of hanging gas cans off the tail gate so this can is a great option.

Thanks all, build update to come!

-MojaveKJ

BVCRD · **Posted:** Mon Mar 22, 2010 9:48 am

durangotang wrote:

What exactly is a "long trip"?

Just curious....

I once drove from Grand Junction up to the north slope haul road and back. Now THAT was a long trip.

CRD Joe · **Posted:** Mon Mar 22, 2010 3:52 pm

Ya at first you gotta start with a CRD. Ive gotten as much as 750+miles on a tank. Add a couple five gallon cans on a rear bumper and youre at 1000 miles. Get an adventure trailer that has a couple more cans and youre well into the 1200+ mile range. That range gives you power to do and go where you want.

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Mon Mar 22, 2010 6:14 pm

There are may multi-day journey's to be had in UT; there are many miles and miles between miles and miles. UT is life elevated.

CO is cool for mall crawling though. :goink:

BVCRD · **Posted:** Mon Mar 22, 2010 6:57 pm

Malls are cool. :pepper:

wecwbe · **Posted:** Tue Mar 23, 2010 12:02 am

JL Rockies wrote:

There are may multi-day journey's to be had in UT; there are many miles and miles between miles and miles. UT is life elevated.

CO is cool for mall crawling though. :goink:

Utah is pretty cool. Everytime I forget that I just go up one of our 14ers and look down on the low lands in Utah. :ROTFL:

Building KJ for long trips

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