what to do?

ReDkK · **Joined:** Mon Dec 13, 2010 9:31 pm **Posts:** 91

2 wranglers that I'm going with to Rausch think that I shouldn't take the kk and I should just be a passenger. Apparently one of the wranglers led a kk on green trails at Rausch and it was bad news. they said the kk messed up the bumper on J trail which is supposed to be one of the easiest. They think I'm gonna be bringing my bumpers back in my trunk and dent the rockers so I can't open the doors. From what everyone says on here kk's seem to do fine at Rausch. To me I think there underestimating kks. What does everyone else think? Should I take the kk or be a passenger? If I take the kk will they be right? Will I be coming back with damage? I need help lol

infernicus · **Posted:** Wed Aug 17, 2011 2:25 am

It really depends on how you treat your truck, not to mention the actual trails you take your truck on.
Obviously dont go on the Reds and Blacks. If thats what your friends plan on running then maybe you should ride along with them, or find another vehicle to come out with you on the easier trails.

Just be smart about it, take the best line possible. You might end up popping off a fender flare, but they go right back on (more or less).

Good Luck & Have Fun.

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Aug 17, 2011 10:30 am

do you already have full skids etc?
Do you have tow points?
Do you have rock rails?
If you don't have skids or rock rails then yes you may have problems with dented parts etc
Are you willing to cause damage ?

ReDkK · **Joined:** Mon Dec 13, 2010 9:31 pm **Posts:** 91

tommudd wrote:

do you already have full skids etc?
Do you have tow points?
Do you have rock rails?
If you don't have skids or rock rails then yes you may have problems with dented parts etc
Are you willing to cause damage ?

I have a front skid and a fuel tank skid. I have tow points. No rock rails. What kind of damage?

KKJim · **Joined:** Wed May 21, 2008 9:57 pm **Posts:** 109

If you pick the right path and dont just "go for it!" you should be fine. Wheel smart and you should be fine. FYI a little trail rash never hurt a Jeep

DoubleK · **Posted:** Sun Aug 21, 2011 3:30 am

i have gone to Rausch 3 times or more with my KK and lead a group of Libbys, XJ's, ZJ's, Xterra's and Wanglers through greens and the J trail plus the new property. i went completely stock the first time (i think i had recovery points front and rear), no skids and maybe hit three times tops and i did some hard stuff, only one dent and it happened to be on my gas tank skid lol. next time i went i went with a skids. then the third time i went i had a lift and skids, tow hitch and hooks bigger mud tires and was unstoppable, even tried some easy blues! every time i went i had little to no damage. and i had some crazy 3 wheel shots that you should totally do to impress the Wrangler people to show them what libbys could do! my <- avatar pic is my first 3 wheel shot at Rausch's playground when i was stock! dont listen to them! we are capable to do greens just gotta take your time and go ON rocks NOT OVER THEM! if they rush you just take your own map and find your own way out. trust me, no matter what you do they will look down on you but you will end up impressing them. oh and a couple tips. as you go off roading you will learn with the liberty's, our high spot. our IFS has a strong point. from where the lower control arm meets the axle you have very high clearance, so if whenever you think you might not make it over a rock near your tire, scoot over, and line that spot up with the rock and you will glide right over. works every time for me. if you need to, practice with someting first to get familiar with where the area is. the more you wheel the KK like i did (esp at RAUSCH) the more you learn its lil tricks. :juggle:

if there are little wheeeling spots near you, test out the KK on some rocks because the greens at Rausch involve lots of rocks. and depending on where they take you, they can be a real jerks about it, because if you are stock or have no skids or no lift, or no experience, some areas will be fairly difficult for you. but, hopefully these guys arent a-holes and respect you for being a common jeeper... if not ill out-wheel them on some blacks with my Rubicon to shut them up just for you

ps. if it rained the day before you go to Rausch or like 2 or 3 days before you go, do not, i repeat, DO NOT go on the J trail! it is very dangerous and it is on a cliff. it can be rained out very easily and you can slide off the cliff if its the least bit wet. if you don't know if it rained, ask the people in the office about the last 3 days. if they said it rained a good amount, DO NOT go on the J trail!!!!!!!! :dead:

pss. if you go to Rausch's website: www.rc4x4.org it states you need at least 1 recovery point and some other stuff. make sure you read up. bring some tools. as Dean (infernicus) said, the fenders do pop out, mine did when i got stuck tryna pull out a ZJ and an Xterra out at the same time. i had to be winched out by a some random yellow wrangler guy with a 12k lb warn winch up a muddy hill. when i finally got out, i popped it back in. if you dont pop it back in its not a big deal. it wont go any where. its usually the bottom part that pops out so you wont even notice a thing. :pepper:

ReDkK · **Joined:** Mon Dec 13, 2010 9:31 pm **Posts:** 91

DoubleK wrote:

i have gone to Rausch 3 times or more with my KK and lead a group of Libbys, XJ's, ZJ's, Xterra's and Wanglers through greens and the J trail plus the new property. i went completely stock the first time (i think i had recovery points front and rear), no skids and maybe hit three times tops and i did some hard stuff, only one dent and it happened to be on my gas tank skid lol. next time i went i went with a skids. then the third time i went i had a lift and skids, tow hitch and hooks bigger mud tires and was unstoppable, even tried some easy blues! every time i went i had little to no damage. and i had some crazy 3 wheel shots that you should totally do to impress the Wrangler people to show them what libbys could do! my <- avatar pic is my first 3 wheel shot at Rausch's playground when i was stock! dont listen to them! we are capable to do greens just gotta take your time and go ON rocks NOT OVER THEM! if they rush you just take your own map and find your own way out. trust me, no matter what you do they will look down on you but you will end up impressing them. oh and a couple tips. as you go off roading you will learn with the liberty's, our high spot. our IFS has a strong point. from where the lower control arm meets the axle you have very high clearance, so if whenever you think you might not make it over a rock near your tire, scoot over, and line that spot up with the rock and you will glide right over. works every time for me. if you need to, practice with someting first to get familiar with where the area is. the more you wheel the KK like i did (esp at RAUSCH) the more you learn its lil tricks. :juggle:

if there are little wheeeling spots near you, test out the KK on some rocks because the greens at Rausch involve lots of rocks. and depending on where they take you, they can be a real jerks about it, because if you are stock or have no skids or no lift, or no experience, some areas will be fairly difficult for you. but, hopefully these guys arent a-holes and respect you for being a common jeeper... if not ill out-wheel them on some blacks with my Rubicon to shut them up just for you

ps. if it rained the day before you go to Rausch or like 2 or 3 days before you go, do not, i repeat, DO NOT go on the J trail! it is very dangerous and it is on a cliff. it can be rained out very easily and you can slide off the cliff if its the least bit wet. if you don't know if it rained, ask the people in the office about the last 3 days. if they said it rained a good amount, DO NOT go on the J trail!!!!!!!! :dead:

pss. if you go to Rausch's website: http://www.rc4x4.org it states you need at least 1 recovery point and some other stuff. make sure you read up. bring some tools. as Dean (infernicus) said, the fenders do pop out, mine did when i got stuck tryna pull out a ZJ and an Xterra out at the same time. i had to be winched out by a some random yellow wrangler guy with a 12k lb warn winch up a muddy hill. when i finally got out, i popped it back in. if you dont pop it back in its not a big deal. it wont go any where. its usually the bottom part that pops out so you wont even notice a thing. :pepper:

I went to Rausch this past weekend and the KK is still alive. Came out with a few minor scratches. We did like 2 or 3 blues and the rest greens. I have a front skid and a fuel tank skid which came in handy because rocks hit the undercarriage ALOT. The fuel tank skid has 2 good dents in it which I think possibly dented in the gas tank. We did go on the J trail and i got a good 3 wheel shot from it which I will post soon.

How big is your lift and where did you get it from? did you do it yourself? Im considering getting a lift for the kk after having no ground clearance at rausch. After getting a lift was the driving or gas mileage affected? Do you know a few good sites that have stuff for KK's because I never have any luck when looking for things.

Also, some people were saying after Rausch maybe I should get an alignment? Do you usually do anything after offroading to check things out?

DoubleK · **Posted:** Thu Aug 25, 2011 12:21 am

ReDkK wrote:

I went to Rausch this past weekend and the KK is still alive. Came out with a few minor scratches. We did like 2 or 3 blues and the rest greens. I have a front skid and a fuel tank skid which came in handy because rocks hit the undercarriage ALOT. The fuel tank skid has 2 good dents in it which I think possibly dented in the gas tank. We did go on the J trail and i got a good 3 wheel shot from it which I will post soon.

How big is your lift and where did you get it from? did you do it yourself? Im considering getting a lift for the kk after having no ground clearance at rausch. After getting a lift was the driving or gas mileage affected? Do you know a few good sites that have stuff for KK's because I never have any luck when looking for things.

Also, some people were saying after Rausch maybe I should get an alignment? Do you usually do anything after offroading to check things out?

sounds like you had the normal Rausch fun

3 wheel shots are the best!

i have a 3.5" Rock Krawler lift. i actually bought it off a friend, who is actually on this website too. His name is Luigi1268 or something like that. you can't miss him. my friend and i put on my lift. you need a bunch of tools and since i put in new struts i needed a spring compressor. it def was an adventure: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=56541&start=20

that is the thread for my lift. i was new to it too. so i asked all types of questions. so you can read through it. yes gas milage was def affected but i also have bigger tires, roof rack, spare tire and a full trunk lol.

a few sites that i used would be: justforjeeps.com is my main one got my tow hooks for a KJ which fit the KK. i bought my tires from peter, VMKJCRD, my lift from luigi, my tow hitch from Uhaul, my struts from jeepinbyal.com, my roof rack from yakima etc...

i dont ever get an alignment, but i always check my underbelly for everything and check my tire pressure. unless you go on blacks then no worries.... unless u did hardcore blues then no need to worry. i mean it doesnt hurt but no need to waste money if its not needed ya know what i mean?!

infernicus · **Posted:** Thu Aug 25, 2011 12:35 am

ReDkK wrote:

Also, some people were saying after Rausch maybe I should get an alignment? Do you usually do anything after offroading to check things out?

I've never been to Rausch, but I hear great things, and the pictures that are posted probably don't do a justice, I have had my Liberty on the trails, some pretty hard ones as well.

After any wheeling, off-roading, rock crawling, beach driving, even after snowstorms, etc, you should definitely check everything out for obvious visual imperfections (and not the paint, more like bent items that shouldn't be bent, lol).

If you made the drive back from Rausch and didn't feel anything different then the drive to Rausch, then hypothetically you should be ok. If it pulls any direction or wobbles or anything along those lines then definitely get an alignment, or at least have it looked at by a professional (if you're not sure of it yourself).

I would definitely give the Jeep a good wash, dont forget about the underbody, (a little more important than the paint if you dont want your truck to fall apart), and the engine compartment (ask Rachael how important this part is :goink:

)

Get some 100% silicone spray and hit anything that is rubber to keep everything nice and lubed up after driving through all that mud.

And get out there again soon!

DoubleK · **Posted:** Thu Aug 25, 2011 3:02 am

infernicus wrote:

ReDkK wrote:

Also, some people were saying after Rausch maybe I should get an alignment? Do you usually do anything after offroading to check things out?

I've never been to Rausch, but I hear great things, and the pictures that are posted probably don't do a justice, I have had my Liberty on the trails, some pretty hard ones as well.

After any wheeling, off-roading, rock crawling, beach driving, even after snowstorms, etc, you should definitely check everything out for obvious visual imperfections (and not the paint, more like bent items that shouldn't be bent, lol).

If you made the drive back from Rausch and didn't feel anything different then the drive to Rausch, then hypothetically you should be ok. If it pulls any direction or wobbles or anything along those lines then definitely get an alignment, or at least have it looked at by a professional (if you're not sure of it yourself).

I would definitely give the Jeep a good wash, dont forget about the underbody, (a little more important than the paint if you dont want your truck to fall apart), and the engine compartment (ask Rachael how important this part is :goink:

)

Get some 100% silicone spray and hit anything that is rubber to keep everything nice and lubed up after driving through all that mud.

And get out there again soon!

yes as Dean said, My engine happens to be THE dirtiest out of the bunch :BANANA:

i never washed it till recently, and that has caused MANY problems so be sure to wash up before dinner :-)r

Thank you Dean, you were the Grand Finale :rockon:

ReDkK · **Joined:** Mon Dec 13, 2010 9:31 pm **Posts:** 91

infernicus wrote:

ReDkK wrote:

Also, some people were saying after Rausch maybe I should get an alignment? Do you usually do anything after offroading to check things out?

I've never been to Rausch, but I hear great things, and the pictures that are posted probably don't do a justice, I have had my Liberty on the trails, some pretty hard ones as well.

After any wheeling, off-roading, rock crawling, beach driving, even after snowstorms, etc, you should definitely check everything out for obvious visual imperfections (and not the paint, more like bent items that shouldn't be bent, lol).

If you made the drive back from Rausch and didn't feel anything different then the drive to Rausch, then hypothetically you should be ok. If it pulls any direction or wobbles or anything along those lines then definitely get an alignment, or at least have it looked at by a professional (if you're not sure of it yourself).

I would definitely give the Jeep a good wash, dont forget about the underbody, (a little more important than the paint if you dont want your truck to fall apart), and the engine compartment (ask Rachael how important this part is :goink:

)

Get some 100% silicone spray and hit anything that is rubber to keep everything nice and lubed up after driving through all that mud.

And get out there again soon!

Haha, thanks for the help. After Rausch we went straight to the car wash and i got underbody with the power washer so hopefully i didnt miss anything. I'll take a trip to the carwash when it stops raining here. Whats the best way to clean the engine?

ReDkK · **Joined:** Mon Dec 13, 2010 9:31 pm **Posts:** 91

DoubleK wrote:

ReDkK wrote:

I went to Rausch this past weekend and the KK is still alive. Came out with a few minor scratches. We did like 2 or 3 blues and the rest greens. I have a front skid and a fuel tank skid which came in handy because rocks hit the undercarriage ALOT. The fuel tank skid has 2 good dents in it which I think possibly dented in the gas tank. We did go on the J trail and i got a good 3 wheel shot from it which I will post soon.

How big is your lift and where did you get it from? did you do it yourself? Im considering getting a lift for the kk after having no ground clearance at rausch. After getting a lift was the driving or gas mileage affected? Do you know a few good sites that have stuff for KK's because I never have any luck when looking for things.

Also, some people were saying after Rausch maybe I should get an alignment? Do you usually do anything after offroading to check things out?

sounds like you had the normal Rausch fun

3 wheel shots are the best!

i have a 3.5" Rock Krawler lift. i actually bought it off a friend, who is actually on this website too. His name is Luigi1268 or something like that. you can't miss him. my friend and i put on my lift. you need a bunch of tools and since i put in new struts i needed a spring compressor. it def was an adventure: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=56541&start=20

that is the thread for my lift. i was new to it too. so i asked all types of questions. so you can read through it. yes gas milage was def affected but i also have bigger tires, roof rack, spare tire and a full trunk lol.

a few sites that i used would be: justforjeeps.com is my main one got my tow hooks for a KJ which fit the KK. i bought my tires from peter, VMKJCRD, my lift from luigi, my tow hitch from Uhaul, my struts from jeepinbyal.com, my roof rack from yakima etc...

i dont ever get an alignment, but i always check my underbelly for everything and check my tire pressure. unless you go on blacks then no worries.... unless u did hardcore blues then no need to worry. i mean it doesnt hurt but no need to waste money if its not needed ya know what i mean?!

How did the lift affect driving and handling? I posted pics from Rausch if you wanna check them out and you can see my 3 wheel shot

DoubleK · **Posted:** Sat Aug 27, 2011 4:29 am

ReDkK wrote:

DoubleK wrote:

ReDkK wrote:

I went to Rausch this past weekend and the KK is still alive. Came out with a few minor scratches. We did like 2 or 3 blues and the rest greens. I have a front skid and a fuel tank skid which came in handy because rocks hit the undercarriage ALOT. The fuel tank skid has 2 good dents in it which I think possibly dented in the gas tank. We did go on the J trail and i got a good 3 wheel shot from it which I will post soon.

How big is your lift and where did you get it from? did you do it yourself? Im considering getting a lift for the kk after having no ground clearance at rausch. After getting a lift was the driving or gas mileage affected? Do you know a few good sites that have stuff for KK's because I never have any luck when looking for things.

Also, some people were saying after Rausch maybe I should get an alignment? Do you usually do anything after offroading to check things out?

sounds like you had the normal Rausch fun

3 wheel shots are the best!

i have a 3.5" Rock Krawler lift. i actually bought it off a friend, who is actually on this website too. His name is Luigi1268 or something like that. you can't miss him. my friend and i put on my lift. you need a bunch of tools and since i put in new struts i needed a spring compressor. it def was an adventure: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=56541&start=20

that is the thread for my lift. i was new to it too. so i asked all types of questions. so you can read through it. yes gas milage was def affected but i also have bigger tires, roof rack, spare tire and a full trunk lol.

a few sites that i used would be: justforjeeps.com is my main one got my tow hooks for a KJ which fit the KK. i bought my tires from peter, VMKJCRD, my lift from luigi, my tow hitch from Uhaul, my struts from jeepinbyal.com, my roof rack from yakima etc...

i dont ever get an alignment, but i always check my underbelly for everything and check my tire pressure. unless you go on blacks then no worries.... unless u did hardcore blues then no need to worry. i mean it doesnt hurt but no need to waste money if its not needed ya know what i mean?!

How did the lift affect driving and handling? I posted pics from Rausch if you wanna check them out and you can see my 3 wheel shot

well obviously being higher from the ground makes you more top-heavy, and i had a roof rack and spare on it so i am even more top heavy but, you have to take turns more cautiously. it handles differently and you'll feel it immediately once you take your first sharp turn. you will automatically feel higher and start to feel a bit cocky lol when i put the long arm kit on my Rubicon i was not used to being that high so it took a lot of getting used to, the handling was very different. its even more different when you disconnect your sway bars, but thats a whole other ball game :dizzy:

lifting my liberty was probably the best thing i could have done to her, besides getting her new shoes :-)r

trust me, you can never go wrong when lifting, only can go wrong when lowering :furious:

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