XOR - Xtreme Off-Road Builds
Want more content like this?
Join the PowerNation Email NewsletterParts Used In This Episode
Warn Industries
Winch, VR 10000, 12 V, Hawse Fairlead, Power In/Out, 3/8 in. x 100 ft. Synthetic Rope, 12 ft. Hand-Held Remote, Each
4 Wheel to Heal
4 Wheel to Heal (4W2H) is dedicated to taking wounded and disabled veterans, from all branches of military service, to off-roading events. These events involve four wheeling, rock crawling, mud bogging, shooting and camping. Our mission is to boost morale for these veterans and give them an experience they will never forget.
Artec Industries
Ford 9-inch Front Axle Truss Full Width & Low Profile
B.A.D. Wheels
1/2" Sacrificial Rock Ring, CNC machined to order, machined finish and unique drain system
B.A.D. Wheels
Wheel, Eklipse 17, 17x10, Internal Beadlock, 8x6.50
Essentially Off-Road
Jeep XJ 4-Link Frame Brace Kit
Interco Tire Co.
Tire, Interco, Irok, Competition, 37x14.00-17LT
Rod End Supply
1X1 1/4-12 Rod End
Rusty's Off Road
Rustys Bumper - Front Trail Bumper - XJ - NEW
Rusty's Off Road
Rustys Bumpers - Trail Bumper - Rear w/ Receiver - XJ
Rusty's Off Road
Rustys Intake Package - XJ
Rusty's Off Road
Rustys Rocker Sliders - XJ Cherokee
Spidertrax
Spider 9 Pro-Series Housing, Pro Series 60 Knuckles (3.5"), 3-1/2" Housing Ends, Ultimate Unit Bearings, Steering Arms, PS 14" Rotors with Wilwood 6-piston calipers
The Industrial Depot
The Industrial Depot - Fasteners, Hardware and Shop Supplies
VooDoo Offroad Tow Ropes
1 1/4in x 30ft Recovery Rope 60,000lb Breaking Strength Green
Video Transcript
(ANNOUNCER)>> BEFORE
ERIK GOTTFRIED DEPLOYED OVERSEAS HE WANTED ONE
THING, AN OVER THE TOP TRAIL READY XJ.
TODAY ON XTREME OFF ROAD OUR CREW REBUILDS ERIK'S CHEROKEE WITH A HEAVY DUTY FOUR LINK SUSPENSION, COMPETITION GRADE AXLES, AND MORE.
(IAN)>> NOT TOO LONG AGO I RECEIVED AN EMAIL TO CHECK OUT A THREAD ON A POPULAR OFF ROAD FORUM.
NOW THIS THREAD WAS A STORY ABOUT A WHEELER
WHO WAS DONE WRONG.
NOW THIS WHEELER IS ERIK GOTTFRIED, AND HE IS A MEMBER OF OUR MILITARY. BEFORE HE DEPLOYED OVERSEAS, HE DROPPED HIS JEEP XJ OFF AT A SHOP AND ASKED TO HAVE ONE TON AXLES INSTALLED UNDERNEATH IT. NOW THIS IS WHERE THE STORY TAKES A SAD TURN.
WHEN ERIK CAME BACK TO THE STATES AND WENT TO PICK UP HIS JEEP, THIS SHOP HAD JUST DONE SOME
POOR WORK ON THE TRUCK.
NOW THIS THREAD SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND A LOT OF PEOPLE REACHED OUT TO ME AND ASKED IF I WOULD BE WILLING TO HELP. AND ME BEING IN THE POSITION THAT I'M IN HERE AT XTREME OFF ROAD THOUGHT WELL, WHY NOT. I CALLED UP ERIK, TOLD HIM TO GET A NEW JEEP, BRING IT DOWN TO THE XTREME SHOP, AND WE WOULD BUILD THE ULTIMATE XJ FOUR WHEELER FOR HIM. BUT FOR A JOB THIS BIG I KNEW I WAS GONNA HAVE TO CALL IN SOME HELP. WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING A JEEP PERFORM LIKE A TUBE BUGGY, THE GUYS AT ESSENTIALLY OFF ROAD SPECIALIZE IN CUSTOM AXLE SWAPS AND HARDCORE SUSPENSION DESIGNS FOR ALL TYPES OF JEEPS. AND I KNEW THAT THEY WOULD HAVE A SOLUTION TO GETTING A GOOD PERFORMING SUSPENSION UNDER THIS XJ.
JIMMY PENNER!
(JIMMY)>> HOW'S IT GOING IAN?
(IAN)>> GOOD, YOURSELF? ADRIAN, GOOD TO SEE YOU. ALRIGHT JIMMY, YOU'VE SEEN THE TRUCK, WHAT'S THE PLAN?
(JIMMY)>> I GUESS WE'RE GONNA MAKE A BIG OLE ROCK CRAWLING XJ HERE. DOING AN AXLE SWAP, WE'RE DOING SPYDER TRAX ON THIS ONE.
(IAN)>> HE JUST WANTS A BIG ROCK CRAWLING JEEP THAT'LL ACTUALLY WORK THIS TIME.
(JIMMY)>> WE'RE GONNA DO A WHOLE SUBFRAME KIT WITH A FULL FOUR LINK. REALLY TAKE ALL THE FACTORY STUFF, IT'S GONE.
(IAN)>> ALRIGHT.
ADRIAN TORE INTO ERIK'S JEEP RIGHT AWAY, CUTTING OFF ALL THE FACTORY SUSPENSION FRONT AND REAR.
REMOVING THE FRONT AXLE AS AN ASSEMBLY, THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE AND LEAF SPRING SETUP.
WHOO, FLAMING LEAF SPRING OF DEATH! WITH THE TEAR DOWN COMPLETE, THE FABRICATION CAN BEGIN. THE FIRST JOB, BEEF UP THE SPYDER TRAX SPYDER NINE AXLE HOUSING ASSEMBLIES WITH TRUSSES FROM RTECH INDUSTRIES. A FULL BACKBONE ON THE REAR, FOLLOWED BY A TOP TRUSS TO STRENGTHEN THE HOUSING AND PROVIDE A FLAT PLATFORM FOR THE UPPER LINK MOUNTS. THE AXLE HOUSINGS ARE JUST THE START OF WHAT THE CREW AT SPYDER TRAX SENT TO THE XOR SHOP. THE SPYDER NINE AXLE ASSEMBLY IS THE GOLD STANDARD OF NINE INCH AXLES AND FOR GOOD REASON. SPYDER TRAX OFF ROAD IS LOCATED IN LOVELAND,
COLORADO, AND FOR YEARS THEY HAVE BEEN DEDICATED TO REFINING THE FABRICATED NINE INCH AXLE HOUSING WITH A FOCUS ON OFF ROADING AND OFF ROAD RACING. WITH THEIR ENGINEERING BACKGROUND, FOUNDERS THOMAS AND EDDIE TEST AND DEVELOP THEIR PRODUCT LINE WHILE RACING AND COMPETING IN SOME OF THE MOST BRUTAL EVENTS IN THE WORLD. BUT SPYDER NINE AXLES ARE A GREAT OPTION FOR A RECREATIONAL WHEELER. IN HOUSE FABRICATION OF THE HOUSINGS, KNUCKLES,
UNIT BEARINGS, AND AXLE SHAFTS INSURE THAT EACH
COMPONENT OF THE AXLE IS DESIGNED TO WORK TOGETHER AS A UNIT. THESE FULLY FABRICATED KNUCKLE ASSEMBLIES UTILIZE UNIBALLS ON THE TOP AND THE BOTTOM, AND HAVE AN
KEYED HIGH STEER ARM THAT IS FULLY HEAT TREATED FOR STRENGTH. WITH THE KNUCKLES INSTALLED ON THE FRONT AXLE, BLAKE STARTED FABBING UP THE FRONT STEERING RAM MOUNT FOR THE FULL HYDRAULIC DOUBLE ENDED STEERING RAM, USING SOME THREESIXTEENTHS STEEL PLATE FULLY BOXED FOR STRENGTH. AND ONCE COMPLETE, THE FAB WORK IS FINALLY DONE. ERIK'S NUMBER ONE REQUEST WAS FOR A SET OF ONE TON AXLES TO REPLACE THE WEAK STOCK PARTS. AND THESE PRO SERIES SPYDER TRAX UNITS WILL CERTAINLY BE WHAT HE NEEDS.
(ANNOUNCER)>> COMING UP WE BEEF UP THE XJ'S UNIBODY
WITH A SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY AND MAKE ROOM FOR A FOUR LINK.
(IAN)>> WE ARE BACK ON XTREME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CUSTOM SUSPENSION BUILD ON A SOLDIERS JEEP XJ.
THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR THIS XJ IS A FULLY CUSTOM DESIGNED FOUR LINK ASSEMBLY. IT STARTS WITH THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW
SUBFRAME UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK. OKAY JIMMY, TALK ME THROUGH THIS AWESOME PIECE OF STEEL THAT WE'VE SANDWICHED INTO OUR XJ HERE.
(JIMMY)>> WELL THIS IS OUR XJ TRUE FOUR LINK KIT. WHAT IT DOES, YOU KNOW, AN XJ REALLY DOESN'T
HAVE A FRAME RAIL. SO WHAT IT DOES IS IT COMES UP WITH QUARTER INCH PLATE ON THE XJ UNIBODY FRAME AND PUTS IN A TRUE FOUR LINK. THIS FOUR LINK'S FOR THE HARDCORE XJ GUY THAT
WANTS TO STIFFEN HIS UNIBODY UP AND ELIMINATE THE TRACK BARS FRONT AND REAR.
(IAN)>> SO THIS IS BASICALLY THE SUSPENSION OF A TUBE BUGGY BUT UNDERNEATH A JEEP XJ?
(JIMMY)>> EXACTLY, THIS IS WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR XJ TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
(IAN)>> ALRIGHT, SO NOW WE'VE GOT THIS SANDWICHED
UP IN HERE, THIS QUARTER INCH PLATE, AND IT'S ALL SET UP. NOW ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS BASICALLY WELD IT TO THE UNIBODY AND ANCHOR IT IN PLACE.
(JIMMY)>> EXACTLY.
(IAN)>> ALRIGHT, SO BLAKE HAS SOME WELDING TO DO.
(JIMMY)>> HE SURE DOES.
(IAN)>> BLAKE!
[ welder crackling ]
(IAN)>> ONCE THE SUBFRAME ASSEMBLIES ARE IN PLACE AND LOCATED, THEY ARE FULLY WELDED TO THE XJ'S BODY TO SECURE THEM IN PLACE, AND THE NEW INCH AND A QUARTER HEIM FROM ROD END SUPPLY ARE INSTALLED INTO THE BODY SIDE BRACKETS WITH MISALIGNMENT SPACERS. THE REAR AXLE IS THEN SQUARED UP UNDER THE BODY OF THE JEEP WITH SIX INCHES OF SUSPENSION STRETCH IN THE REAR. AND THE LENGTH OF THE LOWER LINKS IS MEASURED.
MOCK UP LINKS ARE MADE FROM INCH AND THREE QUARTER DOM. AND ONCE INSTALLED, A DOUBLE TRIANGULATED FOUR LINK IN THE BACK OF THIS JEEP IS COMPLETE. UP FRONT THE PROCESS IS SIMILAR. STARTING WITH SOME ADDITIONAL TRIMMING ON
THE SUBFRAME TO CLEAR THE UPPER LINK. THE AXLE IS PLACED UNDER THE TRUCK WITH THREE INCHES OF STRETCH IN THE FRONT, AND ALIGNED USING
PLUMB BOBS HANGING FROM THE BODY.
PUT IT BACK DOWN AGAIN.
ONCE CENTERED, MOCK UP LINKS ARE BUILT USING THE SAME INCH AND THREE QUARTER DOM. AND THE SUSPENSION LINKS ARE TACKED INTO PLACE. FIRST THE LOWERS FOLLOWED BY THE UPPERS. AND WITH THAT COMPLETE, THIS CUSTOM FOUR LINK
SUSPENSION FRONT AND REAR IS DONE.
(JIMMY)>> IF YOU CAN HELP SOMEONE OUT AND DO WHAT YOU LOVE, AND IN THE END HAND OVER A VEHICLE THAT
THAT PERSON'S REALLY GONNA ENJOY THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BUILD ON THEIR OWN. THERE'S NOTHING BETTER.
(MONTE)>> MY FULL NAME IS FIOREAMANTE BERNARDO, BUT I GO BY MONTE.
(ANNOUNCER)>> UP NEXT WE'LL MEET MONTE AND THE CREW FROM FOUR WHEEL TO HEAL AS THEY TAKE ON ERIK'S XJ.
(IAN)>> WE ARE BACK ON XTEME WHERE WE HAVE A VERY SPECIAL PROJECT IN THE SHOP. A JEEP XJ THAT WE'RE BUILDING FOR ERIK GOTTFRIED, A SOLDIER THAT WANTS A HARDCORE OFF ROAD CHEROKEE.
WE'VE ALREADY DITCHED ALL THE STOCK SUSPENSION AND
REPLACED IT WITH A CUSTOM FOUR LINK. AND OUR NEXT GROUP OF VOLUNTEER BUILDERS PUTS THE TERM WARRIOR INTO PERSPECTIVE. THESE GUYS ARE HERE TO REPRESENT A GROUP CALLED
FOUR WHEEL TO HEAL.
FOUR WHEEL TO HEAL WAS FOUNDED IN 2011 BY MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY AND OFF ROAD COMMUNITY, WITH A MISSION TO GET INJURED VETERANS OUT OF THE HOSPITAL WARDS AND ONTO THE TRAILS.
(NATHAN)>> IT'S A MORALE INCREASING ACTIVITY. IT'S EVERYTHING THAT THEY ENJOYED ABOUT BEING IN THE
MILITARY WITHOUT ANY OF THE RISK.
(JOHN)>> THEY BASICALLY JUST COME OUT, CAMP FOR THE WEEKEND, AND GET TO RIDE AROUND IN JEEPS, AND WE JUST TEACH THEM HOW TO WHEEL. ( )>> SMILE AND WAVE, YOU'RE ON CANDID CAMERA.
(JOHN)>> YOU KNOW, LATE NIGHT AROUND THE CAMP FIRE AND STUFF IS USUALLY WHEN PEOPLE START OPENING UP ABOUT SOME OF THEIR EXPERIENCES AND TALKING IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT HELPS PEOPLE MOVE ON.
(IAN)>> THE TIME SPENT ON THE TRAILS GIVES FOUR WHEEL TO HEAL PARTICIPANTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO READJUST TO CIVILIAN LIFE IN A RELAXED ENVIRONMENT AT A TIME WHEN MANY OF THEM ARE STILL UNCOMFORTABLE IN SOCIAL SETTINGS.
(MONTE)>> A LOT OF PEOPLE GET INJURED AND THEY JUST DON'T WANT TO GO INTO PUBLIC. THEY DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO SEE THEM LIKE THIS. OR THEY'RE JUST NOT COMFORTABLE WITH CROWDS OF PEOPLE OR WHATEVER.
AND THEM COMING INTO THE WARDS AND PULLING YOU OUT, IT BRINGS YOU BACK TO REALITY CAUSE IT'S JUST A HELL OF AN EXPERIENCE TO STEP ON A BOMB.
(CURT)>> BEFORE I WAS INJURED, HIKING, KAYAKING WAS A BIG PART OF MY LIFE. GOING CAMPING, AND I WAS ALWAYS SCARED TO AFTERWARDS BECAUSE THE PROSTHETICS, YOU DON'T
KNOW WHAT CAN HAPPEN YOU KNOW. YOU DON'T EVER WANT TO GET STRANDED SOMEWHERE. SO THESE GUYS KEPT ASKING IF I WANTED TO GO OUT,
WANTED TO GO OUT, AND FINALLY ONE DAY I WAS LIKE YEAH, THAT SOUNDS GREAT. I FINALLY BUILT UP THE COURAGE AND I HAVEN'T LOOKED BACK YET.
(MONTE)>> YOU'VE GOT NOTHING TO LOSE. YOU MIGHT AS WELL GET OUT THERE AND LIVE. AND IF THESE GUYS, WHO ARE GOOD PEOPLE IN THE FIRST PLACE, WANT TO HELP YOU DO THAT, THEN WHY ARE YOU GONNA SAY NO? TELL ME WHY YOU'RE GONNA SAY NO.
(IAN)>> GUYS THANKS FOR COMING IN. JOHN, GOOD TO SEE YOU.
(JOHN)>> IAN, HOW YOU DOING?
(IAN)>> GP, ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU. MONTE, NICE TO MEET YOU. NATE, GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
ALRIGHT GUYS, FIRST OF ALL, THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE. YOU KNOW, THE MILITARY, IT MEANS A LOT TO ME, AND THANKS FOR WHAT YOU'RE ABOUT TO DO HERE IN THE XTREME SHOP. I'M SURE YOU GUYS ALREADY KNOW THE STORY. THIS GUY ERIK DROPPED HIS XJ OFF BEFORE HE DEPLOYED, AND WAS JUST DONE WRONG. AND THAT'S JUST NOT RIGHT AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED FOR ANYBODY IN THE MILITARY TO BE TREATED THAT WAY. SO WE'RE HERE TO FIX IT AND YOU GUYS ARE HERE TO HELP. GLAD THE FOUR WHEEL TO HEAL GUYS ARE HERE CAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME TO HAVE YOU GUYS HERE AND BROUGHT A COUPLE OF WARRIORS WITH YOU TO TEAR INTO THIS TRUCK. WE'VE GOT BUMPERS TO DO, TIRES AND WHEELS, JUST A
BUNCH OF ODDS AND ENDS. NOTHING SERIOUS BUT BY THE END OF TODAY WE'LL PROBABLY HAVE THIS THING SITTING DOWN, GETTING AN
IDEA OF WHAT IT'S GONNA LOOK LIKE. ALRIGHT, ANY QUESTIONS? ( )>> NO SIR, WE'RE READY, LET'S DO IT.
(IAN)>> RIGHT AWAY THESE WARRIORS ATTACKED ERIK'S XJ.
(NATHAN)>> LETS TAKE OFF THE SIDE BOLTS FIRST.
(MONTE)>> NOW I'M DOING THE ONE ON THE BOTTOM.
(IAN)>> RIPPING THE REAR BUMPER AND FRONT BUMPER
OFF THE TRUCK TO REPLACE THEM WITH HEAVY DUTY XJ SPECIFIC UNITS FROM RUSTY'S OFF ROAD. THAT WEIGHS 60 POUNDS.
(JOHN)>> PROBABLY CLOSER TO 120, TO BE HONEST.
(IAN)>> THE RUSTY'S BUMPERS ARE MADE FROM QUARTER INCH AND THREESIXTEENTHS INCH LASER CUT STEEL WITH DRING MOUNTS FRONT AND REAR. THE FRONT BUMPER HAS PROVISIONS FOR A WINCH, AND THE WARN VR 10,000-S IS A PERFECT MATCH FOR THIS RIG WITH A 10,000 POUND PULLING CAPACITY, IT'LL GET ERIK OUT OF ALMOST ANY SITUATION.
THE RUSTY'S OFF ROAD ROCKER GUARDS ATTACH EASILY WITH NUTSERTS AND PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR THE ROCKERS ON THIS CHEROKEE WHILE ON THE TRAIL.
(ANNOUNCER)>> COMING UP, BULLETPROOF BEAD LOCKS, A COLD AIR KIT, AND MORE!
(IAN)>> ALRIGHT GUYS, THESE ARE THE WHEELS WE PICKED OUT FOR ERIK'S XJ. NOW THIS IS A NEW TYPE OF BEAD LOCK. IT'S FROM A COMPANY CALLED BAD WHEELS, AND IT STANDS FOR BEAD ASSISTED DESIGN. TRADITIONAL BEAD LOCK, THIS RING ON THE OUTSIDE, WE BASICALLY UNBOLT IT, DROP THE TIRE OVER IT, AND WE CLAMP THE TIRE BETWEEN THE RING
AND THE ACTUAL RIM. BUT THESE IT'S ALL DONE INTERNALLY.
WE INSTALL THE TIRE NORMALLY, AND THEN WE'VE GOT TO FEED THESE LITTLE CLAMPING RINGS IN ON THE INSIDE AND THAT'LL LOCK THE BEAD IN PLACE. JUST KEEP IT FROM FALLING OFF WHEN WE AIR THESE TIRES DOWN WHEN WE'RE OFF ROAD.
ANY QUESTIONS?
(CURT)>> WHY ISN'T IT ON THE OTHER SIDE AS WELL?
(IAN)>> YOU COULDN'T PUT ONE ON THIS SIDE BECAUSE YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET THE RING IN. BUT THIS WHEEL'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. YOU SEE THIS GIANT LIP RIGHT HERE? THAT'S WAY HIGHER THAN A NORMAL WHEEL WOULD HAVE. AND THAT IS BASICALLY WHAT WE RELY ON. THE OTHER REASON IS IT'S NORMALLY THE OUTER BEAD THAT GETS PUSHED OFF BECAUSE WHAT'LL HAPPEN IS YOU'RE ROCK CRAWLING, YOU TURN THE TIRES, AND YOU HIT A ROCK WITHOUT A LOT OF AIR IN THERE IT JUST COMPRESSES THE TIRE. VERY RARELY WILL AND INNER BEAD GET POPPED OFF, IT'S USUALLY ALWAYS THE OUTER. THAT'S WHY WE ALWAYS BEAD LOCK JUST THE OUTER EDGE.
(CURT)>> MAKES SENSE. NOW THE ONLY THING IS IS IT'S TRICKY TO GET THESE LITTLE THINGS IN PLACE, BUT I HAVE FAITH IN YOU TWO GUYS.
(CURT)>> OKAY, WE GOT THIS!
(IAN)>> HAVE AT IT GUYS. BUILDING THE BAD WHEELS AND A LITTLE MORE INVOLVED THAN A STANDARD SET OF BEAD LOCKS, BUT JOHN AND MONTE TAKE THE CHALLENGE AND IN NO TIME HAVE THE BEAD RETAINING RINGS INSERTED INTO THE TIRE AND ALIGNED WITH THE STUDS.
(JOHN)>> NICE!
(IAN)>> UP FRONT THE WINCH CONTROL BOX NEEDS TO BE MOUNTED.
SINCE THE XJ ALREADY HAS A HOLE IN THE GRILL,
IT'S THE PERFECT PLACE TO PUT IT.
JP AND MONTE BUILD NEW CABLES FOR THE WINCH MOTOR AND HOOK IT UP TO THE BATTERY.
TO FINISH UP THE WINCH INSTALL SPIDURA SYNTHETIC WINCH ROPE IS FED THROUGH THE HOSS FAIR LEAD.
AND AFTER FINDING A FULL BLOWN MOUSE HOUSE BUILT IN OUR FACTORY AIR BOX, WE'RE SURE THAT UPGRADING TO THIS RUSTY'S OFF ROAD COLD AIR KIT WILL CERTAINLY IMPROVE THE AIR FLOW INTO OUR ENGINE.
37 INCH INTERCO IROKS ARE THE TIRE OF CHOICE FOR THIS XJ, A MUCH LARGER TIRE THAN STOCK. AND IT'LL REQUIRE THE BODY TO BE TRIMMED. [ impact wench spin ]
(IAN)>> NEW WHEEL OPENINGS ARE CUT BOTH FRONT AND
REAR TO CLEARANCE THE NEW TIRES.
(JOHN)>> THAT'D MATCH THE OTHER SIDE.
(IAN)>> LIKE THAT, GOOD?
(JOHN)>> YEAH.
(IAN)>> UP FRONT IT'S A SIMPLE CUT WITH A GRINDER TO MAKE MORE ROOM. OUT BACK IT'S A LITTLE MORE IN DEPTH.
THE OUTSIDE SHEET METAL NEEDS TO BE TRIMMED AS WELL AS THE CHEROKEE FLOOR AND INNER STRUCTURE BEFORE THE ENTIRE PANEL IS REMOVED.
WITH PLENTY OF ROOM FOR THE TIRES, THE TRUCK IS
LOWERED DOWN TO SEE WHAT THE FINAL RIDE HEIGHT WILL BE.
(CURT)>> I'VE GOT TWO INCHES, TWO AND A HALF INCHES, ONE AND A HALF INCH.
(IAN)>> FIRST OF ALL THANKS FOR COMING OUT THIS WEEK.
I HAD A TON OF FUN WITH YOU GUYS IN THE SHOP, AND I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS HELPING OUT ON ERIK'S XJ. NOW I KNOW YOU GUYS WERE SPYING THIS BRIGHT GREEN
TOW ROPE, AND THIS IS FROM VOODOO OFF ROAD. IT'S A KINETIC, BASICALLY RECOVERY ROPE. AND AFTER SEEING YOUR XJ IN THE MUD, THE GUYS AT VOODOO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT FOUR WHEEL TO HEAL HAD ONE OF THESE ROPES IN YOUR ARSENAL OF TOOLS SO YOU GUYS COULD TAKE THESE GUYS OUT, KEEP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THEY ALSO WANTED TO DONATE TO YOU GUYS $1,000 BUCKS TO FOUR WHEEL TO HEAL JUST TO MAKE SURE YOU GUYS CAN KEEP DOING WHAT YOU DO BECAUSE THE MILITARY IS IMPORTANT TO THEM JUST LIKE IT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU GUYS. SO I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO, THANKS FOR COMING, THANKS FOR HANGING OUT THIS WEEK. IT WAS A BLAST, I HAD A TON OF FUN. ALRIGHT GUYS, AND THAT'S IT, YOU HAVE TO LEAVE, I HAVE MORE WORK TO DO. WE ARE FAR FROM FINISHED WITH ERIK'S CHEROKEE.
NEXT TIME ON XTREME OFF ROAD A NEW GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS COME TO TEAR INTO THIS CHEROKEE SOME MORE, INCLUDING SOME HEAVY HITTERS FROM THE WORLD OF OFF ROADING.
THEN ERIK GETS TO FINALLY SEE HIS FINISHED CHEROKEE AND HIT SOME TRAILS TO SEE HOW IT PERFORMS.
Show Full Transcript
TODAY ON XTREME OFF ROAD OUR CREW REBUILDS ERIK'S CHEROKEE WITH A HEAVY DUTY FOUR LINK SUSPENSION, COMPETITION GRADE AXLES, AND MORE.
(IAN)>> NOT TOO LONG AGO I RECEIVED AN EMAIL TO CHECK OUT A THREAD ON A POPULAR OFF ROAD FORUM.
NOW THIS THREAD WAS A STORY ABOUT A WHEELER
WHO WAS DONE WRONG.
NOW THIS WHEELER IS ERIK GOTTFRIED, AND HE IS A MEMBER OF OUR MILITARY. BEFORE HE DEPLOYED OVERSEAS, HE DROPPED HIS JEEP XJ OFF AT A SHOP AND ASKED TO HAVE ONE TON AXLES INSTALLED UNDERNEATH IT. NOW THIS IS WHERE THE STORY TAKES A SAD TURN.
WHEN ERIK CAME BACK TO THE STATES AND WENT TO PICK UP HIS JEEP, THIS SHOP HAD JUST DONE SOME
POOR WORK ON THE TRUCK.
NOW THIS THREAD SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND A LOT OF PEOPLE REACHED OUT TO ME AND ASKED IF I WOULD BE WILLING TO HELP. AND ME BEING IN THE POSITION THAT I'M IN HERE AT XTREME OFF ROAD THOUGHT WELL, WHY NOT. I CALLED UP ERIK, TOLD HIM TO GET A NEW JEEP, BRING IT DOWN TO THE XTREME SHOP, AND WE WOULD BUILD THE ULTIMATE XJ FOUR WHEELER FOR HIM. BUT FOR A JOB THIS BIG I KNEW I WAS GONNA HAVE TO CALL IN SOME HELP. WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING A JEEP PERFORM LIKE A TUBE BUGGY, THE GUYS AT ESSENTIALLY OFF ROAD SPECIALIZE IN CUSTOM AXLE SWAPS AND HARDCORE SUSPENSION DESIGNS FOR ALL TYPES OF JEEPS. AND I KNEW THAT THEY WOULD HAVE A SOLUTION TO GETTING A GOOD PERFORMING SUSPENSION UNDER THIS XJ.
JIMMY PENNER!
(JIMMY)>> HOW'S IT GOING IAN?
(IAN)>> GOOD, YOURSELF? ADRIAN, GOOD TO SEE YOU. ALRIGHT JIMMY, YOU'VE SEEN THE TRUCK, WHAT'S THE PLAN?
(JIMMY)>> I GUESS WE'RE GONNA MAKE A BIG OLE ROCK CRAWLING XJ HERE. DOING AN AXLE SWAP, WE'RE DOING SPYDER TRAX ON THIS ONE.
(IAN)>> HE JUST WANTS A BIG ROCK CRAWLING JEEP THAT'LL ACTUALLY WORK THIS TIME.
(JIMMY)>> WE'RE GONNA DO A WHOLE SUBFRAME KIT WITH A FULL FOUR LINK. REALLY TAKE ALL THE FACTORY STUFF, IT'S GONE.
(IAN)>> ALRIGHT.
ADRIAN TORE INTO ERIK'S JEEP RIGHT AWAY, CUTTING OFF ALL THE FACTORY SUSPENSION FRONT AND REAR.
REMOVING THE FRONT AXLE AS AN ASSEMBLY, THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE AND LEAF SPRING SETUP.
WHOO, FLAMING LEAF SPRING OF DEATH! WITH THE TEAR DOWN COMPLETE, THE FABRICATION CAN BEGIN. THE FIRST JOB, BEEF UP THE SPYDER TRAX SPYDER NINE AXLE HOUSING ASSEMBLIES WITH TRUSSES FROM RTECH INDUSTRIES. A FULL BACKBONE ON THE REAR, FOLLOWED BY A TOP TRUSS TO STRENGTHEN THE HOUSING AND PROVIDE A FLAT PLATFORM FOR THE UPPER LINK MOUNTS. THE AXLE HOUSINGS ARE JUST THE START OF WHAT THE CREW AT SPYDER TRAX SENT TO THE XOR SHOP. THE SPYDER NINE AXLE ASSEMBLY IS THE GOLD STANDARD OF NINE INCH AXLES AND FOR GOOD REASON. SPYDER TRAX OFF ROAD IS LOCATED IN LOVELAND,
COLORADO, AND FOR YEARS THEY HAVE BEEN DEDICATED TO REFINING THE FABRICATED NINE INCH AXLE HOUSING WITH A FOCUS ON OFF ROADING AND OFF ROAD RACING. WITH THEIR ENGINEERING BACKGROUND, FOUNDERS THOMAS AND EDDIE TEST AND DEVELOP THEIR PRODUCT LINE WHILE RACING AND COMPETING IN SOME OF THE MOST BRUTAL EVENTS IN THE WORLD. BUT SPYDER NINE AXLES ARE A GREAT OPTION FOR A RECREATIONAL WHEELER. IN HOUSE FABRICATION OF THE HOUSINGS, KNUCKLES,
UNIT BEARINGS, AND AXLE SHAFTS INSURE THAT EACH
COMPONENT OF THE AXLE IS DESIGNED TO WORK TOGETHER AS A UNIT. THESE FULLY FABRICATED KNUCKLE ASSEMBLIES UTILIZE UNIBALLS ON THE TOP AND THE BOTTOM, AND HAVE AN
KEYED HIGH STEER ARM THAT IS FULLY HEAT TREATED FOR STRENGTH. WITH THE KNUCKLES INSTALLED ON THE FRONT AXLE, BLAKE STARTED FABBING UP THE FRONT STEERING RAM MOUNT FOR THE FULL HYDRAULIC DOUBLE ENDED STEERING RAM, USING SOME THREESIXTEENTHS STEEL PLATE FULLY BOXED FOR STRENGTH. AND ONCE COMPLETE, THE FAB WORK IS FINALLY DONE. ERIK'S NUMBER ONE REQUEST WAS FOR A SET OF ONE TON AXLES TO REPLACE THE WEAK STOCK PARTS. AND THESE PRO SERIES SPYDER TRAX UNITS WILL CERTAINLY BE WHAT HE NEEDS.
(ANNOUNCER)>> COMING UP WE BEEF UP THE XJ'S UNIBODY
WITH A SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY AND MAKE ROOM FOR A FOUR LINK.
(IAN)>> WE ARE BACK ON XTREME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CUSTOM SUSPENSION BUILD ON A SOLDIERS JEEP XJ.
THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR THIS XJ IS A FULLY CUSTOM DESIGNED FOUR LINK ASSEMBLY. IT STARTS WITH THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW
SUBFRAME UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK. OKAY JIMMY, TALK ME THROUGH THIS AWESOME PIECE OF STEEL THAT WE'VE SANDWICHED INTO OUR XJ HERE.
(JIMMY)>> WELL THIS IS OUR XJ TRUE FOUR LINK KIT. WHAT IT DOES, YOU KNOW, AN XJ REALLY DOESN'T
HAVE A FRAME RAIL. SO WHAT IT DOES IS IT COMES UP WITH QUARTER INCH PLATE ON THE XJ UNIBODY FRAME AND PUTS IN A TRUE FOUR LINK. THIS FOUR LINK'S FOR THE HARDCORE XJ GUY THAT
WANTS TO STIFFEN HIS UNIBODY UP AND ELIMINATE THE TRACK BARS FRONT AND REAR.
(IAN)>> SO THIS IS BASICALLY THE SUSPENSION OF A TUBE BUGGY BUT UNDERNEATH A JEEP XJ?
(JIMMY)>> EXACTLY, THIS IS WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR XJ TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
(IAN)>> ALRIGHT, SO NOW WE'VE GOT THIS SANDWICHED
UP IN HERE, THIS QUARTER INCH PLATE, AND IT'S ALL SET UP. NOW ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS BASICALLY WELD IT TO THE UNIBODY AND ANCHOR IT IN PLACE.
(JIMMY)>> EXACTLY.
(IAN)>> ALRIGHT, SO BLAKE HAS SOME WELDING TO DO.
(JIMMY)>> HE SURE DOES.
(IAN)>> BLAKE!
[ welder crackling ]
(IAN)>> ONCE THE SUBFRAME ASSEMBLIES ARE IN PLACE AND LOCATED, THEY ARE FULLY WELDED TO THE XJ'S BODY TO SECURE THEM IN PLACE, AND THE NEW INCH AND A QUARTER HEIM FROM ROD END SUPPLY ARE INSTALLED INTO THE BODY SIDE BRACKETS WITH MISALIGNMENT SPACERS. THE REAR AXLE IS THEN SQUARED UP UNDER THE BODY OF THE JEEP WITH SIX INCHES OF SUSPENSION STRETCH IN THE REAR. AND THE LENGTH OF THE LOWER LINKS IS MEASURED.
MOCK UP LINKS ARE MADE FROM INCH AND THREE QUARTER DOM. AND ONCE INSTALLED, A DOUBLE TRIANGULATED FOUR LINK IN THE BACK OF THIS JEEP IS COMPLETE. UP FRONT THE PROCESS IS SIMILAR. STARTING WITH SOME ADDITIONAL TRIMMING ON
THE SUBFRAME TO CLEAR THE UPPER LINK. THE AXLE IS PLACED UNDER THE TRUCK WITH THREE INCHES OF STRETCH IN THE FRONT, AND ALIGNED USING
PLUMB BOBS HANGING FROM THE BODY.
PUT IT BACK DOWN AGAIN.
ONCE CENTERED, MOCK UP LINKS ARE BUILT USING THE SAME INCH AND THREE QUARTER DOM. AND THE SUSPENSION LINKS ARE TACKED INTO PLACE. FIRST THE LOWERS FOLLOWED BY THE UPPERS. AND WITH THAT COMPLETE, THIS CUSTOM FOUR LINK
SUSPENSION FRONT AND REAR IS DONE.
(JIMMY)>> IF YOU CAN HELP SOMEONE OUT AND DO WHAT YOU LOVE, AND IN THE END HAND OVER A VEHICLE THAT
THAT PERSON'S REALLY GONNA ENJOY THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BUILD ON THEIR OWN. THERE'S NOTHING BETTER.
(MONTE)>> MY FULL NAME IS FIOREAMANTE BERNARDO, BUT I GO BY MONTE.
(ANNOUNCER)>> UP NEXT WE'LL MEET MONTE AND THE CREW FROM FOUR WHEEL TO HEAL AS THEY TAKE ON ERIK'S XJ.
(IAN)>> WE ARE BACK ON XTEME WHERE WE HAVE A VERY SPECIAL PROJECT IN THE SHOP. A JEEP XJ THAT WE'RE BUILDING FOR ERIK GOTTFRIED, A SOLDIER THAT WANTS A HARDCORE OFF ROAD CHEROKEE.
WE'VE ALREADY DITCHED ALL THE STOCK SUSPENSION AND
REPLACED IT WITH A CUSTOM FOUR LINK. AND OUR NEXT GROUP OF VOLUNTEER BUILDERS PUTS THE TERM WARRIOR INTO PERSPECTIVE. THESE GUYS ARE HERE TO REPRESENT A GROUP CALLED
FOUR WHEEL TO HEAL.
FOUR WHEEL TO HEAL WAS FOUNDED IN 2011 BY MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY AND OFF ROAD COMMUNITY, WITH A MISSION TO GET INJURED VETERANS OUT OF THE HOSPITAL WARDS AND ONTO THE TRAILS.
(NATHAN)>> IT'S A MORALE INCREASING ACTIVITY. IT'S EVERYTHING THAT THEY ENJOYED ABOUT BEING IN THE
MILITARY WITHOUT ANY OF THE RISK.
(JOHN)>> THEY BASICALLY JUST COME OUT, CAMP FOR THE WEEKEND, AND GET TO RIDE AROUND IN JEEPS, AND WE JUST TEACH THEM HOW TO WHEEL. ( )>> SMILE AND WAVE, YOU'RE ON CANDID CAMERA.
(JOHN)>> YOU KNOW, LATE NIGHT AROUND THE CAMP FIRE AND STUFF IS USUALLY WHEN PEOPLE START OPENING UP ABOUT SOME OF THEIR EXPERIENCES AND TALKING IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT HELPS PEOPLE MOVE ON.
(IAN)>> THE TIME SPENT ON THE TRAILS GIVES FOUR WHEEL TO HEAL PARTICIPANTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO READJUST TO CIVILIAN LIFE IN A RELAXED ENVIRONMENT AT A TIME WHEN MANY OF THEM ARE STILL UNCOMFORTABLE IN SOCIAL SETTINGS.
(MONTE)>> A LOT OF PEOPLE GET INJURED AND THEY JUST DON'T WANT TO GO INTO PUBLIC. THEY DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO SEE THEM LIKE THIS. OR THEY'RE JUST NOT COMFORTABLE WITH CROWDS OF PEOPLE OR WHATEVER.
AND THEM COMING INTO THE WARDS AND PULLING YOU OUT, IT BRINGS YOU BACK TO REALITY CAUSE IT'S JUST A HELL OF AN EXPERIENCE TO STEP ON A BOMB.
(CURT)>> BEFORE I WAS INJURED, HIKING, KAYAKING WAS A BIG PART OF MY LIFE. GOING CAMPING, AND I WAS ALWAYS SCARED TO AFTERWARDS BECAUSE THE PROSTHETICS, YOU DON'T
KNOW WHAT CAN HAPPEN YOU KNOW. YOU DON'T EVER WANT TO GET STRANDED SOMEWHERE. SO THESE GUYS KEPT ASKING IF I WANTED TO GO OUT,
WANTED TO GO OUT, AND FINALLY ONE DAY I WAS LIKE YEAH, THAT SOUNDS GREAT. I FINALLY BUILT UP THE COURAGE AND I HAVEN'T LOOKED BACK YET.
(MONTE)>> YOU'VE GOT NOTHING TO LOSE. YOU MIGHT AS WELL GET OUT THERE AND LIVE. AND IF THESE GUYS, WHO ARE GOOD PEOPLE IN THE FIRST PLACE, WANT TO HELP YOU DO THAT, THEN WHY ARE YOU GONNA SAY NO? TELL ME WHY YOU'RE GONNA SAY NO.
(IAN)>> GUYS THANKS FOR COMING IN. JOHN, GOOD TO SEE YOU.
(JOHN)>> IAN, HOW YOU DOING?
(IAN)>> GP, ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU. MONTE, NICE TO MEET YOU. NATE, GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
ALRIGHT GUYS, FIRST OF ALL, THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE. YOU KNOW, THE MILITARY, IT MEANS A LOT TO ME, AND THANKS FOR WHAT YOU'RE ABOUT TO DO HERE IN THE XTREME SHOP. I'M SURE YOU GUYS ALREADY KNOW THE STORY. THIS GUY ERIK DROPPED HIS XJ OFF BEFORE HE DEPLOYED, AND WAS JUST DONE WRONG. AND THAT'S JUST NOT RIGHT AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED FOR ANYBODY IN THE MILITARY TO BE TREATED THAT WAY. SO WE'RE HERE TO FIX IT AND YOU GUYS ARE HERE TO HELP. GLAD THE FOUR WHEEL TO HEAL GUYS ARE HERE CAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME TO HAVE YOU GUYS HERE AND BROUGHT A COUPLE OF WARRIORS WITH YOU TO TEAR INTO THIS TRUCK. WE'VE GOT BUMPERS TO DO, TIRES AND WHEELS, JUST A
BUNCH OF ODDS AND ENDS. NOTHING SERIOUS BUT BY THE END OF TODAY WE'LL PROBABLY HAVE THIS THING SITTING DOWN, GETTING AN
IDEA OF WHAT IT'S GONNA LOOK LIKE. ALRIGHT, ANY QUESTIONS? ( )>> NO SIR, WE'RE READY, LET'S DO IT.
(IAN)>> RIGHT AWAY THESE WARRIORS ATTACKED ERIK'S XJ.
(NATHAN)>> LETS TAKE OFF THE SIDE BOLTS FIRST.
(MONTE)>> NOW I'M DOING THE ONE ON THE BOTTOM.
(IAN)>> RIPPING THE REAR BUMPER AND FRONT BUMPER
OFF THE TRUCK TO REPLACE THEM WITH HEAVY DUTY XJ SPECIFIC UNITS FROM RUSTY'S OFF ROAD. THAT WEIGHS 60 POUNDS.
(JOHN)>> PROBABLY CLOSER TO 120, TO BE HONEST.
(IAN)>> THE RUSTY'S BUMPERS ARE MADE FROM QUARTER INCH AND THREESIXTEENTHS INCH LASER CUT STEEL WITH DRING MOUNTS FRONT AND REAR. THE FRONT BUMPER HAS PROVISIONS FOR A WINCH, AND THE WARN VR 10,000-S IS A PERFECT MATCH FOR THIS RIG WITH A 10,000 POUND PULLING CAPACITY, IT'LL GET ERIK OUT OF ALMOST ANY SITUATION.
THE RUSTY'S OFF ROAD ROCKER GUARDS ATTACH EASILY WITH NUTSERTS AND PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR THE ROCKERS ON THIS CHEROKEE WHILE ON THE TRAIL.
(ANNOUNCER)>> COMING UP, BULLETPROOF BEAD LOCKS, A COLD AIR KIT, AND MORE!
(IAN)>> ALRIGHT GUYS, THESE ARE THE WHEELS WE PICKED OUT FOR ERIK'S XJ. NOW THIS IS A NEW TYPE OF BEAD LOCK. IT'S FROM A COMPANY CALLED BAD WHEELS, AND IT STANDS FOR BEAD ASSISTED DESIGN. TRADITIONAL BEAD LOCK, THIS RING ON THE OUTSIDE, WE BASICALLY UNBOLT IT, DROP THE TIRE OVER IT, AND WE CLAMP THE TIRE BETWEEN THE RING
AND THE ACTUAL RIM. BUT THESE IT'S ALL DONE INTERNALLY.
WE INSTALL THE TIRE NORMALLY, AND THEN WE'VE GOT TO FEED THESE LITTLE CLAMPING RINGS IN ON THE INSIDE AND THAT'LL LOCK THE BEAD IN PLACE. JUST KEEP IT FROM FALLING OFF WHEN WE AIR THESE TIRES DOWN WHEN WE'RE OFF ROAD.
ANY QUESTIONS?
(CURT)>> WHY ISN'T IT ON THE OTHER SIDE AS WELL?
(IAN)>> YOU COULDN'T PUT ONE ON THIS SIDE BECAUSE YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET THE RING IN. BUT THIS WHEEL'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. YOU SEE THIS GIANT LIP RIGHT HERE? THAT'S WAY HIGHER THAN A NORMAL WHEEL WOULD HAVE. AND THAT IS BASICALLY WHAT WE RELY ON. THE OTHER REASON IS IT'S NORMALLY THE OUTER BEAD THAT GETS PUSHED OFF BECAUSE WHAT'LL HAPPEN IS YOU'RE ROCK CRAWLING, YOU TURN THE TIRES, AND YOU HIT A ROCK WITHOUT A LOT OF AIR IN THERE IT JUST COMPRESSES THE TIRE. VERY RARELY WILL AND INNER BEAD GET POPPED OFF, IT'S USUALLY ALWAYS THE OUTER. THAT'S WHY WE ALWAYS BEAD LOCK JUST THE OUTER EDGE.
(CURT)>> MAKES SENSE. NOW THE ONLY THING IS IS IT'S TRICKY TO GET THESE LITTLE THINGS IN PLACE, BUT I HAVE FAITH IN YOU TWO GUYS.
(CURT)>> OKAY, WE GOT THIS!
(IAN)>> HAVE AT IT GUYS. BUILDING THE BAD WHEELS AND A LITTLE MORE INVOLVED THAN A STANDARD SET OF BEAD LOCKS, BUT JOHN AND MONTE TAKE THE CHALLENGE AND IN NO TIME HAVE THE BEAD RETAINING RINGS INSERTED INTO THE TIRE AND ALIGNED WITH THE STUDS.
(JOHN)>> NICE!
(IAN)>> UP FRONT THE WINCH CONTROL BOX NEEDS TO BE MOUNTED.
SINCE THE XJ ALREADY HAS A HOLE IN THE GRILL,
IT'S THE PERFECT PLACE TO PUT IT.
JP AND MONTE BUILD NEW CABLES FOR THE WINCH MOTOR AND HOOK IT UP TO THE BATTERY.
TO FINISH UP THE WINCH INSTALL SPIDURA SYNTHETIC WINCH ROPE IS FED THROUGH THE HOSS FAIR LEAD.
AND AFTER FINDING A FULL BLOWN MOUSE HOUSE BUILT IN OUR FACTORY AIR BOX, WE'RE SURE THAT UPGRADING TO THIS RUSTY'S OFF ROAD COLD AIR KIT WILL CERTAINLY IMPROVE THE AIR FLOW INTO OUR ENGINE.
37 INCH INTERCO IROKS ARE THE TIRE OF CHOICE FOR THIS XJ, A MUCH LARGER TIRE THAN STOCK. AND IT'LL REQUIRE THE BODY TO BE TRIMMED. [ impact wench spin ]
(IAN)>> NEW WHEEL OPENINGS ARE CUT BOTH FRONT AND
REAR TO CLEARANCE THE NEW TIRES.
(JOHN)>> THAT'D MATCH THE OTHER SIDE.
(IAN)>> LIKE THAT, GOOD?
(JOHN)>> YEAH.
(IAN)>> UP FRONT IT'S A SIMPLE CUT WITH A GRINDER TO MAKE MORE ROOM. OUT BACK IT'S A LITTLE MORE IN DEPTH.
THE OUTSIDE SHEET METAL NEEDS TO BE TRIMMED AS WELL AS THE CHEROKEE FLOOR AND INNER STRUCTURE BEFORE THE ENTIRE PANEL IS REMOVED.
WITH PLENTY OF ROOM FOR THE TIRES, THE TRUCK IS
LOWERED DOWN TO SEE WHAT THE FINAL RIDE HEIGHT WILL BE.
(CURT)>> I'VE GOT TWO INCHES, TWO AND A HALF INCHES, ONE AND A HALF INCH.
(IAN)>> FIRST OF ALL THANKS FOR COMING OUT THIS WEEK.
I HAD A TON OF FUN WITH YOU GUYS IN THE SHOP, AND I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS HELPING OUT ON ERIK'S XJ. NOW I KNOW YOU GUYS WERE SPYING THIS BRIGHT GREEN
TOW ROPE, AND THIS IS FROM VOODOO OFF ROAD. IT'S A KINETIC, BASICALLY RECOVERY ROPE. AND AFTER SEEING YOUR XJ IN THE MUD, THE GUYS AT VOODOO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT FOUR WHEEL TO HEAL HAD ONE OF THESE ROPES IN YOUR ARSENAL OF TOOLS SO YOU GUYS COULD TAKE THESE GUYS OUT, KEEP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THEY ALSO WANTED TO DONATE TO YOU GUYS $1,000 BUCKS TO FOUR WHEEL TO HEAL JUST TO MAKE SURE YOU GUYS CAN KEEP DOING WHAT YOU DO BECAUSE THE MILITARY IS IMPORTANT TO THEM JUST LIKE IT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU GUYS. SO I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO, THANKS FOR COMING, THANKS FOR HANGING OUT THIS WEEK. IT WAS A BLAST, I HAD A TON OF FUN. ALRIGHT GUYS, AND THAT'S IT, YOU HAVE TO LEAVE, I HAVE MORE WORK TO DO. WE ARE FAR FROM FINISHED WITH ERIK'S CHEROKEE.
NEXT TIME ON XTREME OFF ROAD A NEW GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS COME TO TEAR INTO THIS CHEROKEE SOME MORE, INCLUDING SOME HEAVY HITTERS FROM THE WORLD OF OFF ROADING.
THEN ERIK GETS TO FINALLY SEE HIS FINISHED CHEROKEE AND HIT SOME TRAILS TO SEE HOW IT PERFORMS.