XOR - Xtreme Off-Road Builds
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Join the PowerNation Email NewsletterParts Used In This Episode
General Tire
Tire, Grabber X3, LT 37 x 12.50-17, Radial, D Load Range, Q Speed Rating, Solid Red Letters, Each
METHOD RACE WHEELS
Wheel, Vex, Aluminum, Matte Black, 17 in. x 8.5 in., 5 x 5.0 in. Bolt Circle, 4.75 in. Backspace
Warn Industries
Winch, Electric, Zeon Platinum, 12 V, 10,000 lb., Hawse Fairlead, 100 ft. Line, Wireless Remote, Each
Edwards
55 TON EDWARDS IRONWORKER with Hydraulic Accessory Pack option; 10 Ton Bender, 15 Ton Horizontal press,Tubing Roller and 40 Ton Shop Press.
ESAB
Rebel EMP 215ic for MIG/TIG/Stick
ESAB
The Official Welding and Cutting Supplier of Xtreme Off Road, featuring the all-new Rebel 215 Multi-Process Welder
ESAB
Spoolarc 86 is a copper-coated solid wire containing high levels of manganese and silicon
Rusty's Off Road
Rustys Rocker Armor - 07-17 JK Wrangler 4-Door
Rusty's Off Road
Rustys Bumper - Xtreme Trail Rear Bumper - JK
Rusty's Off Road
Rustys Bumper - Xtreme Stinger Front Bumper - JK
Rusty's Off Road
Rustys Fender Flare Delete Kit - JK
Rusty's Off Road
Rustys JK Wrangler 2 inch Plus Kit
The Industrial Depot
INDUSTRIAL DEPOT - FASTENERS, HARDWARE, AND SHOP SUPPLIES
Video Transcript
(NARRATOR)>> THE JEEP JK HAS TONS OF POTENTIAL AS AN OFF ROAD RIG, BUT IN STOCK FORM IT CAN BE A LITTLE UNDERWHELMING. TODAY ON XTREME OFF ROAD, WITH THE HELP OF SOME AFFORDABLE UPGRADES, WE GIVE THIS JEEP AN AGGRESSIVE STANCE AND A NEW LIFE ON THE TRAIL. PLUS CHOOSING THE RIGHT FILLER MATERIAL FOR YOUR OFF ROAD FABRICATION NEEDS.
(IAN)>> I WILL BE THE FIRST ONE TO ADMIT, I HAVE NOT FULLY EMBRACED THIS WHOLE JEEP JK THING. NOW I DON'T KNOW WHY. MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE MY VERY FIRST JEEP WAS A 1985 JEEP CJ SEVEN, AND THAT IS WHAT I THINK OF WHEN I THINK OF JEEPS. YOU'VE GOT TO WAVE ALL THE JEEPS. THERE'S ONE. SEE THAT'S THE THING. THAT WAS A JEEP JK AND HE DIDN'T WAVE AT ME. HE DOESN'T KNOW. IF I WAS DRIVING A TJ AND WAVED AT A TJ HE WOULD WAVE AT ME BECAUSE HE WOULD KNOW. SO THAT'S WHY I HAVE THIS LOVE AFFAIR FOR OLD IRON. I LIKE THAT BIG FLAT METAL DASH. I LIKE THE SINGLE GAUGE IN THE MIDDLE. I DON'T THINK OF JEEPS OF SOMETHING THAT'S COMFORTABLE TO DRIVE EVERYDAY WITH LOTS OF CREATURE COMFORTS. I MEAN A JK, THERE'S A LOT OF PLASTIC IN HERE, LIKE A LOT, LIKE THIS THING RIGHT HERE. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THIS IS FOR BUT IT'S PLASTIC, AND IN MY MIND I DON'T THINK OF THAT WHEN I THINK OF JEEPS, BUT I CANNOT DENY THE FACT THAT A JEEP JK IS A GREAT VEHICLE TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD. COMFORTABLE, LOTS OF CREATURE COMFORTS, AND UNDERNEATH IT SHARES SOME SIMILARITIES WITH THOSE OLD CJ'S, LIKE A SOLID FRONT AXLE, BUT IN PURE STOCK FORM, LIKE THIS 2017 FOUR DOOR JK, THE ROAD IS WHERE THESE JK'S WORK BEST. GET THEM INTO THE DIRT...
...AND SURE, YOU CAN HIT A FEW MILD TRAILS. MAYBE EVEN CLIMB TO THE TOP OF A SLIPPERY HILL.
BUT YOU WILL FIND THE LIMITS OF A FACTORY JK PRETTY QUICK.
HERE WE HAVE A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THE JK'S FLAW. IT'S TOO LOW TO THE GROUND. NOW SURE, WE COULD HAVE UPGRADED AND GOT A RUBICON SERIES JK, A LITTLE BIT MORE GROUND CLEARANCE, BUT THIS ENTRY LEVEL JK, THERE'S NO WAY I'M GETTING ANY FURTHER THAN THE FIRST ROCK ON THIS TRAIL. I'LL BACK UP AND TRY A DIFFERENT LINE BUT...
...SEE THAT'S THE CONTROL ARM MOUNT.
AND THAT'S THE FRONT DIFF.
NOW IT MAY SEEM LIKE I'M PICKING ON THE JEEP JK RIGHT NOW, AND HONESTLY I SHOULDN'T. I MEAN UNDERNEATH IT ALL THERE'S EVERYTHING HERE THAT YOU WOULD BE LOOKING FOR IF YOU WERE BUILDING A TRUE HARDCORE OFF ROAD RIG. I'VE GOT A FULLY BOXED HYDRA FORM FRAME, SOLID AXLES FRONT AND REAR, FOUR LINKS ON BOTH, AND ALL RIDING ON COIL SPRING SUSPENSION. THERE ARE PLENTY OF GUYS OUT THERE TURNING JEEP JK'S INTO SERIOUS OFF ROAD RIGS. THE ONLY ISSUE IS TO GET THERE YOU HAVE TO THROW A PILE OF PARTS, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY A PILE OF MONEY, AT THEM, AND AT THAT POINT YOU'VE PROBABLY GOT AS MUCH MONEY INTO YOUR JK AS YOU WOULD INTO A TRUE ULTRA FOUR RACE RIG. I THINK THESE JEEPS REALLY SHINE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE. AS WE PROVED TODAY, THEY'RE GREAT TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD AND THEY CAN HANDLE SOME LIGHT DUTY WHEELING. SO WHY NOT JUST THROW A FEW PARTS AT IT. TAKE CAR OF A FEW OF THE ISSUES THAT YOU'LL FIND ON A STOCK JK. TURN IT INTO A GREAT DAILY DRIVER, LIGHT DUTY WHEELER. [ impact drill spinning ]
(IAN)>> I DIDN'T DO A VERY GOOD JOB CLEANING THIS TRUCK. WOO!
[ impact drill spinning ]
(IAN)>> LAST ONE! [ impact drill spinning ]
(NARRATOR)>> UP NEXT, THE JK GETS TWO INCHES OF LIFT, FRESH SHOCKS, AND BEEFY BODY ARMOR. THEN WE HEAD BACK TO THE TRAIL AND PUT IT TO THE TEST.
(IAN)>> OUR TIME ON THE TRAIL WITH THIS JK HAS TAUGHT US THAT WE REALLY ONLY NEED TO ADDRESS A FEW KEY AREAS TO IMPROVE ITS OFF ROAD PROWESS. NOW WE ONLY NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE GROUND CLEARANCE. SO WE'RE GONNA PUT THE JEEP UP IN THE AIR A LITTLE BIT, AND WE NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE TRACTION. SO BY RAISING THE JEEP WE'LL BE ABLE TO FIT A MORE AGGRESSIVE, LARGER OFF ROAD TIRE. NOW I CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT ALL THE PLASTIC ON THE INSIDE OF THE JEEP BECAUSE I WANT TO KEEP IT A GOOD DAILY DRIVER AND I KIND OF LIKE THAT CREATURE COMFORTS INSIDE, BUT ALL THE PLASTIC ON THE OUTSIDE HAS GOT TO GO SO THIS JEEP LOOKS A LITTLE TOUGHER. NOW THE GOOD NEWS IS, IS THAT THE AFTERMARKET HAS FULLY EMBRACED THE JEEP JK. SO FINDING PARTS TO BUILD UP ONE OF THESE RIGS IS VERY EASY. WE PICKED UP EVERYTHING TO MODIFY THIS JEEP FROM RUSTY'S OFF ROAD. A TWO INCH SUSPENSION LIFT WITH NEW SPRINGS, CONTROL ARMS, AND SHOCKS, FENDER FLARE DELETE KIT, A FRONT WINCH BUMPER, REAR FRAME CAP, ROCK SLIDERS TO PROTECT THE BODY, AND A SET OF 37 INCH GENERAL GRABBER XTHREE'S MOUNTED ON HEAVY DUTY ALUMINUM WHEELS.
[ impact drill spinning ]
(IAN)>> THE SUSPENSION IS 100 PERCENT REPLACEMENT OF EACH COMPONENT ON THE JEEP. UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS ARE REPLACED ONE AT A TIME SO THE AXLE REMAINS SUPPORTED.
[ impact drill spinning ]
(IAN)>> THE NEW SPRING IS SLID INTO POSITION AND THE NEW SHOCK IS BOLTED UP. [ impact drill spinning ]
(IAN)>> THE NEW ADJUSTABLE TRACK BAR FINISHES UP THE FRONT. [ impact drill spinning ]
(IAN)>> THE REAR, IT'S THE EXACT SAME PROCEDURE, SHOCKS...
...SPRINGS, CONTROL ARMS... [ impact drill spinning ] ...AND A TRACK BAR.
THE REAR RUSTY'S BUMPER IS NOT ACTUALLY A BUMPER AT ALL. IT'S A FRAME CAP USED TO COVER UP THE FACTORY FRAME HORNS ON THE JEEP WHEN THE BUMPER IS REMOVED. IT DOES HAVE TWO DRING MOUNTS THAT BOLT ONTO THE JEEP'S FRAME TO BE USED AS RECOVERY POINTS. JUST LIKE THE REAR BUMPER, WE ARE DELETING THE FENDER FLARES. A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL JUST RIP THESE OFF AND RUN A BARE TUB, BUT THE TEXTURED, POWDER COATED FLARE DELETE PLATES GIVE A MORE FINISHED LOOK, AND INTEGRATES WELL WITH THE NEW FRONT INNER FENDER LINER.
A GOOD WINCH BUMPER IS A MUST, AND THIS ONE HAS AN INTEGRATED GRILL HOOP TO PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL BODY PROTECTION AND A STINGER. FINALLY THE MOST VULNERABLE PART OF ANY JK ARE ITS ROCKER PANELS, BECAUSE OF THE LENGTHY WHEEL BASE ON THE JEEP. THE RUSTY'S OFF ROAD ROCK SLIDERS MOUNT USING THE FACTORY JEEP FRAME SIDE BODY MOUNTS AND OFFER FULL LENGTH PROTECTION FOR THE JEEP'S TUB.
(NARRATOR)>> UP NEXT, THE RIGHT FILLER MATERIAL MAKES FOR QUICK, EASY WELDING PREP AND A STRONG STACK OF DIMES. PLUS A SET OF STICKY 37 INCH TIRES, ALONG WITH A HEAVY DUTY WINCH, AND THIS JK IS READY TO ROCK.
(NARRATOR)>> WELDING TECH IS FUELED BY ESAB, MAKER OF THE ALL NEW REBEL AND OFFICIAL WELDING AND CUTTING SUPPLIER OF XTREME OFF ROAD.
(IAN)>> A HIGH QUALITY PAINT JOB AND A GOOD LOOKING WELD BEAD HAVE A LOT MORE IN COMMON THAN YOU WOULD THINK. THEY BOTH REQUIRE A LARGE AMOUNT OF PREP TO END UP WITH A HIGH QUALITY FINISHED PRODUCT. THEY BOTH REQUIRE SOMEBODY WHO IS WILLING TO PUT THE TIME AND EFFORT IN TO LEARN A SKILL UNTIL THEY BECOME HIGHLY PROFICIENT AT IT, AND THEY BOTH REQUIRE SPECIALIZED PRODUCTS. YOU WOULDN'T JUST POUR ANY OLD GARBAGE PAINT INTO YOUR PAINT GUN AND START PAINTING ON YOUR HOT ROD, JUST LIKE YOU WOULDN'T RUN DOWN TO THE STORE AND JUST PICK UP ANY OLD FILLER MATERIAL AND THROW IT IN YOUR WELDER. TODAY WE'RE GONNA TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE SPECIALIZED FILLER MATERIALS AVAILABLE OUT THERE, AS WELL AS WHAT ALL THE NUMBERS MEAN ON THE SIDE OF THE SPOOL. WE ARE GONNA FOCUS ON MIG FILLER METALS, AND THE MOST POPULAR ONES YOU WILL USE IN THE WORLD OF OFF ROAD FABRICATION. THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF SPECIALIZED FILLER MATERIALS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR MIG WELDER, AND THEY ARE CLASSIFIED BY THE AMERICAN WELDING SOCIETY BY A LETTER AND NUMBER SYSTEM. A POPULAR WIRE FOR MILD STEEL IS ER-70-SSIX. "ER" MEANS ELECTRIC ROD, DESIGNATING THAT IT IS A FILLER MATERIAL USED FOR TIG OR MIG WELDING. "70" REFERS TO THE TENSILE STRENGTH OF THE FILLER IN THOUSANDTHS. SO 70,000 POUNDS. "S" REFERS TO THE FACT THAT THE WIRE IS SOLID, AND "SIX" REFERS TO THE AMOUNT OF CLEANING MATERIAL ON THE WIRE. THIS IS THE SUBSTANCE THAT GIVES THE WIRE THAT COPPER LOOK WHEN ON A SPOOL. ER-70-SSIX IS PROBABLY THE MOST COMMON FILLER MATERIAL OUT THERE FOR YOUR MIG WELDER. YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO PICK UP A SPOOL OF IT ANYWHERE THAT SELLS WIRE FOR YOUR MIG MACHINE. I PREFER TO USE THE ESAB BRAND SPOOL ARC 86. THIS HAS BEEN MY GO TO WIRE FOR YEARS WHENEVER WORKING WITH CARBON BASED STEEL. THE AWS CODES THIS WIRE AS ER-70-SSIX, BUT THEY ADD AN "HR" TO THE END OF IT. IT'S A CUSTOM BLEND. IT HAS ADDITIONAL MANGANESE AND SILICON IN IT. NOW THAT HELPS THE WELD PUDDLE WET INTO THE PARENT MATERIAL. THAT MEANS THAT THE PUDDLE IS JUST EASIER TO MANIPULATE WITH THE MIG GUN, HELPS WITH COMPLICATED TUBE JOINTS. A SPECIALIZED MATERIAL THAT WE OFTEN WORK WITH IS STAINLESS STEEL. STAINLESS WIRE IS CLASSIFIED IN THREE POPULAR DESIGNATIONS, ER-308-L, ER-309-L, AND ER-316-L. "ER", ONCE AGAIN, STANDS FOR ELECTRIC ROD. "308" IS THE GRADE OF THE STAINLESS WIRE, AND "L" MEANS LOW CARBON CONTENT. CARBON IS WHAT CAUSES THE BROWNING, OR RUST SPOTS, ON THE STAINLESS. SOME FILLER METAL IS ALSO CODED WITH AN "SI", DENOTING A HIGH SILICON CONTENT TO HELP THE WELD WET INTO THE PUDDLE. THE TYPE OF STAINLESS WIRE YOU CHOOSE WILL DEPEND ON THE GRADE OF STAINLESS THAT YOU ARE WELDING. LOW GRADE STAINLESS, ANYTHING FROM 301 TO 308, WHICH IS WHAT IS MOST COMMONLY FOUND IN THE WORLD OF OFF ROAD, WILL BE WELDED WITH 308-L. 309-L IS USED WHEN WE'RE WELDING STAINLESS STEEL TO ANOTHER TYPE OF MATERIAL, CARBON BASED STEEL, AND THEN THE 316-L IS USED IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY OR AEROSPACE INDUSTRY WHEN WE'RE DEALING WITH HIGH GRADE STAINLESS STEEL. CERTAINLY NOT WHAT WE'RE GONNA SEE. YOU CAN WELD IT WITH A PRETTY TYPICAL GAS MIXTURE OF ARGON AND COTWO, BUT YOU WANT TO RUN A 98/TWO GAS, AND IF YOU REMEMBER, THAT'S THE SAME GAS WE USED WHEN WE WERE WORKING IN SPRAY TRANSFER MODE. THERE'S ALSO SOME CHANGES YOU CAN MAKE TO THE MACHINE THAT WILL IMPROVE YOUR WELD BEAD. ADJUSTING THE PREFLOW ON THE MIG WELDER HELPS REDUCE THE CHANCE OF CONTAMINATION. ON A MACHINE, LIKE THE REBEL 215, YOU CAN ADJUST THE PREFLOW OF THE SHIELDING GAS TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A GOOD CLOUD COVER BEFORE STRIKING THE ARC.
(NARRATOR)>> FROM THIS, TO THIS! OUR JEEP HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO TAKE THE TRAIL!
(IAN)>> WE ARE BACK ON XTREME OFF ROAD BOLTING UP A SET OF GENERAL GRABBER XTHREES ON METHOD ALUMINUM WHEELS ONTO OUR JEEP JK TO COMPLETE THIS JEEP'S TRANSFORMATION. THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT WE HAVE IMPROVED THE OVERALL LOOKS OF THIS JEEP. IT'S DEFINITELY MORE AGGRESSIVE NOW THAT ALL OF THE PLASTIC IS OFF OF THE EXTERIOR AND IT'S SITTING UP IN THE AIR. IT'D BE PERFECT TO DRIVE THIS JEEP EVERY SINGLE DAY. WE'VE ALSO IMPROVED ITS ABILITY OFF ROAD BY GETTING IT UP IN THE AIR, MORE GROUND CLEARANCE, AND ON A SET OF MORE AGGRESSIVE OFF ROAD TIRES. WE WILL STILL REACH OUR LIMITS IN THE WOODS BECAUSE WE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO THE AXLES. THIS JEEP IS STILL OPEN DIFFERENTIALS BOTH FRONT AND REAR, AND THAT'S BECAUSE AT THIS POINT IN A JEEP BUILD LIKE THIS YOU'D HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION. DO YOU UPGRADE THESE AXLES OR REPLACE THEM, AND THE RIGHT DECISION WOULD BE TO REPLACE BOTH THESE AXLE ASSEMBLIES ON THIS JEEP, AND THAT IS A SERIOUS INVESTMENT. A CHEAPER WAY TO JUST ENSURE THAT YOU CAN HANDLE SOME MORE SERIOUS TRAILS WHEN YOU'RE OFF ROAD IS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR WINCH BUMPER AND PUT IN A GOOD WINCH, AND IN THIS BUMPER WE'RE INSTALLING THE WARN ZEON 10-S WINCH. THE ZEON IS THE WINCH OF CHOICE FOR THE JK CROWD BECAUSE OF ITS MODERN LOOKS AND SHARP LINES. IT'S CAPABLE OF A 10,000 POUND SINGLE LINE PULL, AND SITS LOW IN THE BUMPER TO NOT IMPEDE AIR FLOW THROUGH THE RADIATOR.
THIS JEEP NOW LOOKS MORE LIKE A SERIOUS OFF ROAD RIG. EVEN JUST ROLLING DOWN SOME BACK ROADS, THE MORE AGGRESSIVE, TALLER GENERAL TIRES AND FLARE DELETE GIVE IT A MUCH MORE MENACING STANCE, AND THE JEEP NOW LOOKS MORE LIKE, WELL, A JEEP, BUT WHAT ABOUT ON THE TRAIL? WELL USING THE SAME TRAIL THAT WE RAN IN STOCK FORM AS A BENCH MARK, THE JEEP IMMEDIATELY SHOWS THAT IT HAS MORE GROUND CLEARANCE, EASILY CLEARING THE FIRST OBSTACLE ON THE TRAIL. IT DOES TAKE A LITTLE MORE EFFORT TO GET A JEEP WITH OPEN DIFFERENTIALS UP A TRAIL. WHEN ONE TIRE LOSES TRACTION SO DOES THE ENTIRE AXLE. YOU EITHER HAVE TO WORK THE TIRE BACK AND FORTH. YOU CAN APPLY THE BRAKE TO TRICK THE DIFFERENTIAL TO SEND POWER TO THE OPPOSITE WHEEL...
...OR CHOOSE A DIFFERENT LINE.
THERE WE GO, THERE WE GO! HA, HA! ONE REALLY GOOD THING ABOUT AN AFTERMARKET SUSPENSION KIT IS THE ABILITY TO DISENGAGE THE FRONT SWAY BAR. THIS ALLOWS THE AXLE TO ARTICULATE MORE, KEEPS THE TIRES ON THE GROUND, AND HELPS WITH TRACTION, KEEPING THE JEEP ROLLING UP THE TRAIL.
AN ACCESSORY THAT I SEE A LOT OF JEEP JK'S ROLLING AROUND WITHOUT IS A GOOD QUALITY WINCH. DON'T JUST BUY A WINCH BUMPER AND LEAVE IT EMPTY WITH A HOOK ZIP TIED TO YOUR FAIR LEAD SO IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE A WINCH. ACTUALLY BUY THE WINCH. AS A MATTER OF FACT, BUY THIS BEFORE YOU BUY ANYMORE LIGHT BARS FOR YOUR RIG. IT WILL DEFINITELY COME IN HANDY WHEN YOU'RE ON THE TRAIL, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE BUILT LIKE THIS JEEP IS RIGHT HERE WITH OPEN DIFFERENTIALS FRONT AND REAR. YOU COULD LEAVE FOR A DAY WHEELING NICE AND SUNNY LIKE TODAY AND THINK THAT EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE, BUT A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN COMES INTO PLAY, AND THEN EVERYTHING STARTS TO GET SLICK. THAT WINCH COULD BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOU PUTTING BODY DAMAGE ONTO YOUR JEEP OR EVEN JUST GETTING OFF THE TRAIL. NOW A POPULAR SIZE WINCH FOR MOST JEEPS IS A 10,000 POUND WINCH AND MOST NEW WINCHES GIVE YOU THE OPTION OF SWITCHING OVER TO SYNTHETIC ROPE INSTEAD OF AIRCRAFT CABLE. THE SYNTHETIC ROPE IS A LOT SAFER AND LIGHTER, BUT IT DOESN'T COME PREINSTALLED ON THE WINCH. SO ONCE YOU HAVE EVERYTHING IN PLACE YOU HAVE ONE MORE JOB TO DO. THAT IS SPOOLING YOUR WINCH. YOU CAN DO THIS AT THE OFF ROAD PARK, OR EVEN IN A PARKING LOT WITH A SLIGHT GRADE. WITH THE WINCH LINE FULLY UNSPOOLED, HAVE SOMEONE GET IN THE JEEP, PLACE IT IN NEUTRAL, START THE ENGINE. THEN USE THE WINCH TO PULL THE VEHICLE UP THE HILL UNTIL ALL THE LINE HAS BEEN LOADED BACK ONTO THE DRUM UNDER LOAD. THIS IS AN ESSENTIAL STEP ON A WINCH THAT'S EQUIPPED WITH SYNTHETIC ROPE. IT HELPS SEAT THE ROPE ONTO THE DRUM, REMOVE ANY OF THE SLACK THAT WAS THERE WHEN YOU JUST FREE SPOOLED IT ONTO THE WINCH ON THE WORK BENCH BEFORE DROPPING IT INTO THE BUMPER. IF YOU DON'T DO THIS THERE'S A GREATER CHANCE THAT THE ROPE CAN BECOME TANGLED UP ON THE DRUM OR EVEN GET DAMAGED OVER TIME. NOW WE ALSO NEED TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WINCH SAFETY. EVEN WITH SYNTHETIC ROPE YOU NEVER WANT TO PULL A VEHICLE WITHOUT SOME SORT OF WEIGHT ON THE WINCH LINE. THAT JUST KEEPS IT FROM MOVING AT A RAPID RATE OF SPEED IF IT DOES BREAK. YOU ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE WEARING GLOVES IF YOU'RE DEALING WITH AIRCRAFT CABLE TO PROTECT YOUR HANDS, AND NEVER, EVER, EVER GET YOU HANDS ANYWHERE NEAR THAT FAIRLEAD. WHEN THE ROPE STARTS TO GET CLOSE TO THE FAIRLEAD, USE THE ATTACHED LEAD ON THE END OF THE HOOK TO KEEP YOUR HAND OUT OF HARM'S WAY, AND THAT'S ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW TO PREP YOUR WINCH ON YOUR JEEP JK, GETTING IT READY FOR SOME SERIOUS OFF ROADING.
Show Full Transcript
(IAN)>> I WILL BE THE FIRST ONE TO ADMIT, I HAVE NOT FULLY EMBRACED THIS WHOLE JEEP JK THING. NOW I DON'T KNOW WHY. MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE MY VERY FIRST JEEP WAS A 1985 JEEP CJ SEVEN, AND THAT IS WHAT I THINK OF WHEN I THINK OF JEEPS. YOU'VE GOT TO WAVE ALL THE JEEPS. THERE'S ONE. SEE THAT'S THE THING. THAT WAS A JEEP JK AND HE DIDN'T WAVE AT ME. HE DOESN'T KNOW. IF I WAS DRIVING A TJ AND WAVED AT A TJ HE WOULD WAVE AT ME BECAUSE HE WOULD KNOW. SO THAT'S WHY I HAVE THIS LOVE AFFAIR FOR OLD IRON. I LIKE THAT BIG FLAT METAL DASH. I LIKE THE SINGLE GAUGE IN THE MIDDLE. I DON'T THINK OF JEEPS OF SOMETHING THAT'S COMFORTABLE TO DRIVE EVERYDAY WITH LOTS OF CREATURE COMFORTS. I MEAN A JK, THERE'S A LOT OF PLASTIC IN HERE, LIKE A LOT, LIKE THIS THING RIGHT HERE. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THIS IS FOR BUT IT'S PLASTIC, AND IN MY MIND I DON'T THINK OF THAT WHEN I THINK OF JEEPS, BUT I CANNOT DENY THE FACT THAT A JEEP JK IS A GREAT VEHICLE TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD. COMFORTABLE, LOTS OF CREATURE COMFORTS, AND UNDERNEATH IT SHARES SOME SIMILARITIES WITH THOSE OLD CJ'S, LIKE A SOLID FRONT AXLE, BUT IN PURE STOCK FORM, LIKE THIS 2017 FOUR DOOR JK, THE ROAD IS WHERE THESE JK'S WORK BEST. GET THEM INTO THE DIRT...
...AND SURE, YOU CAN HIT A FEW MILD TRAILS. MAYBE EVEN CLIMB TO THE TOP OF A SLIPPERY HILL.
BUT YOU WILL FIND THE LIMITS OF A FACTORY JK PRETTY QUICK.
HERE WE HAVE A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THE JK'S FLAW. IT'S TOO LOW TO THE GROUND. NOW SURE, WE COULD HAVE UPGRADED AND GOT A RUBICON SERIES JK, A LITTLE BIT MORE GROUND CLEARANCE, BUT THIS ENTRY LEVEL JK, THERE'S NO WAY I'M GETTING ANY FURTHER THAN THE FIRST ROCK ON THIS TRAIL. I'LL BACK UP AND TRY A DIFFERENT LINE BUT...
...SEE THAT'S THE CONTROL ARM MOUNT.
AND THAT'S THE FRONT DIFF.
NOW IT MAY SEEM LIKE I'M PICKING ON THE JEEP JK RIGHT NOW, AND HONESTLY I SHOULDN'T. I MEAN UNDERNEATH IT ALL THERE'S EVERYTHING HERE THAT YOU WOULD BE LOOKING FOR IF YOU WERE BUILDING A TRUE HARDCORE OFF ROAD RIG. I'VE GOT A FULLY BOXED HYDRA FORM FRAME, SOLID AXLES FRONT AND REAR, FOUR LINKS ON BOTH, AND ALL RIDING ON COIL SPRING SUSPENSION. THERE ARE PLENTY OF GUYS OUT THERE TURNING JEEP JK'S INTO SERIOUS OFF ROAD RIGS. THE ONLY ISSUE IS TO GET THERE YOU HAVE TO THROW A PILE OF PARTS, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY A PILE OF MONEY, AT THEM, AND AT THAT POINT YOU'VE PROBABLY GOT AS MUCH MONEY INTO YOUR JK AS YOU WOULD INTO A TRUE ULTRA FOUR RACE RIG. I THINK THESE JEEPS REALLY SHINE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE. AS WE PROVED TODAY, THEY'RE GREAT TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD AND THEY CAN HANDLE SOME LIGHT DUTY WHEELING. SO WHY NOT JUST THROW A FEW PARTS AT IT. TAKE CAR OF A FEW OF THE ISSUES THAT YOU'LL FIND ON A STOCK JK. TURN IT INTO A GREAT DAILY DRIVER, LIGHT DUTY WHEELER. [ impact drill spinning ]
(IAN)>> I DIDN'T DO A VERY GOOD JOB CLEANING THIS TRUCK. WOO!
[ impact drill spinning ]
(IAN)>> LAST ONE! [ impact drill spinning ]
(NARRATOR)>> UP NEXT, THE JK GETS TWO INCHES OF LIFT, FRESH SHOCKS, AND BEEFY BODY ARMOR. THEN WE HEAD BACK TO THE TRAIL AND PUT IT TO THE TEST.
(IAN)>> OUR TIME ON THE TRAIL WITH THIS JK HAS TAUGHT US THAT WE REALLY ONLY NEED TO ADDRESS A FEW KEY AREAS TO IMPROVE ITS OFF ROAD PROWESS. NOW WE ONLY NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE GROUND CLEARANCE. SO WE'RE GONNA PUT THE JEEP UP IN THE AIR A LITTLE BIT, AND WE NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE TRACTION. SO BY RAISING THE JEEP WE'LL BE ABLE TO FIT A MORE AGGRESSIVE, LARGER OFF ROAD TIRE. NOW I CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT ALL THE PLASTIC ON THE INSIDE OF THE JEEP BECAUSE I WANT TO KEEP IT A GOOD DAILY DRIVER AND I KIND OF LIKE THAT CREATURE COMFORTS INSIDE, BUT ALL THE PLASTIC ON THE OUTSIDE HAS GOT TO GO SO THIS JEEP LOOKS A LITTLE TOUGHER. NOW THE GOOD NEWS IS, IS THAT THE AFTERMARKET HAS FULLY EMBRACED THE JEEP JK. SO FINDING PARTS TO BUILD UP ONE OF THESE RIGS IS VERY EASY. WE PICKED UP EVERYTHING TO MODIFY THIS JEEP FROM RUSTY'S OFF ROAD. A TWO INCH SUSPENSION LIFT WITH NEW SPRINGS, CONTROL ARMS, AND SHOCKS, FENDER FLARE DELETE KIT, A FRONT WINCH BUMPER, REAR FRAME CAP, ROCK SLIDERS TO PROTECT THE BODY, AND A SET OF 37 INCH GENERAL GRABBER XTHREE'S MOUNTED ON HEAVY DUTY ALUMINUM WHEELS.
[ impact drill spinning ]
(IAN)>> THE SUSPENSION IS 100 PERCENT REPLACEMENT OF EACH COMPONENT ON THE JEEP. UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS ARE REPLACED ONE AT A TIME SO THE AXLE REMAINS SUPPORTED.
[ impact drill spinning ]
(IAN)>> THE NEW SPRING IS SLID INTO POSITION AND THE NEW SHOCK IS BOLTED UP. [ impact drill spinning ]
(IAN)>> THE NEW ADJUSTABLE TRACK BAR FINISHES UP THE FRONT. [ impact drill spinning ]
(IAN)>> THE REAR, IT'S THE EXACT SAME PROCEDURE, SHOCKS...
...SPRINGS, CONTROL ARMS... [ impact drill spinning ] ...AND A TRACK BAR.
THE REAR RUSTY'S BUMPER IS NOT ACTUALLY A BUMPER AT ALL. IT'S A FRAME CAP USED TO COVER UP THE FACTORY FRAME HORNS ON THE JEEP WHEN THE BUMPER IS REMOVED. IT DOES HAVE TWO DRING MOUNTS THAT BOLT ONTO THE JEEP'S FRAME TO BE USED AS RECOVERY POINTS. JUST LIKE THE REAR BUMPER, WE ARE DELETING THE FENDER FLARES. A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL JUST RIP THESE OFF AND RUN A BARE TUB, BUT THE TEXTURED, POWDER COATED FLARE DELETE PLATES GIVE A MORE FINISHED LOOK, AND INTEGRATES WELL WITH THE NEW FRONT INNER FENDER LINER.
A GOOD WINCH BUMPER IS A MUST, AND THIS ONE HAS AN INTEGRATED GRILL HOOP TO PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL BODY PROTECTION AND A STINGER. FINALLY THE MOST VULNERABLE PART OF ANY JK ARE ITS ROCKER PANELS, BECAUSE OF THE LENGTHY WHEEL BASE ON THE JEEP. THE RUSTY'S OFF ROAD ROCK SLIDERS MOUNT USING THE FACTORY JEEP FRAME SIDE BODY MOUNTS AND OFFER FULL LENGTH PROTECTION FOR THE JEEP'S TUB.
(NARRATOR)>> UP NEXT, THE RIGHT FILLER MATERIAL MAKES FOR QUICK, EASY WELDING PREP AND A STRONG STACK OF DIMES. PLUS A SET OF STICKY 37 INCH TIRES, ALONG WITH A HEAVY DUTY WINCH, AND THIS JK IS READY TO ROCK.
(NARRATOR)>> WELDING TECH IS FUELED BY ESAB, MAKER OF THE ALL NEW REBEL AND OFFICIAL WELDING AND CUTTING SUPPLIER OF XTREME OFF ROAD.
(IAN)>> A HIGH QUALITY PAINT JOB AND A GOOD LOOKING WELD BEAD HAVE A LOT MORE IN COMMON THAN YOU WOULD THINK. THEY BOTH REQUIRE A LARGE AMOUNT OF PREP TO END UP WITH A HIGH QUALITY FINISHED PRODUCT. THEY BOTH REQUIRE SOMEBODY WHO IS WILLING TO PUT THE TIME AND EFFORT IN TO LEARN A SKILL UNTIL THEY BECOME HIGHLY PROFICIENT AT IT, AND THEY BOTH REQUIRE SPECIALIZED PRODUCTS. YOU WOULDN'T JUST POUR ANY OLD GARBAGE PAINT INTO YOUR PAINT GUN AND START PAINTING ON YOUR HOT ROD, JUST LIKE YOU WOULDN'T RUN DOWN TO THE STORE AND JUST PICK UP ANY OLD FILLER MATERIAL AND THROW IT IN YOUR WELDER. TODAY WE'RE GONNA TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE SPECIALIZED FILLER MATERIALS AVAILABLE OUT THERE, AS WELL AS WHAT ALL THE NUMBERS MEAN ON THE SIDE OF THE SPOOL. WE ARE GONNA FOCUS ON MIG FILLER METALS, AND THE MOST POPULAR ONES YOU WILL USE IN THE WORLD OF OFF ROAD FABRICATION. THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF SPECIALIZED FILLER MATERIALS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR MIG WELDER, AND THEY ARE CLASSIFIED BY THE AMERICAN WELDING SOCIETY BY A LETTER AND NUMBER SYSTEM. A POPULAR WIRE FOR MILD STEEL IS ER-70-SSIX. "ER" MEANS ELECTRIC ROD, DESIGNATING THAT IT IS A FILLER MATERIAL USED FOR TIG OR MIG WELDING. "70" REFERS TO THE TENSILE STRENGTH OF THE FILLER IN THOUSANDTHS. SO 70,000 POUNDS. "S" REFERS TO THE FACT THAT THE WIRE IS SOLID, AND "SIX" REFERS TO THE AMOUNT OF CLEANING MATERIAL ON THE WIRE. THIS IS THE SUBSTANCE THAT GIVES THE WIRE THAT COPPER LOOK WHEN ON A SPOOL. ER-70-SSIX IS PROBABLY THE MOST COMMON FILLER MATERIAL OUT THERE FOR YOUR MIG WELDER. YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO PICK UP A SPOOL OF IT ANYWHERE THAT SELLS WIRE FOR YOUR MIG MACHINE. I PREFER TO USE THE ESAB BRAND SPOOL ARC 86. THIS HAS BEEN MY GO TO WIRE FOR YEARS WHENEVER WORKING WITH CARBON BASED STEEL. THE AWS CODES THIS WIRE AS ER-70-SSIX, BUT THEY ADD AN "HR" TO THE END OF IT. IT'S A CUSTOM BLEND. IT HAS ADDITIONAL MANGANESE AND SILICON IN IT. NOW THAT HELPS THE WELD PUDDLE WET INTO THE PARENT MATERIAL. THAT MEANS THAT THE PUDDLE IS JUST EASIER TO MANIPULATE WITH THE MIG GUN, HELPS WITH COMPLICATED TUBE JOINTS. A SPECIALIZED MATERIAL THAT WE OFTEN WORK WITH IS STAINLESS STEEL. STAINLESS WIRE IS CLASSIFIED IN THREE POPULAR DESIGNATIONS, ER-308-L, ER-309-L, AND ER-316-L. "ER", ONCE AGAIN, STANDS FOR ELECTRIC ROD. "308" IS THE GRADE OF THE STAINLESS WIRE, AND "L" MEANS LOW CARBON CONTENT. CARBON IS WHAT CAUSES THE BROWNING, OR RUST SPOTS, ON THE STAINLESS. SOME FILLER METAL IS ALSO CODED WITH AN "SI", DENOTING A HIGH SILICON CONTENT TO HELP THE WELD WET INTO THE PUDDLE. THE TYPE OF STAINLESS WIRE YOU CHOOSE WILL DEPEND ON THE GRADE OF STAINLESS THAT YOU ARE WELDING. LOW GRADE STAINLESS, ANYTHING FROM 301 TO 308, WHICH IS WHAT IS MOST COMMONLY FOUND IN THE WORLD OF OFF ROAD, WILL BE WELDED WITH 308-L. 309-L IS USED WHEN WE'RE WELDING STAINLESS STEEL TO ANOTHER TYPE OF MATERIAL, CARBON BASED STEEL, AND THEN THE 316-L IS USED IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY OR AEROSPACE INDUSTRY WHEN WE'RE DEALING WITH HIGH GRADE STAINLESS STEEL. CERTAINLY NOT WHAT WE'RE GONNA SEE. YOU CAN WELD IT WITH A PRETTY TYPICAL GAS MIXTURE OF ARGON AND COTWO, BUT YOU WANT TO RUN A 98/TWO GAS, AND IF YOU REMEMBER, THAT'S THE SAME GAS WE USED WHEN WE WERE WORKING IN SPRAY TRANSFER MODE. THERE'S ALSO SOME CHANGES YOU CAN MAKE TO THE MACHINE THAT WILL IMPROVE YOUR WELD BEAD. ADJUSTING THE PREFLOW ON THE MIG WELDER HELPS REDUCE THE CHANCE OF CONTAMINATION. ON A MACHINE, LIKE THE REBEL 215, YOU CAN ADJUST THE PREFLOW OF THE SHIELDING GAS TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A GOOD CLOUD COVER BEFORE STRIKING THE ARC.
(NARRATOR)>> FROM THIS, TO THIS! OUR JEEP HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO TAKE THE TRAIL!
(IAN)>> WE ARE BACK ON XTREME OFF ROAD BOLTING UP A SET OF GENERAL GRABBER XTHREES ON METHOD ALUMINUM WHEELS ONTO OUR JEEP JK TO COMPLETE THIS JEEP'S TRANSFORMATION. THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT WE HAVE IMPROVED THE OVERALL LOOKS OF THIS JEEP. IT'S DEFINITELY MORE AGGRESSIVE NOW THAT ALL OF THE PLASTIC IS OFF OF THE EXTERIOR AND IT'S SITTING UP IN THE AIR. IT'D BE PERFECT TO DRIVE THIS JEEP EVERY SINGLE DAY. WE'VE ALSO IMPROVED ITS ABILITY OFF ROAD BY GETTING IT UP IN THE AIR, MORE GROUND CLEARANCE, AND ON A SET OF MORE AGGRESSIVE OFF ROAD TIRES. WE WILL STILL REACH OUR LIMITS IN THE WOODS BECAUSE WE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO THE AXLES. THIS JEEP IS STILL OPEN DIFFERENTIALS BOTH FRONT AND REAR, AND THAT'S BECAUSE AT THIS POINT IN A JEEP BUILD LIKE THIS YOU'D HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION. DO YOU UPGRADE THESE AXLES OR REPLACE THEM, AND THE RIGHT DECISION WOULD BE TO REPLACE BOTH THESE AXLE ASSEMBLIES ON THIS JEEP, AND THAT IS A SERIOUS INVESTMENT. A CHEAPER WAY TO JUST ENSURE THAT YOU CAN HANDLE SOME MORE SERIOUS TRAILS WHEN YOU'RE OFF ROAD IS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR WINCH BUMPER AND PUT IN A GOOD WINCH, AND IN THIS BUMPER WE'RE INSTALLING THE WARN ZEON 10-S WINCH. THE ZEON IS THE WINCH OF CHOICE FOR THE JK CROWD BECAUSE OF ITS MODERN LOOKS AND SHARP LINES. IT'S CAPABLE OF A 10,000 POUND SINGLE LINE PULL, AND SITS LOW IN THE BUMPER TO NOT IMPEDE AIR FLOW THROUGH THE RADIATOR.
THIS JEEP NOW LOOKS MORE LIKE A SERIOUS OFF ROAD RIG. EVEN JUST ROLLING DOWN SOME BACK ROADS, THE MORE AGGRESSIVE, TALLER GENERAL TIRES AND FLARE DELETE GIVE IT A MUCH MORE MENACING STANCE, AND THE JEEP NOW LOOKS MORE LIKE, WELL, A JEEP, BUT WHAT ABOUT ON THE TRAIL? WELL USING THE SAME TRAIL THAT WE RAN IN STOCK FORM AS A BENCH MARK, THE JEEP IMMEDIATELY SHOWS THAT IT HAS MORE GROUND CLEARANCE, EASILY CLEARING THE FIRST OBSTACLE ON THE TRAIL. IT DOES TAKE A LITTLE MORE EFFORT TO GET A JEEP WITH OPEN DIFFERENTIALS UP A TRAIL. WHEN ONE TIRE LOSES TRACTION SO DOES THE ENTIRE AXLE. YOU EITHER HAVE TO WORK THE TIRE BACK AND FORTH. YOU CAN APPLY THE BRAKE TO TRICK THE DIFFERENTIAL TO SEND POWER TO THE OPPOSITE WHEEL...
...OR CHOOSE A DIFFERENT LINE.
THERE WE GO, THERE WE GO! HA, HA! ONE REALLY GOOD THING ABOUT AN AFTERMARKET SUSPENSION KIT IS THE ABILITY TO DISENGAGE THE FRONT SWAY BAR. THIS ALLOWS THE AXLE TO ARTICULATE MORE, KEEPS THE TIRES ON THE GROUND, AND HELPS WITH TRACTION, KEEPING THE JEEP ROLLING UP THE TRAIL.
AN ACCESSORY THAT I SEE A LOT OF JEEP JK'S ROLLING AROUND WITHOUT IS A GOOD QUALITY WINCH. DON'T JUST BUY A WINCH BUMPER AND LEAVE IT EMPTY WITH A HOOK ZIP TIED TO YOUR FAIR LEAD SO IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE A WINCH. ACTUALLY BUY THE WINCH. AS A MATTER OF FACT, BUY THIS BEFORE YOU BUY ANYMORE LIGHT BARS FOR YOUR RIG. IT WILL DEFINITELY COME IN HANDY WHEN YOU'RE ON THE TRAIL, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE BUILT LIKE THIS JEEP IS RIGHT HERE WITH OPEN DIFFERENTIALS FRONT AND REAR. YOU COULD LEAVE FOR A DAY WHEELING NICE AND SUNNY LIKE TODAY AND THINK THAT EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE, BUT A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN COMES INTO PLAY, AND THEN EVERYTHING STARTS TO GET SLICK. THAT WINCH COULD BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOU PUTTING BODY DAMAGE ONTO YOUR JEEP OR EVEN JUST GETTING OFF THE TRAIL. NOW A POPULAR SIZE WINCH FOR MOST JEEPS IS A 10,000 POUND WINCH AND MOST NEW WINCHES GIVE YOU THE OPTION OF SWITCHING OVER TO SYNTHETIC ROPE INSTEAD OF AIRCRAFT CABLE. THE SYNTHETIC ROPE IS A LOT SAFER AND LIGHTER, BUT IT DOESN'T COME PREINSTALLED ON THE WINCH. SO ONCE YOU HAVE EVERYTHING IN PLACE YOU HAVE ONE MORE JOB TO DO. THAT IS SPOOLING YOUR WINCH. YOU CAN DO THIS AT THE OFF ROAD PARK, OR EVEN IN A PARKING LOT WITH A SLIGHT GRADE. WITH THE WINCH LINE FULLY UNSPOOLED, HAVE SOMEONE GET IN THE JEEP, PLACE IT IN NEUTRAL, START THE ENGINE. THEN USE THE WINCH TO PULL THE VEHICLE UP THE HILL UNTIL ALL THE LINE HAS BEEN LOADED BACK ONTO THE DRUM UNDER LOAD. THIS IS AN ESSENTIAL STEP ON A WINCH THAT'S EQUIPPED WITH SYNTHETIC ROPE. IT HELPS SEAT THE ROPE ONTO THE DRUM, REMOVE ANY OF THE SLACK THAT WAS THERE WHEN YOU JUST FREE SPOOLED IT ONTO THE WINCH ON THE WORK BENCH BEFORE DROPPING IT INTO THE BUMPER. IF YOU DON'T DO THIS THERE'S A GREATER CHANCE THAT THE ROPE CAN BECOME TANGLED UP ON THE DRUM OR EVEN GET DAMAGED OVER TIME. NOW WE ALSO NEED TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WINCH SAFETY. EVEN WITH SYNTHETIC ROPE YOU NEVER WANT TO PULL A VEHICLE WITHOUT SOME SORT OF WEIGHT ON THE WINCH LINE. THAT JUST KEEPS IT FROM MOVING AT A RAPID RATE OF SPEED IF IT DOES BREAK. YOU ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE WEARING GLOVES IF YOU'RE DEALING WITH AIRCRAFT CABLE TO PROTECT YOUR HANDS, AND NEVER, EVER, EVER GET YOU HANDS ANYWHERE NEAR THAT FAIRLEAD. WHEN THE ROPE STARTS TO GET CLOSE TO THE FAIRLEAD, USE THE ATTACHED LEAD ON THE END OF THE HOOK TO KEEP YOUR HAND OUT OF HARM'S WAY, AND THAT'S ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW TO PREP YOUR WINCH ON YOUR JEEP JK, GETTING IT READY FOR SOME SERIOUS OFF ROADING.
