Followup: I can go anywhere

[Afreet]

Check this out:

http://picard.freet.org/~h2/h2moon.gif

Sorry Amy, couldn't help it. After I saw the H2 climbing the mountain, I had to put the H2 in a true off-road condition.

I think I will call it "The H2 has landed", or just use the tagline "Maybe if you can, you will"

- Will

[Afreet]

Check this out:

http://picard.freet.org/~h2/h2moon.gif

Sorry Amy, couldn't help it. After I saw the H2 climbing the mountain, I had to put the H2 in a true off-road condition.

I think I will call it "The H2 has landed", or just use the tagline "Maybe if you can, you will"

- Will

[JJ]

Oh No! Now the gov't is going to have spend another $15,000 to prove that the H2 actually went to the moon.

great pic..

JJ

[Bill Kervaski]

Please tell 'us' your kidding? You're not one of those 'we never went to the moon' guys?

- Bill

[HummerGirl]

Hey I missed the picture...

Can you put it back again!
I totally fogot about this discussion topic!!!

~amy
Reality is merely a crutch for those with a broken imagination.~anon.

http://www.CelestialBath.com

[Offcamber]

The moon? Been there done that....even better, I've wheeled Mars in my WJ

http://www.off-camber.com/gallery/marsrover.jpg

[SJ]

Offcamber:

What size lift and tires are you running. I have relatives in Europe that want to import a Grand Cherokee and I'm considering a mild lift and aggressive tires before it gets shipped over to them.

Thanks,

SJ

[Offcamber]

SJ,
It's a custom lift or sorts. It started out as a Teraflex 4" lift. The Teraflx control arm bushings wear out rather quickly though if your off-road it much. I finally got tired of replacing the bushings every couple of months. Now I'm still running the Teraflex springs at 4" but I've got to a longarm setup from Clayton Off-road. It rides and handles better than stock because of the improved geometry over the original design. The downside is that it's permanent. It requires cutting the factory framemounts for the control arms off and welding in a new crossmember. It's also a nearly indestructable setup. Those control arms are heavy beyond belief. I've got a set of 7" lift springs that are going in soon along with a set of Bilstien long travel shocks. I just seem to not have enough time to finish it though...


Here is the rear...
http://www.off-camber.com/gallery/longarms/frearla2.jpg
front with crossmember
http://www.off-camber.com/gallery/longarms/frontla2.jpg
another front shot...notice the area inside the control arm. That is where the factory control arm mount was. With the new mounts much further back, the tire moves nearly straight up and down rather than in an arc the way most other axles do..
http://www.off-camber.com/gallery/longarms/frontla.jpg

Here the Jeep is as it sits today. I've got enough into it that I could have bought an H2, but an H2 wouldn't take me the places that the Jeep has. I'll probably eventually buy a tow vehicle and trailer the Jeep when I go across country to hit the trails. I'm thinking about an H2 for the tow truck.

http://www.off-camber.com/gallery/2rack.jpg

[This message was edited by Offcamber on January 02, 2003 at 11:36 AM.]

[SJ]

Offcamber:

Thanks - very impressive; a lot of work went into your 4 x 4. My family is looking at a '96 to '99 GC and the main benefit of a lift for them would be the ability to fit more aggressive tires and negotiate some of the tougher roads in Winter.

Snow chains are not allowed in parts of Poland and the Czech Republic [where the Jeep is being shipped], so having a durable 4 x 4 is of great benefit.

I've been looking at models with the 4.0 I-6, but I hear gas mileage is not much better than the V8. Perhaps I'll start looking at V8 models if this is truly the case?

[Hummie2]

Offcamber....

That is a well thought out suspension! I have built a couple of rigs from the ground up that we used to race off-road years ago and I can appreciate your hard work. I especially like the way that everything is adjustable for caster and alignment. Keep up the good work.

If you buy a H2 for a tow rig you wont be disappointed and it will certainly be an attention drawing combination going down the road.

Post pics for us if you do get a H2 to tow with.

Don

[HummerGirl]

Wow I have to say that is the best looking Jeep I have seen yet!

Nice and sporty lookin'!

My thumbs go up on this one!!!

~amy
Got Soap? (http://www.CelestialBath.com)

[Offcamber]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SJ:
Offcamber:

Thanks - very impressive; a lot of work went into your 4 x 4. My family is looking at a '96 to '99 GC and the main benefit of a lift for them would be the ability to fit more aggressive tires and negotiate some of the tougher roads in Winter.

Snow chains are not allowed in parts of Poland and the Czech Republic [where the Jeep is being shipped], so having a durable 4 x 4 is of great benefit.

I've been looking at models with the 4.0 I-6, but I hear gas mileage is not much better than the V8. Perhaps I'll start looking at V8 models if this is truly the case?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

SJ,
If your primary concern is snowy roads, then the teraflex 4" lift might work out okay for you. The problems with the Teraflex lift come when you flex the suspension like this very much:

http://www.off-camber.com/OC6.jpg

If you don't plan on running a lot of broken trails or crawling over rocks, the bushings should hold up fairly well. Because the factory length control arms are relatively short, severe articulation (as its capable of) tends to twist the bushings rather severely and wears them out pretty quickly. Another alternative is a set of Old Man Emu springs (2" lift) and a 2" spacer lift. With a 2" lift you can fit 31" tires. The 4" will get you 32" tires with some rubbing on the front fascia with the sway bars disconnected. If you want bigger than 32" then a longarm setup is the only practical way to do it. 31's should be practical for snow and road use.

As for the v8 versus i-6, you are right. The V8 gets nearly as good a mileage as the 6 and is a much better engine. Very smoothe.

Bob
http://www.off-camber.com