For most of us TJ owners if you want to gain a better break over angle you need to upgrade to a tucked transfer case skid.  Adding this type of skid alone  will have side effects like no room for the transfer case to move up.  Then we need to add a body lift which makes room for the transfer case, now our engine sits a 1″ or so too low not lining up the fan to the radiator etc…

So now your in the market for a  motor mount lift or (MML) to re-align your drive train closer to stock.  There are several choices out there from replacing the motor mounts to adding a spacer below the factory motor mounts.  This is where Jks Manufacturing comes in by doing  just that by adding an aluminum 1″ spacer below your factory motor mounts.  By doing a spacer you retain factory OE mounts which have far less vibration that some of the alternatives.

Our long term test started in 2005 when I need a way to move the transfer case up.  Lets look at the five years of moderate wheeling with 37′s.

Part Type:1″MML

Part #:PN 8100

Manufacture:Jks Manufacturing

Length of test:5 years

Miles tested:91,500 miles

Test Vehicle:2005 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (LJ)

Drive train:Stock 4.0 auto trans

Tire Size:37″ BFG

Lift:3″ AEV/Nth/1″ Day Star body lift

Test Results:Moderate wheeling adapter bolt(s) snapped at 92K mies

Recommendation:Strengthen Adapter bolt from grade 5 to grade 8

Product Durability (1-5):4

Check out all the pics we took in Moab in the last week!  Enjoy!

Day 1

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Day 2

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Day 3

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Day 4

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Day 5

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Are you ready more EJS 2010?  We are!  Looks like the Mopar underground is ready too with these four really cool Jeep and Ram concepts.  Look for live coverage of the 48th Annual EJS right here on Jp Trails.com.

Mopar® Releases Sketches for 44th Annual Easter Jeep® Safari

Auburn Hills, Mich., Mar 12, 2010 – Mopar® is getting ready for Moab. Chrysler Group LLC’s fifth brand is preparing to reveal a truck-load of “Moparized” vehicles at the 44th annual Easter Jeep® Safari in Moab, Utah which takes place from March 27 through April 4.

The following are select sketches of the Jeep Wrangler J7, Jeep Patriot Extreme, Jeep Wrangler Trail Boss and Ram Power Wagon.

We need to be on top of this, write all your congressmen and senators and tell them you appose this.  Below you will find the link that you can quickly use to send a letter. Please change it up a bit and add some personalization.

Link to letter

A recently obtained internal document from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) shows the Obama Administration is considering a recommendation to designate over 13 million acres of public and private lands in 11 western states as National Monument areas without any public debate.  The western states are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. This unilateral action by the Administration could potentially prohibit off-highway riding in the affected areas.

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) sent a letter in response to this internal document to DOI’s Secretary Ken Salazar, dated February 18, opposing the recommendation to designate areas as National Monuments without any public input. In the letter, the AMA strongly recommended to the Secretary to “reconsider this approach and urge you to reach out to potential affected user groups, local and state elected officials and Congress for input before the disposition of any proclamations pursuant to the Antiquities Act of 1906 (Act).”

The AMA opposes any unilateral executive declarations that do not allow full public debate on the disposition of public lands. Indeed, each of these designations deserves to be considered individually to allow time for thoughtful deliberation and input from affected user groups, local and state elected officials and Congress before any proclamations are made pursuant to the Act. The AMA urges its members to contact their federal elected officials and request that they oppose the Administration’s efforts to designate areas as National Monuments without congressional input.

You can find contact information for your elected officials at AmericanMotorcyclist.com >Rights > Issues & Legislation, then enter your zip code in the “Find your Officials” box. Additionally, a prewritten e-mail is available for you to send to your federal elected official immediately by following the “Take Action” option and entering your information.

Please write or call your Senators and Representative today and ask them to oppose the Administration’s efforts to designate areas as National Monuments without public or congressional input.

Jp Trails Moab Adventure

April 1st-5th 2010 Ever been to Moab? Here’s your chance for a great Moab Getaway! Moab is the best destination to use your jeep and see spectaculuar scenery. Jp Trails will lead you through 5 days of adventure on Moab slick rock.

Day 1:Moab Rim (TR-7)

Day 2:Poison Spyder Mesa (TR-6),Golden Spike (TR-7),Gold Bar Rim(TR-7)

Day 3:Backwards Bill (TR-5)

Day 4:Hells Revenge (TR-6)

Day 5:Cliff Hanger  (-6)

More info

http://jptrails.com/jamboree-events

Do you really need a steering stabilizer? I read this forums all the time and there are a number of Jeep guys and gals out there that believe you do not need a steering stabilizer!  Lets just think for a minute…..ok if your Jeep did not need a steering stabilizer Jeep themselves would not have spent the money on installing one in your Jeep when it was new! Right?  Ok, now that we are agreeable that YOU do need a steering stabilizer lets look at our long term test subject.

The steering stabilizer before is a repainted Old Man Emu or OME for short. Why is it painted? Peer pressure I guess.  I has the OME installed when I first went with 37′s on my LJ so that would have been in 2005 and the Jeep would have had 3000 miles on it. Now the LJ has 87,000 miles on it so that is a net of 84,000 miles! I think that is more than impressive due to the fact of how many trails the Jeep has seen and with 37′s on it the whole time!  Lets take a closer look…..The bushings were slightly worn and the preasure of the stroke seems a bit less than what the shiny new one feels like. In fact I feel so good about the worn OME and I am going to give it away to another Jeeper!

Why did I change it? I developed a slight shimmy at 48mph and at 75mph and felt it was time. Yes its that simple!  Just a tip for those of you that run a Currie steering system, Keep the top bolt that fits on the drag link.  Why? The factory style bolt that is included with the OME  measures an inch longer which could have interference with your track bar. My guess….that would lead to self destruction of the OME.

The verdict? Would I buy another? You really had to ask? OF COARSE! I would highly recommend the OME steering stabilizer for any Jeep Brand product. In case you wondering I am proud to flaunt my yellow OME.

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There are many expedition/camping trailers on the market today. Most of them lack what we call SIMPLE and lightweight! Some have complex suspensions and some really neat features but what do they all have in common? Very expensive! Our vision is to bring a light weight expedition trailer to market that 85% can afford. We are targeting 400-500lbs empty using strong light weight materials. The plan is to use a high line style fender that will allow a 33″-37″ and strong 3500lb axles with a standard Jeep bolt pattern. Also we plan on a rooftop style tent and room on board for a spare tire and accesories.

We have taken our idea from the drawing board to the fabrication shop for our first prototype. We hope to have a semi completed trailer for the TDS Safari and Moab EJS to test for durability. You can follow our progress on our Face Book page www.facebook.com/jptrails

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We just scheduled Log Corral for February 9th which should be wet and slippery! Early trail reports indicate lots of washouts and challenges should make for a great trip. We also have the Desoto Mine Part 3 coming up on February 21st. Desoto Mine can be a real challenge with running water and lots of clay like mud. Stay tuned for up to date information on our future trail runs.

Log Corral run link

Desoto Mine run link

Due to the recent weather we are forced to cancel the Mud Springs trip on the 24th. We also looked into other trails and ALL area Phoenix trails pose a large risk to safety. We are replacing the trip with a family snow run up to Flagstaff  to Wing Mountain. Click below to join up.

http://www.meetup.com/Jp-Trails/calendar/12398851/

Jason De Monto
Jp Trails