wildweaselmi

Okay, now Holidays are over its time for an update... not much has happened. Al, helped me getting some heat working (needed a new blower motor and some switch). He also helped me getting my washer fluid to pump some washer fluid on my window to clear off some mud (bad wiper delay module). Vibration is a remaining issue. He did locate a bad transmission mount (crazy to think the transmission place didn't discover that since its only been in and out how many times?) but Al did the right thing a replaced it to hopefully help with some of the vibration. He took off the front driveshaft and the vibration seemed to decrease but still noticeable (very noticeable when four wheel drive is engaged and running at low speeds). So the thought is pinion angle is wrong which I brought up to Unlimited Offroad before when I noticed the vibration but they said it was first because of a rear brake caliper too tight on the rotor which warped it causing the vibration so they fixed that. Then they said it was transfer case or transmission (but don't forget they said it was the motor mounts before which I never had issues before, only after new axles have been installed did vibration issues start occurring). So to address the vibration I'm going to a different offroad shop. I'm trying my luck at Michigan Offroad Center in Lansing (about an hour drive for me) we'll see what they have to say on Monday. Also Al noticed when Unlimited Offroad installed the exhaust they mounted a hanger to the body (WTH).. so vibration noises carry from suspension to body. Stupid! So I need to schedule an appointment with Muffler Man to have it fixed. Not to mention you can hear like a bolt or something rattling around inside the new muffler. That's where we are today

Looks like before I purchase a new transmission and torque converter from Monster Transmission my buddy Al and I are going to do some quick troubleshooting to make sure I'm not just spending $3000 for no reason. Our plan is to remove the front drive shaft and see if the noise/vibration goes away (I don't think it will have any difference since the front axle isn't locked and the transfer case is in 2H which means the front driveshaft isn't even turning) Next we remove the rear driveshaft and put the front one back in and see if the vibration goes away. (this will definitly help identify the rear axle or even the Tom Woods driveshaft as being part of the vibration. This also could tell me if the angle from driveshaft to rear axles isn't good enough) If the vibration doesn't change after removing the driveshafts then it has to be the torque converter. Currently I have the stage 3 hughes performance torque converter for 2300-2500 stall. I would keep the same stall but possibly go with a different manufacturer

Today I paid my buddy Al $200 to help me swap transfer case I got from kodiactruck. Hoping this would remove the horrible vibration I get when going at a decent speed (65-80mph). Had to put 5w30 full synthetic motor oil in the np231c transfer case per what kodiactruck required. I used valvoline and it took 3qts. this didn't fix vibration. Next guess is torque converter and possibly trans from monster

1805 South Yankee Springs Road Middleville, MI 49333 phone 269- 795-3280 Found right next to Yankee Springs State Recreation Area Barry_SGA_map.pdf

Transmission shop had it for a week. They replaced the trans with another 700r4 rebuilt trans and same vibration at 3rd and 4th. They also replaced everything in the np241c transfer case to include a new chain. Only thing not replaced is the output drive. They looked for a replacement transfer case but since this is a one year only transfer case (passenger side drop and VSS included) it's a difficult task which they couldn't accomplish. So transmission shop is done. When I got the truck home, I had a weird thought if it could be a wrong flex plate. On the GM 383 engines it has to be an externally balanced flex plate so I popped the cover off and see it is externally balanced as it should be. so I looked all over Craigslist and eBay for a replacement transfer case for a 91 which would have the VSS. Found some maybes and then I ran into KodiakTruck.com and he had one. With shipping it cost me around $900 but I have a solid case on the way. Will keep you posted. If this ends up being a fail then my next move is a new monster transmission which comes with a new torque converter which would be the last two items to replace then it's back to Unlimited to check axles and drive shafts, again, only if issue is still there.

Always the question comes up, where do I go for Square Body Parts. It appears most offroad manufacturers now days all focus on Jeeps and Jeeps alone leaving anyone not a follower in the dust. Here are some places to check out.... Offroad Design - focuses on square body after market

Front Bumper has been powder coated and winch installed. Still need to move box to engine compartment but it requires more wire.

There are tons of manufacturers of LED lighting for your vehicle but the one you'll find more commonly on vehicles is RIGID Industries.

Yea, you can pack what you want to travel long distances but sometimes you just didn't bring enough and could be stuck in a situation where you don't have any food and could really use some. Check out Mountain House for some emergency freeze dried food ideas.

It's nice to be comfortable and some clothing that helps achieve that is a company called Triple Aught. Though a bit pricey, I believe you'll really enjoy there products.

It's tough to find a bag that fits your need and still can take a beating. Normally us unexperienced would go to your local hardware store and try and make a bag work. If you want quality bags you should really check out Red Oxx. I personally like the Flying Boxcar and the Tri-fold Shaving Kit

So in researching all the possible Roof Top Tents available, one brand keeps showing up as the one to get and its Eezi-Awn. Check out the selection offered by EQUIPT (Expedition Outfitters)

Motor mount drivers side is hitting frame. Dealership no longer can get part but did tell me replacement part number is 14071967

So, somehow the K5 got pushed back in line and hopefully they'll look at it tomorrow. They are still waiting for the front bumper to come back from powder coating but they need to fix the vibration that could be from the rear brake caliper even though I have a feeling the issue is more in relation to the driveline but we'll find out. Once the K5 is in the garage, items that need to be accomplished: Fix rear brake caliper Fix Vibration (especially at freeway speeds) Mount the 37.5" KO2's on the 5 Hutchinson Rims Mount the new Powder Coated Front Bumper Install the 12,000lb winch which includes remote module and hard wired to dash I'll need to bring the truck down and get the old ProComp Rims and old front bumper.

On a side note, the hutchinson bead lock rims came in. Obviously they'll look way nicer on the K5 then in the box.

The UD1 front Bumper for DIY4x with a mock install and now it needs to go get powder coated the satin black so it matches the back. some negative comments on the 2" square holes. This was suppose to be for lights but the angle is wrong for flush mount. Hole is to small for any square light. Looks like I'll be using it for hi-lift jack mounting point instead and coming up with something for my lights.

So an update. Engine Learned that the performance issue was due to not getting the required 43psi fuel pressure to the fuel injection. Why? It appears the tank was rusted up pretty good inside the tank. Flakes and rust scales were attaching to the sock and restrictin that needed fuel pressure. solution: upgrade tank from 25gal to 31gal which included replacing sending unit as well as replacing fuel pump and fuel filter in the event it got any of that dirt/rust from tank. Transmission So very disappointed in Frayley Transmission in Pontiac. They use to be the shop to go to for transmission work but this trans is been there multiple times and every time I have issues. 1st time it was a bad torque converter 2nd time it was something to do with lockup not working so he drilled a hole? It took more than a week to fix. Now it's throwIng fluid everywhere... So gotta go back. Suspension Unlimited Offroad needs to work on axles. Horrible vibration when u r moving. Some say that you need an angle on the driveshaft and that it can't just go straight in. Simple fix would be to change the shim Some think it's back lash is set incorrect Unlimited said motor mounts was the issue but no one else can see that issue

2016 – Top Off Road Trails & Parks in America With over 12,600 responses from off-roading enthusiasts, PartCatalog has compiled the top off road trails and rides of choice for 39 states in America. Through Facebook correspondence and word of mouth from parks, trails, and off-roading clubs, respondents learned about the survey and were excited to share their top picks for The 2016 Top Off Road Trails & Parks in America. To compile these results, we asked three questions: What state do you live in? What is your ride of choice? What are the Top 5 Off Road destinations? Alabama 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Stony Lonesome – Bremen, AL #2 Hawk Pride Mountain – Tuscumbia, AL #3 Choccolocco Mountain – Jacksonville, AL #4 Gray Rock – Gardendale, AL #5 Top Trails – Talladega, AL Ride of Choice #1 Polaris RZR #2 Buggy #3 Can Am Maverick Arkansas 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Hot Springs ORV – Hot Springs, AR #2 Mack’s Pines – Dover, AR #3 Hillarosa – Blevins, AR #4 Carter’s OffRoad – Alexander, AR #5 Byrd’s Adventure Center – Ozark, AR Ride of Choice #1 Jeep Wrangler #2 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon #3 Polaris RZR Arizona 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Lake Havasu – Lake Havasu City, AZ #2 Broken Arrow – Sedona, AZ #3 President’s Choice – Parker, AZ #4 Arizona Peace Trail – Quartzsite, AZ #5 Charouleau Gap – Tucson, AZ Ride of Choice #1 Wrangler Rubicon #2 Jeep Wrangler #3 Arctic Cat California 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Rubicon – Georgetown, CA #2 Ocotillo Wells – Borrego Springs, CA #3 Johnson Valley – Johnson Valley, CA #4 Glamis Sand Dunes – El Centro, CA #5 Big Bear (John Bull) – Big Bear City, CA Ride of Choice #1 Jeep Wrangler #2 Wrangler Rubicon #3 Motorcycle or ATV Colorado 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Black Bear Pass – Telluride, CO #2 Imogene Pass – Ouray, CO #3 Ouray – Ouray, CO #4 Taylor Park – Tincup, CO #5 Alpine Loop – Telluride, CO Ride of Choice #1 Wrangler Rubicon #2 Jeep Wrangler #3 Toyota Land Cruiser Florida 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Ocala National Forest – Silver Springs, FL #2 Florida Cracker Ranch – Bunnell, FL #3 Hog Waller – Palatka, FL #4 Hardrock – Ocala, FL #5 Iron Horse Mud Ranch – Perry, FL Ride of Choice #1 Polaris RZR #2 Can Am Outlander #3 Jeep Wrangler Georgia 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Durhamtown – Union Point, GA #2 Highland Park – Cedartown, GA #3 Possum Creek – Ray City, GA #4 Fat Daddy’s – Blairsville, GA #5 Moccasin Creek – Blackshear, GA Ride of Choice #1 Polaris RZR #2 Motorcycle or ATV #3 Yamaha Rhino Illinois 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 The Cliffs Insane Terrain – Marseilles, IL #2 Two Rivers Jeep Club – Pittsfield, IL #3 Little Egypt – Marion, IL #4 Fox Valley Off Road – Ottawa, IL #5 South Fork – Taylorville, IL Ride of Choice #1 Jeep Wrangler #2 Wrangler Rubicon #3 Jeep YJ Indiana 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Badlands – Attica, IN #2 Haspin Acres – Laurel, IN #3 Redbird – Linton, IN #4 Interlake – Lynnville, IN #5 Lawrence County Recreational Park – Springville, IN Ride of Choice #1 Polaris RZR #2 Motorcycle or ATV #3 Jeep Wrangler Kansas 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Kansas Rocks – Mapleton, KS #2 Tuttle Creek ORV – Randolph, KS #3 Central Kansas Offroad – Florence, KS #4 Kansas Badlands – South Haven, KS #5 Syracuse Sand Dunes – Syracuse, KS Ride of Choice #1 Jeep Wrangler #2 Wrangler Rubicon #3 Jeep Cherokee Kentucky 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Black Mountain – Harlan, KY #2 Dirty Turtle – Bedford, KY #3 Wildcat Offroad Park – London, KY #4 Rush Offroad – Rush, KY #5 Turkey Bay – Golden Pond, KY Ride of Choice #1 Polaris RZR #2 Kawasaki Teryx #3 Polaris Sportsman Louisiana 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Muddy Bottoms – Sarepta, LA #2 Catahoula Recreation Area – Sicily Island, LA #3 Tower Trax – Fluker, LA #4 South Toledo – Anacoco, LA #5 Cooterville – Delhi, LA Ride of Choice #1 Jeep Wrangler #2 Polaris RZR #3 Rock Bouncer Massachusetts 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Gremlin Graveyard – Sturbridge, MA #2 Old Florida Road – Adams, MA #3 Cape Cod National Seashore – Wellfleet, MA #4 Pittsfield State Forest – Pittsfield, MA #5 Nauset Beach – East Orleans, MA Ride of Choice #1 Jeep Wrangler #2 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon #3 Nissan Xterra Maine 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Rocky Mountain Terrain Park – Carthage, ME #2 Wicked Hills – South China, ME #3 Maine Jeep Jamboree – Bethel, ME #4 Aroostook – Presque Isle, ME #5 Down East Sunrise – Ellsworth, ME Ride of Choice #1 Jeep Cherokee #2 Motorcycle or ATV #3 Four Wheeler Maryland 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Assateague Island Beach – Berlin, MD #2 Budds Creek – Mechanicsville, MD #3 Backbone – Oakland, MD #4 Savage River – Grantsville, MD #5 Piney Mountain – Friendsville, MD Ride of Choice #1 Polaris RZR #2 Motorcycle or ATV #3 Jeep Wrangler Michigan 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Bundy Hill – Jerome, MI #2 Rocks & Valleys – Harrison, MI #3 Silver Lake – Mears, MI #4 Drummond Island – Drummond, MI #5 Washita Offroad Park – Farmington, MI Ride of Choice #1 Jeep Wrangler #2 Wrangler Rubicon #3 Motorcycle or ATV Minnesota 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Iron Range OHV Area – Gilbert, MN #2 Snake Creek – Kellogg, MN #3 Spider Lake – Pine River, MN #4 Appleton OHV Park – Appleton, MN #5 Moose Walk – Finland, MN Ride of Choice #1 Arctic Cat #2 Jeep CJ-7 #3 Polaris Sportsman Mississippi 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Mudslangers – Woodland, MS #2 Muddy Joe’s – Kiln, MS #3 Red Creek Offroad – Perkinston, MS #4 Barnyard Mudboggers – Fulton, MS #5 Burdens Creek – Mount Olive, MS Ride of Choice #1 Polaris RZR #2 Honda Rancher #3 Land Cruiser Missouri 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 SMORR – Seymour, MO #2 Flat Nasty – Jadwin, MO #3 Moonlight Racing – Sullivan, MO #4 Rush Springs – Pineville, MO #5 Bricks – Poplar Bluff, MO Ride of Choice #1 Jeep Wrangler #2 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon #3 Jeep Cherokee Nebraska 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Off Road Ranch – Norfolk, NE #2 Dismal River Trail – Halsey, NE #3 Hole in the Rock – Escalante, UT, NE #4 White Sands Raceway – Ashland, NE #5 Fiddler Creek MX – Homer, NE Ride of Choice #1 Jeep Wrangler #2 Wrangler Rubicon #3 Toyota Tacoma Nevada 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Rock Bottom – Logandale, NV #2 Tie Rod Canyon – Las Vegas, NV #3 Hunter Lake Trail – Reno, NV #4 Bronco Falls – Logandale, NV #5 Ryan’s Trail – Nelson, NV Ride of Choice #1 Jeep Wrangler #2 Toyota FJ Cruiser #3 Motorcycle or ATV New Hampshire 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Field & Forest – Harrisville, NH #2 Little Monadnock Family Trails – Troy, NH #3 Ride the Wilds – Coos County, NH #4 Carnage Hill – Richmond, NH #5 Classic 6 Roads – New Hampshire, NH Ride of Choice #1 Wrangler Rubicon #2 Ford Bronco #3 Jeep Cherokee New Jersey 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Pine Barrens – Hammonton, NJ #2 Wharton State Forest – Hammonton, NJ #3 Island Beach State Park – Seaside Park, NJ #4 Atco MX – Atco, NJ #5 Butterfly Bogs – Jackson, NJ Ride of Choice #1 Jeep Wrangler #2 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon #3 Jeep Cherokee New Mexico 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Chokecherry Canyon – Farmington, NM #2 Las Cruces – Las Cruces, NM #3 Chama – Chama, NM #4 Gordy’s Hill – Socorro, NM #5 Red River Offroad – Red River, NM Ride of Choice #1 Wrangler Rubicon #2 Polaris RZR #3 Jeep Wrangler New York 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Tall Pines – Andover, NY #2 Tar Hollow – Hancock, NY #3 Demon Run Trails – Cath, NY #4 Whispering Pines Hideaway – Lyons, NY #5 Lewis County (Tug Hill) – Lowville, NY Ride of Choice #1 Jeep Wrangler #2 Motorcycle or ATV #3 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon North Carolina 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Uwharrie National Forest – Uwharrie, NC #2 Tellico – Murphy, NC #3 Brown Mountain – Morganton, NC #4 Dirt City USA – Polkton, NC #5 Brushy Mountain – Taylorsville, NC Ride of Choice #1 Jeep Wrangler #2 Polaris RZR #3 Motorcycle or ATV Ohio 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Southington Offroad Park – Garrettsville, OH #2 Wellsville – Wellsville, OH #3 Yankee Lake – Brookfield, OH #4 Phoenix Offroad Park – Wintersville, OH #5 Powerline Park – St Clairsville, OH Ride of Choice #1 Polaris RZR #2 Jeep Wrangler #3 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Oklahoma 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Disney (Hogan’s) – Disney, OK #2 Arbuckle – Mill Creek, OK #3 Clayton (Green Acres) – Clayton, OK #4 Little Sahara – Waynoka, OK #5 Sundog Trails – Lexington, OK Ride of Choice #1 Polaris RZR #2 Jeep Wrangler #3 Wrangler Rubicon Oregon 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Oregon Dunes – Reedsport, OR #2 Blue Ridge Trails – Coos Bay, OR #3 Christmas Valley Sand Dunes – Christmas Valley, OR #4 Santiam Pass – Mckenzie Bridge, OR #5 Firebreak Five – Tillamook, OR Ride of Choice #1 Wrangler Rubicon #2 Jeep YJ #3 Toyota Land Cruiser Pennsylvania 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Rausch Creek – Tremont, PA #2 Anthracite Adv Area – Coal Township, PA #3 Majestic Trails – Smethport, PA #4 Rock Run Recreation – Patton, PA #5 New Lost Trails (Ride Lost Trails) – Dunmore, PA Ride of Choice #1 Jeep Wrangler #2 Wrangler Rubicon #3 Jeep Cherokee South Carolina 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Carolina Adventure World – Winnsboro, SC #2 Gulches Offroad Park – Waterloo, SC #3 Battery Park – Nesmith, SC #4 Pine Grove – Westminster, SC #5 Sand Hill – Chesterfield, SC Ride of Choice #1 Polaris RZR #2 Toyota Land Cruiser #3 Kawasaki Teryx South Dakota 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Black Hills – Custer, SD #2 Talsma’s Trail – Avon, SD #3 Oahe Downstream – Fort Pierre, SD #4 Baja ORV – Interior, SD #5 Revheim Bay – Mobridge, SD Ride of Choice #1 Wrangler Rubicon #2 Polaris Ranger #3 Jeep Wrangler Tennessee 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Windrock – Oliver Springs, TN #2 Ride Royal Blue – Pioneer, TN #3 Brimstone – Huntsville, TN #4 Adventure Offroad Park – Pittsburg, TN #5 Golden Mountain – Sparta, TN Ride of Choice #1 Polaris RZR #2 Jeep Wrangler #3 Buggy/Rock Bouncer Texas 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Hidden Falls Adv Park – Marble Falls, TX #2 Wolf Caves – Mason, TX #3 Barnwell Mountain – Gilmer, TX #4 Katemcy Rocks – Mason, TX #5 Bridgeport OHV – Bridgeport, TX Ride of Choice #1 Jeep Wrangler #2 Wrangler Rubicon #3 Jeep CJ-7 Utah 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Moab – Moab, UT #2 Sand Hollow – Hurricane, UT #3 Hell’s Revenge – Grand County, UT #4 Paiute Trails – Maryville, UT #5 Behind the Rocks – Moab, UT Ride of Choice #1 Land Cruiser #2 Toyota 4Runner #3 Land Rover Virginia – 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Big Dogs – Gore, VA #2 George Wash Natl Forest – Hollins, VA #3 Red Cloud – Woodbridge, VA #4 Spearhead Trails – Norton, VA #5 Potts Mountain – Covington, VA Ride of Choice #1 Jeep Wrangler #2 Wrangler Rubicon #3 Nissan Xterra Washington – 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Moses Lake Mud Flats and Sand Dunes – Grant, WA #2 Walker Valley – Mt Vernon, WA #3 Evans Creek ORV – Carbonado, WA #4 Beverly Dunes – Royal City, WA #5 Juniper Dunes – Pasco, WA Ride of Choice #1 Jeep Grand Cherokee #2 Chevrolet Blazer #3 Polaris RZR West Virginia – 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Hatfield McCoys – Lyburn, WV #2 Chaos Offroad Park – Capon Bridge, WV #3 Burning Rock – Tams, WV #4 King Knob – Philippi, WV #5 Bear Wallow – Logan, WV Ride of Choice #1 Can Am Commander #2 Polaris RZR #3 Jeep Wrangler Wisconsin – 2016 Top Off Road Trails #1 Black River State Forest – Jackson County, WI #2 Cheese County Trails – Monroe, WI #3 Eagle River – Eagle River, WI #4 Florence County – Florence, WI #5 Apple Valley – New Auburn, WI Ride of Choice #1 Wrangler Rubicon #2 Jeep Wrangler #3 Honda Pioneer REFERENCE SOURCE: https://www.partcatalog.com/blog/top-off-road-trails-in-america/

Ordered a spare tire cover custom for GearCrushers

Exhaust is on (sounds good but a bit louder than expected with the Flowmaster Super 40's) Still have Transmission issues even after it spent a week at Frayley's... they did discover the torque converter was shot so the new Hughes 3 stage is working good in comparison. Trans Department I need to figure out where the leak is coming from since I'm seeing drops of trans fluid on my garage floor Engine Department I need to get some help figuring out how to tune the Holly Stealth Terminator EFI (apparently its more difficult than predicted)