New to club wheeling

[Phimosis]

Hi All,
My name is Larry. I was at 4 Wheel Parts in Bakersfield the other day and one of the sales guys asked me if I was a member of any off-road clubs and I told him no, so he suggested I look you guys up.
I'm in my 40's and have done a good deal of off-roading, but it's always been in pickups or full sized SUV's with open differentials and I'm usually travelling by myself. I like challenges, but there is only so far you can push the limits with the long wheelbase, long overhangs and without any other vehicles for assistance.
I've been living in Bakersfield for 3 years now and over time, I keep finding harder trails, slicker mud and deeper snow. Every time I get stuck or have to turn around and go back, I become more determined to get a rig that can handle the challenges. I finally bought a JK Wrangler and was checking into tires at 4 Wheel Parts when they sent me your way.
Do you guys have a regular meet and greet, or maybe short local runs on the weekend? I'm itching to get my Jeep dirty.

:-)

[casaintsfan]

Welcome to infectious Larry
Meet & greets are the 2nd Thursday of each month unless we decide to change it for some reason. Check out the up coming runs section, always something going on.

[abendx]

Alright, another JK. Welcome!

Find Desert Dog... He will soon have a stretch and coilover kit for sale with 41" tires, while he hasn't yet finished installing this setup, I am sure within two weeks, he'll be plotting it's replacement.

[AJ99]

welcome to the site. hope to see you at the meet and greet next thursday at chuys on rosedale

[Dirty LJ]

Welcome Larry!!!

[Mickey]

welcome Larry... We do everything from one day trips in the local areas to week long trips as far as you'd like to go...

[Desert Dog]

Welcome Larry. Lots of JK tech here.

[Bert338]

Welcome

[Phimosis]

Thanks for all the welcomes! I'll definitely make it to Chueys to meet everyone.

Can you guys make some recommendations for a body shop and axle shop? I was told to go to Performance Industries for axles, but when I called and asked about sleeving and gusseting a D44, they acted like they've never done one before. Likewise, I went to a few body shops and asked if they've ever trimmed the stock jeep fender flares and they looked at me like I was crazy. I've considered doing it myself, but I want it to look professional and I'm scared I'll mess them up. I've got air tools, but I've seen forum discussion say that using a high speed cut-off wheel melts the composite and that you should use nibblers (which I don't have).

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

[Dirty LJ]

Give Richard a call at G&G Offroad

G&G Auto Repair and Off Road
3410 Fruitvale Ave
Bakersfield, CA 93308
661-679-7957

[Desert Dog]

[quote="Dirty LJ"]Give Richard a call at G&G Offroad

G&G Auto Repair and Off Road
3410 Fruitvale Ave
Bakersfield, CA 93308
661-679-7957[/quote]
X2

[jcook]

Welcome, if you decide to cut your fenders I have my stock ones in the garage rafters. Off a 2010 jk 4door, your welcome to them if youd like to try them first or in case you need backups.
James


Sent from my SPH-P100 using Tapatalk

[Goatman]

Welcome to the land of Jeeps, Larry.

Just
Empty
Every
Pocket




There are a lot of great people to wheel with and hang out with here in Bakersfield, I think you'll enjoy your new direction.

[Franeebeth]

Welcome!!! Look forward to seeing you at the meet and greet!!!

[Loki XJ]

Welcome to the club!

I learned that The first cut is the deepest some go mild some do it wild. I trimmed my xj with a 5" grinder with a cut off wheel you might even find someone nice enough to trim them for you...

What's even worse than making your first cut... Is getting body damage for the first time . I remember My last trip to jawbone with a few ppl from infectious I thought I just damaged my body a lil bit but after further inspection, I popped a weep hole in my oil pan, I dented my exhaust, my gas tank skid took damage and anything that Hung low is now shiny from rock rash all because of peer pressure lol... Had I of took the easy routes my jeep would still be pretty i was sad at first but I wouldnt change my experience for anything. See ya at the meet and greet!

[Phimosis]

[quote="Mikeys_cougar"]Welcome to the club!

I learned that The first cut is the deepest some go mild some do it wild. I trimmed my xj with a 5" grinder with a cut off wheel you might even find someone nice enough to trim them for you...

What's even worse than making your first cut... Is getting body damage for the first time . I remember My last trip to jawbone with a few ppl from infectious I thought I just damaged my body a lil bit but after further inspection, I popped a weep hole in my oil pan, I dented my exhaust, my gas tank skid took damage and anything that Hung low is now shiny from rock rash all because of peer pressure lol... Had I of took the easy routes my jeep would still be pretty i was sad at first but I wouldnt change my experience for anything. See ya at the meet and greet![/quote]

Well, I went to Richard and had him hook me up with gussets and sleeves. He was kind enough to throw me some extra welds on the track bar weak spots and remove my steering stabilizer that I had crushed within my first few outings. Now I just need to get a relocation kit and a new stabilizer. Thanks for the advice on where to go.

On the body damage.... Hmm. I've already made a few trips off-road to Hungry Valley and Rancheria Road and hung it up on rocks, crunched the steeering stabilizer, crushed my exhaust exit shut and got a dent in the oil pan. I think bent the tie rod a little too, but I can't tell any difference in handling. Fortunately, no weep hole in the oil pan! I'm thinking a skid plate for the oil pan is in order.

Oh, I'm used to forums auto-subscribing me to any thread I post in then having it send me email notifications when someone responds. Can this forum be set up like that? If so, can you tell me how to do it?

Thanks. See you all Thursday.

-Larry

[Dirty LJ]

Larry, PM sent about the auto-notify

[Desert Dog]

[quote="Phimosis"]Now I just need to get a relocation kit and a new stabilizer. [/quote]
Larry, I highly recommend the Woods kit from Jeep Swag. Simple, easy, and effective if you don't have fabrication or welding skills.

http://www.jeepswag.com/jeep_jk_steerin ... index.html

[Phimosis]

[quote="desert dog"][quote="Phimosis"]Now I just need to get a relocation kit and a new stabilizer. [/quote]
Larry, I highly recommend the Woods kit from Jeep Swag. Simple, easy, and effective if you don't have fabrication or welding skills.

http://www.jeepswag.com/jeep_jk_steerin ... index.html[/quote]


I already got a pro-comp stabilizer for $35 at 4 wheel parts because the things was all over the road without a stabilizer. Then, I just sent an order off for a synergy suspension relocation kit right before visiting this page. Lol.