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  Project CJ-7
  
Jeep Project CJ-7

An ongoing Budgeted Rebuild/Build up of a Rock Crawling Machine.

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HEI Ignition
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other Differentials Explained


Jeep Dana 300 TeraLow - 4:1 Gearset for the Dana 300 Transfer Case

  


Smoke rises out of the ground, the smell of sulfur is in the air, the ground collapses as homes are destroyed.
Science fiction?
Think again.

 


2007 Jeep Wrangler JK
Jeep Wrangler JK Specs

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Hummer H3


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Suspension Lift Installations and Reviews

 

 

 

 

Hill Ascent

It is usually best to tackle a hill climb that’s any sort of challenge in low range. Although you may be able to just reach the top of a hill climb in 1st high, it doesn't leave you with any lower gears if the need arises. By using say 2nd or 3rd low range instead of 1st high, you have lower gears available if needed. If you run out of gears on a hill climb, you may have to back down to the bottom of the hill and start again. Most 5-speed gearboxes allow vehicles to travel up to 6Okm/h in low range, so you don't have to be continually swapping between low and high range as you travel between hills.

Diesel vehicles are generally better for hill ascents and descents as they usually have better low rpm torque for climbing the hill and higher engine compression for descending. However, in long sandy hill ascents, where traction is low and a run-up is required, the greater power of gas engines can be an advantage.

eric-down2.jpg (17454 bytes)Hill Descent

When descending hills, you should always be in low range and have selected the gear required before descending. You should always avoid braking on downhill sections as you run the risk of locking up your wheels, causing a slide. Engine braking slows the vehicle without causing wheel lockup. However it is better to use the brakes than allow the vehicle to 'run away' and pick up speed. Always apply the brakes gently, rather than applying them abruptly and risking a wheel lockup.

Often hills get steeper the further you go down, so its best to be in 1st low from the beginning rather than having to try and change gear halfway down. When changing down a gear while descending, it is best to be feathering the brakes as you depress the clutch, as otherwise the vehicle freewheels while the clutch is depressed and picks up speed. It is far better to be in too low a gear and travel down slowly rather than be in too high a gear and have a potentially dangerous situation arise.

Hill Stall Recovery

A very common occurrence on hill climbs is the stalling of the vehicle when the hill becomes too steep. When this occurs, you will be left in gear with the engine switched on but stalled. To recover from this situation you should perform a Hill Stall Recovery, rather than just fire up the engine. This is accomplished by:

  • Switch the (stalled) engine off and place your foot firmly on the brake.
  • Depress the clutch and select reverse gear in low range.
  • Take your foot off the clutch then slowly take your foot off the brake. The vehicle is now in reverse gear with the stalled engine stopping it from rolling down the hill.
  • After checking the track behind is clear, start the engine and keep your feet off all pedals.
  • The starter motor will start to drive the vehicle backwards as the engine begins to fire.

This will result in a smooth downhill progression while starting the engine and ensuring you have been in gear at all times. If you simply start the engine and then select reverse gear, it will result in a fast jerky takeoff and being out of gear during some stage of the takeoff.

The Hill Stall Recovery does not apply to automatic vehicles as they should never stall, just lose forward drive when the hill becomes too steep for the gear its in. When this occurs, simply place your foot on the brake while restarting the engine, select the appropriate gear and gently take your foot off the brake.

A lesser used method after an uphill stall can be done in situations where the terrain is not extremely steep and you wish to continue forward up the hill but you do not wish to attempt to let the clutch out while trying due to tire spin.  This method only applies to manual transmissions and drive trains that have very low forward gears.  By leaving the vehicle in gear and starting the engine without pressing the clutch in the vehicle will begin to move forward while the engine fires.  Once the engine fires you can begin forward movement.  This method is hard on the starter and electrical system and should not be attempted on very steep terrain due to the possible overload on the electrical system and starter.  Some vehicles will not allow the starter to be engaged if the vehicle's clutch is not depressed.  In some cases this feature can be overridden by use of a clutch safety cancel switch.

Vehicle Rolloverr2.jpg (19012 bytes)

Hills should always be tackled straight up or down and sideway slopes avoided like the plague. A vehicle has to be at an extreme angle for it to roll head to tail, whereas a sideways roll can occur at much more modest angles. The way your luggage is packed has a pronounced affect on the angle a vehicle will roll sideways. You should avoid placing containers of extra fuel and water on the roof of your vehicle, as this will significantly decrease the angle at which a rollover is possible. This occurs because the extra weight on the top of a vehicle increases the 'center of gravity'. Heavy gear should always be packed low inside the vehicle and as centered as possible while only lightweight gear should be placed on roof racks.

The type of terrain will also affect the sideways rollover angle. In sand, mud or other soft terrain the weight transfer to the downhill wheels will cause them to sink, increasing the actual slope angle. So what may appear an acceptable angle on firm terrain may result in a rollover on soft terrain.

Offroad Tire Info
P-Metric Tire Sizes Conversion to Inches
Tire Terminology
Wheel Terminology
How to Pick the Right
Tires for your Truck
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Tires - What Hits What Fits
  
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Super Swamper Bogger
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Interco IROK TSL
Super Swamper LTB
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Interco SS-M16 Swamper
Thornbird TSl Radial
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Parnelli Jone Dirt Grip
BFGoodrich Krawler
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Kelly-Springfield Safari DTR
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Kumho Road Venture AT
Dick Cepek Mud Country
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Dick Cepek Fun Country Nylon
Dick Cepek Fun Country Kevlar
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Michelin LTX A/T²
Michelin LTX AT2 Press
Michelin LTX AT2
Mickey Thompson MTZ
Mickey Thompson MTX
Mickey Thompson Baja Claw Radial
Mickey Thompson Baja Claw Bias
Mickey Thompson Baja Crusher
Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ Radial SLT
Competition Claw
Dunlop Mud Rover
Federal Couragia M/T
Nitto Dura Grappler
Yokohama Geolandar
  
Dick Cepek's 2008 F-250 Super Duty Project Vehicle – Project CRUSHER
 
Mud Tire Reviews


Toyota
FJ Cruiser

Capacities
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Photo Gallery
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FJ Cruiser Reviews


Paragon Adventure Park
Rock Krawl

Thousands more
photos here..»

 



Off-Road Lights
by LightForce Product Review / Installation.
from Off-Road Lights

 


Black Diamond Suspension Lift instal

 for CJ-7

Ramp Travel Index
RTI / Ramp Travel Index What it is and how to calculate it, with and without the ramp.

Offroaders Guide to Gearing up for Offroad
From Basic Equipment to Well Equipped.  An extensive list guide to help you prepare your vehicle for the offroad.

Do it Yourself
Detriot EZ Locker Install  in a 92 Toyota 8" rear


For all the Jeep
Fans out there!

Department of Cheap Tricks and Useful Tips
  
Ultra-Cool Hand Throttle for Free!

Jeep V8 Swap Tips

The Exploding Clutch

Radiator Protection using 6 bucks worth of material

Cracked Under Pressure - Fixing a smashed fingernail

A Cheap, effective alternative to undercoating

Home-built Saginaw Gearbox Brace for the cost of lunch!

Ammo Box Storage - Mounting Them for Quick Disconnect

Home-built Serious Skid-Plate protection for the Oil Pan for under 20 bucks!

  

Building a Garage?
Need a Garage Plan?
Need a House Plan?
 


Knoebels Amusement Park