Brandon's Arles Blue TJ

[bbaldwin237]

UCF ultra clearance skid installed. No exhaust work needed. Still need to adjust pinion angle.

Edit: Actually ended up getting the engine skid installed too.

 

[bbaldwin237]

UCF aluminum tank skid is on. Fun fact, if you have an Artec rear plate bumper (and probably all plate bumpers) you get to take your rear bumper off to drop the tank. I remember noticing when I installed the bumper but thought that was a problem for future me. Had a bit of a time getting the forward bolts lined up but eventually got them.

May go at the adjustable rear track bar soon. Time to eat some lunch though.

 

[bbaldwin237]

Decided to slap some stickers on the new skids. Then they'll just get replaced and added to as stuff gets torn off. It'll be interesting to see which ones survive the longest. The ones on the tank skid should be alright where they are.

 

[Wildman]

UCF aluminum tank skid is on. Fun fact, if you have an Artec rear plate bumper (and probably all plate bumpers) you get to take your rear bumper off to drop the tank. I remember noticing when I installed the bumper but thought that was a problem for future me. Had a bit of a time getting the forward bolts lined up but eventually got them.
View attachment 662189

May go at the adjustable rear track bar soon. Time to eat some lunch though.

It'll be interesting to see how it holds up for you... I can't remember if others have tried the UCF aluminum skid or not but I know @Woodrow had to replace his aluminum GR skid with a steel one. I got the GR tank with a aluminum skid but I'm tucked up a little higher plus I don't have as much overhang with the axle pushed back. So we'll see.

 

[bbaldwin237]

It'll be interesting to see how it holds up for you... I can't remember if others have tried the UCF aluminum skid or not but I know @Woodrow had to replace his aluminum GR skid with a steel one. I got the GR tank with a aluminum skid but I'm tucked up a little higher plus I don't have as much overhang with the axle pushed back. So we'll see.

I'm optimistic with how loved the Savvy skid was (same thickness of 6061 and tucked 1"). I almost went with something like the Barnes which was substantially cheaper but heavier. The early TJ skid is so flimsy and thin that this has to be a huge improvement!

 

[bbaldwin237]

Also, the last time we were out, I whacked the tank skid pretty hard right by the driver's side opening of the early skid. It bent a section up that was gouging into the tank. I got a small pry bar on it and then was able to use some pliers and bend it back off the tank.

 

[Wildman]

Also, the last time we were out, I whacked the tank skid pretty hard right by the driver's side opening of the early skid. It bent a section up that was gouging into the tank. I got a small pry bar on it and then was able to use some pliers and bend it back off the tank.

I'd swapped out my fuel tank in 20007 back when GR first offered their long range tank for the TJ. It'd been in Tonys YJ or TJ I think. I beat on my old tank skid too and back then was going to buy a Kilby fuel tank skid.

 

[Woodrow]

It'll be interesting to see how it holds up for you... I can't remember if others have tried the UCF aluminum skid or not but I know @Woodrow had to replace his aluminum GR skid with a steel one. I got the GR tank with a aluminum skid but I'm tucked up a little higher plus I don't have as much overhang with the axle pushed back. So we'll see.

I'm optimistic with how loved the Savvy skid was (same thickness of 6061 and tucked 1"). I almost went with something like the Barnes which was substantially cheaper but heavier. The early TJ skid is so flimsy and thin that this has to be a huge improvement!

Also, the last time we were out, I whacked the tank skid pretty hard right by the driver's side opening of the early skid. It bent a section up that was gouging into the tank. I got a small pry bar on it and then was able to use some pliers and bend it back off the tank.

Apparently, I'm not very respectful of my tank skid. The 3/16" steel GR variant is still straight but still has many scratches. Hopefully the stretch will protect the tank even more. I can't imagine halfway serious wheeling with my original '97 paper Mache skid

 

[Wildman]

Apparently, I'm not very respectful of my tank skid. The 3/16" steel GR variant is still straight but still has many scratches. Hopefully the stretch will protect the tank even more. I can't imagine halfway serious wheeling with my original '97 paper Mache skid

I don't know what the newer skids weigh but the only GR tank I had was heavy.... Which was why I'd gone with the aluminum... We'll see how it holds up... So far it's doing OK.... We'll see after this trip what it looks like.

 

[bbaldwin237]

Apparently, I'm not very respectful of my tank skid. The 3/16" steel GR variant is still straight but still has many scratches. Hopefully the stretch will protect the tank even more. I can't imagine halfway serious wheeling with my original '97 paper Mache skid

Every time I dropped off a rock or anything I would cringe until it either hit or cleared! lol

For where I do the bulk of my wheeling it should be a big upgrade. Those once a year trips to somewhere else should be ok.

 

[bbaldwin237]

Got all 5 broke down in about 25 minutes or so. Wasn't terribly difficult, but cost a little sweat. The o-rings are pretty flattened out, so for $125 I just went ahead and ordered 5 new o-rings from Northridge. Just going to leave the Jeep on Jack stands for a few days. That'll give me time to clean up the wheels, get the weights off, and then mount once the rings come in.

I've got a guy that's supposed to buy my old wheels and the Falkens on Friday. If so, I'll be into these Yokohama's and Rock Monsters for like $1700.

I had a guy this morning reach out on my ad with the tires that shows the Rock Monsters. He missed out on them on Marketplace last week and offered to trade some new steel 17" beadlocks and new 37s. Sorry bud!

 

[Wildman]

Got all 5 broke down in about 25 minutes or so. Wasn't terribly difficult, but cost a little sweat. The o-rings are pretty flattened out, so for $125 I just went ahead and ordered 5 new o-rings from Northridge. Just going to leave the Jeep on Jack stands for a few days. That'll give me time to clean up the wheels, get the weights off, and then mount once the rings come in.
View attachment 662464

I've got a guy that's supposed to buy my old wheels and the Falkens on Friday. If so, I'll be into these Yokohama's and Rock Monsters for like $1700.

I had a guy this morning reach out on my ad with the tires that shows the Rock Monsters. He missed out on them on Marketplace last week and offered to trade some new steel 17" beadlocks and new 37s. Sorry bud!

Those inserts are nice compared to the ones for the Stazworks rims I have. I have to use a strap to install or remove mine.

And then it's a fight to get into or out of the tire.

Once it is in the tire you let it spring back out to it's original shape. I use longer bolts to pull the rim halves together.

I grease the o-rinngss up a little to try and keep them supple.

 

[Wildman]

You might want to check with Hutchinson about their inserts and see if they have different ones for specific tires. I know with the Stanzworks they offer different inserts because some tires have thicker beads.

 

[Apparition]

You might want to check with Hutchinson about their inserts and see if they have different ones for specific tires. I know with the Stanzworks they offer different inserts because some tires have thicker beads.

Couldn’t have suggested that when they were open to call?

 

[Wildman]

Couldn’t have suggested that when they were open to call?

I'd just remembered it when I saw his pictures.

 

[GoldenGorilla]

Decided to slap some stickers on the new skids. Then they'll just get replaced and added to as stuff gets torn off. It'll be interesting to see which ones survive the longest. The ones on the tank skid should be alright where they are.
View attachment 662238View attachment 662239

If you can read these stickers, turn me over

 

[bbaldwin237]

Those inserts are nice compared to the ones for the Stazworks rims I have. I have to use a strap to install or remove mine.

View attachment 662475

View attachment 662476

And then it's a fight to get into or out of the tire.

View attachment 662477

Once it is in the tire you let it spring back out to it's original shape. I use longer bolts to pull the rim halves together.

View attachment 662478

I grease the o-rinngss up a little to try and keep them supple.

View attachment 662479

View attachment 662480

These were firm but pliable. I was able to reach in and grab the far side and just drag it out. Definitely not anything crazy.

You might want to check with Hutchinson about their inserts and see if they have different ones for specific tires. I know with the Stanzworks they offer different inserts because some tires have thicker beads.

They do make two different inserts. Tonight or tomorrow I'm planning to measure the bead on both sets of tires and see what they're like.

Also, it looks like the last person to mount them possibly used some kind of rtv on the o-rings. They suggest a silicone based grease, so that's what I intend to use on the new ones. I'll have to scrape off some residue from the old stuff.

 

[bbaldwin237]

If you can read these stickers, turn me over

Seriously! Maybe I should make one to put down there! lol

 

[Wildman]

These were firm but pliable. I was able to reach in and grab the far side and just drag it out. Definitely not anything crazy.

The ones I have are made out of a PVC type material so they are a lot harder/stiffer.

They do make two different inserts. Tonight or tomorrow I'm planning to measure the bead on both sets of tires and see what they're like.

The way I remember it they were tires like TSL & Toyo had the thicker beads but I'd bought those rims in 2013 or 14... So it's been a while.

Also, it looks like the last person to mount them possibly used some kind of rtv on the o-rings. They suggest a silicone based grease, so that's what I intend to use on the new ones. I'll have to scrape off some residue from the old stuff.

I'll bet they tried to reuse the o-rings and they were already flattened out so they had leaks so they pulled them apart and added the RTV to try and stop the leaks. The grease is supposed to increase the life of the o-rings... I'll see if I can find the place I bought my o-rings from for my rims. I'd buy a spare few just to have on hand incase you nick a o-ring during assembly.

 

[bbaldwin237]

The ones I have are made out of a PVC type material so they are a lot harder/stiffer.



The way I remember it they were tires like TSL & Toyo had the thicker beads but I'd bought those rims in 2013 or 14... So it's been a while.



I'll bet they tried to reuse the o-rings and they were already flattened out so they had leaks so they pulled them apart and added the RTV to try and stop the leaks. The grease is supposed to increase the life of the o-rings... I'll see if I can find the place I bought my o-rings from for my rims. I'd buy a spare few just to have on hand incase you nick a o-ring during assembly.

Not measured with calipers, but both tires appear to have an 11/16" bead

Northridge4x4 sells all of the Hutchinson products it seems. There's a couple other websites too but they're all more expensive by a good bit.