Operation Phoenix

[mrblaine]

Are you referring to the using the Dorman barbed connections and regular fuel hose, the flexible braided lines or any type of separate line for the fuel pump to hard line?

Factory is best since the fuel line has the push lock quick disconnects on each end and it converts it from 3/8" to 5/16" line sizes. They also rarely fail unless you slam the trackbar mount into them. Converting to any of the high strength braided options can only be done with -6 female swivel ends which then have to be adapted to the common push lock quick disconnect at the two male QD barbs. That adds two additional leak points.

The Dorman stuff I've seen doesn't use regular fuel hose, they use the boil to fit hard nylon style fuel line that is the same as factory. My preference would be for the fitting manufacturers to make -6 AN male barb push lock we could use with socketless hose or braided that had both of the QD ends on the other side.

 

[Wildman]

I get not wanting to add any more possible locations for a leak but I also like the quick disconnects that are used with the AN line better than the stock style. And in the situation where you need a slightly longer line to reroute it or when running a GR tank or when stretching your WB there aren't a lot of options.
And knock on wood but so far I haven't had any leaks.

 

[macleanflood]

So Monday morning I chatted with folks taking this cyber truck down the Rubicon...and I thought I had a bad time of things...

-Mac

 

[bbaldwin237]

I saw that on the Rubicon Trail Facebook group. Sounds like it is essentially totalled. Probably see an episode of TrailMater recovering it soon.

 

[bbaldwin237]

I just came across that cyber truck on Instagram. It's @cybertruckco and they're getting thrashed in their own comments!

 

[macleanflood]

Conversation with Accutune...let me know if I screwed up! =)

Sounds good, we'll get you set up with that!

The shocks will be ready to ship by the end of the week and when they do ship out, you'll receive and email with your invoice and tracking info.

Thank you,
Justin

On Mon, Aug 11, 2025 at 10:59 AM Mac wrote:
Appreciate the advice and the adventure tune sounds absolutely perfect.

Thanks!
Mac

On August 11, 2025 10:42:27 AM PDT, Sales AccuTune Off-Road <sales@accutuneoffroad.com> wrote:
I would go with the Adventure Tune. The Dual Sport tune will ride really stiff on this and give you a lot more feedback from small bumps. Dual Sport is better if you're on big, heavy axles and tires, or if you're racing this thing out in the desert or woods and don't care much about on road or slow speed trail comfort any more. The Adventure Tune is going to be a lot smoother and it will soak up small bumps and ruts a lot better on a rig like this.

Keep in mind too, you do get 1 free revalve with the shocks. If you decide that your initial tune is not a good fit, you do have the option to send them back to us and we'll revalve them 1 more time for free. After that, your 25% labor discount can be used towards additional tuning which would make it $90/shock.

Personally, I'd go with the Adventure Tune unless you're out there trying to smash whoops and prefer that over trails and crawling or comfort. I'm happy to set you up with the Dual Sport Tune if that's what you're after though.

For what it's worth, I run these same shocks on my Jeep with the Adventure Tune and I use it very similarly to yours. Mine is a daily driver but it frequently gets driven to rock crawling trails, camping, and even high speed desert runs with whoops and frequent "accidental" jumps. The Adventure Tune works really well across all types of terrain, unless you're primarily looking for high speed whoop performance where you need a stiff shock to prevent it from bottoming out and packing up over big, repetitive whoops.

Thank you,
Justin

On Mon, Aug 11, 2025 at 8:09 AM Mac wrote:

Currie 4" lift springs.

Not sure about the exact angle but it should be close to 30 degrees. Going to adjust the axle mount and Poly Performance bracket for 50/50 bias.

Dana 35 with a Revolution Gear Super 35 kit and Eaton e-locker. Stock drum brakes. 35" BFG KM3s typically at 28 psi street and 10-12 wheeling.

Torn between the dual sport and adventure tunes, leaning heavily towards dual sport. I don't trailer my rig. I drove it to Moab, twice to the Rubicon and while I don't have a long commute to work every day. We also drive a lot of rutted out Forest Service roads scouting for trash pickups for volunteer clean ups. Dual sport sounds more like a go fast tune to me...bombing over ruts and whoops...but I don't know if you think I have the travel or tire for that setup...I trust your judgement if you think the adventure is the way to go.

-Mac

On August 11, 2025 7:48:32 AM PDT, Sales AccuTune Off-Road <sales@accutuneoffroad.com> wrote:
Good morning MacLean,

Thank you for your order! We have these in stock with a 1 week lead time on our custom tuning process. Before we can get to work on these, I need to confirm a few more details about your TJ.
1) What springs are you running, or do you happen to have the spring rate of them?
2) What angle will your rear shocks be mounted at with your outboard shock relocation?
3) What rear axle and what size tires are you running?
4) Is the Jeep going to be driven on the street much, or off road only? Which tune do you think fits your goals the best? AccuTune Off-Road Shock Tuning Options
•NOTE: The Performance Series shocks come standard with a softer riding piston which pairs really well with our Adventure Tune. If you opt for a stiffer, more aggressive tune, we may need to change the pistons on the shocks which can range from $15-$50 per shock.

Thank you,
Justin

On Fri, Aug 8, 2025 at 3:38 PM AccuTune Off-Road <sales@accutuneoffroad.com> wrote:
AccuTune Off-Road

New Customer Order
You’ve received the following order from MacLean Flood:

[Order #XXXX] (August 8, 2025)
Product Quantity Price
Fox Shock, Eyelet Ends, 2.0 Performance Series, Remote Reservoir, 12.1" Travel, CD Adjuster (#FOX-985-26-054) 2 $1,076.80
90 Degree Fitting (#90 Degree Fitting - Fox 2.0 5/8) 2 $84.90
Subtotal: $1,076.80
Shipping: Free shipping
Tax: $0.00
Payment method: Credit card
Total: $1,076.80
Note: 1997 Jeep Wrangler outboard shock project. Will mount with 50/50 bias. Jeep weighs 4400 lbs, exactly 2200 per axle. Would prefer a go fast valve stack, since 90 percent of my driving is getting to crawling places like Moab and the Rubicon Trail. Following Blaine Johnson’s instructions on WranglerTJForum.
Did you get assistance prior to this purchase?: Yes, from Forums

Will you be installing the parts in this order?: Yes, I am installing it myself

How Did You Hear About Us?: Forums

Billing address
MacLean Flood
Fall Creek, OR
Shipping address

—
AccuTune Off-Road Savings | Free Shock Tuning, Free Spring Swapping, 25% off Rebuild Labor & More!
Order Status | email: Sales@AccuTuneOffroad.com
*Lead times are not guaranteed and can change without notice.
___________________________________________
Sales & AccuTune Off-Road
Main: (619) 722-8555 | Email: Sales@AccuTuneOFFROAD.com

9448 Bond Ave, El Cajon CA 92021

 

[Lou]

Why did you go with the aluminum body shocks?

 

[macleanflood]

Why did you go with the aluminum body shocks?

Good question. Forum posts and videos said use Fox 2.0 RR - remote reservoir...in 12 inch.

I didn't know steel was an option.

-Mac

 

[Lou]

Good question. Forum posts and videos said use Fox 2.0 RR - remote reservoir...in 12 inch.

I didn't know steel was an option.

-Mac

Factory race series would be the ones to get. I think accutune should also sell these.

https://www.polyperformance.com/sho...s-smooth-body-remote-reservoir-shock-58-shaft

 

[srimes]

Are you considering limit straps so you don't pull these nice shocks apart?

 

[Old Jeepin Cowboy]

Good question. Forum posts and videos said use Fox 2.0 RR - remote reservoir...in 12 inch.

I didn't know steel was an option.

-Mac

Do you. race your Jeep?

If not, then the only thing you are getting is looks and a hole in your wallet. I do think it kool and good, but there is nothing to gain unless you are doing the Baja 1000. I like it, but cannot justify the cost because it brings nothing to my table if you are rock guy, which I am, and we don't drive fast enough thru Pritchett Canyon to overheat shocks...if you like, go for it post a pic I like them.

What do I run? Rancho 9000XL adjustable.

I bought a set of Currie rock jocks and it broke just as I told one of the Currie boys that it would. He swore to it would not. Well first day in Moab and it broke.

There for a week, so I adjusted my left front Ranch 9000XL to compensate. It work well enough to make the week. Then I hit the highway home and it was a 300-mile drive and WOW, talk about wobble. Undrivable at hwy speeds. So I cranked my Ranchos to number 9 and it drove back safely at highway speeds.

I called Currie, and he refused to honor his verbal warranty. I sent him pics of the break. Then I started posting showing what happened, then he jumped and I will a new one when we redesign....that was Oct 2005...I am still waiting, they never did!

I think I got the first built as this was at the Off-Road show in Pomona, California.

 

[Old Jeepin Cowboy]

My wife and I left Fall Creek OR Friday morning headed to the three rivers area in Idaho where the Sellway, Lochsa and Clearwater converge to meet family and cast my 35 yr old sister's ashes into the river.

We decided to take a longer slower route and hit the OOHVA route 5-3...our missing link from our disasterous trip last summer when the rear end grenaded on my 97 Wrangler and we switched to our 2012 JK. It's all on YouTube.

We started in Seneca and camped out a few map pages in on a beautiful creek and meadow enjoying our new Tuff Stuff Trailhead rooftop tent (thankfully mounted to my wife's JK.) I've been leading with my TJ running completely topless.

Next day we hit the Forest Service roads hard...up and down washed out roads clearing trees and navigating trying to find obscure missing roads. It was a miserable blast. We made it up FS12 just outside Unity a few miles from Hwy 26 and camped out with a gorgeous view of the surrounding lush valleys below.

The skies grew dark and ominous and the thunder rolled. Willow, our 5 year old red Aussie bolted and ran off down the road. Our rescue mutt Lady looked as calm and cool as a cucumber.

We searched all night. Finally went to sleep thinking she'd be woofing to be let in come morning.

The next day and the days after that I hiked every hill and valley around the Pole Creek area. I cut open several "atv" roads that had been abandoned for decades. We retraced the entire 5-3 route back to Seneca on Tuesday and talked to folks along the way. It had rained off and on the last several days. The roads were muddy and I was absolutely covered...lack of fenders sprayed mud everywhere. My bikini sun shade was about the only savings grace.

As luck would have it a camper spotted her close to the South Fork campground on road 6005. While I drove from Seneca to John Day for supplies...$140 for a miserable 3 bags of groceries... Jessica found more campers that had spotted her on the 2640 road. We converged on the area running in from the west down two roads...I hit one marked washed out for flooding...and crawled my way out of the end of the road through a couple of creek beds. I took off my half doors and walked them down to the creek and washed them off. At least I could get in our out of my Jeep without getting slathered.

I woke up the next morning (Wednesday) and started driving the 1230 road above the South Fork campground... marking side roads, trails and drainages south into the campgrounds for possible later searching on Avenza.

Jessica called me...we were careful to camp near cell service every night to marshal social media resources coordinated by close friends...one of the campers had spotted Willow again near the South Fork campground and was able to feed her some chicken breast that morning. I was close so I gunned it and made it there in 20 minutes and walked up the road rattling a food bowl and calling Willow's name. After a bit I turned around and walked back to my Jeep. Our helpful camper drove by in his truck...and suddenly honked his horn and drove back to me...he spotted her! Me and Lady jumped in the back of his truck and drove a bit and there she was... excited to see us after almost what four days on her own. I called Jessica on the GMRS and it was a joyous reunion.

We drove down outside Unity, aired up and headed down 26 for Idaho...days late but back on track.

I topped a rise 30 miles out of Vale...Brogan...and a lady was standing in the opposite lane of the road waving her hands. I braked firmly but not too hard and slowed down enough to start pulling over. My wife smashed into the back of my Jeep. I ended up doing a full 180. She ended up in the ditch both airbags deployed.

Dogs were fine. I think I smacked my head on the unpadded roll bar and was bleeding slightly. Jessica had an abrasion on her leg and bruises from seatbelts and airbags.

I rolled my TJ backwards off the highway once I cleared my chainsaw gas can from under the tire. Picked up my phone thankfully unhurt from the middle of the road. Chainsaw was dangling from the side so I tossed it in. Rolled it back off the highway into the ditch and checked on Jessica and found out the lady was trying to warn us about loose horses...which were now back in their corrals.

Got on the phone with Liberty Mutual Roadside assistance using the folks landline phone...no cell service. Spent 20 minutes asking for a tow and spelling my name over and over again and got transferred and hung up on. Called back. An hour on the phone later Liberty Mutual promised to send us a tow truck...but they could only figure out how to send one. Over the next several hours (connected to the house's wifi) I got text after text from Liberty Mutual apologizing for failing to find us a tow company.

I started assessing damage. My TJ is toast. Driver rear frame is folded. Gas tank is jammed hard against the Dana 35. You can see waves where the tub comes and goes off contact with the sliders. Both doors jammed shut. Warn tire carrier bumper completely folded under. Won't start... assuming some fuel shutoff relay but didn't spend much time chasing it. Made sure the battery wasn't touching anything bad.

JK shittybuilt bumper was folded under a bit. My poor M8000 Warn might survive to winch again. Driver frame is tweaked a little. Fluid leaking was the windshield sprayer. G2 axle made contact with the oil pan and left two good witnesses marks. Track bar was just touching the driver side coil.

No tow truck. Liberty Mutual screwed me previously with a tow so no surprise. Got my tools out of my TJ and got the track bar unbolted. Cut off the steering wheel airbag. Used my Yankum to pull my TJ off the highway ditch and into the yard of the folks.

Checked over the JK. Couple test rides. Unloaded the TJ into the JK and turned west down 26 for home.

I think my TJ is done. Tub is bent. Frame twisted.

Time for a new Jeep I guess. Would like to find a 97 I can pull everything from mine over. We'll see.

Road trip tomorrow to get my TJ with my truck and trailer.

Miles of paperwork.

Fuck Liberty Mutual.

Homeward bound. Only codes on the JK are airbag and steering off center. Slow and easy.

Hopefully I can capture some of this with YouTube. Do some justice to this story.

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-Mac

Sorry to hear about your misfortune. Tomorrow is another day, another opportunity to build another Jeep... Sorry for you loss of you sister. I too lost my sister way to young...

 

[Apparition]

Sorry to hear about your misfortune. Tomorrow is another day, another opportunity to build another Jeep... Sorry for you loss of you sister. I too lost my sister way to young...

Was wondering if you were still around. Did you find a new Jeep?

 

[Old Jeepin Cowboy]

Was wondering if you were still around. Did you find a new Jeep?

Well yea, sorta, kinda, I gave my new Jeep 2024 JLR-X to my wife to trade in for a new Glady...which is her 3rd glady. Now I am in Jeep-Share. But I am now looking for a TJ R, you cannot outdo a TJ R. I LOVED my JLR-X, I ordered it with the 4:88 gears, Cold Air Intake and just about every for a only $65,557 MSRP. Forgot what I paid for, but I was trading in my 2023 JLR and IIRC I got for about trade in + $3k.

The problem with the JL R is electronics, leather seats and do dah all over. Go past TJ and you getting deeper and deeper into electronics and they eat your lunch.

We have on a roll, we left Florida in January and came back to Texas bought a small ranch BIG HOUSE, LOL. Its our last home or my last home for sure, wife is gonna outlive me. We are consolidating. I sold my horse ranch in FL, just sold other home and I HATE FLORIDA. It the worst state I ever lived in. Want to put in a new sink, get a permit and file with County, want to paint you house get a permit. Want to put a new crapper, get a permit.

You home does not belong to you, it belongs to the County and the City. I am used to Texas where you home is YOUR HOME!

 

[macleanflood]

Are you considering limit straps so you don't pull these nice shocks apart?

Any recommendations for limit straps?

I'm assuming from the comment that the Foxes don't act like limiting straps like the OEM shocks?

Also assuming I'll need to custom order something once I install the shocks?

Best place to install them? My guess would be lower shock bolt to existing OEM shock location... maybe even put the bar pin back in.

-Mac

 

[Lou]

Any recommendations for limit straps?

I'm assuming from the comment that the Foxes don't act like limiting straps like the OEM shocks?

Also assuming I'll need to custom order something once I install the shocks?

Best place to install them? My guess would be lower shock bolt to existing OEM shock location... maybe even put the bar pin back in.

-Mac

You do not need limit straps. Set bumps properly and you’re good to go.

 

[srimes]

Any recommendations for limit straps?

I'm assuming from the comment that the Foxes don't act like limiting straps like the OEM shocks?

Also assuming I'll need to custom order something once I install the shocks?

Best place to install them? My guess would be lower shock bolt to existing OEM shock location... maybe even put the bar pin back in.

-Mac

All shocks act as limit straps. Until they break. Not such a big deal on cheap shocks, but you're getting good ones. Straps are A LOT cheaper than good shocks.

Put them wherever's convenient. They do stretch, so account for that. Lots of offerings out there or make your own.

Straps would have saved you a lot of trouble when you ripped that shock off. How many shocks have you lost now?

Or you could just drive slower. Yeah, I don't see that happening either!

 

[macleanflood]

How many shocks have you lost now?

Three I think. Don't make me search my email.

-Mac

 

[macleanflood]

@hosejockey61 you remember what size rod ends you used for your mock up pieces?

Do you think I need four...or eight? I don't have any spares lying around and I'd like to get some ordered.

-Mac

P.S. Did some forum data mining and it looks like a 1/2" heim joint. The good ones are part HJMX8T according to @jjvw. They're about $43 ea. Smart thing would be to order some for mockup and have spares for my Swayloc.

I did the wrong thing and ordered four from Amazon...

https://www.amazon.com/SHLPDFM-Carbon-Steel-Thread-Joints/dp/B0BMLDG77R?tag=wranglerorg-20

-Mac

 

[hosejockey61]

@hosejockey61 you remember what size rod ends you used for your mock up pieces?

Do you think I need four...or eight? I don't have any spares lying around and I'd like to get some ordered.

-Mac

P.S. Did some forum data mining and it looks like a 1/2" heim joint. The good ones are part HJMX8T according to @jjvw. They're about $43 ea. Smart thing would be to order some for mockup and have spares for my Swayloc.

I did the wrong thing and ordered four from Amazon...

https://www.amazon.com/SHLPDFM-Carbon-Steel-Thread-Joints/dp/B0BMLDG77R?tag=wranglerorg-20

-Mac

I have no idea, they were some that were laying around the shop.

They don't have to be good, the bolt hole just needs to be the right size.