Builds Chicago builds a 40

[chicago]

I tell my kids, If you can't make a living doing something you like, find something you can tolerate. Part of being a man is leaving the cave, going out and killing something, and bring it home to provide for your family. Looks like your doing great to have extra funds for your cruiser addiction...

Oh yeah!! I am very fortunate.
This hobby truly is a luxury.

 

[chicago]

First run is in the books!!
She did AMAZING!!!!
Did have a couple little issues...
Discovered a bad NSS after we all stopped to take a leak and the rig wouldn't start. Discovered it was the NSS after smoke was seen coming from the shift boot burning. Then, the triple stick boot I got prevented me from accessing low gear on the 203. So I pulled the boot and crawled the trail!!
It felt SOOOOOOO good to be wheeling again!!!!

 

[jefishing]

Where are the pics at

 

[landcrusher909]

Where are the pics at

X2

 

[chicago]

Pics...
There is ONE video clip, but it wont open in my computer...

 

[chicago]

Few more!
So this is a little GEM of a trail back in the virgina city highlands. Its only about a 1/4- 1/2 mile long. Beyond where we bail out, its BUGGY terrain way up into the canyon. As you can see from the pics, once youre in this trail, youre pretty much committed. Its NOTHING but rocks all the way up.
This was my first time running this trail, and it proved to be a great test for Matti. The roads getting back into this are dirt and small boulders for MILES with grades, flats and switch backs, so there was ALL types of typical terrain found on the trails I/ we run. Only thing I DIDNT get to do was highway time. Fastest Ive had her up to on the road has been 55, so Im looking forward to open road testing.

Gawt damn that was FUN! Ive missed that SOOOOO much while building.
I was a bit nervous being my first run, but there is NO WAY to really test the rig EXCEPT by jumping in and wheeling and going with a group whom you trust!!! Thanks BBCNN! You are my BROTHERS!

 

[waiting for time]

WOW Keith, congratulations.

Job well done she looks great in her natural habitat.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Agreed, she looks great out there in the rocks. Time to start shopping for 37's

 

[chicago]

Agreed, she looks great out there in the rocks. Time to start shopping for 37's

Lol!!!
Thanks man! She looks so much better a little DIRTY!
There's still a ton of life on these 35's, so I'm gonna run those out for a while and save up in the mean time!
Just can't justify new tires when these are still basically new.

 

[handcannon]

YEEEEHAAAAW!!!!!

Great news!!!!

Don

 

[EWheeler]

Excited for you. It has been a long road, but you are going to apprciate your time on the trail so much more with all the blood, sweat, tears, and most of all $$$ that you have put into it. Happy trails!

 

[CruisinFJ60]

Agreed, she looks great out there in the rocks. Time to start shopping for 37's

X2!!!

Lol!!!
Thanks man! She looks so much better a little DIRTY!
There's still a ton of life on these 35's, so I'm gonna run those out for a while and save up in the mean time!
Just can't justify new tires when these are still basically new.

so sell em....

 

[chicago]

Naw...Ill be just holding off for right now on the tires. True, the 35's DO look like 33's on there, but tight financial constraints over ride my "RIG VANITY" for the time being.
The 35's arent pristine...they are chunked in a few places, so I wouldnt get much for em even though the tread is 95%
Ive gotta say though...after reflecting on the run for a bit, I had been able to think about what was so great about wheeling this rig as opposed to the 62 I had...
This one was pretty effortless for THREE main reasons...

1) This is kind of a no brainer response, but the deep gearing is just such an amazing up grade. It slows and controls the rate going over the obstacles, which makes for a much cleaner run. With the auto and the 203, its still a bit lurchy, so I do still have to employ 2 foot driving on FLAT terrain to smooth things out a bit, but up and down hill grades, it functions exactly as I thought it would...just idling up and down with NO FOOT brake.

2) Its SOOOOO much lighter and nimble. This was the BIGGEST reason that I sold the 62 (blotch rig). Last run through rubicon I did I just realized that it would NEVER be the wheeler I wanted because of the weight and size issue. I was constantly stressed for some reason with the weight and fear of breaks from that. The 40 is just so much lighter in comparison.

3) That SAG conversion is so amazing, that with the auto locker up front, I didnt even notice it was there with this power steering set up. The Stock cruiser PS is just so under par for bigger tires and lockers...I struggled when in the rocks with that set up.

Bonuses....
The wheel base and added width made for a comfortable and stable ride especially when off camber which was exactly what I was looking for transitioning from the 62 to the 40.
The vortec...what can I say about that...its nice to have power when i need it without HAVING to access it. A full day running the trail I only used a 1/4 tank of gas...The blotch rig would have been 3/4 if not more.

Cant wait to get some highway time in. That is the only test that I haven't done yet. That and a weekends worth of camp gear.

 

[rusty_tlc]

What about a Steves Loop run for the January run, that would give you some highway time.

 

[brokenparts]

needs bigger tires.




Looks good mang.

 

[chicago]

What about a Steves Loop run for the January run, that would give you some highway time.

Dig it!!!
Forgot about that one!!
Could probably even do deer valley!!

 

[warpdriv]

Congratulations on your first run! I find myself wheeling with the transfer case in hi and the np 203 in low, most of the times.

Sent from my DroidCruiser

 

[fj4play]

congrats on your rig, it is no surprise to me how well it performs with all the patients and skill you put into this build, oh and$$$ , we may be wheeling el dorado cyn, on sunday if you are up for another run.

 

[chicago]

congrats on your rig, it is no surprise to me how well it performs with all the patients and skill you put into this build, oh and$$$ , we may be wheeling el dorado cyn, on sunday if you are up for another run.

Thanks for the nice words man!!
I am actually on call for the next week, so I'll be tying up loose ends and getting some stuff done.

 

[nicholastheczar]

Very cool man! Glad to see her and you get out after a killer build! A GREAT way to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Very nice!

Nick