Chicago's BLOTCH RIG!

[chicago]

Thanks Chicago. I need to learn how to weld. With your long AALs did you add it to the pack or did you swap one of the leafs out? What is your overall lift?

Oh, one more question, how much do you expect it to cost to convert to a manual? Why do you want to convert? I personally prefer a manual but I know some people really prefer an auto for off-road.

Cheers,
Chad

The PO had the AAL's installed, so when I split the packs, cleaned and painted them, I just kept them the way they were! It was a ROUGH RIDE SUA...Its much smoother now that its sprung over.

As far as the manual conversion is concerned, I WOULD NOT do it if I were not gonna throw the low gear box behind it...It just wouldnt be worth it to me. I would do it ONLY for the low gearing options, otherwise Id stick with the auto...IMO, auto allows much better control when climbing obstacles and a great deal of finesse is needed, where the STOCK manuals SEEM to be less controled...I know a LOT of folks will disagree with this, but IT IS my opinion. As far as cost...Im expecting it to cost A LOT...Somewhere around 5 or 6K...It will be a while down the road for that mod! It is the one reason that I wish I had a 60 as opposed to a 62.
Brett T and Rusty TLC had the stupid low gears on their rigs, and they had all the control in the world on both the ascents and descents..I was VERY IMPRESSED at how well the rig performed with the gears...Of course, they are both exceptional drivers as well!

As far as lift height...Im not too sure. I gather that the average is about 6 in of lift with the SOA!
It is truly a GREAT mod IMO...I havent regretted it AT ALL!
Are you leaning towards an SOA?

Chicago

 

[chicago]

Hey man great work on the rig...


Awesome pics from the Con.

Thanks Lowtide...
Huge compliment comng from you!
Great pics and write up in TT...
The rig looks awesome! Sorry you had so many issues on the Tellico run, but it sounded as if you had a blast despite the set backs!
Looks like a really run trail!
I like the "test run" you did...

Chicago

 

[lowtideride]

Thanks Lowtide...
Huge compliment comng from you!
Great pics and write up in TT...
The rig looks awesome! Sorry you had so many issues on the Tellico run, but it sounded as if you had a blast despite the set backs!
Looks like a really run trail!
I like the "test run" you did...

Chicago

Haha,

I still havn't got my TT yet.


I have had a long history of those kind of "test drives"

 

[Ducks]

Are you leaning towards an SOA?

Chicago

Well, I've been talking about a lift for too long. Money keeps disappearing with unexpected bills. I think I'm leaning towards 4" MAF right now for overall driveability. If I did SOA, then I would want to do it on stock springs which gives about 6" of lift, but apparently the springs can sag / invert. That's why I asked about your long AALs. I would guess your lift (depending on how your stock springs are) would be about 7-8 inches. 4" SUA to minimize body roll for all around driving but of course SOA would be better off-road. Do you daily drive yours?

 

[HZJ60 Guy]

Great pics and a very nice rig. Thanks. Ive done the "con" myself. Not the most dificult wheeling, but probably the trip I had the most fun on.

 

[chicago]

Well, I've been talking about a lift for too long. Money keeps disappearing with unexpected bills. I think I'm leaning towards 4" MAF right now for overall driveability. If I did SOA, then I would want to do it on stock springs which gives about 6" of lift, but apparently the springs can sag / invert. That's why I asked about your long AALs. I would guess your lift (depending on how your stock springs are) would be about 7-8 inches. 4" SUA to minimize body roll for all around driving but of course SOA would be better off-road. Do you daily drive yours?

Nope, I dont DD mine, its my toy!
I havent noticed any sag as of yet...things have settled a bit, but theyre no where near flat springs for sure!
The SUA lifts are very nice and I can see where it would be an advantage if the rig is daily driven...Im half assed looking for a 60 or 62 for a DD, and I would keep that SUA for sure.

However...get a welder and start burnin some stuff...
That is hands down the BEST thing that I learned to do as far as the rig is concerned.
Ive since gotten my own welding set up...actaully, I have as lincoln sitck welder for the heavy material and a hobart 175 for most everything. Best money I could have spent!
Northern tool has the best prices that Ive found!

Chicago

 

[chicago]

Great pics and a very nice rig. Thanks. Ive done the "con" myself. Not the most dificult wheeling, but probably the trip I had the most fun on.

Thanks for the compliment!
I wish that I could say that the Rubicon was easy for me...maybe someday Ill get there. Till then, I have a LOT to learn about wheelin for sure!

Ive always admired your rig BTW!

Chicago

 

[cajun65]

Excellent work on the rig. It looks great and that was a great story too. Good luck down the road.

 

[boots4]

...IMO, auto allows much better control when climbing obstacles and a great deal of finesse is needed, where the STOCK manuals SEEM to be less controled...I know a LOT of folks will disagree with this, but IT IS my opinion.
Chicago

That's part of the reason I decided to go with an auto in my build-up. I wheeled an undergeared stick and it was no fun. I'm suprised I never went through a clutch on my previous rig. I also think autos are more gentle on the drivetrain. The weird thing to get used to will be the slight disconnected feeling when running the auto whereas with a stick I could feel much better when the wheels were spinning/slipping.

Great job and congrats on gaining the skills to do it yourself.

 

[Gappy]

Chicago, great thread, great story, great rig, love the wood, and great write up on the SOA. Good inspiration for a non welder like me that may want to do a SOA some day.
Nice props for the wife!!

 

[Kofoed]

yeah

I happened to be present at Keith's first (?) 4wd trip, which started at Olancha Dunes in a rented H2, bringing basically nothing except a sleeping bag, some "refreshments" and chaw . He was being low-key, but I could tell that he was having a great time and paying anttention to the vehicles and plotting...and buying a truck trader rag on the way home confirms my suspisions!!!

Good work, Keith. You definitely have the sickness. See you in April

 

[Mace]

Finally stickied

 

[Dirtgypsy]

great write up for a great rig. I am very impressed with what you have accomplished in a very short time. you should be proud. thanks for the pics and the inspiration.

cliNt

 

[chicago]

Thanks for the compliments all!
Its really appreciated!



Chicago

 

[chicago]

I happened to be present at Keith's first (?) 4wd trip, which started at Olancha Dunes in a rented H2, bringing basically nothing except a sleeping bag, some "refreshments" and chaw . He was being low-key, but I could tell that he was having a great time and paying anttention to the vehicles and plotting...and buying a truck trader rag on the way home confirms my suspisions!!!

Good work, Keith. You definitely have the sickness. See you in April

HA HA...
A fellow blotcher everyone...lets hear it for our very own KOFOED!
Yeah...It was all down hill from that point on!
Already gearin up for April, in fact, ive been counting down!
Whats the status of the 40?

Thanks for the props Kofoed!

Chicago

 

[Wile E Coyote]

Finally stickied

Waddaya mean, FINALLY stickied?

So now we gotta see this damn bedpan fetcher's ride every time we click the 60's forum?
That's it, I'm buyin an 80!

 

[phono13]

Great rig and write-up. Love the enthusiasm!

 

[chicago]

Waddaya mean, FINALLY stickied?

So now we gotta see this damn bedpan fetcher's ride every time we click the 60's forum?
That's it, I'm buyin an 80!

UP YOURS GAYLORD FOCKER!!!!!!

Look who's talking...ass wipin, trach suckin, bed bath givin, dig stimulator!?

Go do a fecal disimpaction or insert a suppository or somethin!





Chicago



The fecal disimpaction thing is what drove me OFF THE FLOORS...
that was it for me! IM OUTTA HERE!

Chicago

 

[Wile E Coyote]

Ya, me no worky da flors ether. Member, I makey da hartz kep goin lub-dub?

Okay, chat off, tech on...

Is there any mods you'd do differently, thus far?

 

[chicago]

Yeah...I remember...CIC!

Nothing Id have done different on the rig, except I might have bought one that had a V8 converions already done!;p
It would have made getting to and from the trails MO BETTAH!
Other than that, the rigs been really good to me, and there is pleanty of work to do!

Chicago