David Jones

The holiday season is upon us and with it the family gatherings and parties we so dearly enjoy. Naturally, it is a good time to brush up on one's etiquette so as not to be embarrassed. The same holds true for trail riding. I'm not talking about having your pinkie extended while sipping your favorite cold beverage or using the clean finger to dig the sardines out of the can, but rather manners on the trail that present a good image of the sport you are representing. Anyone with enough money to radically modify a rig can conquer most obstacles. It is the true fourwheeler that seeks to do it with style. First lets look at some items to take to help you obtain maximum style points:

Have you ever thought what would happen if you drove your truck in water that was too deep? You might say something like I would not or I don?t get that extreme or Its dry where I live but, the truth is you can get in too deep before you realize it. I have drowned the motor in water that was only hub deep! It can happen easily depending on the approach angle into the water and the speed at which you enter. The important thing to remember is what action to take when the engine takes in a big gulp of water.

I am 33 years old, married and two children (William 3, Chris 9 months). I grew up in Alabama, graduated from Auburn University with a degree in aviation management in 1986 and am finishing my Master's in Aeronautical Science with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I am an active duty Air Force Captain currently stationed at Tinker AFB, OK.

The holiday season is upon us and with it the family gatherings and parties we so dearly enjoy. Naturally, it is a good time to brush up on one's etiquette so as not to be embarrassed. The same holds true for trail riding. I'm not talking about having your pinkie extended while sipping your favorite cold beverage or using the clean finger to dig the sardines out of the can, but rather manners on the trail that present a good image of the sport you are representing. Anyone with enough money to radically modify a rig can conquer most obstacles. It is the true fourwheeler that seeks to do it with style. First lets look at some items to take to help you obtain maximum style points:

Why do we own Jeep Cherokees and other sport utility vehicles (S.U.V.) rather than bob tailed, hard core, barely street legal 4X4s? Need. I exchanged a tricked out Wrangler for a Cherokee because there is not enough room in the Wrangler for my wife, two sons and all their necessities. Oh sure, I tried everything from racks to off road trailers; but, no modifications could make the Wrangler as practical and as good off road as the Cherokee. Now that I have the Cherokee, how do I organize all that room in the back? Just call the same folks that make all those neat security boxes for the Wranglers and CJs . . . Tuffy Security Products.

Last month we breathed life into a 4.7 stroked motor using HESCO Manufacturing's kit. This month we will address the drivetrain selected to stand behind the estimated 260 horsepower mil. In the rear, Colorado Red was sitting on the stock Dana 35 with 4.56 gears and an ARB air locker with C-clip eliminator. Up front was the Dana 30 with its vacuum disconnect, 4.56 gears and an ARB air locker. The transfer case was the stock NP231 bolted to the AW4 automatic. To upgrade the drivetrain, we ordered components from several different manufacturers then took them to Four Wheel Parts Wholesalers in Oklahoma City for a professional installation.

The Avocado (1988 Cherokee) with about 152K miles on its NP231 transfer case began making some not so friendly noises.Ê There was a definite GRrrrr . . GRrrrr sound when ever throttle was applied or removed.Ê I thought there was something wrong in the rear axle and took it to the experts at Four Wheel Parts Wholesalers in Oklahoma City, OK.ÊÊ Jerry Cantrell, Store Manager, and his technicians deserve a special thanks.Ê They put the Avocado on jack stands and had me recreate the problem while they listened to the different components with a stethoscope.Ê It is this level of professionalism required to prevent expensive misdiagnosis.Ê They told me the noise was originating from the transfer case.Ê Since it was obviously time to go through the case and replace worn components, I figured it was the right time to upgrade.Ê Cherokees (XJs) come with either NP231 (Command Trac) or NP242 (Selec-Trac) transfer cases (some early models have NP207). Today, there are many different ways to upgrade the XJâs transfer case and they differ in price and complexity.Ê You can replace the transfer case with a bulletproof Atlas II case from Advanced Adapters like we are planning for Project Colorado Red; or you could swap in a 4 to 1 gear ratio conversion in your case.ÊÊ Whatever upgrade, you should include eliminating the rear output slip yoke found on the original model.ÊÊ Why is this feature considered the weak link of an otherwise dependable transfer case? First, it has little tolerance to allow lifting the vehicle.Ê As the vehicle is lifted and articulation is increased, the rear drive shaft must ãgrowä to allow the rear axle to drop.Ê Likewise, it must ãshrinkä as the rear axle moves upward.Ê Since the factory design uses a fixed length rear drive shaft, a splined slip yoke moves in and out of the rear of the transfer case to allow the growing and shrinking.Ê Lifting the vehicle, say 3 inches, pulls the slip yoke outward leaving less contact area with the splines.Ê Additionally, the factory design uses a single Cardian u-joint at each end of the driveshaft.ÊÊ This means careful shimming of the rear axle and possibly lowering the transfer case to eliminate drive line vibrations.ÊÊ Another consideration for eliminating the slip yoke is trail worthiness.ÊÊ Several times over the past ten years, I have helped fellow fourwheelers who damaged the rear driveshaft get home.ÊÊ Removing the rear driveshaft with the factory design and attempting to continue in front wheel drive only, is not possible unless you have some way to plug the rear output shaft opening.ÊÊ I have cut liter soda bottles and jammed them over the rear housing affixing them with duct tape to prevent fluid loss.Ê Why worry with all this?Ê Convert your transfer case to a fixed yoke and drive away with confidence.Ê Follow along as I describe how the M.I.T. kit installation is performed.Ê I had a master Jeep mechanic perform the operation to document the tricks of the trade for you to reference.

If you were fortunate enough to attend Camp Jeep this year, you don't have to read this story to know it was a great event. The rest of you might as well hit print now and take this one to your favorite reading spot. I am going to take you through an overview of Camp Jeep, a look at this year's event, interviews with Jeep engineers and some helpful information about the local area. If you are like me, you are already looking for the engineers' comments.

Why do we own Jeep Cherokees and other sport utility vehicles (S.U.V.) rather than bob tailed, hard core, barely street legal 4X4s? Need.