#JoKer

#JoKer is a season machine as Summer transitions to fall, all over Jeep owners go from summer to winter mode. 

This means adding a top,  so don't freeze in 50 degree mornings. 

Been so long since I've posted, JoKer is my 09 Jeep Wrangler, it's not a fancy Rubicon, just a generic Wrangler X with the 3.8L minivan engine, and six speed,  33" tires and Four door Rubicon suspension for a lift. It's had two clutches in the last 10 months, one was defective, so it was fun doing that job twice. 

It's not what you drive but the journey to get there...... 

Long time no see

 Here it is 2020 so many years I've neglected my blog, where do you start.

How about current events. I've done so much, I've got a newer Jeep, an 09 Jeep Jk Wrangler.

I've recently passed my HAM test for a tech level license.  Enjoying it immensely. It's a great combo to Jeeps it gives an option to reach help if needed in the wilds of the Ozarks....

Would love to add some pictures but not seeing a way from the phone..... 

So I'll try to keep more updates coming, as things change.  I'm still around, can be found on Fakebook getting censored, and on gab.com and even mewe @caish

As the tech giants ratchet down the censorship we all will be looking for other outlets.... 

Out in the LIght

I got my parts this morning, a brake hose, some bolts, and some primer.
So now the CJ isn't ashamed to show its grill in the light.

So now it stops, and it goes, Has all the lights working, I just need to service it.
Change the oil, in everything, diffs, gear boxes etc.
It tends to wander the road a bit, so some front end work is in order, it could partially be the old rubber. They're pretty dry rotted. I got a set of new Goodyears on the Bronco that is going to go on it. But I have to get the stupid locking locknuts off it. first.
We picked up an Emergency lug nut removal kit for that chore at least I hope it works.
It looks more like a jeep with the roll bar on it too.

Long Time no See

Its been over a year since I posted anything.
To be honest I had all but forgotten about my little site.
Just a few updates.
I've changed jobs a couple times, I tried the Lumber yard driver thing.
This just didn't work out, but I gave it nearly a year. Its hard to support a
family and buy a few toys here and there on $350 to $450 a week.

So I'm back to working the Fayetteville Shale Gas fields, I literally doubled
my income so it was strictly a financial move on my part.......

I'm working on a new woods Toy.

Its a 73 Jeep CJ5, no bells and whistles on this thing. Its strictly utility. From its 258CI 6 cylinder AMC engine and 3 speed transmission. No A/C or even Power steering.

To be honest it was more project than I anticipated. It needed a LOT of work.
The seller, had some extra parts.
New Rough Country Springs, 2.5" lift,
New Shocks,
New Gas Tank,

It started and pulled itself onto the tow dolly, that was a plus. But it had no brakes and barely ran.
So first on the list was to decipher what exactly I had on my hands. I did a preliminary web search
and found it was a Cater BBD carb and it was not much to talk about when it was brand new.
But lets make a list of things needed first.

After all how do you eat an Elephant, one bite at a time.
Address Running issue,
Lights,
Then Brakes,
Then Tires (those are dry cracked bad but holding air)
Roll Bar, every jeep of the CJ era are known to fall over once in a while if the circumstances are right.
The body and paint and seat covers are last.

So home it come and I tweaked the carb and set the timing enough to get it idle.
I found the thermostat wouldn't open either so that was added to the list.

The offending Carter Carb.... These things was not good when brand new.
So off to the parts store.

I got a two barrel adapter, so I could put on a good carb, a tried and true Motorcraft 2150
two barrel. Regardless what you think about Fords the 2150 is a great carb.

Then I had help. Sam got into the action too.

Okay so it was running better, I added brake fluid and bled the brakes out and take it for a test drive.
That didn't go as planned, but just a quick ride up the road and it came to stop, thats where it got interesting.
With a few pumps it locked the rear wheels and slid to a stop. So I eased it back home.
I found two blown wheel cylinders.
So the brake rebuild is next on the list of things, and that I did. It got new shoes, springs, adjusters, and wheel cylinders all the way around it.

Before and after much better. then I found another issue, it needed new axle bearings too.
Thats where I stand tonight all together, except I found a bad brake hose too, it was plugged solid.
So thats another piece ordered...... Its only money right.
I also found a nice CJ roll bar for an affordable price so thats another piece of the puzzle.
I'm putting it together to accent my XT550 dirt bike, this way the family can go on my little forest adventures
and camping too.

Random Bits...

Just a few random bits there today.....

Tires:

The Mighty XT350 is due for a rear tire, I bought a Cheng shin C858 (now discontinued) last summer for it, and it now reaching the end of its  life, roughly 2500 miles later. I have been really happy with the tires, they carried me through mud, sands, rocks, and lots of pavement commuting. I was going to order another when I found out they was discontinued. So the next tires will be IRC TR-11 DOT trials tread.

Panniers:

I'm still using the bags here a month later, they have held up well without issue even after I let the left one get against the tire and got some scrub wear on it. These bags are not rain proof without the covers, so anything you want dry better go in a ziplock baggie if you plan on leaving it in the bags.
I've carried several pounds in the bags in general for the last month and commutes totaling about a 1000 miles. Only complaint is that they was missing straps from the factory that would allow you to connect the front through the frame and the rear. These straps would allow adjustment and positive attachment to the bikes frame.

XTique:

XTique was the name I gave my 82 Yamaha XT550, it started life as a mild mannered stock XT when I got my hands on it. Now its a FrankenBike. Its been improved and is now capable of cross country travel on roads or without. Its a hybrid of parts. Frontend, from honda XR350, Shock from a YZ465, and the the engine is now a TT600 mill. Thus a Frankenbike, built from a little of everything.
 My oldest boy had a growing spurt over the winter and can now reach the ground from the seat of a long travel suspended bike.
Here is enjoying the torque of a large thumper.

Roads without bridges.....

Today I did something different, I'm off tonight and with this being the first Sunday off since I started the new job I took advantage of the weather and took Susan, Lucas and Sam for a Jeep ride.
Google Map of todays Journey.

The road there is only passable when dry anymore and then you never know when the Arkansas sand and silt is going to give way under your tires.
Its more of an ATV trail now, but its close enough to the road to walk in if you choose.

At 24 years old the old Jeep XJ is more Utility than Sport anymore, but it is reliable as a swiss watch and capable as most anything you could by new today.
193.000 miles on the clock, but the engine has only 130k on it. It takes us out and home again.

That is Springfield Bridge in the background, built in 1876 and was condemned around 1980, it is the oldest bridge in the state. Bow String Arch design. Before it was built people would have to travel several miles upstream towards Mallettown and fjord the creek there if the water wasn't to high.

Lucas my Daredevil he didn't let the rotten timbers bother him a bit. He was more than happy to pose for pictures.

Lucas and Sam. Sam was scared of the missing timbers and needed the coaching of his brother to get up there.

I wish there was money in the county budgets to restore this piece of history before the next flood washes it down stream. The embankment is washing away under the bridge and only six to eight feet from the bridge foundation blocks.

This ancient Cypress tree, use to be the anchor point for the bridge  on the East side of the creek. There was an old 1" cable run around this tree to keep the floods from sending the bridge down stream.

Something you don't see much, they must've hit Oil instead of Gas and they're steadily pumping it out I guess. 

Heres our first fjord, on Lone Pine Road. It was deeper than I thought on that end. 

I actually thought I might have to use the 4x4 mode, it started to spin on the rock bottom. 

Freshly washed wheels and undercarriage. 

Old buildings like this intrigue me, I love the use of natural stone and the history. This is on Center School road. The Methodist proselytized this area in the 1800's and early 1900's and this the typical design of their churches and they served as schools too. 

Just past the Church the view is beautiful. 

This leads us down the mountain to Cow Ford Road. 

 We found a local Swimming hole and you know kids, they had to have time to play. 

That water was COLD and DEEP.

 

Sam had to play too. 

After the swim break.... 

White Oak Mountain Overlook picnic area. 

Just a little Ozark Mountains waterfall on Dare Creek. 

From up at the overlook, we decided it wasn't to far to Mt Magazine, highest point in the state of Arkansas. 

So off we went, and I took a detour that cut 20 miles off but involved roads that would remind you of Deliverence and Banjos playing. 

We circle around and come up the south side of Mt Magazine. 

Looking south over the Petit Jean River Valley. Pictures can not do it justice. 

The Cloud cover and haze washed the bits of spring color that is there. 

These are looking to the north off Mt Magazine..... 

I wish it was clearer weather out. 

This is the Hang Glider Launch off the south side of Mt Magazine, it is a very long ways straight down from here. 

No one was flying today. 

Next on out trip was Petit Jean to see the view and stop and stop at a friends for a visit. 

West end of Petit Jean looking north. 

I hope you enjoyed the pictures and my little narrative.