Third Time's A Charm: ADVENTR Jeep III

[IntrepidXJ]

What do you think of the asfir skid? I have a diesel Rubicon and I'm definitely trying to be weight conscious and asfir is priced right. I can't decide if I want the full.kit or just start with the oil pan/trans skid to see how their quality, fitment, and how well they hold up overall before I jump all in.

Obviously I haven't had a chance to really test it out yet, but I can give you my initial impressions of the skid.

First off, I liked the weight and the price, so those were my main two driving forces in the purchase, plus the fact that there aren't many other options for the e-torque engine currently.

That said, there are some things that I would change if I were building my own skid.

1. I really wish the skid would replace the factory skid/crossmember that is under the transmission instead of bolting to the bottom of it. You could easily gain a little extra clearance by doing that. I believe they do replace that skid/crossmember with the 2.0 engine skid, but not the 3.6 e-torque engine for some reason...

2. I'm not a fan of the sheet nuts and spring washers that are used to mount the skid to that factory skid/crossmember.

3. I'd also like to see some protection for the bolts on the bottom of the main crossmember. I've had bolt head protectors in the past and they made a huge different when I had to remove the skid plate, so I may look into adding some of those.

4. I would have liked to see them add some welds to the very front of the skid plate where the two bent pieces meet. I think it would make it a bit stiffer/stronger and I may end up welding those up in the future myself. It seems a bit strange to me that they wouldn't bother doing that in the first place?

5. Although it's not difficult to figure out, some simple instructions included would be nice for people who may not be as mechanically inclined. There is a YouTube video of the 2.0 engine install, but there are some slight differences for the 3.6 e-torque. Oh yeah, fishing the remote nut into the frame and lining up the bracket and bolt at the same time was a bit of a pain by myself.

Anyway, I hope that helps with your decision. I don't do much serious rock crawling anymore, so I think this skid will fit my needs for the most part, but if I was still wheeling as hard as I used to, I would probably look for something tougher and with better clearance than this skid plate.

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[Adv_aw8s]

Obviously I haven't had a chance to really test it out yet, but I can give you my initial impressions of the skid.

First off, I liked the weight and the price, so those were my main two driving forces in the purchase, plus the fact that there aren't many other options for the e-torque engine currently.

That said, there are some things that I would change if I were building my own skid.

1. I really wish the skid would replace the factory skid/crossmember that is under the transmission instead of bolting to the bottom of it. You could easily gain a little extra clearance by doing that. I believe they do replace that skid/crossmember with the 2.0 engine skid, but not the 3.6 e-torque engine for some reason...

2. I'm not a fan of the sheet nuts and spring washers that are used to mount the skid to that factory skid/crossmember.

3. I'd also like to see some protection for the bolts on the bottom of the main crossmember. I've had bolt head protectors in the past and they made a huge different when I had to remove the skid plate, so I may look into adding some of those.

4. I would have liked to see them add some welds to the very front of the skid plate where the two bent pieces meet. I think it would make it a bit stiffer/stronger and I may end up welding those up in the future myself. It seems a bit strange to me that they wouldn't bother doing that in the first place?

5. Although it's not difficult to figure out, some simple instructions included would be nice for people who may not be as mechanically inclined. There is a YouTube video of the 2.0 engine install, but there are some slight differences for the 3.6 e-torque. Oh yeah, fishing the remote nut into the frame and lining up the bracket and bolt at the same time was a bit of a pain by myself.

Anyway, I hope that helps with your decision. I don't do much serious rock crawling anymore, so I think this skid will fit my needs for the most part, but if I was still wheeling as hard as I used to, I would probably look for something tougher and with better clearance than this skid plate.

Awesome thank you. We don't do much rock crawling per SE either. Couple trips to Moab a year and the rest is just getting into the back country of Colorado. I may email them and see if you remove skids or cross members on the diesel etc.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Bears Ears to Hovenweep and Canyons of the Ancients
Friday & Saturday, May 20-21, 2022

The first day of our Four Corners road trip last month is finally up on the blog. You can find the full story here: https://adventr.co/2022/05/bears-ears-to-hovenweep-and-canyons-of-the-ancients/

Looking for a campsite on our first evening.


Comb Ridge View by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Found a nice one along Comb Wash.

Comb Wash Camp by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

A kiva in a large alcove.

Kiva by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Dolores Canyon Overlook

Dolores Canyon Overlook by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Broken Bowl. The highlight of our Saturday.


Broken Bowl by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Wetherill Mesa at Mesa Verde National Park
Sunday, May 22, 2022

The second day of our Four Corners road trip last month is finally up on the blog. We spent a full day on Wetherill Mesa in Mesa Verde National Park. You can find the full story here: https://adventr.co/2022/05/wetherill-mesa-at-mesa-verde-national-park/


Park Point Fire Lookout


Park Point Fire Lookout by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Morning on Mesa Verde


Mesa Morning by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Mug House


Mug House by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Ledge Rooms by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Long House


Long House by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Rock Art of Canyon del Muerto & Chinle Wash
Monday, May 23, 2022

On the third day of our Four Corners road trip we hired a Navajo guide and visited Canyon del Muerto in Canyon de Chelly National Monument. The full story can be found here: https://adventr.co/2022/05/rock-art-of-canyon-del-muerto-chinle-wash/


I just got rid of my JK last week, but now I found myself riding in this JK during the tour since they no longer allow you to drive your own vehicles in the canyon...


Beauty Way Jeep Tours by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Lightning Cave


Lightning Cave by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Junction Ruins


Junction Ruins by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Standing Cow Ruin


Standing Cow by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

The Birds


The Birds by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

The Wall


The Wall by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

It's officially the ADVENTR Jeep!


ADVENTR by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Driving into the clouds in the Henry Mountains this past weekend.


Bull Creek Pass Road by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Wow, what a difference new light covers make! Probably should have done this sooner…

 

[Rico1111]

Breathtaking!

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Still way behind on photos from the past two months, but here are a couple from exploring the high mesas and plateaus of Western Colorado this weekend.


Edge of the White River Plateau by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Sunrise on the Roan Plateau by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


JQS Switchback by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Morning Rain by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Petroglyphs of the Painted Desert
Tuesday – Wednesday, May 24-25, 2022

Petrified Forest National Park has quickly become one of our favorite places to explore these past few years, so we made sure to spend some more time there while we were in the area and had another great time! The full story can be found here: https://adventr.co/2022/05/petroglyphs-of-the-painted-desert/


We spent the first day searching for petroglyphs in the backcountry of the Painted Desert.


Wash Wandering by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

We found plenty!


Sheep & Dots Panel by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Big Sheep Boulder by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Checkered by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Of course, we also saw a lot of petrified logs in the Black Forest, too.


Petrified Logs by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

We spent the night backpacking in the North Wilderness.


Painted Desert Campsite by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


North Wilderness Peak by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

We found even more petroglyphs the next morning.


Flatiron Rock Sunrise by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


One Leg by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

We visited Keystone Arch before leaving the park.


Keystone Arch by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

The Mogollon Rim to Lyman Lake State Park
Thursday – Friday, May 26-27, 2022

We spent Thursday following the Little Colorado River from the White Mountains to Lyman Lake State Park and stopped to find a few petroglyphs along the way. The full story can be found here: https://adventr.co/2022/05/the-mogollon-rim-to-lyman-lake-state-park/


Petroglyphs along the Little Colorado River


Flute Player Panel by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

I used my packraft to get across Lyman Lake to the petroglyphs on the other side.


Across the Lake by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Ultimate Petroglyph Rock


Big Bird Petroglyph by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

A drive along the lakeshore.


Along the Lake by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Lyman Lake Sunset


Lyman Lake Sunset by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Watching the sunrise from our cabin.


Morning at the Coyote Cabin by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Village of the Great Kivas at the Zuni Pueblo
Friday, May 27, 2022

We left Arizona on Friday morning and entered the Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico as we continued our loop through the Four Corners states. We stopped in Zuni for a tour of the Village of the Great Kivas where we saw some amazing rock art! The full story can be found here: https://adventr.co/2022/05/village-of-the-great-kivas-at-the-zuni-pueblo/



First Petroglyph Panel by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Corner Petroglyphs by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Big Panel by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


The Great Kachina Gallery by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Revisiting El Morro National Monument
Friday, May 27, 2022

After leaving Zuni we travelled just a little further east to revisit the historic inscriptions at El Morro National Monument. The full story can be found here: https://adventr.co/2022/05/revisiting-el-morro-national-monument/


Inscription Rock


Inscription Rock by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Sandstone Staircase


Staircase by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

The Pool


El Morro Pool II by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

" Here was the General Don Diego de Vargas, who conquered for our Holy Faith, and for the Royal Crown, all of New Mexico at his own expense, year of 1692. "


Don Diego de Vargas, 1692 by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

" Passed by here the Governor don Juan de Onate, from the discovery of the Sea of the South on the 16th of April, 1605. "


Juan de Onate, 1605 by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

I’m giving the Shadeidea Sunshade a try with my Sunrider but am not sure what I think about it quite yet. Being 6’5” my head is right up into it, which is my biggest issue. I’m going to leave it on for a little while to see what I think, but it may eventually come off. We’ll see…

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Lava Tube Caving at El Malpais National Monument
Friday & Saturday, May 27-28, 2022

For the last stop of our Four Corners loop we finally got to do a little lava tube caving in El Malpais National Monument. The full story can be found here: https://adventr.co/2022/05/lava-tube-caving-at-el-malpais-national-monument/


It was a very dusty drive to find a spot to camp.

Moon Dust by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Lava Bomb Cave


Lava Bomb Cave by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

My favorite kind!


Primitive Road by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Giant Ice Cave


Giant Ice Cave by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Lava Trench


Back on the Rim by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

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