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Trav's overlanding sport build

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trav87

trav87

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20190517_152859_zpsmimfc2gz.jpg

Saline Valley Rd is very rough due to insane washboard. After leaving the dirt, airing back up, and cruising highway 190 across Death Valley, I noticed excessive swaying. Noticed this when we stopped at Stove Pipe Wells. If you know anything about Death Valley, you know there isn't a hardware store handy lol We had to drive to Pahrump NV to find a store with nuts and bolts. To those that say they don't drive with a front sway bar, I call bullshit! That's straight up sketchy :whew:
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Finally made Overland Expo West and they even parked us next to another JLU! It was a fun and interesting event and I'll be back again!
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But the show must go on! Vermillion Cliffs just before getting to the Navajo Bridge.
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North Rim of the Grand Canyon was chilly to say the least. 28° snowy and no power greeted us. We decided not to camp in the Kaibab National Forest and press on to Hurricane Utah and grab a hotel. Weather didn't cooperate and Zion was shocked in with clouds and rain the next day. I didn't have a flag with me, so we skipped in Sand Hollow also. Instead we powered on to Hoover Dam, and then headed towards the Mojave Desert.
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Have you ever heard of the last place on earth? It's also the last word on healing ;)
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Pretty neat place if you know the history
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Camp in the Mojave Desert after visiting Zzyzx and then finding Travelers Monument. Totally worth the trip!
We packed up in the morning and then started the long drive back to Oregon. Got caught in a wicked sand storm on the Barstow Bakersfield Highway and destroyed my windshield, headlights, fog lights, and grill :angry:
I5 through most of California lacks good camping spots so we got a hotel in Sacramento, then powered on to Oregon the next day.
A little over 3k miles later we pulled in the driveway...with a knocking rear end :angry::angry:
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Also kids...stay away from rough country :headbang: Those sway bar links are pure junk. Every bushing is ballooned out and cracking. Yet another reason to believe in the buy once cry once advice. Anyone want to sponsor me for a proper lift?? :LOL:
 
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Warning: no Jeep content
After being home nearly 24 hours we repacked, cleaned ourselves and the Jeep, picked up my daughter and headed North. Annual Memorial Day weekend beat on my cousins pathfinders family campout time!
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My daughter posing after getting high centered while beating down some new trails on my cousin's property. So yes, it was a closed course lol
Jeep Wrangler JL Trav's overlanding sport build {filename}

Pathfinders can get flexy also!
Jeep Wrangler JL Trav's overlanding sport build {filename}

Always wear your seatbelt! Especially on a closed course on private property lol
Jeep Wrangler JL Trav's overlanding sport build {filename}

I think the kids got more laps than the adults this year lol
Jeep Wrangler JL Trav's overlanding sport build {filename}

It's all fun and games until the 9 year old drives into a log with the nicer pathfinder :CWL:
Best of all, everyone had fun and we did $40 dollars of damage to 2 vehicles that cost $150...not counting that one window...lol
 
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Jeep Wrangler JL Trav's overlanding sport build {filename}

Over 3700 miles, nearly 80 hours of drive time, all forward facing glass getting ruined, yet another ruined rear end later, our Overland Expo West adventure wrapped up...after stopping in Kent, Wa at Dick's Drive-In...for a bag of Dick's :LOL::CWL:
 

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Have you added a lift yet. If so what did you go with and what tire size you running or planning to.
 

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Have you added a lift yet. If so what did you go with and what tire size you running or planning to.
2.5 spacer lift with 285/70/17 Milestar Patagonia M/T
 

blackwell32

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2.5 spacer lift with 285/70/17 Milestar Patagonia M/T
You did a great job. Im looking into getting into overlanding myself. Not big on rock crawling but like the drive. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to seeing more pics
 
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You did a great job. Im looking into getting into overlanding myself. Not big on rock crawling but like the drive. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to seeing more pics
Thanks! I honestly have no desire to rock crawl. I enjoy traveling to remote places via dirt or unimproved roads and seeing things that the average Joe has no idea exists.
Next major trip is Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana with my daughter visiting ghost towns and national parks
 
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I had this loaner while my rear axle got replaced yet again. I gotta say, I don't like the turbo 4 banger. It gets great gas mileage for a Wrangler, but the lag and constant searching for gears is annoying. Maybe it's better in a 2 door, but I didn't like it in the 4 door.
Hopefully next time the rear end gets replaced there will be an actual fix other than throwing another flawed rear end in.
On a positive note, that premium soft top is whisper quite! I was a fan right off the bat. It's quieter than my hardtop was before I added everything up top.

Jeep Wrangler JL Trav's overlanding sport build {filename}
 

baggio16

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Looks sweet!

I have a question, how do you get your tent off the rack? I've had a problem trying to get mine off since there is barely a way to get my hand in between the rack and top.
 

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Looks sweet!

I have a question, how do you get your tent off the rack? I've had a problem trying to get mine off since there is barely a way to get my hand in between the rack and top.
I have the tent mounted on uni-strut since it isn't a direct bolt on to a Rhine Rack Pioneer Platform. It sits almost 2" above the platform.

Jeep Wrangler JL Trav's overlanding sport build {filename}
 
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I should have went with this style awning from the start. So much easier and so much coverage! Rhino Rack Batwing

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shacdaddy

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I should have went with this style awning from the start. So much easier and so much coverage! Rhino Rack Batwing

Jeep Wrangler JL Trav's overlanding sport build {filename}
How much height does the Batwing add with regard to garage clearance?
 

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Great thread! I'm enjoying your adventures and what you've done to that Jeep! The batwing looks awesome!
 
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How much height does the Batwing add with regard to garage clearance?
It's 4 1/2" above the Pioneer Platform. Around 79" from the ground to the top of the awning.
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