sm31
Active Member
Attn: JKX Alaska survivors? 
I've done a fair bit of research on my own but I'm feeling more confused than usual... I'm currently on the front end of my JKUR build here in Alaska but 99.9% of my off-road experience is from the Rocky Mountain region (in a TJ). I've spoken to a fair number of Jeep owner/builders here in Alaska but I'm hoping to find input from anyone with a bit of experience from both areas.
Mud:
At first, I expected some of this area to mimic conditions found in more of the eastern trails... mainly mud (which I am a little bit afraid of). However, the mud here seems a little different from what I fearfully avoided in the past... basically a thin kind of slop sitting on top of permafrost with chunks of tundra mixed in. And it's pretty much inescapable, so I might as well get used to it if I plan to continue my beloved hobby... which I do of course.
Rocks:
Once again, I expected jaunts above the timberline to mimic conditions in the Rockies... and they don't. While there are plenty of exposed rocks around, the majority are covered by a really thick layer of tundra... like do somersaults-down-the-mountain-without-injury thick. So that one has left me a bit confused as well.
Water:
In addition to mud and tundra covered rocks, there are a LOT of water crossings. For the first time ever, I'm considering some sort of snorkel... even though it makes my eyes water just typing the word. Are there any alternatives that don't look so snorkely? Vanity...
Snow:
Contrary to reports from MSNBC and the Huffington Post, portions of Alaska still have snow in winter. As far as I can tell, some of the local wheelers are more active during winter than summer due to all the runoff. I anticipate a lot more snow wheeling than I have done in the past.
Looking at some of the local builds, beadlocks are popular... but they are already on my list. I'm taking my build in an "overland" type of direction (and I'm on a tight budget) around the stage 2 EVO 3" Enforcer lift. Was originally planning on 35's but my concerns over all that soupy muck in the summertime has me thinking about the 37" E rated Coops, which would necessitate a move to the 4" plush ride coils as well. Gussets are already on the list but I wasn't planning to get too aggressive with the axles since I am also not all that aggressive on the trails anymore. Planning to keep the build as light as possible with aluminum where I can afford it, etc. Maybe alloy shafts will provide a little more insurance but I'm not sure. Are the 37's really a good idea without upgraded axles in these conditions, or are 35's the smarter choice?
I "feel" like I'm not going to abuse the skid plates as much here but I don't know for sure. Can anyone familiar with both of these regions provide input? Is this a place for me to save a little weight (and $$)? Was thinking of an aluminum oil pan skid, then relocating the evap and calling it done. But I hesitate to ask because skimping on skid plates sort of feels like buying a chinese winch.
Fender liners: I'm a fan of trimmed stock flares. Has anyone successfully retained the stock liners after trimming the flares, or do they have to go?
Off-road lighting. As a daytime wheeler, I've never felt the need to invest in them but yesterDAY lasted 5 hours, 28 minutes. So off-road lights are in my future if I plan to wheel in winter. Any suggestions for the most practical locations under these conditions? I don't foresee using them for full-on crawling or for high speed dirt roads... more for just tooling down the trail at a medium pace (thanks Mr. Sandler...). Is the top of the bumper the most practical location?
I am hoping to build once and be a little happy (lol wut?). Obtaining the disposable income necessary for the inevitable do-overs will be tough. That said, I'm asking for advice and input on wheeling through this weird place I now live... but from those who also have a perspective on wheeling in the west where I came from. I hope all that made sense!!
Thank you for reading this crazy long post!
I've done a fair bit of research on my own but I'm feeling more confused than usual... I'm currently on the front end of my JKUR build here in Alaska but 99.9% of my off-road experience is from the Rocky Mountain region (in a TJ). I've spoken to a fair number of Jeep owner/builders here in Alaska but I'm hoping to find input from anyone with a bit of experience from both areas.
Mud:
At first, I expected some of this area to mimic conditions found in more of the eastern trails... mainly mud (which I am a little bit afraid of). However, the mud here seems a little different from what I fearfully avoided in the past... basically a thin kind of slop sitting on top of permafrost with chunks of tundra mixed in. And it's pretty much inescapable, so I might as well get used to it if I plan to continue my beloved hobby... which I do of course.
Rocks:
Once again, I expected jaunts above the timberline to mimic conditions in the Rockies... and they don't. While there are plenty of exposed rocks around, the majority are covered by a really thick layer of tundra... like do somersaults-down-the-mountain-without-injury thick. So that one has left me a bit confused as well.
Water:
In addition to mud and tundra covered rocks, there are a LOT of water crossings. For the first time ever, I'm considering some sort of snorkel... even though it makes my eyes water just typing the word. Are there any alternatives that don't look so snorkely? Vanity...
Snow:
Contrary to reports from MSNBC and the Huffington Post, portions of Alaska still have snow in winter. As far as I can tell, some of the local wheelers are more active during winter than summer due to all the runoff. I anticipate a lot more snow wheeling than I have done in the past.
Looking at some of the local builds, beadlocks are popular... but they are already on my list. I'm taking my build in an "overland" type of direction (and I'm on a tight budget) around the stage 2 EVO 3" Enforcer lift. Was originally planning on 35's but my concerns over all that soupy muck in the summertime has me thinking about the 37" E rated Coops, which would necessitate a move to the 4" plush ride coils as well. Gussets are already on the list but I wasn't planning to get too aggressive with the axles since I am also not all that aggressive on the trails anymore. Planning to keep the build as light as possible with aluminum where I can afford it, etc. Maybe alloy shafts will provide a little more insurance but I'm not sure. Are the 37's really a good idea without upgraded axles in these conditions, or are 35's the smarter choice?
I "feel" like I'm not going to abuse the skid plates as much here but I don't know for sure. Can anyone familiar with both of these regions provide input? Is this a place for me to save a little weight (and $$)? Was thinking of an aluminum oil pan skid, then relocating the evap and calling it done. But I hesitate to ask because skimping on skid plates sort of feels like buying a chinese winch.
Fender liners: I'm a fan of trimmed stock flares. Has anyone successfully retained the stock liners after trimming the flares, or do they have to go?
Off-road lighting. As a daytime wheeler, I've never felt the need to invest in them but yesterDAY lasted 5 hours, 28 minutes. So off-road lights are in my future if I plan to wheel in winter. Any suggestions for the most practical locations under these conditions? I don't foresee using them for full-on crawling or for high speed dirt roads... more for just tooling down the trail at a medium pace (thanks Mr. Sandler...). Is the top of the bumper the most practical location?
I am hoping to build once and be a little happy (lol wut?). Obtaining the disposable income necessary for the inevitable do-overs will be tough. That said, I'm asking for advice and input on wheeling through this weird place I now live... but from those who also have a perspective on wheeling in the west where I came from. I hope all that made sense!!
Thank you for reading this crazy long post!
