Orion

[TrailHunter]

Awesome views [emoji41]

They really are. Pictures never do justice either...

Looks like an awesome trip! What kind of tailgate table is that? I need one!

M-Pac Springtale... very happy with it’s simplicity and quality. Perfect for lightweight cooking and prep needs. If you need something stronger... look at EVO’s.

That came out great!

Thank you! Can’t wait to see them out of the garage and on the Jeep.

 

[Jsouder53]

M-Pac Springtale... very happy with it’s simplicity and quality. Perfect for lightweight cooking and prep needs. If you need something stronger... look at EVO’s.



Thank you! Can’t wait to see them out of the garage and on the Jeep.

Awesome! I’ll have to look into those! And I’m sure you’re ready to have them on your jeep [emoji106] what size tires are you going with?



Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app

 

[TrailHunter]

Awesome! I’ll have to look into those! And I’m sure you’re ready to have them on your jeep [emoji106] what size tires are you going with?



Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app

Since I’m having so much fun on stockers... I want to see how far I can push 35’s before stepping up to 37’s.

 

[Jsouder53]

Since I’m having so much fun on stockers... I want to see how far I can push 35’s before stepping up to 37’s.

Definitely! I love my 35s but absolutely want 37s eventually, I just like the way 37s look on a JKU and knowing I could take on more obstacles or trails... then again 35s will get me down pretty much 99% of the trails in my area [emoji23] so really my only reason for 37s would be looks


Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app

 

[wayoflife]

Orion is a little over a Year old now and we revisited his first trail... While at our family trip to Bass Lake.. the wife and I took a relaxing ride through the mountains at 6:00am this morning... We were back on the Lake by 9:30. By no means a hard trail, but some great scenery.

There are miles of off shoots and other Trails in the area... but time was limited... Can’t wait to do more exploring there.

Man, I haven't been up there in years. Nice to see you got out and had a great time :thumb:

 

[black pearl]

Orion is a little over a Year old now and we revisited his first trail... While at our family trip to Bass Lake.. the wife and I took a relaxing ride through the mountains at 6:00am this morning... We were back on the Lake by 9:30. By no means a hard trail, but some great scenery.

View attachment 305841

Stopped to make some Coffee and check out the Lake View.

View attachment 305850

View attachment 305842

Found these Gems among some rustic cabins.

View attachment 305843

View attachment 305844

There are some large rock formations to play on.

View attachment 305845

View attachment 305846

View attachment 305847

Along the 20 mile trail there are awesome little creeks & meadows..

View attachment 305848

View attachment 305849

There are miles of off shoots and other Trails in the area... but time was limited... Can’t wait to do more exploring there.

Awesome! looks like a great trip. Jeep is looking good!!

I want to explore that area a little more when it's not covered in snow.


Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app

 

[YDK 1]

What trail are you running? I’m planning a trip out west in a few months and need places to go!


Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app

 

[TrailHunter]

Finally got some time to wrench on Orion:

Added 3/4 spacers up front to get rid of the Soccer mom Rake. Maybe I’ll need the rears later.


Got C- Gussets welded in. Don’t judge my ugly welds... it’ll hold. [emoji51]


All painted up, spacers in and reassembled.


Surprisingly if you measure the body lines, there is still a +\- 1” rake.



Not sure if I’m supposed to get it aligned.... it drives fine.

 

[JKbrick]

Finally got some time to wrench on Orion:

Added 3/4 spacers up front to get rid of the Soccer mom Rake. Maybe I’ll need the rears later.
View attachment 315508

Got C- Gussets welded in. Don’t judge my ugly welds... it’ll hold. [emoji51]
View attachment 315509

All painted up, spacers in and reassembled.
View attachment 315510

Surprisingly if you measure the body lines, there is still a +\- 1” rake.

View attachment 315511

Not sure if I’m supposed to get it aligned.... it drives fine.

Looks good, if you didn’t mess with the tie rod you don’t need alignment, but if your steering wheel is slightly off you can just adjust the drag link


Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app

 

[black pearl]

Looks great!
I think they look so much better leveled out.


Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app

 

[TrailHunter]

Looks good, if you didn’t mess with the tie rod you don’t need alignment, but if your steering wheel is slightly off you can just adjust the drag link


Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app

Thanks... I’ll drive it some more to see but I think it’s cool.

Looks great!
I think they look so much better leveled out.


Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app

Thanks man. I Agree.

 

[Jsouder53]

It’s looking good! You were able to weld the c gussets on with everything still intact? That’s awesome [emoji106]

 

[BaddestCross]

There's nothing to align on a solid axle. The small spacer shouldn't affect your caster enough to be an issue and you don't have adjustable arms anyway.

--
Build Thread - Adventures of Fiona - https://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=47407

 

[TrailHunter]

It’s looking good! You were able to weld the c gussets on with everything still intact? That’s awesome [emoji106]

Yeah, it was easy with the springs out.... and I just took my time letting it cool off between sections.

There's nothing to align on a solid axle. The small spacer shouldn't affect your caster enough to be an issue and you don't have adjustable arms anyway.

--
Build Thread - Adventures of Fiona - https://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=47407

Good point... thanks bro.

 

[Jsouder53]

Yeah, it was easy with the springs out.... and I just took my time letting it cool off between sections.

That’s awesome! I still have yet to install mine... just sitting in my shed [emoji23] I don’t know anyone who has a welder or anyone that knows how to

 

[sipafz]

Finally got some time to wrench on Orion:

Added 3/4 spacers up front to get rid of the Soccer mom Rake. Maybe I’ll need the rears later.
View attachment 315508

Got C- Gussets welded in. Don’t judge my ugly welds... it’ll hold. [emoji51]
View attachment 315509

All painted up, spacers in and reassembled.
View attachment 315510

Surprisingly if you measure the body lines, there is still a +\- 1” rake.

View attachment 315511

Not sure if I’m supposed to get it aligned.... it drives fine.

The welds look good to me. They look pretty “flat” so I’m sure you got some decent penetration.

Back when I made my budget boost, I ended up with 1.5” more spacer in the front than the rear to get level. Part of that is that I have a 100lbs of winch to offset.

Being that you only added 3/4” you shouldn’t need to worry about bump stop extensions or shock extensions. Just another thing to consider if you end up adding more someday.

 

[rubiDave]

...

Got C- Gussets welded in. Don’t judge my ugly welds... it’ll hold. [emoji51]
View attachment 315509

Those welds look pretty good.

Did you do anything to keep the ball joints cool? Did you check them to make sure they're still OK?

Sent from my SM-G900V using WAYALIFE mobile app

 

[Bear_JT]

Finally got some time to wrench on Orion:

Added 3/4 spacers up front to get rid of the Soccer mom Rake. Maybe I’ll need the rears later.
View attachment 315508

Got C- Gussets welded in. Don’t judge my ugly welds... it’ll hold. [emoji51]
View attachment 315509

All painted up, spacers in and reassembled.
View attachment 315510

Surprisingly if you measure the body lines, there is still a +\- 1” rake.

View attachment 315511

Not sure if I’m supposed to get it aligned.... it drives fine.

That all came out looking good. Good job on the C Gussets.


Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app

 

[TrailHunter]

The welds look good to me. They look pretty “flat” so I’m sure you got some decent penetration.

Back when I made my budget boost, I ended up with 1.5” more spacer in the front than the rear to get level. Part of that is that I have a 100lbs of winch to offset.

Being that you only added 3/4” you shouldn’t need to worry about bump stop extensions or shock extensions. Just another thing to consider if you end up adding more someday.

Thanks... Hopefully adding the 3” lift & 35’s next year... so figured I’d just throw some spacers in while installing the gussets. I bet just the 1/4 pounder alone brought the front down a bit.. so I could be only a 1/2” or so higher than stock... that’s nothin really.

Those welds look pretty good.

Did you do anything to keep the ball joints cool? Did you check them to make sure they're still OK?

Sent from my SM-G900V using WAYALIFE mobile app

Thanks. To prevent damage I just went slow... small section at a time... then held a cool wet rag over the ball joint repeatedly dipping it in a bucket of water... Not really sure the rag made a difference & didn’t want to hit fresh welds with cool water. The upper ball gets the most heat because the welds are so close.... I was kind of worried about the axle seals as well... going slow is key. I did not check anything.. but knowing me, I’ll probably be installing Dynatrac ball joints before the lift anyway.

 

[WJCO]

Looks good. :thumb: