Wranglers In Comps.

[hammer TJ]

Originally Posted by Black_TJ

However you break it u recover it is the rule on the course.....

You must be good at recovering cause you have broken nearly everthing

[MattW]

lol

[Wooders]

Originally Posted by RockhamptonTJ

What's a "flex" tie rod? is it a stronger unit like the one offered by Suburban or is it a unit for more "Flex"

A Flex tie rod is made from solid alloy, and will bend, then strighten itself.....Infact theyll bend upto about 6" and just snap back......
I think Subs sell them? I admit I got mine from US....

They are much stronger than stock , but also IMHO reduce the chance of dan=mageing the drag link becuase they'll bend taking some stree from the draglink (some)....
But the stocker tie rod is puny weak and easy to bend.....and I've seen many bent....Just ask JpMark about TuffTruck

[AussieCJ7]

Rocky I have nav'd for a couple of events in Coops TJ and attended most of the NSW comps where SJC have competed

out of the then ones that normally compete you have

2 x 4" RE short arm kits 2" body lift and 35" or 36" with warn axle upgrades

1 x OME 2" lift and spacers and lots of custom stuff 35" tyre

1 x 5.5" RE LA kit with 37's dana 44 front and rear with warn axle upgrades

All run ARB's front and rear high mouint winches and all the normal comp gear


The TJ's almost own woodpecker with very consitent runs and getting drive of the comp plus 3rd outright and 3rd team etc and this is against teams that include pete Autunack monster toyota and other big name trucks running 44's etc

Nissan trails has been bit of a distarter for the jeeps but you need to set your truck up slightly different for that event

other events the Jeeps have always been very competive including 2nd in the first tuff truck etc

The secrete to woodpecker sucess is due to the fact it is a teams event the SJC approach it is a teams event rather than 4 indivudule drives like some teams, by haveing 4 simliar trucks with the same wheel base and width the NAV's work together to pack and get both trucks through at once and this gets better scorse than one truck finishing and the other blowing out early in the event

I aggree with Wooders the Flex alloy tie rod is the best way to go as they get a hammering in comps and by flexing out of the way they dont push the damage out to other spots like a stronger one can

If there is a lot of mud and water then have a talk to Sub about what they have done with Jumbos truck, lots of little things like positive pressure in the distrubitor cap and placement of breather etc


Basically look hard at what the event is decide what the weak areas of your truck is that will be tested in the comp and try tio minimise the effect

most of all drive with your brain and not the blood rush that will happen and have fun

[JP Mark]

"The TJ's almost own woodpecker "

[AndrewB]

I have done 2 logan challanges and have the following advice:

Do not have a HEAVY useless car in your team unless you have a heavier capable car to recover it.

It is fine to have a stock car that can be pulled up hills etc, so long as it is not the heaviest car in the team.

We had a team last year with 4 zooks and a bundera. The bundy was realitivly moded yet we couldnt drag it up a hill - even with his high mount hooked to my high mount both winching in. So we DNF'ed 2 satges because of this scenario.

[mattc]

But the stocker tie rod is puny weak and easy to bend

Too true. Mine just bent mucking around flexing on an enbankment at full lock.

Check out the local product that Suburban is selling - I don't think they are that much $$$ compared to the US. Like Wooders, mine is from the US as Sub didn't have a TJ one then. I got a Toys by Troy one which was US$135 or so.... that's like Oz$200 before GST, tariff, and freight.