The Good: Before the trip I installed my new Rancho 9000’s, WOW what a difference! Before, with the stock shocks, at any thing over 45MPH if I hit a bump the truck would bounce to the left or right. With the new shocks, the ride was greatly improved, and I really liked being able to lower the firmness for the washboard sections of the trip and firm them up to control the bouncing when we were crawling over the rocks.
The bad: Along with the new shocks, I installed the in-cab controller. I loved the ability to control the firmness of the shocks on the fly, but with all the t-fittings and controller connections and a connection at each shock, tracking down the little air leaks is a royal pain. The system would slowly leak air and change the settings about 1 notch every 20 minutes, so we had to keep charging it up during the rough parts.
I also don’t like my new Warrior sway bar disconnects. They are very clunky sounding when connected going over the smallest bumps. It is also nearly impossible to re connect them! The two end fittings are at an angle when you lower the sway bar into place & have to try to fit them into the center tube. Then you get to try to line up both sides at once… I’m resigned to taking off the top nut then sliding the top bolt up into the sway bar & putting on the nut & tightening it down. I think I might try a big wing nut up there to make it easier.
The ugly: I thought there would be more carnage on the underside, but the truck held up very well. Things will only get better after I install the new skid plates. The worst damage happened as we climbed out of the last wash. We had built up a bit of speed to make the climb and just as we cleared the top, a tree branch smashed into the Surco roof rack. This cause the whole unit to get jammed back at an angle and the stock roof rack tracks on the truck got ripped out at the right rear & the front left. We strapped it down & kept going but I think I might have to replace the whole thing.
MVP: I was very happy with the Xterrains. These tires did great during the rains we had out here last month & everything turned to mud...they pulled me through just as well as my BFG MT's. During this trip, aired down to 17 lbs. they rode great and handled everything I gave them. The sidewalls took a lot of abuse & didn't flinch. They also provided some super traction going up the steep loose climbs.
Soundtrack: America's - A Horse With No Name, of course
For more on this trip check out the reports at
www.rubiconowners.com and
http://forums.bajanomad.com/
