Maiden voyage from EJS update.
Awesome. Sure there were issues, but damn it felt good to get out and wheel again. I had so much fun driving that I didn't even take any photos out and about. If anybody snapped any, I'd love to have them!
The issues:
Front needs to either get higher rate coils and stiffer compression valving, or one or the other. Still working out the details. I just bottomed out all the time on my bumps doing normal trail travel. Rear seemed much better and well matched, starting to wonder if it has something to do with the higher quality lower coils on the rear. I used Summit Racing brand on the front... anybody have rate change or excessive settling issues with SR coils?
The only other issue I had (besides my front tires loosing all pressure; remember to check your inner-air-lock pressurs dummy!) Was some power steering leakage (need a better cap/vent hose routing.
The good: It freaking crawls nicely! With my long belly and low stance, I hit the belly much less often than the old buggy. 43" tires are sweet crawling tires and after a couple outings they softened up very nicely and work very well. I also got it up to about 50-55 MPH without a sweat, so it will cruise nicely... just need to fix the front coil-rate issue.
It's also very comfy ride. I raked the seats back a tad this time and I found myself with much less back pain after a long trail than I did before. Everything is well within reach and the kids love it and stay pretty well shaded and protected in the back. The front control arms that Carl designed are perfect. I have full range steering and I couldn't be happier. They are beefy! I may end up doing the rear arms just because I know it will be pretty hard to bend them.
So the next trip I will be a little more daring. I didn't do any hardcore climbs or anything this trip. This was more of a cruise with the family trip.
Thanks to the guy in the white XJ that showed up on Hells Revenge with the air compressor! Saved my day!