Dirt Road / Off Road Yaris

[Thirty-Nine]

Such a cool little project. Did you ever add any under armor?

[justjesus]

Researching made it a cool little project. Also a pain! Having it out on the dirt made it more fun :)

I was debating using aluminum or carbon fiber. Not steel, as I was going for protection but not the added weight. The plan was to have some long panels bolted onto the "unibody frame rails" using nutserts. That way I could replace if needed, or clean under there.

[Thirty-Nine]

Originally Posted by justjesus

Researching made it a cool little project. Also a pain! Having it out on the dirt made it more fun :)

I was debating using aluminum or carbon fiber. Not steel, as I was going for protection but not the added weight. The plan was to have some long panels bolted onto the "unibody frame rails" using nutserts. That way I could replace if needed, or clean under there.

I have skid plates on my Sidekick and my Cherokee and they're both steel. Aluminum plates are less weight but damage much easier. Carbon fiber would be expensive and need to replaced on the first big whack!

[justjesus]

Originally Posted by Thirty-Nine

I have skid plates on my Sidekick and my Cherokee and they're both steel. Aluminum plates are less weight but damage much easier. Carbon fiber would be expensive and need to replaced on the first big whack!

Love that sidekick of yours! Read through your blog(?) a few times.

I'm kind of surprised that some are now making skids out of aluminum, for like JK Jeeps, maybe others. I guess they make 'em thick?

Haha..yeah, carbon fiber would be!! I was thinking of using aramid (kevlar) as I think that one has better impact resistance. Either way, it's expensive!!

Right now, i'm focusing on my Cherokee, though. A '96 4 door.

What's your set-up on the Cherokee?

[Thirty-Nine]

Originally Posted by justjesus

What's your set-up on the Cherokee?

Well, since you asked ...

3" Skyjacker lift w/Black Max shocks
Metalcloak adjustable track bar
JKS front swaybar disconnects
15x8 Mamba MR1X wheels
31x10.50x15 Yokohama Geolandar MT+ tires
JCR Off Road front bumper
WARN WL 4" LED Lights
JCR OffRoad rock sliders (going on soon)
WARN ZEON 8-S winch (going on soon)
BajaRack Mule roof basket
ARB 1250 awning
Curt class III hitch

I'm in the process of fixing the Sidekick. Reset the key way on the cranshaft snout using Hysol 1C Locktite epoxy. Need to install a new crank bolt and reassemble. Then, once I get it running again, I'll sell it.

[justjesus]

I DID ask :) Thanks for sharing. It looks good, man!

How I wish I could go full Metalcloak kit on mine. But that cost. And it's gone up 400-500 since I looked less than a year ago!! NUTS.

Looks like we will have similar setups. And eventually I'll add some JCR, and JKS.

For the time being, I got a bit of a mutt lift, roughly 2.75" on some 31x10.5 General AT2 tires. Well, the lift should be going on this weekend, if all goes well. The JKS disconnects are ordered, as well.

Sorry to hear about the Sidekick. I love that little thing!

[Thirty-Nine]

Originally Posted by justjesus

I DID ask :) Thanks for sharing. It looks good, man!

How I wish I could go full Metalcloak kit on mine. But that cost. And it's gone up 400-500 since I looked less than a year ago!! NUTS.

Looks like we will have similar setups. And eventually I'll add some JCR, and JKS.

For the time being, I got a bit of a mutt lift, roughly 2.75" on some 31x10.5 General AT2 tires. Well, the lift should be going on this weekend, if all goes well. The JKS disconnects are ordered, as well.

Sorry to hear about the Sidekick. I love that little thing!

Nice; sounds like a good setup.

FYI, the Sidekick is ALIVE! Fixed it last Saturday and it runs (and drives)! I might be selling it, though.

[justjesus]

SWEEEET!

Except for the selling it part. Cool little rig, man. Yours was the motivation for me looking at sidekicks about a year ago! haha.. That and Samurais. Ended up with the Cherokee, though, for the additional cargo space