Built by Creative Motor Sports with Fully Adjustable Independent Suspension. IFS trucks have lighter foot print pressure than a 150lb man standing on the same ground.
Monday, 14 March 2011
Friday, 11 March 2011
Tides Out (When was the last time you checked your diff oil?)
So when was the last time you checked your diff oil? A lot of people undo the filler plug and as soon as they see fluid (the reason I say fluid is it might be black but that does not mean it is oil) running out they screw the plug back in and the check is over it has oil! What is running out might well be a mixture of water and oil don’t forget oil floats on water, so when you filled the diff you only filled it to the bottom edge of the filler hole. So why is it running out? Could it be that the axle has water in it, so pushing the oil up higher in the diff housing! 
The photo above left shows what can happen when the oil is not check correctly. The photo above on the right shows the line the oil/water mix was sitting at almost 30mm about the bottom edge of the filler hole.
This is the damage that has been done to this diff housing the corrosion is very bad. Once the diff and carrier is stripped out an assessment can be made on the condition of the components and hopefully it will only need new bearings, still a cost that could have been avoided with regular oil changes.
An easy way to change the oil in the Dana axles is to use a LubeLocker no more having to prise the diff cover off, or scrapping of the old RTV. Available from FTE 4x4 Specialists Ltd.
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
A Tip for Wrangler JK’s Lifted with Rear Bowed Springs.
When lifting a Wrangler JK more then 3 inches it is normal to fit adjustable upper control arms to give correct prop shaft alignment. This typically involves rotating the noise of the rear diff upwards, causing the rear springs to bow.
Now there are 2 options to correct this the first involves cutting the lower spring mounts off the axle and either if possible welding the originals back on at the correct angle or purchasing new mounts. The other option that is a easier method is to fit some wedges, although the first method is a better option the wedges do work well. 
These little wedges are fitted between the spring and lower mount. 
Not perfect but a vast improvement over the original set-up, as an added bonus the rear of the vehicle came up 3/4” due to the fact that the springs were now sitting up straighter.
For more information contact FTE 4x4 Specialists Ltd
Thursday, 17 February 2011
Sunday, 13 February 2011
A New Style Snorkel for the Wrangler JK ?
Rugged Ridge are developing a new style of snorkel for the Jeep Wrangler JK, at present it is in pro-type stage, and they are hoping to have it ready for the summer 2011. For now it is for the 3.8 V6 petrol engine, but as soon as it is released we shall get one over to see if it will work with the CRD engines. It will be a modular design, so a high level section will fit to the base part, also it will work with the Rugged Ridge screen light mounts and the Rugged Ridge light bar.
As soon as any news is available it will be posted here.
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
A New Year & A New Project (Well Almost)
It is 15 years ago since I purchased my first Jeep a Wrangler TJ it was 3 months old, before I had even purchase the Wrangler I knew I was going to modify it. Up until that point I had always had Land Rovers, I had always wanted a Jeep but having moved on from the Series Land Rover onto the Defender I did not want to go back to leaf springs. I was at an off-road event at High Wycombe in 1996 with my girlfriend (now wife). She came over and told me about this Jeep that was giving a display in the arena, and how well it was going over the obstacles on its coil spring suspension, (after I explained to her that Jeeps used leaf springs, I then had to eat humble pies when she dragged me over to see) It was the new Jeep Wrangler TJ that was going to be launched in 1997, being driven by a gent call Barry Stellard from Jeep. After the display I went over to Barry to have a chat with him about the new Wrangler, after a long chat he invited me down to Dover were Jeep where based to have a look around.
So began my affair with the Wrangler and Jeep.
I still have my first Jade Wrangler a 4.0l Sport, over the years it has be lifted 3 times starting with a Pro-Comp kit which stayed on the vehicle for about 3 month, then moving onto Rubicon Express 4.5” short arm kit and then onto the Rubicon Express 5.5” long arm kit, which is still runs, it has many more modifications that I will list as this project evolves. Well I am sad to say that for the past 5 years it has sat in the corner of my yard being neglected, and somewhat forgotten about, as I have had other Jeeps (another TJ, a Cherokee XJ and a Wrangler JK) to play with, but I do miss driving it, and the looks it use get. So I have decided to give it a revamp and update.
So begins project Resurrection, progress will be slow, as I have to fit the work in between jobs and family (how things change!).
At Tixover off-road site, with the 4.5” short arm kit, sitting on 33 x 9.50 x 15 on Mach rims Justine driving (Wife).
Please check in at FTE 4x4 Specialists Ltd to follow the project.
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
Wrangler JK H/D Rear Axle Spring Mounts
Rubicon Express have available Wrangler JK heavy duty weld on spring mounts and bump-stop pads for the rear axle. The brackets are weld on only and allow corrected positioning for coils and bump-stops after rear pinion has been rolled up for proper drive shaft angle in lifted vehicles. Bump-Stop pad relocation will eliminate any interference with rear track bar bracket. HD Rear Coil bracket will eliminate rattling springs at full suspension droop with the screw down coil retainers.
For more details and prices contact steve@fte.co.uk at FTE 4x4 Specialists Ltd
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