Its the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year and I'm heading out solo in the Jeep Cherokee XJ for an remote overnight winter camp in the wilderness. Temperatures have been fluctuating and a storm recently passed which has created granular snow, or sugar snow as they call it here. Although the snow level isnt high the traction is very low, especially on inclines. These conditions are notorious for axle hop as the snow does not stick together and has the consistency of sugar, so low pressures and the chains are on to help get some grip. This was a pretty chilled camp before the holidays begun, hope you all have a Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thanks for watching.
Nice vid. Loved the drone view of your camp with the distant fire. I have a 99 xj with the rear traclok. In the US they came with the Up Country Suspension Group package which was the trail rated package back in those times. Not many xj’s with the package here. You know you have the traclok when you look in the glove box and see the warning sticker that it came fitted with it. Can I assume you don’t have a front locker? Thanks for the great work!
@Discovery_Overland no way I have a warning sticker in my glove box! Never knew that. No front locker on this one, yet. Thanks for watching and for the comment. Happy 2024 (this me from my other channel)
That’s a beautiful XJ. I wish we would have had diesel XJs available here in the US that weren’t the very rare (for good reason) Peugeot powered XJs back in the 80s.
I don't know if you can find it over there, but here in the US they sell a tread plate channel, sort of an inverted "D" that we weld onto the access ladders of grain trailers and tankers. It comes in long sections, usually pretty cheap and you just cut and weld onto the rungs. Typically works with 1"-3" round steps, gives good grip with snow or mud packed boots when climbing.
Love your adventure from a Canadian! Respect to your rig, filming and adventure. We related towards loving spending time in the outside no matter what the weather or situation is, why we also rock an RTT and something similar to you. Thanks for the video, we really enjoyed it. Stay safe out there!
Yeah that was the plan, less stuff inside, less hassle on setup. It needs some work to function better but it was nice having it there all the time. Thanks for watching and hope you have a great new year with the family!
Thanks for your effort to capture all that you’re doing . It must be a lot of work . But it’s very enjoyable to watch . Love your Cherokee . I have a 99 same colour on 35s that I’ve been building on for 10 years off and on . Just a toy . I don’t drive it on the salt roads . Trying to make it last . There a lot of fun .
Hi Mike. I check daily to see when your videos drop lol Everything about them is great and inspiring. That out trow was really good. Your editing. Camera angles. Appropriate use of drone footage is great! Spotted the new rear ladder immediately . Looks great. I think I see you use that boot tray almost more than anything else. Kneeling on. Collecting firewood. Fan for the fire. So many uses! As someone who is very particular like yourself. I think a front selectable locker would be the best option Mike. Because it keeps you in control of what the Jeep does and doesn’t do. Either eaton e locker or ox cable. I went truetrac F&R on my XJ. It is great off road no doubt. But I’ve only had it on some steep gravel Inclines so far. So not enough testing to give you proper feedback yet. But I can feel some steering wheel torque when on 4 hi on the highway. (Icy/snow conditions) But some of that was also down to play in the front lower control arms. ( it’s Better now I replaced those). So all I can say is this. If there is anything not 100% tight or right in the front axle. The truetrac will highlight it. But if I’m honest I wish I had spent more $$ and went selectable. But I’ve not had it long. Or really put them to the test is deep snow yet. But I will report back after more testing Mike.👊
Thanks for the solid feedback on the truetracs and the video. Appreciate you watching, and I'm glad you enjoyed it. I want a selectable locker. Ox or E locker. I'm not sure which one it will be, but an E locker is very obtainable for me here. OX is hard to find and very expensive. I think my front axle is letting the vehicle down in most situations. I see both my rears spinning most of the time unless they are bound up. I will look at some E lockers and see what I can dig up. Thanks again for watching and happy new year
Thanks for the dump tray advice, Mike. Always come to you for the latest bushcraft tips. dump tray fling, can't believe you never used one back in the British wilds.
Hey Mike, wrap some grip tape round the rungs of your ladder. It’s the stuff we put on our skateboards so our trainers would grip the board. Well, many years ago I did. I’m 55 now and my skateboarding days ended years ago 😂
Griptape actually gets clogged really easily with snow and ice because it’s so porous material. I would go with something that either doesn’t freeze like rubber mastic tape or some sort of aggressive spikey metal surface.
I was out camping in the Mojave desert, so missed this coming out. Very different conditions, except for wandering tracks in the soft sand. All the best for 2024, the year you finally get to meet Bigfoot!!!
Another great video Mike, I particularly liked the bonus of the motage at the end. Saw the new ladder straight away and thought "did I miss that in a past video", then a couple of minutes later relieved to hear it was a new addition. At the start were you testing to see if we were all listening? Swear you said the sun rises at 10pm! That would be one hell of a late start to the morning 😂
Mike been following you for years at least a decade back to the old bushcraft days. Love your Overland Jeep channel get to see your other side and your sense of humor too. Big shout out from the states my friend.
Happy and healthy new year to you too Mike and your loved ones! I ve been watching your content for many years now i couldn't remember since you were hunting pigeons and you ve been an inspiration for me to go outdoors with my Suzuki Jimny and friends. Wish you the best greetings from Greece!
Thanks for watching! The editing can take some time, but surprisingly, not as long as you would imagine. I've been at it for too long lol. Happy New year
I very much look forward to your videos coming out and enjoy them all immensely, camping or wrenching. Happy New Year to you and yours and thanks a bunch!
That sounds pretty dam scary, to be honest! How did that go? Yeah, he was probably waiting for a rollover so he could pull me from the vehicle and claim bumming rights.
Nice seeing you again mate 🥰🥰🥰 Hope everythings going well and you've had a great Christmas, Love the new video. Have a great New Year 🎉🎊 🎉and keep the videos coming 🤩
Christmas has been really good thanks, very chilled and lots of time with Meg and Max. Thanks for watching and appreciate the comment, happy 2024 for you and the family!
Really appreciate your videos and the humour you bring into it. I also like the technical stuff although I have to admit that half of the time I’m lost 😀. All the best for you and your family!
I've beat the crap out of my 8.25 and high pinion 30 in my XJ on 35s for a solid 6 years now with no true issues. Built roughly the same as yours with no locker. For what you do, I'd say you'll never need a locker.
Thanks Mike for the great videos this year!! Love them all! Well, the transmission just went out in my 96 XJ so I'm tearing it apart to do a 5.3 LS swap but not getting much done right now because I had to stop and watch your videos LOL Thanks for the interruption and Thanks for all the hard work you're doing! Happy New Year!!!
Ah no, dam transmission work. Well at least you have a new project now! Glad I could provide a brief distraction but jokes aside thanks for watching and have an awesome new year, 2024!
Yeah I've been thinking about it for a while. I just haven't taken the plunge yet because I'm looking into which one to get. Thanks for watching and happy 2024!
Fantastic way to close out the year, Mike! The ride out looked a bit sketchy at times. Looks like it really kept you on your toes. Loved the montage and music at the end. Looking forward to what adventures next year brings, especially your planned five day trip. Have a great and safe New Year!
My only concern is their behaviour on normal ice roads around bends? I get a bit sketched out about the axle locking under drive and causing a drifting scenario. Thanks for the info and for watching
Hi Mike, really enjoyed this film. That looked quite a recovery, and the driving on the way out looked a bit tetchy in places ! Great montage and pleased Big foot ledt you alone. All the best to you and family for the New Year, regards Grant.
Happy New Year. Your Jeep with tire chains is really impressive. I owned an ex Swiss Army Steyr Daimler Puch Pinzgauer. It came with reinforced stainless steel tire chains. It was ok but very underpowered. And the heater window defroster was designed for Djibouti !
Well, what can I say, I did my best. I had a broken drone arm and a busted media mod on my main camera by the end of this one, hence then terrible video and audio on the last shot in the Jeep. Maybe next time..... Thanks for watching
Thanks for your great work, Mike! I’ve been watching you since MCQBushcraft and your videos are just blessings from the nature! Best wishes and Happy New Year to you and your family from Russia, Sakhalin🎉
Great video!!! The snow you are driving in is very similar to the snow in cold winter of Wyoming. My last time out was chains on all 4 of my built 97 Jeep TJ with 35's and around 10 psi, had to work to go anywhere the snow was deep, but without the chains all you could do was horsepower through it. What diesel engine is in your XJ? I just got done swapping in a Cummins R2.8 into my TJ a year and a half ago. You should look into a Eaton True Trac for your dana 30 front axle they are very good for your type of driving and will give you a lot more traction.
I will check out the Eaton True Track, lockers are becoming something i wish I had done years ago. Sounds like you have a nice build for getting out there. I always loved TJ's. The engine is a 425ohv 2.5 marine diesel engine. It came standard in these euro export XJ's. Mines not really standard anymore, lots of modifications for power and reliability etc. Thanks for watching and happy new year
Hey Mike - thanks for this videoI am watching right now. Seeing you recover from your side slip I was thinking: wouldnt it be a good time to finally think about some lockers, would it? 😉
Yeah a locker would be good. The rear seems to do well on the LSD but the front is the let down. I would like a OX locker, a cable actuated one. Thanks for watching and happy 2024!
I googled them and I like the look of them. Not too expensive so I think I will get one and mod it so it will hang lower. Thanks for the tip and for watching! Happy 2024!
The lsd in the stock axles be it the 35 or 8.25 are actually very good. I have a stock lsd 35 and my 30 has the Volvo variant and I like the setup. Works great offroad and works great on road. Like 20 years ago I tried one of those cheap aussie lockers in the 30 with a lsd 8.25 and it was terrible on road in the rain and snow. Selectable lockers is the best option. So we are going to go with Yukon zip lockers.
I'm always quite surprised at how good it performs. It's good to hear that a lunchbox locker is bad for road manners. I don't want to use one for that very concern. I expect I will get an E locker for the 30 or, if possible, an OX locker. I will check out the Yukon Zip Lockers
Sweet video! I know this may be way too expensive, would require trailering, and not sure about how close to grenading your turdy 30 it would get, but tracks would be fun to see you on.
@@WorkshoptoWildernessthat would be an undertaking I’m sure but would be epic. I saw Rudy from Matt’s Offroad started making some but I never saw him finish. Happy new years!
Coming from someone who locked their 30... i don't think you should discount it. Realistically you've done enough to strengthen it that it would compete with a 44 hands down. It will be a lot cheaper to lock your 30 than source a stronger compatible axle and upgrade it... IDK maybe I'm biased. My setup isThe ARB (i know expensive) with the option for 30 spline inner axle shafts so you can run a thicker chromoly. Have to run the 29(?) spline outers still to continue running the xj unit bearings. Was cheap for me because i got this stuff used but if you weren't aware of that 30 spline option it does exist! Not sure if other manufacturers have it. You'll have to think what you want the weak point to be. Bettter u joints/stub shafts than gears or inner axle shafts... All this to say you better freaking lock your 30!
Thanks for the feedback, mate. Appreciate it because I hear so many things. It's hard to know, but real-world experience is always really useful for me. So, for starters, I'm going to put in an E locker, electric one. I think compressed air will fail here much like my own compressor. Ice and water freezing in small lines. I can't get an OX. I would love one, but it's just too expensive and hard to source here. Thanks again, and happy 2024!
Love the content man! Been learning a lot from you 👍 thank you for the time and effort put into the videos. I see a lot of good quality work with clipping, video framing and angles. Keep it up 👍 Greetings from Norway 🇧🇻 Have a good new year!
Mike I live in British Columbia,Canada. I’m a diehard Toyota guy but I REALLY like the XJ’s. I must say that you have one of the coolest rig set ups I have seen to date. Where abouts are you located and is there an abundance of space to overland? Looking forward to hearing from you. CHEERS!!!
Thanks for another great winter camping video! One small detail I noticed on the chain springs. It looked like the hook faced inward toward the sidewall on the install portion that was shown. Any concern of puncture with those? I was wondering if they hold position well enough if the hooks face outward or if rolling the ends over would help. You mentioned they were from a trampoline. I had a friend tear his leg up from one of those springs so I know the ends can be sharp. Of course tires are tougher than skin especially in those temps. Happy New Year! Maybe 2024 will be the year you catch a glimpse of him. He’s bound to slip up sometime.
I know what you mean on the springs. I've thought about it but I think it will be fine. The side wall is very thick but perhaps a situation where you hit a rut and it pushes the spring into the tire. I do need to come up with something new, its just very difficult to take the spring off when its set the other way. Thanks for the comment and for watching. Happy 2024!
Say I follow religiously but afraid I may have missed something. I have finally got close enough to hopefully purchase a roof top tent for this coming summer season. I have been looking at the same one you have that is sold here in the US. It looks like you have possibly solved one of the issues I have had and added a rear ladder and started using the side for entry. Have you made any videos on this yet. The rear ladder is a great idea for so many reasons, only concern is , does it add to hinge or general tailgate wear?
Yes, yes.... drainage workers. Fascinating stuff. In one episode one of the "drainage workers" deals with several flash floods consecutively. Thanks for watching and happy 2024!
Thanks for watching and glad you enjoy them! It's just easier to reverse it than try and pull it all sometimes. Greetings from Sweden and happy new year!
Its the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year and I'm heading out solo in the Jeep Cherokee XJ for an remote overnight winter camp in the wilderness. Temperatures have been fluctuating and a storm recently passed which has created granular snow, or sugar snow as they call it here. Although the snow level isnt high the traction is very low, especially on inclines. These conditions are notorious for axle hop as the snow does not stick together and has the consistency of sugar, so low pressures and the chains are on to help get some grip.
This was a pretty chilled camp before the holidays begun, hope you all have a Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Thanks for watching.
Nice vid. Loved the drone view of your camp with the distant fire. I have a 99 xj with the rear traclok. In the US they came with the Up Country Suspension Group package which was the trail rated package back in those times. Not many xj’s with the package here. You know you have the traclok when you look in the glove box and see the warning sticker that it came fitted with it. Can I assume you don’t have a front locker? Thanks for the great work!
@Discovery_Overland no way I have a warning sticker in my glove box! Never knew that. No front locker on this one, yet. Thanks for watching and for the comment. Happy 2024 (this me from my other channel)
Magnificent and stunning landscapes, reminds me of the vast Russia
"As much traction as a Tub of Astroglyde" I couldn't stop laughing. Your one liners crack me up. !!
That’s a beautiful XJ. I wish we would have had diesel XJs available here in the US that weren’t the very rare (for good reason) Peugeot powered XJs back in the 80s.
The poop tray is genius. I'll be sure to employ that in my next outing. Thanks, Mike!
Haha yeah its a solid device! Thanks for watching and happy 2024!
Only 11 seconds…all I need to hit the subscribe buton. Beautiful video
Appreciate the comment and thanks for subscribing!
I don't know if you can find it over there, but here in the US they sell a tread plate channel, sort of an inverted "D" that we weld onto the access ladders of grain trailers and tankers. It comes in long sections, usually pretty cheap and you just cut and weld onto the rungs. Typically works with 1"-3" round steps, gives good grip with snow or mud packed boots when climbing.
Love your adventure from a Canadian! Respect to your rig, filming and adventure. We related towards loving spending time in the outside no matter what the weather or situation is, why we also rock an RTT and something similar to you. Thanks for the video, we really enjoyed it. Stay safe out there!
The new ladder is nice, helps reduce the amount of stuff you have to carry around too.
Yeah that was the plan, less stuff inside, less hassle on setup. It needs some work to function better but it was nice having it there all the time. Thanks for watching and hope you have a great new year with the family!
Thanks for your effort to capture all that you’re doing . It must be a lot of work . But it’s very enjoyable to watch . Love your Cherokee . I have a 99 same colour on 35s that I’ve been building on for 10 years off and on . Just a toy . I don’t drive it on the salt roads . Trying to make it last . There a lot of fun .
Setup always amazes me its so thought out and extensive.
Hi Mike. I check daily to see when your videos drop lol Everything about them is great and inspiring. That out trow was really good. Your editing. Camera angles. Appropriate use of drone footage is great!
Spotted the new rear ladder immediately . Looks great.
I think I see you use that boot tray almost more than anything else. Kneeling on. Collecting firewood. Fan for the fire. So many uses!
As someone who is very particular like yourself. I think a front selectable locker would be the best option Mike. Because it keeps you in control of what the Jeep does and doesn’t do. Either eaton e locker or ox cable. I went truetrac F&R on my XJ. It is great off road no doubt. But I’ve only had it on some steep gravel
Inclines so far. So not enough testing to give you proper feedback yet. But I can feel some steering wheel torque when on 4 hi on the highway. (Icy/snow conditions)
But some of that was also down to play in the front lower control arms. ( it’s Better now I replaced those). So all I can say is this. If there is anything not 100% tight or right in the front axle. The truetrac will highlight it.
But if I’m honest I wish I had spent more $$ and went selectable.
But I’ve not had it long. Or really put them to the test is deep snow yet. But I will report back after more testing Mike.👊
Thanks for the solid feedback on the truetracs and the video. Appreciate you watching, and I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I want a selectable locker. Ox or E locker. I'm not sure which one it will be, but an E locker is very obtainable for me here. OX is hard to find and very expensive.
I think my front axle is letting the vehicle down in most situations. I see both my rears spinning most of the time unless they are bound up.
I will look at some E lockers and see what I can dig up.
Thanks again for watching and happy new year
Hey Mike . Happy 2024 . Always have all your videos on loop . Have a great time . See you 24’
Thanks for watching and have a happy new year!
Another good one my friend! For your ladder, simply weld rows of tacks along the steps, you know, make it ribbed for your pleasure! 😉👍
I need to look those up! It sounds like the solution to many of my problems! Thanks for watching
Good stuff 👍.
Bigfart IS out there with his quivering hairy starfish, just waiting to pounce!
Looking forward to the new year and great videos.
Haha, hes always watching! Thanks for watching and happy new year!
Thanks for the dump tray advice, Mike. Always come to you for the latest bushcraft tips. dump tray fling, can't believe you never used one back in the British wilds.
Hey Mike, wrap some grip tape round the rungs of your ladder. It’s the stuff we put on our skateboards so our trainers would grip the board. Well, many years ago I did. I’m 55 now and my skateboarding days ended years ago 😂
Griptape actually gets clogged really easily with snow and ice because it’s so porous material. I would go with something that either doesn’t freeze like rubber mastic tape or some sort of aggressive spikey metal surface.
Humm, that's a good point. I might have to weld little blobs onto the runs or something
@@WorkshoptoWildernessdimple died plates mounted reverse with the dimple up.
I was out camping in the Mojave desert, so missed this coming out. Very different conditions, except for wandering tracks in the soft sand. All the best for 2024, the year you finally get to meet Bigfoot!!!
Another great video Mike, I particularly liked the bonus of the motage at the end. Saw the new ladder straight away and thought "did I miss that in a past video", then a couple of minutes later relieved to hear it was a new addition.
At the start were you testing to see if we were all listening? Swear you said the sun rises at 10pm! That would be one hell of a late start to the morning 😂
Mike been following you for years at least a decade back to the old bushcraft days. Love your Overland Jeep channel get to see your other side and your sense of humor too. Big shout out from the states my friend.
Always love to see the old Shaggin Wagon out and about
Another great Video! I wish you were in my neck of the woods with my Snow tracks! We would have a blast! Hey, from British Columbia, Canada.!!
Thanks for watching, I think you would be dragging me along with your tracks if we were lol. Happy 2024!
Great content! Love your sense of humor. Subscribed from the U.S!
Thanks for watching and for subscribing! Have a fantastic new year
13:40 Skateboard grip tape works pretty good.
Thanks for watching and for the tip!
that last two minutes of footage was epic BTW. Thanks so much for posting Mike - best wishes to you and your family. Ringo
Thanks for watching, glad you made it to the end! Appreciate it and happy 2024.
"STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN -50. INTENSE SURVIVAL SITUATION. DID I DIE?" - Missed a trick there mate :D. Great vid. Hope 2024 is a good one!
Sounds pretty sketchy - 50c. I don't think I would be out in that weather. Glad you survived. Have a happy new year!
Hope you had a great Christmas. Have a fab New Year!
It’s an impressive vehicle you’ve built yourself there Mike, nice to see it evolve over the years to what it is now.
Its come a long way, so my lower back tells me. Thanks for watching and happy 2024!
Happy and healthy new year to you too Mike and your loved ones! I ve been watching your content for many years now i couldn't remember since you were hunting pigeons and you ve been an inspiration for me to go outdoors with my Suzuki Jimny and friends. Wish you the best greetings from Greece!
Appreciate you watching for so long and thanks for the comment! Suzuki Jimnys are fantastic vehicles! Happy new year!
Great year! Look forward to the next one…
Thanks for watching and happy 2024!
What photography. Just amazing. The editing must take soo long, but the end result is professional and inspiring. Happy NewYear.
Thanks for watching! The editing can take some time, but surprisingly, not as long as you would imagine. I've been at it for too long lol. Happy New year
I always try to camp for Solstice. Make an event out of the darkest day of the year. Hope you and your family have a good new year Mike!
Really appreciate all the great videos in 2023 Mike. Wishing you the best in 2024. Cheers
Thanks for watching and happy new year!
Another great vid Mike......that wicked sense of humour :)
ATB for the New Year
Happy new year mate and thanks for watching!
I very much look forward to your videos coming out and enjoy them all immensely, camping or wrenching. Happy New Year to you and yours and thanks a bunch!
Really glad you enjoy them, means a great deal! Thanks for watching and happy 2024!
You’re such a great influencer for the overland community with care for the mechanics as well as nature. Makes me want to move up north🙌🤠
Winter offroading bliss!
All i've had to deal with is aquaplaning on the motorway. Nice save from the snow there. Bigfoot must have been salivating.
That sounds pretty dam scary, to be honest! How did that go?
Yeah, he was probably waiting for a rollover so he could pull me from the vehicle and claim bumming rights.
Nice seeing you again mate 🥰🥰🥰
Hope everythings going well and you've had a great Christmas, Love the new video. Have a great New Year 🎉🎊 🎉and keep the videos coming 🤩
Christmas has been really good thanks, very chilled and lots of time with Meg and Max. Thanks for watching and appreciate the comment, happy 2024 for you and the family!
I have watched your channel MCQ Bushcraft for years and found this dam bro you make mcqb child’s play now. Glade your still out and about be safe.
Thanks for tuning in and appreciate the comment!
Happy New year to you and yours 🎉
Happy New Year to you and the family.
Thanks for watching and happy new year
Really appreciate your videos and the humour you bring into it. I also like the technical stuff although I have to admit that half of the time I’m lost 😀. All the best for you and your family!
Thanks for watching, glad you enjoy the videos and humor! Happy 2024!
I've beat the crap out of my 8.25 and high pinion 30 in my XJ on 35s for a solid 6 years now with no true issues. Built roughly the same as yours with no locker. For what you do, I'd say you'll never need a locker.
Hella epic, Mike!
Love your videos🫡
Happy New year from Denmark
Thanks for watching, and happy 2024!
Thanks Mike for the great videos this year!! Love them all! Well, the transmission just went out in my 96 XJ so I'm tearing it apart to do a 5.3 LS swap but not getting much done right now because I had to stop and watch your videos LOL Thanks for the interruption and Thanks for all the hard work you're doing! Happy New Year!!!
Ah no, dam transmission work. Well at least you have a new project now! Glad I could provide a brief distraction but jokes aside thanks for watching and have an awesome new year, 2024!
Excellent video. Im gonna have to try that dump winger tray at some point. lol
Thanks for watching! Its a game changer, unless camping with friends who are parked next door.
Not that you need more stuff onboard but look into a small battery powered chainsaw for cutting firewood. They come with a recharger.
Yeah I've been thinking about it for a while. I just haven't taken the plunge yet because I'm looking into which one to get. Thanks for watching and happy 2024!
Thanks for the content this year.
You’ve created a top quality channel.
Happy new year mate.
Great video, thanks Mike. Happy New Year to you and your family.
Thanks for watching and happy 2024!
Fantastic way to close out the year, Mike! The ride out looked a bit sketchy at times. Looks like it really kept you on your toes. Loved the montage and music at the end. Looking forward to what adventures next year brings, especially your planned five day trip. Have a great and safe New Year!
Amazing video ! Incredible setup !
Thanks for watching
I have had a lot of success with an Aussie locker in my Cherokee. Dana 30 on 35” tires. Spartan is another brand. Not expensive
My only concern is their behaviour on normal ice roads around bends? I get a bit sketched out about the axle locking under drive and causing a drifting scenario. Thanks for the info and for watching
Hi Mike, really enjoyed this film. That looked quite a recovery, and the driving on the way out looked a bit tetchy in places ! Great montage and pleased Big foot ledt you alone. All the best to you and family for the New Year, regards Grant.
Oerhört inspirerande! Gott nytt år!
Love the xj.
Happy New Year. Your Jeep with tire chains is really impressive. I owned an ex Swiss Army Steyr Daimler Puch Pinzgauer. It came with reinforced stainless steel tire chains. It was ok but very underpowered. And the heater window defroster was designed for Djibouti !
I di enjoy the video, altough I woul expected being the last video for 2023 to be longer then an hour. Thanks for the content, realy enjoing it
Well, what can I say, I did my best. I had a broken drone arm and a busted media mod on my main camera by the end of this one, hence then terrible video and audio on the last shot in the Jeep.
Maybe next time.....
Thanks for watching
Wow!! Beautiful XJ
Great drone and camera work. Best wishes for continued success in 2024.🤙
Happy New Year 2024. I hate putting on those tire chains tensioners.
Yeah, there not much fun when it's cold. Thanks for watching, and happy new year!
I had to remind myself what dry humor was when I thought you were serious about the poo pan.
I can’t wait until my XJ is “finished”
Thanks for your great work, Mike! I’ve been watching you since MCQBushcraft and your videos are just blessings from the nature! Best wishes and Happy New Year to you and your family from Russia, Sakhalin🎉
I'm not a jeep guy. but dang you have one of the nicest xj's ive ever seen!
Great video!!! The snow you are driving in is very similar to the snow in cold winter of Wyoming. My last time out was chains on all 4 of my built 97 Jeep TJ with 35's and around 10 psi, had to work to go anywhere the snow was deep, but without the chains all you could do was horsepower through it. What diesel engine is in your XJ? I just got done swapping in a Cummins R2.8 into my TJ a year and a half ago. You should look into a Eaton True Trac for your dana 30 front axle they are very good for your type of driving and will give you a lot more traction.
I will check out the Eaton True Track, lockers are becoming something i wish I had done years ago.
Sounds like you have a nice build for getting out there. I always loved TJ's. The engine is a 425ohv 2.5 marine diesel engine. It came standard in these euro export XJ's. Mines not really standard anymore, lots of modifications for power and reliability etc. Thanks for watching and happy new year
mycket bra videos gott nytt år från skellefteå mvh david
Tack för att du tittade David! Gott nytt år
Happy new year from Spain!!
Thanks for watching and happy new year!
Mahalo for a great year of vids. Have a Happy New Year as us yanks say. Peace out.
Hey Mike - thanks for this videoI am watching right now. Seeing you recover from your side slip I was thinking: wouldnt it be a good time to finally think about some lockers, would it? 😉
Yeah a locker would be good. The rear seems to do well on the LSD but the front is the let down. I would like a OX locker, a cable actuated one.
Thanks for watching and happy 2024!
Hope you have a great new year
Thanks for watching and happy 2024!
Win win on the boot/toot tray.
Its a game changer haha! Thanks for watching and happy 2024!
@@WorkshoptoWilderness Happy 2024 Mike!
So jealous, we have hardly any snow here in Oregon USA. 👍🏻❤️🇺🇸
Thanks for watching and happy new year!
Ditto for the "Tip of the Mitt of Michigan"
Mike, I use a "Beaver Tail" in the hitch. A great step that can be removed as easily as it goes in. Just saying.
I googled them and I like the look of them. Not too expensive so I think I will get one and mod it so it will hang lower. Thanks for the tip and for watching! Happy 2024!
WoW looks like great fun!!
Thanks for watching and happy new year!
The lsd in the stock axles be it the 35 or 8.25 are actually very good. I have a stock lsd 35 and my 30 has the Volvo variant and I like the setup. Works great offroad and works great on road. Like 20 years ago I tried one of those cheap aussie lockers in the 30 with a lsd 8.25 and it was terrible on road in the rain and snow. Selectable lockers is the best option. So we are going to go with Yukon zip lockers.
I'm always quite surprised at how good it performs. It's good to hear that a lunchbox locker is bad for road manners. I don't want to use one for that very concern.
I expect I will get an E locker for the 30 or, if possible, an OX locker. I will check out the Yukon Zip Lockers
You could go with Talon Grip Material? They sell DIY talon grip PRO sheets that work fine in wet/dry situations.
Super cheap too.
Thanks for the tip! I will have a look at it. Thanks for watching and happy new year
Sweet video! I know this may be way too expensive, would require trailering, and not sure about how close to grenading your turdy 30 it would get, but tracks would be fun to see you on.
I don't have that kind or money for such things to be honest. Would be fun to make my own set one day. Thanks for watching and happy new year
@@WorkshoptoWildernessthat would be an undertaking I’m sure but would be epic. I saw Rudy from Matt’s Offroad started making some but I never saw him finish. Happy new years!
Coming from someone who locked their 30... i don't think you should discount it. Realistically you've done enough to strengthen it that it would compete with a 44 hands down. It will be a lot cheaper to lock your 30 than source a stronger compatible axle and upgrade it... IDK maybe I'm biased. My setup isThe ARB (i know expensive) with the option for 30 spline inner axle shafts so you can run a thicker chromoly. Have to run the 29(?) spline outers still to continue running the xj unit bearings. Was cheap for me because i got this stuff used but if you weren't aware of that 30 spline option it does exist! Not sure if other manufacturers have it. You'll have to think what you want the weak point to be. Bettter u joints/stub shafts than gears or inner axle shafts... All this to say you better freaking lock your 30!
Thanks for the feedback, mate. Appreciate it because I hear so many things. It's hard to know, but real-world experience is always really useful for me. So, for starters, I'm going to put in an E locker, electric one. I think compressed air will fail here much like my own compressor. Ice and water freezing in small lines.
I can't get an OX. I would love one, but it's just too expensive and hard to source here. Thanks again, and happy 2024!
Great video! I used to watch you on your other channel and I forgot you moved to this one!! All subbed and receiving all videos now :)
Happy new year mate to you and your family all the best for 2024 canny wait to see more adventures 👍🏻🏴
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND FAMILY
Love the content man! Been learning a lot from you 👍 thank you for the time and effort put into the videos. I see a lot of good quality work with clipping, video framing and angles. Keep it up 👍 Greetings from Norway 🇧🇻 Have a good new year!
Thanks for watching and for the comment! Happy 2024!
Happy new year 🎉
Happy 2024!
Really great video thanks since caracas Venezuela
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video.
Fabulous video as always. I’m curious how you drive and fly the drone at the same time. Quite impressive mate.
I enjoyed that. Awesome montage at the end. You really are Mr Awesome. 😊
Thanks for watching and happy 2024!
@@WorkshoptoWilderness Thank you Mike. Happy 2024 to you and your family.
Happy new year pal
Happy new year
Mike I live in British Columbia,Canada. I’m a diehard Toyota guy but I REALLY like the XJ’s. I must say that you have one of the coolest rig set ups I have seen to date. Where abouts are you located and is there an abundance of space to overland? Looking forward to hearing from you. CHEERS!!!
bravo broher
Thanks for another great winter camping video! One small detail I noticed on the chain springs. It looked like the hook faced inward toward the sidewall on the install portion that was shown. Any concern of puncture with those? I was wondering if they hold position well enough if the hooks face outward or if rolling the ends over would help. You mentioned they were from a trampoline. I had a friend tear his leg up from one of those springs so I know the ends can be sharp. Of course tires are tougher than skin especially in those temps. Happy New Year! Maybe 2024 will be the year you catch a glimpse of him. He’s bound to slip up sometime.
I know what you mean on the springs. I've thought about it but I think it will be fine. The side wall is very thick but perhaps a situation where you hit a rut and it pushes the spring into the tire. I do need to come up with something new, its just very difficult to take the spring off when its set the other way. Thanks for the comment and for watching. Happy 2024!
Say I follow religiously but afraid I may have missed something. I have finally got close enough to hopefully purchase a roof top tent for this coming summer season. I have been looking at the same one you have that is sold here in the US. It looks like you have possibly solved one of the issues I have had and added a rear ladder and started using the side for entry. Have you made any videos on this yet. The rear ladder is a great idea for so many reasons, only concern is , does it add to hinge or general tailgate wear?
I would recommend a good infrared lamp, you are in the North so are lacking the health benefits of the sun.
I take a lot of vitamin D, and most things here are fortified, but a lamp I have been considering. So they work well?
awesome intro
Do you have a link to that rear bumper swing tire carrier? I have never seen it before. Clever design.
Happy New Year Mike.
Happy new year and thanks for watching
Is Gutter Mouths about drainage workers? Might have to look that up.
Yes, yes.... drainage workers. Fascinating stuff. In one episode one of the "drainage workers" deals with several flash floods consecutively. Thanks for watching and happy 2024!
Hey ! Love your videos 😊 is there a reason why you dont free spool your winch ? Greetings from northern Norway, søta bror 😅
Thanks for watching and glad you enjoy them! It's just easier to reverse it than try and pull it all sometimes. Greetings from Sweden and happy new year!