Rock Crawler Build - E53 3.0L

[Sarek]

I dont claim its a TRUE rock crawler. Im not entering any competitions if thats what you think. Just enjoying the challenge. As far as wasting money, this kind of stuff always is in a way. Here are a few pics of the 6 speed manual.

[TiAgX5]

I agree there's a lot that can be done to increase the off road-ability of the stock E53.

My inital post on this thread was pointing out that the OP had planned on building a rock crawling X5, that's what I stated would be the monumental task.

Just building an E53 to run the Rubicon Trail would be an extreme undertaking, and the RT is not "rock crawling".

[Sarek]

Trying to figure out how to post a video

[Sarek]

Here is one of my retrofitted front struts

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by Sarek

Trying to figure out how to post a video

Post it to youtube and then put the link here.

[Sarek]

Thanks. I figured it was something like that. Surprisingly I have never posted to youtube yet. Should be easy enough. I dont have tons of footage since I am driving all of the time. Nothing too rocky in the richmond va area. I have some video of local trail stuff. Nothing terribly hardcore.

[Sarek]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

I agree there's a lot that can be done to increase the off road-ability of the stock E53.

My inital post on this thread was pointing out that the OP had planned on building a rock crawling X5, that's what I stated would be the monumental task.

Just building an E53 to run the Rubicon Trail would be an extreme undertaking, and the RT is not "rock crawling".

In hindsight I could have started a new thread considering this started out with Rock Crawling . I can say that in my area rocks are hard to find on trails unless I head to the blue ridge mountains. There are a couple of public trails like shoe Creek. I am planning a trip there in the spring and also heading to Tennessee to a huge orv park. Will definitely try to play on some rocks there. Here we have some hill climbs and creek beds and a whole lot of mud. X5 does well articulating thru uneven terrain with the differential braking. I have a video of that that I am going to try and get on youtube.

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by Sarek

In hindsight I could have started a new thread considering this started out with Rock Crawling . I can say that in my area rocks are hard to find on trails unless I head to the blue ridge mountains. There are a couple of public trails like shoe Creek. I am planning a trip there in the spring and also heading to Tennessee to a huge orv park. Will definitely try to play on some rocks there. Here we have some hill climbs and creek beds and a whole lot of mud. X5 does well articulating thru uneven terrain with the differential braking. I have a video of that that I am going to try and get on youtube.

No worries.

I know a few Jeep owners who do the Jeep Jamboree Rubicon Trail run every year. Other makes/models are invited to join in. I've been told although several modded E53 owners have been invited, none have attempted the run.

A successful Rubicon Trail run by an E53 would demonstrate the modding has brought the vehicle to the level of a showroom stock "trail rated" Jeep vehicle.

[Sarek]

Where is that located? Is it out west? I would love to try once I have my transfer case swap finished. I would attempt anything. I have beat the body up pretty bad so if it breaks or does terrible I wouldnt mind it. Its trailered noe anyways.

[Green Dragon]

Sarek, I applaud your creation. That's bad azz. Once you get everything sorted, throw that e53 on a trailer, and lets go to Moab Utah. You could spend weeks on end playing around. Your setup would be hella fun.

Question, on the six speed conversion, is the X-drive active and what did you have to do to make it work?