skid plate.........is all this nessary item?

[jnaut]

The bears in that area the picture was taken are wild and not conditioned to humans like the bears you see in National Parks. These bears here are not used to humans. The bears in the parks like Jasper or Banff have been conditioned to associate humans with food because of all the people camping there. Bears are a big problem in those parks but not so much in the area i was in.

Hmm, interesting, some bear experts attribute bear attacks to Bears which aren't used to humans. Ie, they haven't ever encountered humans before, and therefore see them as a threat when they do see them.

Feh, until we can hear a bear's thoughts, it's probably best to keep our distance.

For instance, way back in the day, the wisdom used to be "fight back" if a bear attacks.

Then the wisdom became "play dead".

Then they started recording bear attacks where "play dead" epic failed.

Then bear experts started learning about the nuance of bear attacks. Sometimes a bear attacks because it felt threatened. Playing dead in this case works. By eliminating the threat, it leaves you alone.

But sometimes...sometimes a bear attacks because it. wants. to. eat. you. Which means playing dead just makes it easier. That's when you're supposed to fight back. The problem with all this is knowing when the bear wants to eat you and when he's just going to smack you around once or twice and leave.

Some people have actually gone as far as suggesting that you figure this out during the attack, and then start fighting back when he starts gnawing on your leg or something crazy.

 

[jnaut]

How about rock rails? Are they not just as important. The only offroading I've done (so far) is thru some farm land and I know its pretty safe as far as no big rocks or tree stumps. But arent the rails just as important.

The rails will definitely help you in a situation where you're high-centering. There are two types of wheelers on the trail:

Those that pick the hardest line and take it and those that try to get past the obstacle by taking the easiest line.

Often times I've found that taking the easier line leaves more clearance under the vehicle, but less clearance on the side rails and you'll eventually damage your side rails with a rock or even just putting pressure on a hard packed piece of ground. So far that's the only place I've done any damage to my KJ. If I'd have had rock rails that would have saved me a couple of small dents and scrapes in the body by the front passenger door. Damage is hard to see at a distance, but when you get close up you can see it.

 

[tjkj2002]

jnautQuote:
Originally Posted by mikes07kj
How about rock rails? Are they not just as important. The only offroading I've done (so far) is thru some farm land and I know its pretty safe as far as no big rocks or tree stumps. But arent the rails just as important.

The rails will definitely help you in a situation where you're high-centering. There are two types of wheelers on the trail:

Those that pick the hardest line and take it and those that try to get past the obstacle by taking the easiest line.

Often times I've found that taking the easier line leaves more clearance under the vehicle, but less clearance on the side rails and you'll eventually damage your side rails with a rock or even just putting pressure on a hard packed piece of ground. So far that's the only place I've done any damage to my KJ. If I'd have had rock rails that would have saved me a couple of small dents and scrapes in the body by the front passenger door. Damage is hard to see at a distance, but when you get close up you can see it.

Man no wonder why your so against skid plates,you "always" take the easy line or bypass,what fun is that?I always try the hard line,hey that's what my skids and Super Skinks are there for and the SkidRow skid plates(Kilby gas tank skid) and Rock Lizard Super Skinks have never,ever let me down.I've slammed down so ******* just the outer bar on my Super Skinks that the builder(RockLizard) who was riding shotgun told me to stop cause he thought I broke the rail,nope just put a slight dent in the outer bar.Not bad for a 2' drop right on that outer rail with my 5500lbs KJ.

 

[jnaut]

Man no wonder why your so against skid plates,you "always" take the easy line or bypass,what fun is that?I always try the hard line,hey that's what my skids and Super Skinks are there for and the SkidRow skid plates(Kilby gas tank skid) and Rock Lizard Super Skinks have never,ever let me down.I've slammed down so ******* just the outer bar on my Super Skinks that the builder(RockLizard) who was riding shotgun told me to stop cause he thought I broke the rail,nope just put a slight dent in the outer bar.Not bad for a 2' drop right on that outer rail with my 5500lbs KJ.

TJ, thanks for the reply, and understanding my point- which I think got completely lost downthread. Except you still are under the impression I'm against them. I've never said that, or even alluded to it. I merely said that one can go off pavement without them-- depending on circumstances.

Wheelers come in different flavors. I'm not the kind of wheeler that likes to sit for two hours at one obstacle called "the bone crusher" and try to get over it, or watch other people get over it. Wheeling for me is just part of the journey. Usually I'm trying to get somewhere that few others can get to, and at places, those trails require 4x4. I'm trying to get to a destination. When I get to a place where I'm no longer seeing any other vehicles--and only traces of previous vehicles, I know my Jeep has performed well. A lot of times we're going to places to shoot, and I'm driving until I find the most remote place with the best backdrop.

I think when I said I was being "careful", people with Frankenlifts and 35" tires and lockers were assuming I'm doing some kind of crazy rockcrawling, but just being "super-duper pinkie promise careful". Not like that at all. If I see stuff on a trail that even looks like it causes damage, or I might take damage going over- due to a slip or miscalculation, I go around or avoid altogether.

I've never forded water more than about 6" deep. And almost all of it has been large, deep puddles in the roadway where other 4x4's are traveling regularly.

Frankly, I can't wait til I get my skids so I can go on some of the trails I've seen, but won't dare take because I'm deathly afraid of not coming back out.

My greatest pleasure is to arrive at a place with my stock KJ, and see all the looks from the super-high clearance 4x4 trucks. It doesn't mean I can go everywhere they go, they just seem so surprised that I can go anywhere they go.

 

[icarl]

Hmm, interesting, some bear experts attribute bear attacks to Bears which aren't used to humans. Ie, they haven't ever encountered humans before, and therefore see them as a threat when they do see them.

Feh, until we can hear a bear's thoughts, it's probably best to keep our distance.

For instance, way back in the day, the wisdom used to be "fight back" if a bear attacks.

Then the wisdom became "play dead".

Then they started recording bear attacks where "play dead" epic failed.

Then bear experts started learning about the nuance of bear attacks. Sometimes a bear attacks because it felt threatened. Playing dead in this case works. By eliminating the threat, it leaves you alone.

But sometimes...sometimes a bear attacks because it. wants. to. eat. you. Which means playing dead just makes it easier. That's when you're supposed to fight back. The problem with all this is knowing when the bear wants to eat you and when he's just going to smack you around once or twice and leave.

Some people have actually gone as far as suggesting that you figure this out during the attack, and then start fighting back when he starts gnawing on your leg or something crazy.

Actually, I've seen a few really good educational films on bears. Bears will generally not attack you unless provoked. There are some that are curious. These one's will generally carry about their business but every once in awhile will look up at you. This is like the bear i saw in the picture.

But the one's that attack for food will be single focused on you and their ears will stick up and face you. They will go directly for you. They will not be stressed but be looking at you as food.

However, the bears that are stressed you can tell because they will show stressed signs like barking or panting for instance. These may attack you as self defense but rarely for food. If a bear is stressed then you need to slowly back away facing the bear to give the bear distance.

Bears are not territorial but they do have a personal space just like us humans. There personal space is much larger then ours of course and depends on the bear and his experience with humans. Every time a bear has an experience with humans that changes his perception of them. In camp grounds the bears associate humans with food and can become very aggressive.

I once watched a documentary of a guy who lived with and raised grizzly bears in a remote area of Northern Russia. These wild bears did not act hostile towards him but they had no experience of humans. All he carried with him was a can of bear spray that i saw him use once to defend his cubs he was raising from a grizzly bear. Unfortunately all the bears in that area and his cubs were killed by poachers while he was away for the winter season.

You also need to hold your ground so the bear does not see you as running away or it may associate you as prey. If a bear does attack and it is just stressed most times it will just mock charge you if you hold your ground. If the bear is focused on you as a food source you need to use your deterrent. I always carry bear spray with me. Some people make jokes about bear spray or other deterrents but I have seen on a video a bear that got sprayed and he took off running like the blazes.

 

[Atrus]

Just to throw this out there -

TJKJ has some very heavy duty skids, and if you look at any of his pics and posts, he's the kind of guy that needs them!

If you're looking to do some light off-roading like I do, I have found the mopar skids to work very well, and I am relieved that I have them. I'd say unless you're really bajaing the KJ, or really hitting some rocky trails, the stock skids should do you well. I know I have thumped mine a few times really well, and they worked beautifully.

Also, as mentioned, it's even nice to know on-road that the critical components are protected.

 

[Dave]

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Geeeezzzz Troy.......you really mangled them skids up trying to beat them on with that BFH....didn't ya ........haha....just kidding with you.

This thread has gone from skids to bears to guns and now back to skids. I love it.

To OP and skids......For off-road just get all of the skids. For bear country, carry heat and stay alert, but be prepared to back away first. But you always should have protection......always...

Dave

 

[icarl]

All this talk about bears and i found a really good video on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA_DXeWTOG8
This is the brand of bear spray i have.

 

[jeeprox]

skid plates is a must if you go offroad
cheers

 

[J-Thompson]

jnaut
a quote from my wife
"what kind of dumb a$$ would try to go off road with out the right equipment"
"he should have stayed home ,saved the $100 on fuel and bought some tow hooks so he would be ready next time"
she said that a while back when a guy showed up on a ride with no tow hooks

great advice from a great woman
great "advice"

 

[tommudd]

jnaut
a quote from my wife
"what kind of dumb a$$ would try to go off road with out the right equipment"
"he should have stayed home ,saved the $100 on fuel and bought some tow hooks so he would be ready next time"
she said that a while back when a guy showed up on a ride with no tow hooks

great advice from a great woman
great "advice"

Yes great advice
I have to laugh when people show up for a ride with no skids / hooks anything, also when people post on sites like this out wheeling with nothing as far as hooks or skids and then also most times were they should not of been in the first place anyways.
SKIDS ( and proper tow points) should be first thing anyone does before even driving on a gravel road, sooner or later no matter how careful something is going to reach up and GRAB your...
People who tell others that they do it are only making it harder for those of us who try and tell newbies the right way to do things
Oh well it takes all kinds

 

[jnaut]

I've been following the 'age of kj driver' thread. Anyone old enough to remember the 70's when our dad's would take us out camping in a pontiac stationwagon and ford rivers? I remember my friend's dad was a scoutmaster and he'd take his family car off-road for scouting trips.

If I can find some old pictures of me as a kid sitting on the hood of my dad's car as we forded the Gila river in New Mexico, I'll post 'em.

 

[tommudd]

I've been following the 'age of kj driver' thread. Anyone old enough to remember the 70's when our dad's would take us out camping in a pontiac stationwagon and ford rivers? I remember my friend's dad was a scoutmaster and he'd take his family car off-road for scouting trips.

If I can find some old pictures of me as a kid sitting on the hood of my dad's car as we forded the Gila river in New Mexico, I'll post 'em.

remember the 70s when our Dads took us out
Heck I was wheeling already in the early 70s TAKING my Dad places he was afraid to walk to!

 

[Dave]

remember the 70s when our Dads took us out
Heck I was wheeling already in the early 70s TAKING my Dad places he was afraid to walk to!

Bunch of "old farts".........

Dave

 

[J-Thompson]

Bunch of "old farts".........

Dave

X2
oh and in the '70's my dad did not have a station wagon
he had a CJ and then a Ramcharger with a 440 in it
the CJ was "to small for a family"
so I know that "fording the river" was nothing
I guess you could say I have been around off roading all my life even when all I was doing was "hanging around"

 

[Ry' N Jen]

I've been following the 'age of kj driver' thread. Anyone old enough to remember the 70's when our dad's would take us out camping in a pontiac stationwagon and ford rivers? I remember my friend's dad was a scoutmaster and he'd take his family car off-road for scouting trips.

If I can find some old pictures of me as a kid sitting on the hood of my dad's car as we forded the Gila river in New Mexico, I'll post 'em.

Yup! My family, started in 1965 with a 1965 Ford Country Squire station wagon with a 352 Windsor and HD C-6. A Canadian built vehicle.
Made the US spec look like a weakling.