OCTOBER 2012 ORA / 101

STAINLESS STEEL PERFORMANCE EXHAUST EVOLUTION COMPETITION SYSTEM 2012 JK WRANGLER 4 DOOR 3.6L V6 2012-2009 SILVERADO/SIERRA 1500 4.8L, 5.3L V8 *FOR MORE DETAILS VISIT Pu . UNADULTERATED. POWER. ©2012 Tenneco ling it. The next level is dual shocks. They must be tuned to be used in a dual mounting... i.e. each shock does half the dampening... but the two shocks will then split the heat load. Four-Banger Blueprint I recently bought a 1997 Jeep Wrangler TJ. I don't have much of a budget, but would like some ideas for better tires on stock wheels and how to make more power out of the stock inline 4-cylinder. Also, can you give me some idea what this stock Jeep is capable of in the mud? I don't want to overdo it and break an axle or something like that. Jason Smee Your Wrangler has 15x7 wheels with a 4.5" backspace and without a lift, the biggest tire you can run is a 30" diameter tire... call it a 235/75R15 (29") or a 30x9.50R15. If mud is your game, I suggest you look at a BFG Mud Terrain T/A or the Maxxis Trepador in that size, which you can order from 4 Wheel Parts (4WheelParts.com/800-284- 9840) or find at a nearby 4 Wheel Parts store. If you are willing to do a wheel upgrade to a wheel with less backspace (which moves the tire outboard a little) you can run a 31x10.50 on a 3.75" backspace wheel and that's the biggest tire you can run without a lift or some kind of tire interference. A 1" body lift could be substituted for the wheels, but you may still experience some rubbing. The stock 4.10:1 axle ratios would still be adequate with the 30" tire, but you might note a decrease in acceleration with the 31s. With a 2" lift, you can run a 33" tire, but you would need 4.56:1 ring and pinions to retain adequate performance. Also, 33 inches is as big a tire as the stock Dana 35 axle can take and still have a strength safety margin working hard (not much reserve, but a little). Honestly, I don't recommend spending a lot of money on engine performance stuff because the payback on a fourbanger is pretty small for the money spent. Overall, you'll get the best performance increase from an axle gearing change. So, here are two prescriptions. The lowest buck option is the 30x9.50R15 mudders, and with that I would make sure I had good tow points front and rear and set yourself up with an off-road kit, including a small air compressor, a recovery strap with a couple of shackles and a tool kit. Just the tires will make a remarkable difference from bone stock. Adding a rear limited slip, if your Jeep doesn't already have the factory Dana Trac- Lok unit, is another notable enhancement. Which one? There are only a few limited slips available for the Dana 35 axle. The factory Dana unit is available and cheap, though not very effective. Going up from there is the very durable and effective Eaton Truetrac gear type limited slip. It's one of the best limited slips out there, but a more expensive option. The Powertrax Lock Right and NoSlip lockers are inexpensive "lunchbox" type lockers, with the latter being the most docile of the two. The Dana unit and the two Powertrax units are the cheapest traction aids you can buy, but the Powertrax units are the easiest and cheapest to install because you don't have to fully disassemble the axle. The Lock Right is effective, but noisy. The No Slip is effective and quiet, but costs more. Option two is a lot more expensive, but will be a marked and very cost effective improvement in trail performance. Go with a 2-2.5-inch lift that can be done relatively inexpensively on the TJ (have a look at the Pro Comp 2-inch spring lift, procompusa.com) and run 32x11.50 tires (possibly a 33x12.50) on a 15x8" wheel with 3.75" backspace. With this setup, you would need to drop the axle ratios to 4.56:1 (4.88 will deliver even better performance, but you may sacrifice some freeway fuel economy) and that would be a good time to upgrade to 30 spline alloy shafts, like those offered by G2 Axle (G2axle.com) along with a 30spline locker. Depending on your taste in adrenaline, this would be a very effective setup. p www.offroadadventures.com/digital

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FIRST-IN-CLASS LIQUID-COOLED ENGINE CVT TRANSMISSION WITH CENTRIFUGAL CLUTCH EFFORTLESS HANDLING SUPERIOR TOWING CAPACITY OFFROADRATED.KAWASAKI.COM OR TEXT "BRUTEFORCE300" TO 868727 MESSAGE AND DATA RATES MAY APPLY. 5 ALERTS PER MONTH. REPLY STOP TO END OR HELP FOR HELP. KAWASAKI CARES: Warning: ATVs can be hazardous to operate. For your safety: Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing. Never carry a passenger. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Never ride on public roads or pavement. Avoid excessive speeds and stunt driving. Be extra careful on difficult terrain. Kawasaki ATVs with engines over 90cc are recommended for use only by persons 16 years of age or older. Kawasaki also recommends that all ATV riders take a training course. For more information, see your dealer, call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887, or go to www.atvsafety.org. ©2011 Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. ™