BDS Project KJ: Body mods and Coilovers prepped
Project KJ Update: Lots of progress for the day, the rear window chop is getting capped off as well as the tailgate. Â Pac Racing coils are installed on the Fox 2.5 remote coilovers and will be going back into the Liberty soon. Our fabbed motor mounts are being modified to allow the 4-link to fully compress. The roof has been cut to accept the sliding rag top. While up there, the remaining “ribbed” roof panels were cut off and a patch panel was installed. Body/Fender modifications continue as we mock up the fenders to accept our 40” Maxxis tires on 17” B.A.D. beadlocks at full stuff. Stay tuned fore more as we prep for the 2013 Ultimate Adventure that begins 6/29/13.
BDS Project KJ: Parts/Progress on the Daily
BDS Project KJ: Parts/Progress on the Daily
There was plenty of commotion around the BDS R&D Shop when I stopped by Friday late afternoon. Seems the approaching deadline to have the KJ prepped in time for the 2013 Ultimate Adventure has brought the team together as they work to complete suspension, drivetrain, cage, body mods, fuel cell and more. I mentioned in the last post parts have been arriving on the daily are are prepped for install. There’s still a number of areas that require fabrication and finish welding. Suspension linkage is nearly completed and uses a 4-link front and triangulated 4-link rear. 14” stroke Fox 2.5 remote coilovers arrived and are awaiting a set of Pac Racing springs to be installed (will have more on the coil specs when they arrive). Fox 2.0 bump stops will be installed soon to help keep our soon to arrive 40” Nitto Trail Grapplers off of the fenders. Up front our PSC JK steering box has been mounted to a reinforced front “framerail” and accepts the OE steering shaft linkage. The “framerail” is being notched to allow the track bar clearance at full compression.
BDS Project KJ: Suspension, Cage, & Drivetrain
BDS Project KJ: Suspension, Cage, & Drivetrain
It’s been a few weeks since we checked in on Project KJ, the ’05 Liberty CRD being overhauled in BDS’s R&D shop for this year’s Ultimate Adventure (UA). When it comes to building a rig for the UA, it’s got to be capable on any terrain; mud, rocks, dirt, sand, snow, and even asphalt. Reliability is key as each day of the week long 1000+ mile adventure is filled with trails, highway time, and varying weather conditions. The rig needs to carry driver/co-driver, food, camping gear, and spare parts.
SnoFari 2013, Winter Wheeling in West Branch
This past weekend BDS loaded up the truck and trailer and made it’s way 4 hours north for SnoFari 2013 in West Branch, MI. This annual event put on by the Soldiers of Fortune (SoFo) Offroad Club brings in roughly 80 rigs annually for 2 days/nights of snowy 4wheeling and some great camaraderie by the bar with a great group of off-roaders. From stock to fully built, the event is organized with a range of trails to keep everyone entertained. The recent chilly weather made for some much needed snow leading up to the event. With several inches of fresh snow, temps in the 20s and occasional sunshine we had great conditions for SnoFari 2013. The only thing except possibly for a couple feet of extra snow to play in. Shawn and Carter headed out from BDS Suspension in the companies ’97 TJ outfitted with a slew of upgrades, BDS…
SnoFari 2013 starts today!
Snofari 2013 BDS is loaded up and making the 4 hour haul to West Branch, MI for SnoFari 2013. This event held annually in the heart of winter brings together off-roaders and a handful of vendors for a weekend of snow wheeling from mild trails to gnarly terrain. Now in its 6th year this Soldiers of Fortune Offroad Club event boasts growing interest as it raises money to support GLFWDA and UFWDA and builds awareness for safe off-roading. We’ll be heading up with the BDS Silverado HD with the BDS TJ, trailer, and some goodies in tow. With frigid temps and decent snow accumulation all week long, this should make for a great event for everyone involved. We’ll be posting pictures from at the event on Saturday so stay tuned to the BDS Facebook Page for more.
W.E.Rock Dirt Riot Race Recap from Rocks & Valleys
Over the weekend W.E.Rock held a Dirt Riot Endurance Race at Rocks & Valleys in Harrison, MI. Rocks & Valleys is one of our go to trails here in Michigan when we need to test out new suspension products or enjoy a weekend with family and friends. Ron and the crew over at R&V are constantly working to improve the trail systems and offer terrain to challenge wheelers of all levels. Course prerun and driver meet & greet went on Friday afternoon and rolled into a bon fire party that night. Some late night rain added a bit of mud to parts of the race course. Come Saturday morning the park started to fill with spectators, competitors and a handful of vendors getting ready for the racing competition. 3 classes ran during the day: 4400 class, trail mod, and UTV. With UTV and trail mod classes racing for 1hr and…