Cheers Haze, I replied earlier but it looks like it hasn't stuck. All is good with the family, were all getting out and trying to enjoy the winter. I've actually been proper unwell for a good few months now but have just started to get back out again. How's things with you? Hope all is well. Looks like your having a great time on Instagram.
You really have several gifts that I thank you for sharing. 1) Hiking up the road in knee deep snow with your camera to get great passing footage. 2) Your attention to detail to make your XJ capable and reliable. 3) Your ability to convert your ideas into reality with all the cool modifications. 4) Very good camera work and scripting - very enjoyable to watch. I am at the very beginning of my XJ journey but even though I can't afford a lift kit I can still do things like replace the door hinges to get them operating properly. Keep doing what your doing because these are great videos!!
Really appreciate that! There are certainly lots of jobs to do before the bigger mods come in. In all honesty its the small jobs that get forgotten and lead to bigger issues later down the line. Glad you enjoy the videos!
Used mine here in South Africa and on road they were fine, off road, well they were chipping off the edges and the middle after one day on a rocky, shale type surface and it just got worse. Was used in 30+ degree heat. Great vid.
Amazing video as always. You are a true inspiration for not only your build, but also for following your dreams! I am so fond of your XJ, you really have done amazing things to it.
Mike and Meg and Max R back.,,.,.,,!!!!! Hell YES!!!! Let's go. Rock Out!!! We love ya'll!!! Straight out of Texas USA!!! Please keep rocking out Killer Content. We love ya'll!!! J.C.H from Texas!!!
I can tell you had quite a lot of fun (and exercise) making this video! The snow reminds me of the good stuff we’d get in central Alaska, where my favorite winter temps were anything about -3 to -17 or so. Kinda a cold/dry sweet spot. Well you got me properly excited to get out and play this weekend, thanks for sharing the adventure!
Top notch! I went out with the 4runner the other day after a small dumping to check on my trail and found that an hour away was nearly 50cm... had the snowblower on the hitch to dig myself out.
You are right, start with the front locker, I've read the whole internet twice and watched all the videos about it, so it's like a doctorate on lockers. I bought a simple LOKKA unit for my XJ, will mount it as soon as we are on the speaking terms again - the engine started to smoke again so I parked it almost a year ago...
Those Coopers are probably the best tiers for an XJ out there. I had a set of 33,s on mine for a minute but not enough hardware underneath to support the extra weight, so I'm back to 31 for the time being until get my OldManEmu hybrid kit installed.
They certainly feel heavy. I must say I really like them but I think they will devour a u-joint if I start axle hopping and stress out the drive train. I've welded the u-joint caps in the D30 just to help. Anyway thanks for watching!
Great video, thanks for the upload...your jeep is great man, looks and works really well. Hoping my 04 grand cherokee will one day be as well equipped as yours is.
i absolutely love your jeep, and what youve done to it, it sounds like the deuce and ahalfs we had in the army back in the 80s, atleast when you pulled out of your garage. thy for entertainment!!!
Awesome! Looks so fun. We just had a dumping of snow here in Minnesota, USA and going to run around it a bit. My vehicle is a 3X locked 1997 Land Cruiser 80. Super capable but really it all comes down to the tires. Running snowflake rated Falken Wildpeak AT3W 33" but those studded tires would be amazing! Cheers.
Your rig looks really nice underneath and nice job getting yourself out. Good fun 👍 I lived and worked in those conditions for a long time in the north of Sweden a few 100km north of where you are, but now I’m back in the capital. Used to go snow wheeling on unplowed roads a lot which is good fun. I stopped though , since I’ve learned that the landowners usually didn’t like when you went wheeling or snowmobiling on their unplowed roads since the snow gets so compact doing that, and if/ when they at some point during winter or in the spring, want to plow the roads it’s almost impossible to do a good job clearing the surface whit the compressed snow/ ice that built up in the tracks. Just a heads up. Cheers.
Thanks, I've spent more time underneath than I can remember. Ah nice, probably a little warmer down there! Yeah its understandable but I've been here a few years now and you get to know everybody in these small towns, which roads get intermittently plowed and which dont. These roads stay snow high all winter and nobody uses them apart from the berry pickers, hunters, fishermen. I think its more important not to drive them in thd spring. Thanks again
@@WorkshoptoWilderness That’s good. Sounds like a sound approach. Yeah, skip those roads a few weeks during the spring thaw. Keep the good vids coming. 👍
In snow and mud you won't have much difference between a locker and LSD. If both tires are spinning there is nothing more a locker could do. The locker will make more difference in the rocks when you have one wheel lifted. If you don't wheel rocks/maximum suspension flex then just get a front locker for use in the snow. It will make a huge difference.
Good to see you. Put yourself in some knarley situations. Ironic that just 3 weeks ago I put some 37's on my jeep. Always had them and will always get them from this point on. 👉 You definitely helped me 💅🔨 nail thus home 🏡 with the wife. 👌 Awesome .
Many thanks Mike for another brilliant video. It was the dose of inspiration needed during this crazy insane time . All the best to you and your family in 21. Hopefully we’ll meet up someday on the trail. I have a 98 XJ Diesel waiting for me to return to Sweden , pretty far south from you though. Keep up with the fantastic videos !! Really appreciate your efforts . Tom
Thanks Tom, hopefully in this year things can return to normal. I doubt it though in a way, perhaps a new normal. Would be good to meet up, were are you based at the moment? Thanks for watching.
@@WorkshoptoWilderness Hej Mike, Tack for the reply ! I’m A Swede by ancestry, grand parents both sides immigrated to the US . I spend , or did before covid , a lot of time in Sweden . Svenljunga area. My US residence is an hour south of Niagara Falls in the lake effect snow region ! According to the wife I have too many XJ’s , 9 on this side and one in Sweden “staying” at a friends farm . Hopefully safe travel will resume and I can return to Sweden but I agree we may be experiencing the new normal. What area are you in ? Again we both really enjoy your videos and all the thought and work you put into them .Tack så mycket Tom
@@333wnd ah nice, sounds beautiful were you are. Travelling the USA is a bit of a dream of mine but funds permitting of course. Maybe when the boys older but for now I'm pottering around Europe when I can. I really hope that things normalise but I fear that things well just be accepted and we will gradually transition into something new. But anyway I'm living in Åsele, I little one horse town but nice enough. Lots of nature in reach and sort of in the middle. Houses are cheap, jobs hard to find but I seen to have a couple so we are good. Bloody cold at times though, I need to insulate my garage hahaha. Hopefully you can come back at some point. Im sure once we are all vaccined up we will be given our 'freedom' back.
Great to see another video, your passion for the subject matter really shines through. Have been an avid fan of your other channel and just wondering if MCQ bushcraft and wilderness life has been retired so that you can concentrate on this channel instead. Whatever your plans, all the best to you and your family and looking forward to the next installment. Cheers
Thanks Mark, appreciate you watching. Mcqbushcraft has more videos to come. I took a brake from it since my last trip in the summer as I just went down with something and its taken me a while to get back out there. I will probably put some more videos out in the spring but for now it's a bit easier on me to do this channel, plus I'm enjoying it!
Hi Mike, nice to see you 🙂 Your Jeep is the ultimate go most places vehicle now. I was looking at Sherps the other day, wow, they really do go anywhere! You were so calm when you ended up in the ditch, so calm, even filmed it like it was nothing lol, respect! I've been depressing myself about Sweden recently, I really really really want to live there but I can't come up with a plan, it seems so complicated, really got myself down. I SO wish I was there in a big big way. Hope you're all doing ok. All the best. Simon.
That is a great Idea having your chains on your spare. Been watching your videos since you did your frame stiffness, I have all those modifications to do to my Xj. Can't wait to catch-up with where your with your rig. Have fun with your wonderful family and hobby. Safe travels!
Its a nice engine once you sort a few inherent issues out. Aftermarket head, bigger turbo and intercooler amongst other small jobs. Sadly the original cylinder head was total garbage which sealed its reputation in Europe as unreliable. I've built up three of them now and there still all going. The new head really makes all the difference. Thanks for watching.
@@robertboydiii5679 you cant "bite the sound of a diesel" but think a 4.0 is amazing? I like my 4.0 just fine but come on they aren't any better sounding than the 4cyl diesel.
Thoroughly enjoy your videos, Mike, and this one is no exception. Your Jeep is a beast and an absolute credit to you and your craftsmanship - love seeing it being put to work! PS. Winching? They should call it wincing because that’s what I was doing whilst you were pulling the old girl out! 😬😂 All the best to you and family, and looking forward to the next video.
Mike that’s an awesome feeling of the white powder that drowns everything, and the vastness of the norrlands forests! And in the middle of that you said a neighbor passed by and checked on you! Hilarios! ☃️ - Another thing, you mentioned OX... I’m considering lockers for my XJ and and like the idea of cable actuators, but then I see that many are choosing air actuated brands... What are your thoughts?
Yeah it was nice of them to see if I was okay. They must think i'm an idiot! I was thinking OX as its actuated by a cable. As another guy mentioned below air lines are a big problem in this climate, condensation and moisture in the lines freezes and they fail. I get the same issues with my on board compressor and I have to bring the lines in and get the water out. I know there are cheaper lunchbox style ones out there but on the normal roads I would probably be in a ditch as they lock up when you don't need them too. OX looks like a good solution, I like mechanical stuff! Thanks for watching.
Your tires keep getting bigger and bigger over the years - not much left until you have to call Arctic Trucks for a full iceland conversion! I'm always wondering how you can legally drive your setups as so much is selfmade or imported from the US. In germany you'd need legal documentation for everything which is expensive and makes some modifications impossible. Great video and all the best to you and your family.
Haha that would be cool. I don't think I can go any bigger just yet, but we will see. Its an odd one really, I think on paper its probably not legal but the inspectors who check the jeep are looking at it from a safety point of view. Its pretty much immaculate underneath given its age. No rust, no visible welds or bad repairs and everything is painted and maintained. I suppose they look at it and even though they know I make a lot of stuff (its a small town) they see its not a crappy job and I clearly look after it. It was the same in the UK also, my local inspector once said to me "you can weld a bathtub to the chassis if you want mate, as long as its secure I don't care". Thanks for watching.
Like your setup! Wish my ZJ was as capable as your rig. Funny, you and i are like 450km apart, you have ALL the snow... Interesting choice going with the diesel, as well! Stock 2.5? Bet you really love the our taxes on those vehicles...
Hey thanks for watching. We're are you based? Plenty of snow now despite a mild start to the winter. Little bit too much snow because I was hoping to do a little camping now but I'm not sure I can make the trail again. Im more of a diesel guy to be honest mainly because I like torque to peak in low rpm ranges but petrol certainly have thier place. Its not quite stock, aftermarket head, slightly larger turbo and a bigger downpipe and exhaust. Larger intercooler with stainless piping. I've done many more smaller jobs but it certainly dosnt dissapont me or lack in power when needed. I've build several of these engine, its a misunderstood beast tarnished by an original faulty head and talked about by many experts who have never seen inside of one. I dont mean anyone specific of course, just forums and hearsay you know. Taxes are high, insurance is very low. Was strange to me when I first came here!
@@WorkshoptoWilderness i live some 50km west of Gävle, so we have some 20-30cm of snow now, with a possible 10-20cm more coming down tonight. More than enough to give my crippled ZJ a run for its money.. The VM diesels are misunderstood for sure, but I can also see why many XJ-owners have replaced them with other powerplants. Since I only use the Jeep as a toy I prefer the nice rumble from the 5.2 magnum. With 260km/day commuting, the daily driver is a diesel though.
@@GustavLindstroem my wife has a 5.2zj that we are trying to sell. I was originally a daily but its certainly thirsty so we are looking for somthing smaller. Yeah its understandable why people replace the vm, I might one day when the boys older as a father son project. If he's interested of course lol. If your up this way for any reason don't hesitate to get in touch!
@@WorkshoptoWilderness i just installed a 46RE in my ZJ so i think I'll keep her for a while 😁 Thanks for the invite! If i find myself in your neighborhood I'll be sure to look you up 👍🏼
Thats some serious snow! Interested to know what changes you made to the heater, I also bought a load of extra bits and just finished installing ours in the trailer. Trucks looking good too btw. Hope 3 of you had a good Christmas and HNY too.
Yeah I was surprised it actually made it through given last years performance. Bit of a struggle on the hills but I get there eventually. The holidays weren't to bad, were are basically unable to see family but we still saw some friends and had a good time. Hope all is well with you guys and also hope you had a great Christmas and New Years!
@@WorkshoptoWilderness those Coopers are great bits of kit though, I've never used studs but imagine that's a massive improvement in those conditions. Christmas was definitely a much smaller affair than usual but the kids enjoyed which is what its all about, thanks. Still making plans to head over in April but keeping a close eye on developments so we'll see but we can be pretty flexible if we have to delay by a month or two but I hope not because hose knatt things look horrendous in summer 😊
Hi McQuilton, I enjoy the videos on this channel and it must be nice to have two distinct styles of content to produce. It looks very wintry in that den of Swedes, make sure you never do a James May with the winch!
Thanks for watching! My other channel is on the back burner at the moment. Truth be told i'm really unwell at the moment and I have been for a while so getting out on foot and roughing it in a sleeping bag is actually very difficult for me to do. Hence why I focus on this channel more these days. Not to say I wont ever do more on the other one. Haha I will try not too, thanks for watching.
@@WorkshoptoWilderness I'm sorry to hear you've been unwell, I hope you start to feel better soon! I've been watching your videos for years and it's nice to see you do so many different things!
@@PianoForeplay Thanks for that. I never really mentioned anything about it as Its just been a rough time. I tried not to let it stop me doing what I loved but some days are harder than others. Hopefully moving forward I can get back to a new normal. Thanks you again and appreciate you watching all these years!
Mike have you ever totalled up the cost of the XJ complete to date ? Should get Megan to snowboard whilst being towed by the truck make another great video 🤙🤙.Happy New Year
Great video Mike. Been looking forward to seeing how these tires perform for you in the conditions you have over there. Kinda best of both worlds I see was your goal. Studs for the ice. More open mud tread for the powder. Would you say these cooper stt max tires with studs. Perform better on the plowed roads with ice underneath than the ko2 tires did with studs? I can see they clearly work better for you in the deep snow. In regards to locker options Mike for the rear axle. Jon on the bleepinjeep channel just did a great review and install on the newly designed torqmasters lunchbox style locker. Seems to perform great with little downsides. Would not improve the handling on the icy roads you have. But I’m not sure it would be far worse? It seems the new design is plenty strong. No pins to wear out. And is so much cheaper than a full locker. (It’s around $400 US I think). The conditions were I live in Canada are similar to your own. I’m only really considering the cable ox locker. Detroit true trac. And now the torqmasters lunch box locker. Because they are more simple in their design. The arb fully selected locker is fantastic and very expensive as I’m sure your more than fully aware! Especially to get one shipped to Sweden!They work great in warm climates. But -20 * C and below not so good. They do work in those conditions. Just long term use in such cold temperatures seems to cause air line issues. I know too many people who regret getting arb’s because where we live gets so dam cold and starts to cause problems. Anyway. Looking forward to your next video. Cheers 👍
I just watched his video. It looks like a really good locker for not much money. Sadly I don't think I can risk it on these roads. Its the same principal as the other lunchbox lockers which tend to lock up under throttle so taking a bend up hill could probably result in some drifting of the back end. I have looked for videos of this online but there isnt much info. The Detroit true track would probably be better as it looks like it can still act as an open diff which is what I need on the ice. That's really good info on the air lockers in these temps, funny you say that as my onboard air was totally iced up after this video and I had to drive home on 5psi to the fuel station to air up! I'm torn in a way because getting parts in Sweden is like trying to dig for unobtanium. I will check out the Detroit true track, front and back that might be all I need. Thanks for the comment, info and for watching.
Hell yeah. I'm prepping some gear and heading out to a nice little spot. See how the diesel heater performs in the awning room. I want to rehome it first just so its quieter at least but I will try to do that this weekend.
Great video! Do you know how many studs you got in each tire? I have order those same tire for the summer, and wonder if I`m gonna get them for winter too. Living i Norway, so I got the same winter as you got over there.
From memory I think it was 170 per tire. The guy used the same studs as they put on trucks as they were a bit bigger. They are very good in the snow and the sidewall is extremely tough. I wish I had the same set for summer as my KM3s are loud!
@@WorkshoptoWilderness Thank you very much. I would definitely use truck studs myself. Yeah I really looking forward to test them out. Was running Toyo Open County M/T on my Land Cruiser last time. Great tire, but now I drive a lot on tarmac as the Hilux I have now is my daily driver too. Maybe next time I will go for the STT pro.
Thank you! Personally I really prefer the st maxx over the ko2 at this point. Obviously I won't be driving this tire in the summer as its just my winter tire. I use a km3 in the summer. In these conditions though the st maxx has outperformed my older ko2 in traction in the deeper snow. Im sure the footprint had something to do with it though as my km2 was a 32
Nice vid, but one would think that if you were going to make video about how cool your studded tires are (and they are!) you could at least get the tire name correct... Those are ST Maxx's, not STT's. The STT was an all out mud tire, which has been replaced by the STT Pro, whereas the ST Maxx is a really aggressive all-terrain.
Thanks for picking up the mistake. Edited the title and description. Not much I can do about the video but I'm sure most will understand. Thanks for watching and correcting me.
@@WorkshoptoWilderness I should have also said that you have a really nice XJ!! I got to drive a 1998 2.5L diesel XJ for a few weeks here in the states when I worked for Jeep. PERFECT engine for the little XJ!! Enjoy your time in Sweden too!!
Its a vm 2.5 turbo diesel. Its got a terrible reputation mainly due to its original cylinder heads and poor power. I've modified it quite a lot though, new heads, bigger turbo and lots of other things and it runs like a champ now. I just make sure I look after it. Thanks for watching
I've heard that Large but skinny tires generally perfrom better in snow since they don't have to shove/ plow as much snow in front of itself. Maybe these 35's are too wide? I don't really know since I do exactly 0 snow wheeling but I'm interested what the results are.
I guess you have a number of choices. If the snow is around 60cm deep then you can run a tall thin tire to cut through and get to the hard stuff below. This performs really well but when the snow starts getting very deep at 1 meter plus a large wide tire aired down will perform better as you can then float on the snow. Kind of like a snow mobile I guess. Thanks for watching.
Sadly I don't have that option. I travel alone almost all the time and often for extended trips. Self recovery and self reliance is key although having a buddy would be nice from time to time. Thanks for watching.
They are pretty good as a kind of in-between AT/mud tire I think. The tred isn't big lugs and the middle is more like an aggressive AT. Heavy tire at 47lb in a 35x12.50r15
@@jared2235 im pretty sure my lsd isn't doing anything but oddly it actually seemed to do something this day. Or perhaps the front tires clear the snow so the rear can keep spinning. Yeah same, lockers one day
just wondering because i have a problem with mine, is your engine running at operating temperatures while normal driving, because min only gets to about 70 dc normal, 85 in long uphills but falls down when it straightens out again, any tips? thermostat has been replaced
Thanks! They are basically china headlights from eBay/Amazon. I looked for a link for you but they apparently no longer exist. There are lots that are similar though. They were not really plug and play and I had to adapt the housing and wirering to make them work and pass yearly inspection. Thanks for watching.
@@GustavLindstroem originally I had to swap them but now i have refitted the electronic adjusters and they are happy with that. Apparently lights over 2000 lumins must be electronically adjustable
@@WorkshoptoWilderness only just. I know Charfield. I moved to bristol when I was a teen but moved to central Europe recently. Just nice to hear a familiar accent.
@@WorkshoptoWilderness Slovakia. Been here for 6 years. Getting 4 proper seasons now and decent snow in just an hours drive. That's the reason I found your video. I'm currently rocking cooper at3 4s but looking for something a bit more substantial
Good to see you mate! I hope you and the family are keeping well. Much love
Cheers Haze, I replied earlier but it looks like it hasn't stuck. All is good with the family, were all getting out and trying to enjoy the winter. I've actually been proper unwell for a good few months now but have just started to get back out again. How's things with you? Hope all is well. Looks like your having a great time on Instagram.
You really have several gifts that I thank you for sharing. 1) Hiking up the road in knee deep snow with your camera to get great passing footage. 2) Your attention to detail to make your XJ capable and reliable. 3) Your ability to convert your ideas into reality with all the cool modifications. 4) Very good camera work and scripting - very enjoyable to watch. I am at the very beginning of my XJ journey but even though I can't afford a lift kit I can still do things like replace the door hinges to get them operating properly. Keep doing what your doing because these are great videos!!
Really appreciate that! There are certainly lots of jobs to do before the bigger mods come in. In all honesty its the small jobs that get forgotten and lead to bigger issues later down the line. Glad you enjoy the videos!
Used mine here in South Africa and on road they were fine, off road, well they were chipping off the edges and the middle after one day on a rocky, shale type surface and it just got worse. Was used in 30+ degree heat. Great vid.
Good to know they can't take the heat so to speak. That's a shame, so they just fell apart?
Amazing video as always. You are a true inspiration for not only your build, but also for following your dreams! I am so fond of your XJ, you really have done amazing things to it.
Appreciate the comment and thanks for watching!
Mike and Meg and Max R back.,,.,.,,!!!!! Hell YES!!!! Let's go. Rock Out!!! We love ya'll!!! Straight out of Texas USA!!! Please keep rocking out Killer Content. We love ya'll!!! J.C.H from Texas!!!
the st maxx tire is really popular in africa and australia for overlanding
I am thankful for you channel. Thanks for sharing with us.
Thanks for watching
I can tell you had quite a lot of fun (and exercise) making this video! The snow reminds me of the good stuff we’d get in central Alaska, where my favorite winter temps were anything about -3 to -17 or so. Kinda a cold/dry sweet spot. Well you got me properly excited to get out and play this weekend, thanks for sharing the adventure!
Top notch! I went out with the 4runner the other day after a small dumping to check on my trail and found that an hour away was nearly 50cm... had the snowblower on the hitch to dig myself out.
With all the walking that you were doing setting up cameras I'm glad you brought your snowshoes
You are right, start with the front locker, I've read the whole internet twice and watched all the videos about it, so it's like a doctorate on lockers. I bought a simple LOKKA unit for my XJ, will mount it as soon as we are on the speaking terms again - the engine started to smoke again so I parked it almost a year ago...
Looks like those tires work very well. Thanks for showing us. Take care.
That looks amazing, I wish I could teleport from Florida.
Looks great and you'll enjoy the snow for 3 days, then it gets old. Then it gets annoying. Then it's a PITA.
That winch just paid for itself right there cracking video mate 👍 🏴
Yeah absolutely. Very expensive to get recovered! Thanks for watching.
17:47 "Meg's pretty excited"
*picture of Meg excited
Nice video, Mike the beast is looking good
Those Coopers are probably the best tiers for an XJ out there. I had a set of 33,s on mine for a minute but not enough hardware underneath to support the extra weight, so I'm back to 31 for the time being until get my OldManEmu hybrid kit installed.
They certainly feel heavy. I must say I really like them but I think they will devour a u-joint if I start axle hopping and stress out the drive train. I've welded the u-joint caps in the D30 just to help. Anyway thanks for watching!
Great video, thanks for the upload...your jeep is great man, looks and works really well. Hoping my 04 grand cherokee will one day be as well equipped as yours is.
I have cooper 10 ply also here in Arizona on my chevy truck love them and much better price than BFG's LOVE YOUR JEEP
I'm certainly impressed with them. I've previously only used BFG along with a cheap mud tire for fun. Thanks for watching
Brilliant idea mike. I’m going to get a diesel heater soon and thinking about putting it in my jeep.
Thanks for watching Andy!
Goes like a Moose in the snow 👍🏻
Been following your channel for quite some time, great idea on storing your chains on the spare! Keep up the good work.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for this. I am putting these on my new Bronco.
i absolutely love your jeep, and what youve done to it, it sounds like the deuce and ahalfs we had in the army back in the 80s, atleast when you pulled out of your garage. thy for entertainment!!!
Awesome! Looks so fun. We just had a dumping of snow here in Minnesota, USA and going to run around it a bit. My vehicle is a 3X locked 1997 Land Cruiser 80. Super capable but really it all comes down to the tires. Running snowflake rated Falken Wildpeak AT3W 33" but those studded tires would be amazing! Cheers.
Sounds awesome, have fun! Thanks for watching!
Your rig looks really nice underneath and nice job getting yourself out. Good fun 👍 I lived and worked in those conditions for a long time in the north of Sweden a few 100km north of where you are, but now I’m back in the capital. Used to go snow wheeling on unplowed roads a lot which is good fun. I stopped though , since I’ve learned that the landowners usually didn’t like when you went wheeling or snowmobiling on their unplowed roads since the snow gets so compact doing that, and if/ when they at some point during winter or in the spring, want to plow the roads it’s almost impossible to do a good job clearing the surface whit the compressed snow/ ice that built up in the tracks. Just a heads up. Cheers.
Thanks, I've spent more time underneath than I can remember. Ah nice, probably a little warmer down there! Yeah its understandable but I've been here a few years now and you get to know everybody in these small towns, which roads get intermittently plowed and which dont. These roads stay snow high all winter and nobody uses them apart from the berry pickers, hunters, fishermen. I think its more important not to drive them in thd spring. Thanks again
@@WorkshoptoWilderness That’s good. Sounds like a sound approach. Yeah, skip those roads a few weeks during the spring thaw. Keep the good vids coming. 👍
Now I want a diesel in my xj. Nice rig. Oh and your twin lives in Richwood Ohio.
In snow and mud you won't have much difference between a locker and LSD. If both tires are spinning there is nothing more a locker could do. The locker will make more difference in the rocks when you have one wheel lifted. If you don't wheel rocks/maximum suspension flex then just get a front locker for use in the snow. It will make a huge difference.
Appreciate the information and comment. Certainly somthing for me to consider. Thanks for watching
Good to see you. Put yourself in some knarley situations. Ironic that just 3 weeks ago I put some 37's on my jeep. Always had them and will always get them from this point on. 👉 You definitely helped me 💅🔨 nail thus home 🏡 with the wife.
👌 Awesome .
Ah nice 37s look good 👍 maybe one day but glad you like the video and thanks for watching!
Those tires look great Mike...
Many thanks Mike for another brilliant video. It was the dose of inspiration needed during this crazy insane time . All the best to you and your family in 21. Hopefully we’ll meet up someday on the trail. I have a 98 XJ Diesel waiting for me to return to Sweden , pretty far south from you though.
Keep up with the fantastic videos !! Really appreciate your efforts .
Tom
Thanks Tom, hopefully in this year things can return to normal. I doubt it though in a way, perhaps a new normal. Would be good to meet up, were are you based at the moment? Thanks for watching.
@@WorkshoptoWilderness Hej Mike,
Tack for the reply ! I’m A Swede by ancestry, grand parents both sides immigrated to the US . I spend , or did before covid , a lot of time in Sweden . Svenljunga area. My US residence is an hour south of Niagara Falls in the lake effect snow region ! According to the wife I have too many XJ’s , 9 on this side and one in Sweden “staying” at a friends farm . Hopefully safe travel will resume and I can return to Sweden but I agree we may be experiencing the new normal. What area are you in ? Again we both really enjoy your videos and all the thought and work you put into them .Tack så mycket
Tom
@@333wnd ah nice, sounds beautiful were you are. Travelling the USA is a bit of a dream of mine but funds permitting of course. Maybe when the boys older but for now I'm pottering around Europe when I can. I really hope that things normalise but I fear that things well just be accepted and we will gradually transition into something new. But anyway I'm living in Åsele, I little one horse town but nice enough. Lots of nature in reach and sort of in the middle. Houses are cheap, jobs hard to find but I seen to have a couple so we are good. Bloody cold at times though, I need to insulate my garage hahaha. Hopefully you can come back at some point. Im sure once we are all vaccined up we will be given our 'freedom' back.
Great to see another video, your passion for the subject matter really shines through. Have been an avid fan of your other channel and just wondering if MCQ bushcraft and wilderness life has been retired so that you can concentrate on this channel instead. Whatever your plans, all the best to you and your family and looking forward to the next installment. Cheers
Thanks Mark, appreciate you watching. Mcqbushcraft has more videos to come. I took a brake from it since my last trip in the summer as I just went down with something and its taken me a while to get back out there. I will probably put some more videos out in the spring but for now it's a bit easier on me to do this channel, plus I'm enjoying it!
Killer intro!
Hi Mike, nice to see you 🙂
Your Jeep is the ultimate go most places vehicle now. I was looking at Sherps the other day, wow, they really do go anywhere!
You were so calm when you ended up in the ditch, so calm, even filmed it like it was nothing lol, respect!
I've been depressing myself about Sweden recently, I really really really want to live there but I can't come up with a plan, it seems so complicated, really got myself down. I SO wish I was there in a big big way.
Hope you're all doing ok.
All the best.
Simon.
That is a great Idea having your chains on your spare. Been watching your videos since you did your frame stiffness, I have all those modifications to do to my Xj. Can't wait to catch-up with where your with your rig. Have fun with your wonderful family and hobby. Safe travels!
@@jdgreens9268 I think you commented in the wrong bit.
Yeah meant to comment on his video, I'll repost it
those 4cyl diesels sound so good, wish we had those in the states. id much rather have the diesel than my 4.0
Its a nice engine once you sort a few inherent issues out. Aftermarket head, bigger turbo and intercooler amongst other small jobs. Sadly the original cylinder head was total garbage which sealed its reputation in Europe as unreliable. I've built up three of them now and there still all going. The new head really makes all the difference. Thanks for watching.
@@robertboydiii5679 you cant "bite the sound of a diesel" but think a 4.0 is amazing? I like my 4.0 just fine but come on they aren't any better sounding than the 4cyl diesel.
Thoroughly enjoy your videos, Mike, and this one is no exception. Your Jeep is a beast and an absolute credit to you and your craftsmanship - love seeing it being put to work!
PS. Winching? They should call it wincing because that’s what I was doing whilst you were pulling the old girl out! 😬😂
All the best to you and family, and looking forward to the next video.
Hahaha Tastes good Jimmy. Lol
Mike that’s an awesome feeling of the white powder that drowns everything, and the vastness of the norrlands forests! And in the middle of that you said a neighbor passed by and checked on you! Hilarios! ☃️ - Another thing, you mentioned OX... I’m considering lockers for my XJ and and like the idea of cable actuators, but then I see that many are choosing air actuated brands... What are your thoughts?
Yeah it was nice of them to see if I was okay. They must think i'm an idiot!
I was thinking OX as its actuated by a cable. As another guy mentioned below air lines are a big problem in this climate, condensation and moisture in the lines freezes and they fail. I get the same issues with my on board compressor and I have to bring the lines in and get the water out.
I know there are cheaper lunchbox style ones out there but on the normal roads I would probably be in a ditch as they lock up when you don't need them too. OX looks like a good solution, I like mechanical stuff! Thanks for watching.
Your tires keep getting bigger and bigger over the years - not much left until you have to call Arctic Trucks for a full iceland conversion! I'm always wondering how you can legally drive your setups as so much is selfmade or imported from the US. In germany you'd need legal documentation for everything which is expensive and makes some modifications impossible.
Great video and all the best to you and your family.
Haha that would be cool. I don't think I can go any bigger just yet, but we will see. Its an odd one really, I think on paper its probably not legal but the inspectors who check the jeep are looking at it from a safety point of view. Its pretty much immaculate underneath given its age. No rust, no visible welds or bad repairs and everything is painted and maintained. I suppose they look at it and even though they know I make a lot of stuff (its a small town) they see its not a crappy job and I clearly look after it.
It was the same in the UK also, my local inspector once said to me "you can weld a bathtub to the chassis if you want mate, as long as its secure I don't care". Thanks for watching.
Like your setup! Wish my ZJ was as capable as your rig.
Funny, you and i are like 450km apart, you have ALL the snow...
Interesting choice going with the diesel, as well! Stock 2.5?
Bet you really love the our taxes on those vehicles...
Hey thanks for watching. We're are you based? Plenty of snow now despite a mild start to the winter. Little bit too much snow because I was hoping to do a little camping now but I'm not sure I can make the trail again.
Im more of a diesel guy to be honest mainly because I like torque to peak in low rpm ranges but petrol certainly have thier place. Its not quite stock, aftermarket head, slightly larger turbo and a bigger downpipe and exhaust. Larger intercooler with stainless piping. I've done many more smaller jobs but it certainly dosnt dissapont me or lack in power when needed. I've build several of these engine, its a misunderstood beast tarnished by an original faulty head and talked about by many experts who have never seen inside of one. I dont mean anyone specific of course, just forums and hearsay you know.
Taxes are high, insurance is very low. Was strange to me when I first came here!
@@WorkshoptoWilderness i live some 50km west of Gävle, so we have some 20-30cm of snow now, with a possible 10-20cm more coming down tonight.
More than enough to give my crippled ZJ a run for its money..
The VM diesels are misunderstood for sure, but I can also see why many XJ-owners have replaced them with other powerplants.
Since I only use the Jeep as a toy I prefer the nice rumble from the 5.2 magnum.
With 260km/day commuting, the daily driver is a diesel though.
@@GustavLindstroem my wife has a 5.2zj that we are trying to sell. I was originally a daily but its certainly thirsty so we are looking for somthing smaller. Yeah its understandable why people replace the vm, I might one day when the boys older as a father son project. If he's interested of course lol. If your up this way for any reason don't hesitate to get in touch!
@@WorkshoptoWilderness i just installed a 46RE in my ZJ so i think I'll keep her for a while 😁
Thanks for the invite! If i find myself in your neighborhood I'll be sure to look you up 👍🏼
Thats some serious snow! Interested to know what changes you made to the heater, I also bought a load of extra bits and just finished installing ours in the trailer. Trucks looking good too btw. Hope 3 of you had a good Christmas and HNY too.
Yeah I was surprised it actually made it through given last years performance. Bit of a struggle on the hills but I get there eventually. The holidays weren't to bad, were are basically unable to see family but we still saw some friends and had a good time. Hope all is well with you guys and also hope you had a great Christmas and New Years!
@@WorkshoptoWilderness those Coopers are great bits of kit though, I've never used studs but imagine that's a massive improvement in those conditions. Christmas was definitely a much smaller affair than usual but the kids enjoyed which is what its all about, thanks. Still making plans to head over in April but keeping a close eye on developments so we'll see but we can be pretty flexible if we have to delay by a month or two but I hope not because hose knatt things look horrendous in summer 😊
Hi McQuilton, I enjoy the videos on this channel and it must be nice to have two distinct styles of content to produce. It looks very wintry in that den of Swedes, make sure you never do a James May with the winch!
Thanks for watching! My other channel is on the back burner at the moment. Truth be told i'm really unwell at the moment and I have been for a while so getting out on foot and roughing it in a sleeping bag is actually very difficult for me to do. Hence why I focus on this channel more these days. Not to say I wont ever do more on the other one. Haha I will try not too, thanks for watching.
@@WorkshoptoWilderness I'm sorry to hear you've been unwell, I hope you start to feel better soon! I've been watching your videos for years and it's nice to see you do so many different things!
@@PianoForeplay Thanks for that. I never really mentioned anything about it as Its just been a rough time. I tried not to let it stop me doing what I loved but some days are harder than others. Hopefully moving forward I can get back to a new normal. Thanks you again and appreciate you watching all these years!
Mike have you ever totalled up the cost of the XJ complete to date ? Should get Megan to snowboard whilst being towed by the truck make another great video 🤙🤙.Happy New Year
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Great video Mike. Been looking forward to seeing how these tires perform for you in the conditions you have over there.
Kinda best of both worlds I see was your goal. Studs for the ice. More open mud tread for the powder.
Would you say these cooper stt max tires with studs. Perform better on the plowed roads with ice underneath than the ko2 tires did with studs?
I can see they clearly work better for you in the deep snow.
In regards to locker options Mike for the rear axle. Jon on the bleepinjeep channel just did a great review and install on the newly designed torqmasters lunchbox style locker. Seems to perform great with little downsides. Would not improve the handling on the icy roads you have. But I’m not sure it would be far worse? It seems the new design is plenty strong. No pins to wear out. And is so much cheaper than a full locker. (It’s around $400 US I think). The conditions were I live in Canada are similar to your own. I’m only really considering the cable ox locker. Detroit true trac. And now the torqmasters lunch box locker. Because they are more simple in their design.
The arb fully selected locker is fantastic and very expensive as I’m sure your more than fully aware! Especially to get one shipped to Sweden!They work great in warm climates. But -20 * C and below not so good. They do work in those conditions. Just long term use in such cold temperatures seems to cause air line issues. I know too many people who regret getting arb’s because where we live gets so dam cold and starts to cause problems.
Anyway. Looking forward to your next video.
Cheers 👍
I just watched his video. It looks like a really good locker for not much money. Sadly I don't think I can risk it on these roads. Its the same principal as the other lunchbox lockers which tend to lock up under throttle so taking a bend up hill could probably result in some drifting of the back end. I have looked for videos of this online but there isnt much info. The Detroit true track would probably be better as it looks like it can still act as an open diff which is what I need on the ice.
That's really good info on the air lockers in these temps, funny you say that as my onboard air was totally iced up after this video and I had to drive home on 5psi to the fuel station to air up!
I'm torn in a way because getting parts in Sweden is like trying to dig for unobtanium. I will check out the Detroit true track, front and back that might be all I need. Thanks for the comment, info and for watching.
are you going to do some winter snow camping ???? that virgin snow looks great.......!!!
Hell yeah. I'm prepping some gear and heading out to a nice little spot. See how the diesel heater performs in the awning room. I want to rehome it first just so its quieter at least but I will try to do that this weekend.
Pięknie zrobiony xj, tylko dźwięk silnika to dramat. 4,0 w tym zestawieniu i by było idealnie.
Dziękuję Ci. Zbudowanie go zajęło mi wiele lat. Uwielbiam dźwięk silnika, ale jestem facetem od diesli.
Dzięki za oglądanie.
As always great video!!!
How many kilometers are there on the jeep? have you thought to make a video on how you service your vehicle.
Wow I love to drive in the snow again.
Great video. Can tell exactly the size of the tyres. Also in what country you are?
I'm living in Sweden at the moment. The tires are 35x12.50r15 on a 15x8 steel rim that has a 3.75" back spacing. Thanks for watching.
Great video! Do you know how many studs you got in each tire? I have order those same tire for the summer, and wonder if I`m gonna get them for winter too. Living i Norway, so I got the same winter as you got over there.
From memory I think it was 170 per tire. The guy used the same studs as they put on trucks as they were a bit bigger. They are very good in the snow and the sidewall is extremely tough. I wish I had the same set for summer as my KM3s are loud!
@@WorkshoptoWilderness Thank you very much. I would definitely use truck studs myself. Yeah I really looking forward to test them out. Was running Toyo Open County M/T on my Land Cruiser last time. Great tire, but now I drive a lot on tarmac as the Hilux I have now is my daily driver too. Maybe next time I will go for the STT pro.
Beautiful rig! You prefer the ST maxx over than KO2s?
Thank you! Personally I really prefer the st maxx over the ko2 at this point. Obviously I won't be driving this tire in the summer as its just my winter tire. I use a km3 in the summer. In these conditions though the st maxx has outperformed my older ko2 in traction in the deeper snow. Im sure the footprint had something to do with it though as my km2 was a 32
Nice vid, but one would think that if you were going to make video about how cool your studded tires are (and they are!) you could at least get the tire name correct... Those are ST Maxx's, not STT's. The STT was an all out mud tire, which has been replaced by the STT Pro, whereas the ST Maxx is a really aggressive all-terrain.
Thanks for picking up the mistake. Edited the title and description. Not much I can do about the video but I'm sure most will understand. Thanks for watching and correcting me.
@@WorkshoptoWilderness I should have also said that you have a really nice XJ!! I got to drive a 1998 2.5L diesel XJ for a few weeks here in the states when I worked for Jeep. PERFECT engine for the little XJ!! Enjoy your time in Sweden too!!
Awesome video
What engine do you have on that beautiful beast?
Its a vm 2.5 turbo diesel. Its got a terrible reputation mainly due to its original cylinder heads and poor power. I've modified it quite a lot though, new heads, bigger turbo and lots of other things and it runs like a champ now. I just make sure I look after it. Thanks for watching
Hey nice vid. Wich kind of compressor do you use to pump up your tires?
love the build, Mike. Have you upgraded the brakes to accommodate those 35's?
I've heard that Large but skinny tires generally perfrom better in snow since they don't have to shove/ plow as much snow in front of itself. Maybe these 35's are too wide? I don't really know since I do exactly 0 snow wheeling but I'm interested what the results are.
I guess you have a number of choices. If the snow is around 60cm deep then you can run a tall thin tire to cut through and get to the hard stuff below. This performs really well but when the snow starts getting very deep at 1 meter plus a large wide tire aired down will perform better as you can then float on the snow. Kind of like a snow mobile I guess. Thanks for watching.
@@WorkshoptoWilderness ok, thanks for letting me know
Correct tall and skinny for snow.
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First rule never go with one car never go alone
Sadly I don't have that option. I travel alone almost all the time and often for extended trips. Self recovery and self reliance is key although having a buddy would be nice from time to time.
Thanks for watching.
We all know you've got a camera crew following you how else would you do the drive bye's !!!🤔🤔
thinking i may need a set of those tires i usually run bfg all terrains
They are pretty good as a kind of in-between AT/mud tire I think. The tred isn't big lugs and the middle is more like an aggressive AT. Heavy tire at 47lb in a 35x12.50r15
@@WorkshoptoWilderness nice i run 33x12.50 same setup as u chrysler 8.25 out back dana 30 up font open diffs wore out lsd ... one day lockers
@@jared2235 im pretty sure my lsd isn't doing anything but oddly it actually seemed to do something this day. Or perhaps the front tires clear the snow so the rear can keep spinning. Yeah same, lockers one day
Sorry you said you said you was going to put Ox lockers on, might have missed a video, which lockers do you have ?
Good video Mike ! A little bit too much ads 🙃
I have to admit that it is fair... 😉 And you probably had a good sleep ?
Yeah loads of adds! I will change that, its ridiculous 😒 there should just be one at the start and end. Not sure why there are 20 in-between
@@WorkshoptoWilderness I only saw an ad at the beginning. In fact now I’m questioning if I saw one at all 🤔
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just wondering because i have a problem with mine, is your engine running at operating temperatures while normal driving, because min only gets to about 70 dc normal, 85 in long uphills but falls down when it straightens out again, any tips? thermostat has been replaced
Very nice jeep,what headlight do you have? I bought something like this for my jeep cherokee xj ,but did t fit (plug and play) and I returned.
Thanks! They are basically china headlights from eBay/Amazon. I looked for a link for you but they apparently no longer exist. There are lots that are similar though. They were not really plug and play and I had to adapt the housing and wirering to make them work and pass yearly inspection. Thanks for watching.
@@WorkshoptoWilderness you got those lights though inspection? Or do you replace them with the stock lights?
@@GustavLindstroem originally I had to swap them but now i have refitted the electronic adjusters and they are happy with that. Apparently lights over 2000 lumins must be electronically adjustable
@@WorkshoptoWilderness cool. Wonder is they'll accept that down here...
Good to know, thanks for the reply! 🙏🏼
@@GustavLindstroem I guess that's the thing, they will probably say its not cool next year!
How long did you keep that dip in your lip?
Это в какой стране?
Sweden
Sorry just finished the vid, no lockers.
welcam ketama morroco
Bristol boy?
I grew up in Charfield and lived and worked in Bristol for a fair few years. I still have the twang then?
@@WorkshoptoWilderness only just. I know Charfield. I moved to bristol when I was a teen but moved to central Europe recently. Just nice to hear a familiar accent.
@@WorkshoptoWilderness My ex is actually from Wootton under Edge
@@petronela910 Ah nice, my wife is from Wotton. Its a nice part of the country. Hopefully I can visit again one day. Where are you based now?
@@WorkshoptoWilderness Slovakia. Been here for 6 years. Getting 4 proper seasons now and decent snow in just an hours drive. That's the reason I found your video. I'm currently rocking cooper at3 4s but looking for something a bit more substantial