What Went Wrong with the Scorpion Crawler?

What went wrong with the scorpion crawler? In this video I'd like to discuss the changes and modifications I've had to make since the initial build.
Starting out as a 1998 Jeep cherokee this thing has been under the knife quite a bit, check out the entire build at this playlist: bit.ly/2rXnlc4
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This product is meant for entertainment purposes only. Your mileage may vary. Do not try this at home. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required. For off-road use only. Slippery when wet. Batteries not included. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle, heavy equipment, cherokee XJ, wrangler TJ, wrangler JK, or any Jeep vehicle, especially the newer Fiat ones. How-to videos may be too intense for some viewers and children under 30 years of age. Please remain seated until the 4x4 ride has come to a complete stop. Studies have shown viewing these videos causes increased cancer risks in laboratory test people. I am not a professional, I have no training, I'm not even particularly good at horse whispering. Don't believe everything that you know. Please keep your hands in the vehicle at all times. Do not tap on glass. Do not eat anything that has been on the floor for more than 3 days. Keep your hands to yourself. Not to be taken internally. Reproduction strictly prohibited. Driver does not carry cash. Objects in Bleepinjeep mirrors may be farther than they appear.

[@mbhftw]

As someone who builds exhaust systems. I would try to stay away from wrapping it. 1) XJ's leak oil and it is oil on exhaust wrapping that can cause a fire. 2) if you are not using stainless steel the exhaust wrap on a offroad rig can become saturated with mud and water. The water will rust out your exhaust. 3) Though pricey, I would have a nice 16 gauge T304 stainless exhaust built by a fab shop and have the system TIG welded. Stainless steel is a poor conductor of heat so it spills much less heat out than other options. Do it right once and you'll never have to do it again :)

[@MrMrsregor]

great stuff to think about, thanks !

[@mcoffroadinaz4075]

Do this, and THEN ceramic coat it. Both will do an excellent job.

[@halnywiatr]

@ 14:30 The current link bars are steel 2.00 x 0.25 (assuming) x 24. With an applied force of 2000 lbs they have a deflection of 0.572. By plus sizing to steel 2.50 x 0.3125 the deflection drops to 0.234. Aluminum solid rod of 2.5 x 24 has a deflection of 0.457. Even if the deflection was the same for aluminum the bending stress yield is a problem. There is a reason they don’t make springs out of aluminum.

[@logancudd7030]

7075 has a way higher yield point that steel. and they don't make springs out of 1/4 inch dom tubing either

[@blownaway4371]

Dirt track racers use simple foam plugs/pucks to keep the hub centers clear/free from mud. You can try different densities of foam to see what stays in there. And maybe soak/spray a little WD-40 on them to resist some muddy water too.

[@potardo9851]

You could use a rubber gasket around the lip of the box that houses the subwoofer to help seal it from water and use a simple latch like a cigar box latch or a post lock to keep it shut and sealed from water.

[@TheDJHeadless]

What a well thought out and informative video! For someone who followed the build it was interesting to see you address some of the finer points of actual ownership and use. Thank you and good job.

[@bleepinjeep]

thanks for watching!

[@gdazey1]

If your SYE is still good from your old transfer case. You should have a drawing to give it away.

[@seanwoodyard6927]

You can also drill and pin the diff cover to the housing

[@codymoncrief8478]

I just use army surplus ammo cans for storage. You can mount them with bungees, rivets, or bolts. The latter of which, put a gob of rtv around the hole then tighten in the bolt or rivet for a good seal. The cans are tough and waterproof

[@markschwegler1100]

A lot of awesome work and creativity. It's good to a Jeep owner actually " build" their rig. Not just put together a kit! It looks mean!!!

[@drubradley8821]

As per the wheels, or lug nuts.... I highly recommend that you either buy, or machine some centric-rings, to center the rim on the axle... I realize those aid in drive ability for street cars and aftermarket wheels and tires... but, your lug nuts are designed to merely hold the wheel to the assembly, and although, they can take quite a bit of rotational torque, , hitting a bump, that would force the wheel to slide in one direction on the mating surface, can lead to breaking the studs. rotational loads happen to the lug nuts evenly, and will still "somewhat" keep the wheel centered, now, they are under further holding load, now, throw in hitting a bump hard, or landing hard, and the wheel wants to slide on the mating surface/rotor hat. some of the lug nuts will get tighter in the tension, as others will be allowed to fall back in the torque spec range or less then what you originally tightened they too... Typically, the centric rings, have a small lip, that prevents them from falling off, through the center of the wheel outwards, (.010" to .050" flange/lip). Also, they should be a snug fit, and needs to be calculated for if you intend to run center caps, then, the rings will need to be machined for that... they will also help with the packing of mud, as they fill the void area there.. so bonus... You can machine them out of aluminum, but they do not last very long, due from corrosion effects of the dissimiliar alloy to metals contact, steel, the same thing, just rusts, unless you goop the living daylights out of them with antisieze, other wise, do your self a favor, and simple spend the money on a chunk of stainless steel. The center of the wheel and tire to the axle shafts, will assist in proper tire wear, as well, even for the short runs on road, at least when starting out on new tires, yours, that you are currently running, those are already worn to the attitude they will finish their lives with.. safety first brother... good job on the video, again, keep up the great work, Drew

[@larryalexander4833]

just a thought on center caps. how about cutting. center plugs and cutting oring grove to hold in place and seal out mud and water and also add some silacone if needed ???

[@warlockcommandcenter]

On your tools biggest thing is leaving/loosening them on the trail a shadow box is the best option

[@NGWrenchin]

Hey Matt, If you havent put the exhaust back in, I would look into getting it ceramic coated before wrapping it. It should help keep more heat from escaping than just the wrap, and it will help protect the exhaust from rusting when the wrap gets whet from off road driving and holds the moisture against it. Just a thought edit: I wrote this before I got all the way through the video. Maybe next time its off, haha

[@lokirip2372]

I use bead sealer on those troublesome or dirty beads. Even gouges can be sealed by slathering the bead seal on there after you break down the side of the tire giving you trouble.

[@reddyuda]

The new jack mount is really sweet - I need to get one of those to mount to my roof rack!

[@knifed8257]

Add weatherstripping around the lip to seal the battery area? That's how my truck box is basically done, doesn't need be fancy. Stores sell generic rolls in lengths, home depot and auto zone for example.

[@thewampus97tj]

Best jeep channel on KZbin. I'm from east TN but I live in AZ. We have great trails out here too. Hope y'all get to come out west soon!

[@mikeburris9856]

Hey Matt, just a future thought for your control arm links. You could Sleeve them as well. The aluminum ones are super expensive and while the sleeved ones add a little weight the weight is in the right place.

[@AllSquaredUp4x4s]

love the tool set up bud

[@jamesmerkel9442]

In the ori online web sight they mention if u hve a sway bar & r using there product to cut down on sway hydraulically, guess means need both.

[@ThatACRGuy]

about the seat this is WAY of topic of wheeling but it may help I have a bunch of drift happy friends and one of them when he gos to the track he pulls his seats out to drop some weight. his seats are all quick release. on the hinge that tilts it forward he cut the pin out and just has a cotter pin thro it. with the pin it the seat still tilts back and forth for putting tires and what not in the back of his car to get to the track but onces there it takes 20 seconds and his back seat is out. you could do the same to your rig that way when u want the seat ,put in the pin and it is usable and you wouldn't even notic a differents , when u only ride with yourself , pull the pins and leave the back seat at home. I hope this helps. as I say in all your videos I hope this helps and I'm happy to help anytime I can. seea on the trail !

[@supersami7748]

I had the same problem with my rear diff cover for a different reason. Studs with blue loc-tite install cover fiber lock nuts. End of problem.

[@MrMrsregor]

i love the green paint that you used..

[@basismagic]

Hi Matt, still enjoying your vids. Might you ever visit beautiful Estonia, enjoy my beer whilst wrenching on my Cherokee :D

[@Saya-fs1jo]

might it be better to weld a strong back on the link arms? 1/5" x2" tapering g to nearly 3" in the center ought to add a bit of strength without reworking the whole setup and be reasonably fast to fab if you have the plate. anyways glad to see an update on how its been for ya

[@jasonwilde5864]

Wild RIG. And as for the Colour I personally think it's great !!

[@bleepinjeep]

thanks

[@jakematthews6982]

A little late on commenting but for the rear seat it could be a quick release if you use a late TJ rear seat or a seat that uses the TJ mounting setup. My '03 TJ seat comes out in about 20 seconds.

[@youtubeuniversityofhawksha4621]

another option is to weld some angle iron along your link....makes them look cool too.

[@zac92ranger]

I bet the lid for your tools is tweaked because you only have the prop on one side. So all the weight of the powertank is not supported.

[@spencerhaney9166]

Hey matt! awesome videos! fyi, there's a recall on the cam lock corbeau harness. one of the hokes is drilled off center and doesn't hold any tension in an emergency event. get your replaced too! long turn around for me so be prepared! keep the videos coming!

[@jamesmerkel9442]

I wonder if they can make the rims hve a double seat edge so if it pops out on back it just pops into 2nd bead stop. U start out on inner seat & then hve 2nd bead to catch it wheeling back up.

[@jamesmerkel9442]

the rock busted knuckle guy had to go to thicker walled steel tubing & then bc moon buggy crazy added aluminum inside the steel case arm. U can cut the steel extra thick arms to size then the threading & hemi joints all in the aluminum inside the steel. That way steel protects arms & get best of both.

[@gerikoberster9594]

try square tubing for you’re link bars, unless you like the idea of aluminum better. It’s up to u but my dad’s friend has had nothing but good luck out of his and he likes to abuse his rig on the rocks lol

[@badgerpa9]

Old video but very nice and that color is pretty cool.

[@KIDZKARTBLDER]

Hay you could drill and put a half inch roll pin In between the front diff bolts like in three different spots and that would help it from ever shifting the diff cover ..

[@bleepinjeep]

I have considered it!

[@Tendedolive]

Impressive. I learn a lot from Bleepin Jeep.

[@twowheelslater7112]

How about putting an aluminum insert in the steel on the links? Saw somewhere rock racers doing that on trailing arm suspensions.

[@budgetcon9611]

I should do this to my JK! love the tool carrier and jack holder..cant wait for that video!!

[@Brykk]

Good video. Thanks for the update. On the center cap situation, could you cut some foam pool noodles, or the closed cell foam like you used for the tool tray, to make filler caps?

[@dansears9204]

They make a bead sealer Brother, Don't use RTV it will pop with the tire , Bead-sealer is almost like tar it wont crack though when you air down. Or even if you get a flat, And yes I entered for Panama....AKA PaPa Blista

[@AGuysGarage]

Love Your rig man, hell of a build.

[@bleepinjeep]

thanks bro!

[@jamieround2072]

i have used WD40 OR BABY OIL ON RIMS N WHAT NOT... SO WHEN U WASH OR POWER WASH IT ALL COMES OUT SLICK AS SNOT....... BUT IN ORDER TO GET IT TO ALL SLIDE OUT U REALLY HAVE TO PREP EVERYTHING........

[@jamesmerkel9442]

impressive pnting out all your mistakes or stuff u would do diff then fixing them all 2x impressive.

[@sinyo1973]

nice... i think the jackstand location there is dangerous if it come off

[@cherylmartin4050]

Gas shocks to help lift your tool storage

[@YouTubeDoxedMyRealName]

perhaps the dom tube you use is inferior to what ever most companies make their arms out of... perhaps their are some additional proceses aka heating / cooling or other smelting and forging process.

[@hoathbill]

For what its worth I love the color!

[@codyc228]

Great video I've have so many things that I could have done differently with my build, I'm happy with it but you know jeepers

[@jamesmerkel9442]

He doesn't use johnny style he just uses 3 or 4 times bigger joints then any1 else overkilling it way. Wonder if more movement would mean less strain on joints & so allowing earth sized joints not Jurassic sized.

[@ryanl7379]

just inner sleeve the LCAs. throw a 1.75OD pipe down the center and re-weld them

[@The4loShow]

ATLAS 2.......just buy the cable shifter. That's what I use. It shifts just as smooth as the standard linkage shifter, you can put the shifters where ever you want, and the shifters are narrow enough to fit in the same space as the single shifter. @bleepinjeep

[@nonyabusinesss3025]

Good video and done well, this kinda thing might help a lot. The jeep looks amazing, I bet it can do so much.

[@MotoSurgeon]

interesting info, now I might rethink oris. tell me more about the jack sled. is the video for it out or on the way?

[@fvasque1]

is video out yet? thanks

[@bonedigggss]

such a badass xj

[@301steady]

Does your diff cover still come loose? I was wondering if you thought about drilling holes in the bolt heads and safety wiring the bolts?

[@MrTR0uBL3]

Instead of a rear sway bar just do limiting straps

[@Str8sixfan]

awesome, always good to hear lessons learned

[@StevenPfeiffer]

Your doing a great job Matt. Keep up the good content.

[@bleepinjeep]

thanks!

[@ultraflexxj94546]

Change lower controls arms to square tube

[@FourWheelingJeeps]

Hey Matt been watching your channel for a while but just came across this one. I’m having a similar issue with my ORIs and I’m curious what lower pressures you tried to keep the rig stable? I too am considering an antirock, thanks.

[@ktor538]

Enjoying your channel, sure wish I had your rigs to play with!

[@CaptainGnarkill]

Matt is rad!

[@MSpeedThree]

Gnarkill sighting haha.

[@jeffmantooth5684]

your transfercase blew up, bummer,would that be tha tera low upgrade TC, I know it has been awhile, but would you still happen to have the input gear on the tera low?

[@moneymac2864]

that truck is so awesome fr

[@jimmykosko]

Yes lessons well learned

[@DougBugBuilder]

Nice video, very well done. I'm more of a Baja guy so I really don't know, but isn't putting a sway bar on a rock crawler like putting a lift kit on a sports car? I'm not flaming you and I love your builds.....I just didn't understand the sway bar?

[@bleepinjeep]

+Doug Bug nope it's super common, they are specific sway bars built to flex at certain loads

[@DougBugBuilder]

Sounds fair enough....Thanks.

[@Ed-ty1kr]

Nicely done

[@winchracing64]

One of the rear 4 links looks bent ??

[@tylerhensley2312]

why would you not mount the steering ram skid plate on the bottom of the ram instead of the top?

[@bleepinjeep]

its not a skid plate, it is to protect the hydraulic lines.

[@1sheinz]

DON'T use RTV to seal your tires. It will NOT stick. Use automotive URETHANE and PINCHWELD primer on the rim and tire bead. This WILL NOW STICK just like your winshield does. Be sure this is what you want, it will be Very hard to remove when changing tires. I HAVE DONE THIS with non bead lock rims and run consistant 4 psi off road and not lost a bead in 4 years. CHEERS Steve h.

[@thecatfelix2988]

Scorpion. Awesome machine. 👍😁

[@SevenSelah]

I LOVE the color!!!!

[@andrewalfhonso6285]

What size of tire he that off jeep

[@yayabamba4053]

as I see you have wheels spacers on, is it safe to have them on a Jeep tj stock?

[@jkkrubicon677]

OMF makes custom center caps out of billet aluminum

[@Intergalactic_monkey]

Did the exhaust wrap help?

[@jamoliverj]

What exactly went wrong with the NP231??? Was it the Terra Low kit? If yes don't reply. Plausible deniability and we will know without you burning a bridge with Terraflex.

[@rustyshack420]

Jason Argonauts it was the tera low 4:1 kit. they were known to grenade themselves and unfortunately his did too. Teraflex actually discontinued the product because they had so many problems and complaints.

[@aaronward7526]

Jason Argonauts Mine blew up within the first year. Went back to stock 231 and geared by axles to 5.38s. Close to the same crawl ratio and been going strong for 3 years now.

[@jamoliverj]

Thanks for the confirmation. I didn't realize that Terra Flex discontinued the 4:1 kit.

[@ramairgto72]

I rem where people started talking about the 231 comeing apart with that kit. So many people thought it was something "not" TF. I will be using a AMG 242 and have nothing for aftermarket support. But, fuck it.

[@OldGriz708]

Just throw a twin sticked 205 in it and call it good.

[@robertalex7024]

What's wrong with the paint color ? What color would you do in the future?

[@bleepinjeep]

it turned out darker than i expected, I was wanting a bit more of a lime green I guess

[@ukasztygiel688]

You can put a TUBE inside the tire

[@rmartin7846]

i thought you put that shaved 14 bolt in there.

[@denverdyer8660]

Hey Matt, love the Scorpion. You still running the D44s? Taking my XJ to stage 2 and curious if those 44s are still holding up. Love the vids, keep rocking dude!

[@bleepinjeep]

Yes, still holding strong!

[@kevinhornbuckle]

Install a little air bag under the back seat.

[@bleepinjeep]

air bag?

[@lastfanstanding999]

no downloading this ???

[@tonyb022377]

best xj on the trails....no question!!!

[@bleepinjeep]

haha, thanks Tony

[@MrRobertutep]

man that thing is long

[@bleepinjeep]

123" wheelbase FTW

[@jasonallen6836]

Twss

[@G-GFactoryMade]

sleeve the lower links

[@changumon]

bleeeeepin jeeeeeep

[@Razor32061]

call customer support for the struts

[@chrism5768]

Hey Matt or anyone that knows. any idea how long your lower links are? I have a build with what appears to be very similar length lower arms on roughly the same angle as well. I'm using 2" .250 wall 4130 crommoly. I think you used dom. But I'm on 42" with a 60 so I might be in trouble. thanks!

[@bleepinjeep]

i dont recall, I remember one of the links upper or lower was 38" for the steel not including the heims.

[@bleepinjeep]

I used DOM

[@chrism5768]

I'm in trouble then... think I'm at like 40" lol. thanks for the reply and all the great videos!!!

[@Shamalamallama]

what size ori strusts did ya get?

[@bleepinjeep]

14 and 16

[@mredge136]

Great video as always, Matt. But, I am looking for the video on the trunk build, can someone send me a link ?

[@infinidominion]

just click his channel and look for it. its a good vid

[@mredge136]

Christopher Rowe: Thank you, I had tried that. no luck as of yet.

[@Jedwardkakin]

KZbin search: BleepinJeep The Most Intense Game of Tetris Ever

[@mredge136]

Jake Eakin: Thank you

[@bleepinjeep]

thanks!

[@TheKillerMarine]

wouldn't that sway bar limit flex?

[@aaronward7526]

TheKillerMarine The Currie anti rock bar limits flex when you want it.... I run them on all my rigs

[@TheKillerMarine]

Aaron Ward Do they make them for Rams?

[@bigcheese82]

great vid!

[@jfehghfe]

You running a Dana 30? what axle shafts are you using

[@traviscurtis439]

It's not a dana 30

[@bleepinjeep]

this is correct^

[@LeeroyJebkins]

At first I thought the "bleepin" said "nipple" 😂

[@bailydavis8902]

I have a question, why not use wagoneer Dana 44s?

[@TheKillerMarine]

Baily Davis Dana 44s are weak once you get passed 35s. I have a Dana 60 up front and Dana 80 rear and break stuff lol

[@bailydavis8902]

I've been running 35s on my ttb 44 in my bronco for year. Heald up great, open carrier for the win! lol I've killed a lot of hub lockers tho

[@bailydavis8902]

I just put waggy narrow track 44s under my samurai and it does amazing with 33s

[@bleepinjeep]

didnt have any, and I wanted to be narrow

[@bailydavis8902]

BleepinJeep I'm pretty narrow with the narrow tracks

[@year1camaro]

I cant get into this rig....... and there's no A/C WTF?

[@MrJayArt]

When's the next cheap jeep video?

[@bleepinjeep]

need to find some tars

[@MrJayArt]

BleepinJeep oh gotcha, well can't wait for the next seriously probably my favorite series of yours :)

[@MrJayArt]

BleepinJeep oh gotcha, well can't wait for the next seriously probably my favorite series of yours :)

[@GabolovesPam]

what transfer case is there now? the one that's broken

[@bleepinjeep]

I installed an Atlas

[@jeepcherokee40]

I told you that terra junk would blow up before you ever put it in...guess I knew what I was talking about after all.

[@TheAmericanUhate]

A lot of people said a lot of shit, some guessed right, others didn't. It's his rig that he built, he dealt with it and made it better already.

[@jeepcherokee40]

TheAmericanUhate while your not wrong he was told many times that the terra low was junk and given reasons why it was junk. they are a known failure point with bad engineering