Is the local wheeling good? (Thinking about moving to Cincy)

Brandon_K · 06-18-2010, 05:28 PM

We're at a point in our life where we are considering a move. We currently live in Pittsburgh, but I was born and spent the first few years of my life in Owensville. My grandparents are in West Chester and my brother, sis-in-law, 2 nieces and nephew are across the river in Villa Hills, KY.

We have a 22mo daughter and one on the way in November. The brother and sis-in-law would love to see me move down there, as would my grandparents and I would love to be able to spend more time with my younger nieces and nephew. My Mom and step Dad are here in Pittsburgh, so we would be moving away from them, but I've been here for 26 years and I really dislike Pittsburgh. We have a great football team and hockey team (horribly lousy baseball team.. "The city of Champions, oh, and the Pirates" go Reds!), but that's about all.

I generally get to make it to Cincy for a weekend once every 2 months or so and I love the area and the people. As we've been looking to buy a home, I've found that you get a little more for your money down there. I would be out of work until I can find something, she can transfer. So it's either stay in Pittsburgh, move to Cincy/N KY or possibly Columbus.

That's all good and fine, but.. How's the wheeling down there? Around here for decent wheeling (a mix of trails and rock) I have 3 or 4 places within an hour drive. A few better spots within a 2 hour drive. How is it down there? I assume the wheeling is similar to up here? I pretty much hate mud and try to avoid it as I much prefer rocks, but in our area mud is inevitable, so I make due with what we have.

My rig is nothing special. It's a 99 TJ (Sport), 35 KM2's on AR Teflon Chambers, 8.8 in the rear, 1" BL and MML, OME 2.5" coils, 2" poly spacers, Super Short SYE, locally made driveshaft. I put the #5 rod through the block last year, so I rebuilt it as a 4.6 Stroker. The AX15 was on it's last legs (thanks for destroying my synchro's, owners manual!) so I swapped in a NV3550.

Depending on if we stay or if we move pretty much determines the rest of the build process. PA has extremely strict inspection laws. Tires can't be past the flares (actually, aftermarket flares are technically illegal in PA), no flat fenders, motor swaps are extremely difficult, we basically have an awesome dictatorship here.

But, regardless it may get a 5.2 swap out of a 99 Ram van soon and maybe an AW4 (old work van, frame is shot). I'm going to start on a built HP30 within the next few weeks, TEN Shafts, etc etc. Once time and money allows, a Clayton or Rock Krawler long arm, 37's and a 3 speed Stak or Atlas will be in the future. It's currently my DD so I'm a bit limited on what can and can't be done for the time being. There is a Duramax in my future to serve as DD and tow pig, either a 2500 or a 3500 SRW, crew cab, undecided if I want a short or long bed, looking at 03-04 and 06's.

I think that covers about everything. I'm Brandon, by the way. Hi :)

06-18-2010, 05:28 PM	#1
Brandon_K Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 2	Is the local wheeling good? (Thinking about moving to Cincy) We're at a point in our life where we are considering a move. We currently live in Pittsburgh, but I was born and spent the first few years of my life in Owensville. My grandparents are in West Chester and my brother, sis-in-law, 2 nieces and nephew are across the river in Villa Hills, KY. We have a 22mo daughter and one on the way in November. The brother and sis-in-law would love to see me move down there, as would my grandparents and I would love to be able to spend more time with my younger nieces and nephew. My Mom and step Dad are here in Pittsburgh, so we would be moving away from them, but I've been here for 26 years and I really dislike Pittsburgh. We have a great football team and hockey team (horribly lousy baseball team.. "The city of Champions, oh, and the Pirates" go Reds!), but that's about all. I generally get to make it to Cincy for a weekend once every 2 months or so and I love the area and the people. As we've been looking to buy a home, I've found that you get a little more for your money down there. I would be out of work until I can find something, she can transfer. So it's either stay in Pittsburgh, move to Cincy/N KY or possibly Columbus. That's all good and fine, but.. How's the wheeling down there? Around here for decent wheeling (a mix of trails and rock) I have 3 or 4 places within an hour drive. A few better spots within a 2 hour drive. How is it down there? I assume the wheeling is similar to up here? I pretty much hate mud and try to avoid it as I much prefer rocks, but in our area mud is inevitable, so I make due with what we have. My rig is nothing special. It's a 99 TJ (Sport), 35 KM2's on AR Teflon Chambers, 8.8 in the rear, 1" BL and MML, OME 2.5" coils, 2" poly spacers, Super Short SYE, locally made driveshaft. I put the #5 rod through the block last year, so I rebuilt it as a 4.6 Stroker. The AX15 was on it's last legs (thanks for destroying my synchro's, owners manual!) so I swapped in a NV3550. Depending on if we stay or if we move pretty much determines the rest of the build process. PA has extremely strict inspection laws. Tires can't be past the flares (actually, aftermarket flares are technically illegal in PA), no flat fenders, motor swaps are extremely difficult, we basically have an awesome dictatorship here. But, regardless it may get a 5.2 swap out of a 99 Ram van soon and maybe an AW4 (old work van, frame is shot). I'm going to start on a built HP30 within the next few weeks, TEN Shafts, etc etc. Once time and money allows, a Clayton or Rock Krawler long arm, 37's and a 3 speed Stak or Atlas will be in the future. It's currently my DD so I'm a bit limited on what can and can't be done for the time being. There is a Duramax in my future to serve as DD and tow pig, either a 2500 or a 3500 SRW, crew cab, undecided if I want a short or long bed, looking at 03-04 and 06's. I think that covers about everything. I'm Brandon, by the way. Hi :)