Day 3
Day 4 began like the previous day, a trip to the pancake alley. We then headed back to camp to prepare for some wheelin'. This day we didn't wait on Sparky, just cruised on so that we could actually make it all the way through a trail and not just play on the opening to one.(Still not sure of the difference...) Lee was our fearless leader this day, and although his jeep was stock height, had to take a few bypasses, but made it through like a champ. Next up was Kevin "turets" Collins in the Rover with Jason and the dogs, "Dammit Ony, $%^#, %$@#%^ you @$#%ing #$@%^" Then came Fred and I in Scout followed by Frank and Jackasic in his Scout. The trail was fun, and I can't even remember what it was called, but they said it was "moderate", which I think means there was a bypass around every hard part. We attempted every obstacle and only missed out on one. Scout just ran out of snuff, traction was good, and motor was strong, just no gearing, 3.07's suck. The day ended with a bent driveshaft because it was the wrong length, then a visit to the local Hooters.
Pancake Alley, what a fine mecca of maple syrup, mmmm...syrup....
My tires were aired down to 12 psi, this was somewhat conservative copmpared to the rest of the guys 6-8 psi. The AT's did just fine on the rocks, BFGs are freakin tough, and if there had been a mishap, that is what road hazzard is for.
This was a SOB of a drop off that turets and me navigated.
When you are pushing rocks out of the way with the front bumper you are at a pretty good angle.
Look at those mean binders, Brandon's looks ten times meaner with swampers.
Scout made this look like a cakewalk. The drop offs were not a problem, I got good brakes, it was the inclines that were problematic. Fred is seen here spotting me and doing a damn fine job I might add.
I was worried about that, my roof is ugly...
Just cruising along and wham, missed a rock that was right in the middle of the trail. Got hung up on the driver side and needed a little tug from behind to get going again. Thanks Thumper.
The great Brandini, dropping in.
A little off camber, wishing a for a little more front flex, but there is never enough now is there...
Kevin leading me through some more good stuff, gears and an ARB are nice...
Didn't get a close up of them in action, but here are the revolvers and spring over "dropping the bottom" out of my rear end.
This what we call in the business the "money shot". The suspension flexing in opposite directions and me hanging out the window trying to look like I am navigating something really tough...
This is the point where we started to not have quite as much fun. Scout didn't want to go up these steep steps, but we really wanted her too. So Fred gave it a little gas, and gave it a run, but she just couldn't do it. We had to tap out and take the bypass. While we were watching everyone else try, Scout cooled off cause everything under the hood was HOT. I need some gears and a rear locker. This is also the point where we noticed the front driveshaft was bent from what we thought at the time was from banging it on a rock.
Fred took this last run at it before backing back down and taking the bypass. I did an impromptu strength test on my front bumper at Fred's expense. While he was doing his "three point" turn in front of that stump, I told him "keep coming, keep coming, BANG, that's good..." It held up just fine.
Pretty mountain range pics from the way back. FYI: If you are ever driving along a moutain ridge around sunset at the end of a long trail, Magic Carpet Ride is the perfect song to play.
There is an owl in there somewhere, Hey mister owl, how many licks does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop? He didn't respond, just hacked up a big ball of hair and bone, kind of rude if you ask me...
In true Jackasic form Brandon, Knocked the bottom out of his Draglink. It got straightened in town for 20 bones and he got some angle iron that Frank the welder patched in to beef it up. Nice Hat, reverend.
My dumbarse with a bent driveshaft. When I went to have it repaired the next day I got to thinking, you know I don't see any rock marks on this new pretty paint. hmmm, could it be because I put a reverse shackle on the front and that the slip joint didn't have near enought travel and the differential and transfer case played crush the driveshaft? nah, I would have forseen something like that, remember the money shot, I think that was at the expense of the driveshaft. Tom Woods was very friendly and it will be installed soon.
On to Day 4
