Absolutely!

 

Well, SGT Ex is ready for his trip. Or at least as ready as he is going to be.-

My buddy Mike, 5brosfab, hooked me up with a PS cooler, but it wouldn't work behind the grille. I never paid attention, but there is NO room for anything between the bumper and radiator support. So I thought I'd try 2 smaller ones I had, a super duty PS cooler and a Ranger transmission cooler. The trans cooler was again too big, and the SD one was about the right size but would need to be heavily modified to mount anywhere.-

So I decided to just run it like this for this trip, and install a heat sink cooler when I get back.-

Also noticed my rear leafs are bent... I just hope they last until Winter. Planning to completely redo the rear this winter

 

might have said it, but where ya headed?

 

Harlan, KY.

Railman was supposed to be meeting me, but he broke his right foot yesterday. He said that he is still going to try and go, but I doubt driving 5 hours on a broken foot, the wheeling for multiple hours, then driving back will be happening for him. We will see though

 

Sweet, can't wait to see more action shots of it

 

Makes two of us

 

Loaded and ready to roll out.-

 

Looking good!!!
How does the pulley come off the Saginaw pumps, is there a bolt that holds it on?

 

Need a puller. It's pressed on the shaft

 

Just just presses on, no bolt or anything?

 

Nope. Just need the special tool. You can rent it from O'Rielly's though

 

Explorer to wide to fit on flat bed trailer = winning.

 

I have to stack 6x6s to get it over the fenders

 

Where are the action shots man?

 

Pics from Saturday. Many more coming soon

 

Pics do no justice. Just remember when looking at them, the tires on this truck are over 3 foot tall. So use that as perspective to figure about how big the stuff really was.

More pics and vids tonight

 

very cool, looks like an awesome trail

 

sweet! bet it was nice to get out

 

Start of the trail, Killin' Time



Tried this spot about 4 times before giving in and pulling cable. Back tire was in water and against a rock. Just couldn't get traction.


The trail was consistantly challenging throughout the whole venture





I say with a winch and 31s, almost anyone could do this trail.

 

Next up was Lower Rock Garden.









This one you will likely need at least a lock right or something in the rear, but still I say 31's would get you through. This is the same place Kevin and the Trucks! crew took that blue XJ/Cherokee project

 

That was the last sign Kristy took a pic of. The next few trails we ran were Railbed and Pinball. Railbed needed a little wheel speed in a couple spots as water was running down it the whole time. No pics. My camera woman rode along for these two.

Then we met up with a group called Appalacian Ride Runners, and they were awesome. They let us join their group, hooked me up with some Electrical tape, wire, and a tire plug, and were just good peoples.-

They took us up to White Tail Crawl. This one was a bit more challenging. Two of the Jaheeps went first, and were locked front and rear on 35s and 37s. Both had a very hard time. The third was a YJ on tons and 40s locked F/R, and he did well until the very end. Then everyone looked at me. I wasn't going to do it... Then I said to hell with it, and took off.

 

The extra wheelbase and good spotter got me up the trail with no problems. I say a long wheelbase rig on 35s with a rear locker could do this one.

 

-Next we went through another trail that was pretty much just a steep down hill grade, and thats it, so the stockers that were with those gents could have a little trail action too. Then we headed back to Pinball, the waterfall, and Railbed. we opted to spot for those guys as we just ran two of these trails this morning, and I still am not confident enough to run the waterfall. On the way up Railbed, the TJ on 37s snapped his rear axle when he bound up at the top. The YJ on 40s made it look like a walk in the park. The ARROC guys called it a day, and we headed towards Lion's Den....

 

we made it to Upper Rock Garden and it looked like a blast, so i had to try it out. It was getting towards later in the day, so confidence was growing.-

 

Then it was off to the Den... Which seems like it is forever far away...
A crowd had gathered there as 3 rigs were going through.-

One was a YJ that was linked, strectched, C/Os, 42s, atlas, you know, the whole 9. Since it still had a tub, it took a beating. The left rear corner of the tub was completely crushed, both doors were smashed, and LOTS of rock rash on the tube fenders. Sorry guys, no pics.

Second was a Yota Truggy on Propane, 4D Rockers, exo, Marlin crawler, and still running leafs. He was COMPLETELY tangled in logs beside the tree. After about 15 minutes of pulling and stacking and wiggling, he made it through the squeeze, where he laid it over to where the passenger side of the exo was lying on a rock.

Here is a pick right before he hit the rock


Then shortly after he was at the last obstacle and flopped his left side on a rock


This is the point i decided i was NOT taking the Sarge through this son of a bitch....

Next up was a former Comp Buggy that started life as a Jeep Liberty. It was still running the factory engine and transmission, and what looked to be part of a stock frame (I'm not sure if these trucks or unibody or not) with tube sub frames front and rear. C/Os, atlas, tons, full hydro, 42s, just awesome to watch this thing.

Coming around the corner-


Starting the squeeze. This is where the Yota was stuck and where the YJ demolished his doors


He made it through with no problem


Then he decided to take the high line....


And Flopped



After this, we helped him get it back on all fours, he drove out no problem, and then we headed to the trail head as the sun was starting to go down.-

All in all, this was one of the best parks out there. Only thing better so far has been Moab. I will be going here A LOT.