Ride in Crabtree Fall this weekend.......yawwwwwwwn

Jeep4me99 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 27, 2008 7:47 pm

The yawn isn't cause the ride was boring...just loooooong, You'll see the details, but I left my apartment at 7:15am on Saturday and didn't get back till 1:45am Sunday..WHAT A DAY!!!

Before the pics and all, the trails there were ROUGH!!! My insides are definately shaken, not stirred. This was a real test for the KJ, and it did amazing, the suspension was flawless. I had a trans temp light come on in the first 15 minutes (4H- partime) probably due to the slow crawling and such. Let it cool, then the rest of the day i was in 4Lo, 2nd and had no issues.

The trail was super rocky, lots and lots of obsticals, almost all was slick rock and boulders so I definately put the KJ through his paces.

As some of you know, I have created a hi-lift mount that can also be used as light tabs or an antenna mount. Well I can sure as heck say I tested the cr#$ outta these on rough trails on the stock roof bars and had 0 issues. The rails are still as secure to the roof as when i left, there was no noises or clanging from the mounts or hi-lift. The only issue was on the ride to the trails, a wing nut worked itself loose in the wind, so i'll be switching to nyloc wingnuts. These will be going on sale soon.

on to the pics:
(sorry, not many pics of the KJ on the trail, guy in front taking the pics was only focusing with the digital cam, not actually taking pics :lol:

)

This is my first ride in VA since moving here, and the mountains are BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Time to air down...I went to 20psi on the MTRs, but could have went lower. I had no traction problems though.

If yo look ahead of the TJ you can see the rock we were on ALL day! they were all over evey trail, there were NO smooth parts

Shortly after this is when the KJ had a trans temp light, so we stopped for an early lunch...took some scenery shots

geeeee thats purdyyyyyyyyyyy

Then onto one of the biggest obstacles...this is where the trip when very bad. This is a big ole slab of slick rock, it goes up on a big angle, and slants to the left, so it kicks you towards the big rock on that side.

The TJ having a go...didn't make it

They YJ takes a shot

so the YJ is stuggling to get to the top, gets to the first ledge, back tires get good grip (lok-rite) and all we hear is "CRACK"

Well tow it to the top, check stuff out, then we get

Sooooooooooooo, they didn't bring an extra axle, sooooooooooooo the TJ had to run back to one of the guys houses to get the spare...it was 1.5 hours away + .5 hours of trail. So I got to sit around and enjoy nature for 4 hours. (0 cell or radio service)

When they finally return the sun starts going down in teh mountains....then storms roll in, thunder and terrential rains.

So we finally get it fixed up....NIGHT RUN!!!!!!!! In the pouring rain, made the slick rocks slicker, and the ground inbetween Mud!

KJ did awesome...here are the only 2 shots or it

Fun Times for sure though

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Sun Apr 27, 2008 8:09 pm

Despite the breakdown it looks like you had fun. I see the dogs were playing in the stream having fun also!

Terry

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Apr 27, 2008 9:12 pm

nice country to spend a couple of days in :wink:

Sometimes when I am out in an area like that I just want to walk away and get L.O.S.T. !!

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Apr 27, 2008 10:21 pm

Looks like a nice trail.

The YJ have a dana35?

Were you using 4low and 1st or 2nd gear when the tranny light came on?

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Apr 27, 2008 10:26 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Looks like a nice trail.

The YJ have a dana35?

Were you using 4low and 1st or 2nd gear when the tranny light came on?

he had it in 4 Hi part time, thats why it got hot, too much slippage

Jeep4me99 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 27, 2008 10:47 pm

tommudd wrote:

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Looks like a nice trail.

The YJ have a dana35?

Were you using 4low and 1st or 2nd gear when the tranny light came on?

he had it in 4 Hi part time, thats why it got hot, too much slippage

Tom got my part right

Yes the YJ had a dana35 with 35's. Once the rear tires got a good grip and the locker caught it KABOOMED, he was gettin on it pretty hard. It wouldn't have happened if he was open.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:51 am

4 Hi? No wonder.

Jeep4me99 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 28, 2008 1:14 pm

Tokyojoe wrote:

4 Hi? No wonder.

I have riden a lot in 4Hi only, alot on sand where the slippage is also high and had no problems. Major difference is that on rocks there is a lot more working of the throttle.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:14 pm

Climbing those rocks in the picture should have been 4 Low. The wheels spin a lot faster with acceleration in High and if the locker/LSD catches when that is happening.... well, pics say it all.

Jeep4me99 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:11 pm

here is a video of where the axle snapped. you can hear it all 9 seconds. It doesn't sound loud here, but it was a pretty good snap in person.

http://good-times.webshots.com/video/3096655870102344623vwuhYS?vhost=good-times

jeepmedic · **Posted:** Sat May 03, 2008 7:39 pm

What kind of bull bar on the KJ. I like it !

ohv_kj · **Posted:** Sat May 03, 2008 10:28 pm

were in va is this? i grew up in shenandoah county and never herd of this place??

Jeep4me99 · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2008 12:54 pm

jeepmedic wrote:

What kind of bull bar on the KJ. I like it !

Thats an e-bay special. Directions came in spanish :lol:

There are no light tabs on it, I just drilled throught it to mount the lights

Quote:

were in va is this? i grew up in shenandoah county and never herd of this place??

Its in Nelson County.

somewhere around here-ish I think...I could never make it out there by myself.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=shoe%20creek%2C%20va&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS272&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

swtwomyn · **Posted:** Tue May 06, 2008 11:02 am

The area is called "Shoe Creek". Near Lowesville/Piney River. It is a very popular place, it has it's share of tough spots...esp. in my Libby. She took her first trail ride on this trail, all STOCK :shock:

! Jeep group told me I would be fine that a stock Liberty would have no problems. I had no problems making it thru, but I beat up a few things underneath, OMG! No, not anyting too important, control arm brackets. I did have a gas tank skid, and a rear hitch, all custom, 3/16 and 1/4 plate...still I had a small dent in it afterward. :shock:

It is a fun place, the "slick-rock" spot has claimed many shafts, and driver side dings and dents too! The road to go to that spot is very narrow, they recently tried to make it less crumbly and narrow, so it's better, but still for my Libby with the wheel spacers it is still a lil scary narrow. lol!

I am in the Waynesboro/Staunton area, holler next time you are in the area, would like to tag along. Thanks! Tracy :wink:

Ride in Crabtree Fall this weekend.......yawwwwwwwn

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