I wasn't going to go wheeling this weekend at first. I wanted to be sure my Jeep was up and up for Elbe. Then, I realized Elbe is still three freaking weeks away!! If I was to just let my Jeep sit for three weeks I'd be more worried about discovering a problem with it as I'm leaving to go to Elbe, than if I was to wheel Walker at least one more time and drive it regularly between now and then. One more shakedown run is always a good thing.

So, I will do my typical breakfast at Denny's at 0800. Then, 0900 at the pit to air down and lock in. Anybody is welcome.

 

I may be out. See ya there.

 

I am already going to be up there with a small group of jeeps myself,..... so if you end up making it I will be up there and I look forward to seeing you

 

I just looked at the weather forecast for the Walker Valley area for Saturday. It's going to be a pretty decent day for wheeling. It will be cloudy and overcast but, no rain. I know with a 10-20% chance it could still downpour. based on the weather of the past few day, I think it won't rain. The temps will be in the mid 50's. Sounds like a nice farely warm day for wheeling.

 

How did it go?

 

Went great! Good weather! Had a jeep loose total power and had to pull em to the pit only after the 4th trail. I installed my RE hack&tap SYE lastnight with the front xj driveshaft. I got the flange that allows the xj front driveshaft to bolt to the hack&tap flange from northwest driveline. The dude that works there with the longer hair in pony tail put the flange on my driveshaft in like 8 minutes right before he went on vacation, I was impressed. My new SYE did great today and felt tighter then ever after having the TC drop on for over 2yrs. No vibes and felt better than ever. Hack&tap kit 60$ driveline 20$ northwest driveline 110$ so 190$ for my total SYE conversion. Wish I would have done it earlier. So if anyone out there needs some help with their instal let me know. That output shaft on the TC was probably the hardest material I have ever came across on a jeep thus far. Anyways....



Only had 1 pic all day!!!

 

Pissed I didn't go

 

Where did you get the kit from? Looking to order mine this week some time

 

My hack&tap kit came from rubicon express part#1807 it for 96' and up xj's. But I acctually won mine of eBay for a little bit cheaper.

 

First pic is the 96+ RE hack&tap kit
Second pic is the flange that attaches to the H joint on the front xj driveline.

 

This is pic of finished and installed RE hack&tap with the front xj driveline

 

Well things started out good enough. I went right for the Lower Mainline. I went through easy Valley Connector so I could run it from the top down. I took this poser pic at the very beginning of the trail and then I proceeded on to defeat the rock that now sticks up very high in the 2nd part. I did in fact concur it with no issues this time. That trail is very muddy and it was very fun getting to the top of that hill. Lots of wheel speed and lots of mud flying everywhere.

 

When I got down to the next lower section after the Easy Valley Connector, that was when things got interesting. As I was attempting to pose on a big stump I have posed on before, I realized about a second too late that it was more dug out around it than in the past and well this happens...

I had to hook the winch to a stump and pull it about 15 feet down the hill to get clear of the stump that tipped it. Then, I came up with a really good idea of running the winch rope around the side and through the most aft bar on the driver's side Rock Slider. The winch pulled the Jeep right over on its wheels. The problem is I had forgotten to put the tranny in park when the Jeep tipped and I just shut it off. So as soon as it was on the wheels it started rolling. The good news is that there was a stump about 4 feet in front of it that stopped it. So, a couple of quarts of tranny fluid, clean up the mess inside and let fluids settle for a minute and she started right up. The only damage was complete destruction of my new passenger side mirror and a couple new dents. I've come to the conclusion that this Jeep is a wheeling rig and I dont need a passenger side mirror. I won't be putting a 5th new mirror on it...LOL.

So, we rolled on down the Lower Mainline and finished it. Next we went around and ran the Upper Mainline, Expressway, Bypass and Rons Run without incident.

 

After I finished up Rons run I took the road that goes up the backside behind the Timber Tamers play area. I kept going on the road until I found the snow level. I took these couple pics while I was working on my snow driving skills. The snow is very wet and slushy but, still lots of it there.

 

After I was done playing in the snow I decided to take a run through the Timber Tamers play area. that was where I ran into Mike and the guys. Then, after coming out of Humps and Bumps I decided to take the Easy Valley Connector back out and head home. When I got to the section of Lower mainline with the big rock and muddy hill climb I had to do it again. That was where I discovered the young guy in the ZJ that was hung up on the rock. I went around and came in the other end of that section of trail and I winched him over the rock. Unfortunately in the process of getting him over the rock his big powerful V-8 in his Grand peeled his rear DS open and in to two pieces with ease. So, I proceeded to winch him clear to the top of the hill. My winch really got a work out this weekend. I feel safe that the new winch rope I bought is way better than the cheapy I bought before. I pulled that ZJ up hill the full length of my winch rope plus the length of my 30' tow strap. Whoever wants to say anything bad about a Smittybilt XRC8000 winch should have a talk with that young lad who's life was saved by mine. Also my life was saved by mine 4 times this fine day. Next we headed on out back down to the pit to air up. Consider yourselves warned. There were 4 DNR Police Officers in the parking area walking around checking safety equipment, registration and most importantly Discover Passes. They also had 4x4 trucks and dirt bikes they were riding around checking people out. I had a very eventful day. better yet I gave the Jeep a very good test out. I'm sure i am ready for the Elbe trip and whatever it can dish out, now.