First Post - XJ just saved our lives!
06-16-2009, 04:32 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
First Post - XJ just saved our lives!
*Update* Link to repair thread here: https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/jeep-tree-couldnt-kill-18760/
Hello gentleman. My name is Jeff and I live in Yakima, Wa. A few months ago I purchased a 2000 Cherokee Sport after lurking on these forums for a while. I wanted a rig that would take me camping and on trails I previously was unable to travel. I quickly put a 4.5" Rough Country AAL lift and some 32"s on it. My wife and I had been planning a camping trip for our vacation, and Monday morning we headed up to Bumping River and planned to camp until Thursday.
Here's a pic my wife snapped of the Jeep in all its glory as we were unloading our gear.
After everything was setup we drove around a bit to check out the surrounding area. When we came back I parked in the same spot I was before.
As my wife was getting some kindling for the fire I saw her jump, as if startled, and then I heard the unmistakeable sound of timber cracking. My wife ran over behind me and we watched as a huge pine tree crashed through the branches of other trees and was headed right for us. We stood in shock as the top of the tree slammed onto the hood of the XJ. If the Jeep hadn't been where it was, the tree would have come down right onto us. The Jeep literally saved our lives.
The tree snapped off about 12 feet up from its base and free fell through a half dozen other trees.
Here's the tree and the path it took to the Jeep.
When the top of the tree hit the hood, I saw the hood cave in, but I also saw the suspension in front take a lot of the shock. So much in fact, that during the up travel of the suspension, a 9 foot section of the tree was launched back from which it came.
Here's the carnage right after it happened.
The part of the tree on the left is the part that hit the hood. It looks small in the picture but is actually 10" in diamater.
There was a ****/knot from where a branch broke off that actually pierced the sheet metal and left a nice hole in the center. It penetrated the sheet metal and put a small dent in the valve cover.
Here's a closeup of the hood.
Amazingly, the only damage (that I know of so far) was the hood, both fenders, valve cover, and the hose going from the air filter box to the valve cover.
I was able to drive it back home with no incident however I did tie the hood down with rope.
I am so thankful that the Jeep is that tough. I am also thankful for the Rough Country Lift as I believe that the shock absorbed by the suspension greatly reduced the damage to the Jeep.
I never thought anything like this would ever happen. I thought the first carnage I would inflict would be from a trail ride.
The tree measured about 92 feet tall, and we used as much of it as we could for firewood.
Hello gentleman. My name is Jeff and I live in Yakima, Wa. A few months ago I purchased a 2000 Cherokee Sport after lurking on these forums for a while. I wanted a rig that would take me camping and on trails I previously was unable to travel. I quickly put a 4.5" Rough Country AAL lift and some 32"s on it. My wife and I had been planning a camping trip for our vacation, and Monday morning we headed up to Bumping River and planned to camp until Thursday.
Here's a pic my wife snapped of the Jeep in all its glory as we were unloading our gear.
After everything was setup we drove around a bit to check out the surrounding area. When we came back I parked in the same spot I was before.
As my wife was getting some kindling for the fire I saw her jump, as if startled, and then I heard the unmistakeable sound of timber cracking. My wife ran over behind me and we watched as a huge pine tree crashed through the branches of other trees and was headed right for us. We stood in shock as the top of the tree slammed onto the hood of the XJ. If the Jeep hadn't been where it was, the tree would have come down right onto us. The Jeep literally saved our lives.
The tree snapped off about 12 feet up from its base and free fell through a half dozen other trees.
Here's the tree and the path it took to the Jeep.
When the top of the tree hit the hood, I saw the hood cave in, but I also saw the suspension in front take a lot of the shock. So much in fact, that during the up travel of the suspension, a 9 foot section of the tree was launched back from which it came.
Here's the carnage right after it happened.
The part of the tree on the left is the part that hit the hood. It looks small in the picture but is actually 10" in diamater.
There was a ****/knot from where a branch broke off that actually pierced the sheet metal and left a nice hole in the center. It penetrated the sheet metal and put a small dent in the valve cover.
Here's a closeup of the hood.
Amazingly, the only damage (that I know of so far) was the hood, both fenders, valve cover, and the hose going from the air filter box to the valve cover.
I was able to drive it back home with no incident however I did tie the hood down with rope.
I am so thankful that the Jeep is that tough. I am also thankful for the Rough Country Lift as I believe that the shock absorbed by the suspension greatly reduced the damage to the Jeep.
I never thought anything like this would ever happen. I thought the first carnage I would inflict would be from a trail ride.
The tree measured about 92 feet tall, and we used as much of it as we could for firewood.
Last edited by digital509; 06-23-2009 at 02:06 PM.
06-16-2009, 05:57 PM
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
06-16-2009, 05:58 PM
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
06-16-2009, 07:37 PM
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
Right before it hit, I was thinking it was going to land right on the windshield. As it was coming down it seemed like slow motion. I was calculating every move on its way down as it slightly moved left and right. It was like some sick giant version of Plinko, except there was no cash prize.
Trending Topics
06-16-2009, 09:21 PM
#12
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
Thanks for the welcomes.
I've got the crunched hood off already as well as the fender flares.
The impact knocked my drivers' side head light loose from the top adjusting screw but that was an easy fix. Heading to the junk yards tomorrow.
I've got the crunched hood off already as well as the fender flares.
The impact knocked my drivers' side head light loose from the top adjusting screw but that was an easy fix. Heading to the junk yards tomorrow.
