Die Hard

[Stu Olson]

Nope....not the battery, the trail.

It was an undertaking that I probably won't do again anytime soon (not with my current tire/axle setup). I was nervous, on too many situations, wondering if the loading of the drive train was going to find a weak spot. I swear I heard the D30 say "Uncle" a couple of of times.

http://www.stu-offroad.com/others/other53-1.htm

[Jerry Bransford]

All I can say is WOW Stu, that was a great writeup on a trail that I'd hate to find myself on. Glad you and Lady made it out relatively unscathed, your description sure got my heart pounding a few times.

Probably should post the link to that over on JF too and let them see it. Probably be a real eye opener to most of the members... it sure was to me.

[ken white]

Nice pictures and write-up. Thanks for sharing.

[Tim]

good read stu!

im thinking troy was making you pay because you didnt bring the new gt skid home with enough scars

[Iceman]

that looks like a fun trail Stu

And it means you're just preparing for the 'nastier' work in Moab during the next run ... right?

[Joe Dillard]

Whoa That first obstical looks scarry/fun.

Sweet write-up, thanks for sharing.

Hmm, perhaps I'll add Die Hard to my future trail run list.

[Jeff Weston]

The scariest thing I read was you having to get up before 3:00 a.m. for the run.

Nice writeup Stu! I can see how that would be a bit initimidating being the little Jeep out there ... and probably the only one who doesn't particularly care to trash the sheetmetal. Way to represent.

[speaceman]

I thought you were going to post about how Bruce Willis signed on to make Die Hard 4, "die harderest with a vengeancitude" this weekend.

Lo and behold to my disappointment... another offroading thread.

Bummer.

[ABQ TJ]

Awesome looking trail, Stu! Makes me wanna wheel in AZ again...after it cools off.

[mrblaine]

Originally posted by ABQ TJ
Awesome looking trail, Stu! Makes me wanna wheel in AZ again...after it cools off.

When is that, the 7 days between Christmas and New Year's?

[ABQ TJ]

Originally posted by mrblaine
When is that, the 7 days between Christmas and New Year's?

I think 7 days might be generous!

[Stu Olson]

Thanks all......I was told afterwards (while we ate some burgers at the local bar/cowboy palace) that I lost it near the end....when that rock broke out of the bank and slid down into the front of the TJ, I probably would have done one of those "postal" things but all I had was a knife.....and it was too frickin' hot to run around and stab everyone.

Originally posted by Iceman
And it means you're just preparing for the 'nastier' work in Moab during the next run ... right?

Yes sir....that sounds good to me!

[Stu Olson]

I spent some time today under the TJ on a creeper, looking around. The guards did their job. I need to pressure wash the bottom side to get a better look, but I saw no damage.

Blaine and Robert.....for what it is worth, the front engine skid worked great. That 6061 held up just fine. At one point, I had the front end sitting on the engine skid....front tires were scratching the dirt a little bit, barely enough to make dust. I will classify that as a success. Also, there were plentfy of new rock rash on the leading edge of the skid plate.....but the engine skid's matching edge, which is about an 1/8" higher, had but a tiny nick in it. Using those bolts to attach it worked very well. I would recommend it to anyone assuming they wanted to take the time to drill and tap the 5 holes.

Thanks again for the idea and getting me pointed in the right direction. I'll be dropping the front skid in a week or two for an oil change and that will give me a chance to fully inspect it.

[Stu Olson]

Originally posted by mrblaine
When is that, the 7 days between Christmas and New Year's?

Hey....be nice!

I think our wheelin' weather is a lot like JVs....it sucks in the summer. After that, it is great....except we don't get the crazy cold wind blowing across the camp at night in the middle of January.

[Robert J. Yates]

Originally posted by Stu Olson
Blaine and Robert.....for what it is worth, the front engine skid worked great. That 6061 held up just fine. At one point, I had the front end sitting on the engine skid....front tires were scratching the dirt a little bit, barely enough to make dust. I will classify that as a success. Also, there were plentfy of new rock rash on the leading edge of the skid plate.....but the engine skid's matching edge, which is about an 1/8" higher, had but a tiny nick in it. Using those bolts to attach it worked very well. I would recommend it to anyone assuming they wanted to take the time to drill and tap the 5 holes.

Thanks again for the idea and getting me pointed in the right direction. I'll be dropping the front skid in a week or two for an oil change and that will give me a chance to fully inspect it.

Glad it held up Stu - thats good to know as I haven't really tested mine yet. I do want to modify mine to mount at the crossmember skid same as yours. If you didn't shear any bolts withthe Jeep resting on it, then thats good enough for me to reconsider that method.

[Stu Olson]

I checked to make sure the bolts were OK....none sheared.

I'll be able to give you the complete facts when I pull it for the oil change. I want to be sure that the welds inside held OK, etc.



And to think I ran that trail with my aluminum repair kit (thanks RON!) laying at home in the family room. I guess I was just plain lucky!

[Iceman]

so in this case you were not aluminum challenged and it seems you also didn't challenge the aluminum too much

[Scott_KY_98TJ]

Stu, I can see where the auto likely helped you out a few times....

[Tim]

the aluminum repair kit was funny.

good times!