Finally got stuck... (for about 15 minutes anyway)** large picture count warning **

[FusionCruiser]

So I go out for a quick trail ride by myself to see what the current state of some trails were. When I got there I noticed one 'tiny' mud pit that looked interesting. I knew that someone would be around in a couple of hours if I did get stuck badly so I wasn't too worried about giving it a try. I nosed into the mud slowly and felt the front start sinking a bit but not terribly, so I kept going slowly (WAY TOO SLOWLY) . Well sure enough the truck got in all the way and then movement ceased. I thought for sure I would be there until the next truck came by as I had left my hi-lift and shovels at home.

I got thinking that it might be an interesting time to test the various gears and traction aids so I started playing. I couldn't believe that I was able to get it moving at all but A-trac had me moving about 5 feet back and forth and after about 15 minutes it had worked itself free enough that I got a good run and popped out the front side of the mud. WOW!! What a feeling. The quads and dirt bike riders were impressed and I earned myself a full ovation!!

I can guarantee that I would not have gotten the truck moving again once I was dead in the mud if I didn't have the traction devices.

I was a happy camper to say the least.
I don't miss my Land Rover, that's for sure.

[tnegiet]

Outstanding!

[JLam]

Would it be too much to ask to have folks post pictures that are just a bit smaller so that we don't have to sidescroll to view them and read the text? Just a small pet peeve of mine.

Other than that, killer pics!!

[FJCruiserOwnersGroup]

POssibly the most beautiful pictures of an FJC posted to date!

[lowenbrau]

Cool to know the technology got you out. Where would you have hooked up a strap if you had to wait for a tug?

[bull]

Originally Posted by JLam

Would it be too much to ask to have folks post pictures that are just a bit smaller so that we don't have to sidescroll to view them and read the text? Just a small pet peeve of mine.

Other than that, killer pics!!

up your resolution from 640 by 480 to 800 by 600.


Nice pics

[alaskacruiser]

The picture size is great!

Would it be too much to ask for people (read: JLam) to stop using outdated resolutions on their monitors? Sorry, pet peeve of mine.

Fusion- you got any pics of the FJC actually stuck in the mud?

[Isotel]

sweet Gota love Mud on a Brand new Truck, buddy of mine Traded his Rover for a 4runner, Never Been Happier!!

[Corey]

Very nice pics!

I use to feel the same way about huge pics, that was until I got my Dell 2005 FPW wide screen LCD
Native res is 1680x1050.

[etp095]

great pics,bravo.very tuff looking tough.

[FusionCruiser]

Originally Posted by lowenbrau

Cool to know the technology got you out. Where would you have hooked up a strap if you had to wait for a tug?

I was going to hook up my D Shackle to the front recovery hook. Then I was going to jump in the nearest lake because I would have been covered in mud trying to dig under the truck to hook-up. That also brought up how much I miss having a brush bar to have my strap wrapped around.

Originally Posted by AlaskaCruiser

Fusion- you got any pics of the FJC actually stuck in the mud?

Sorry, the edge of the mud was too far for me to jump. I actually crawled through the truck with my camera thinking I could jump out the back door but I forgot that these don't have an interior door handle on the rear gate.

[mwalls54]

great pics, its probably a good thing you have MTRs on it or you probably would be waiting a little while.

[MissFJ]

Nice work! Love the splatter pattern

[FusionCruiser]

Originally Posted by MissFJ

Nice work! Love the splatter pattern

Thanks, I was going for a retro mud slinger design

[SurfPonto]

I really like the MTR's !!
I am afraid to ask what they ran you since I assume they are 285 s?

Bob

[tuloyuser]

I apologize for the dumb question but...
Did you have the auto or manual?
Did you go in the mud with the A-trac on or the rear diff locked?
From previous posts I understand that you can not have them on at the same time w/o modification.
Great pics!

Thanks,

[FusionCruiser]

Originally Posted by SurfPonto

I really like the MTR's !!
I am afraid to ask what they ran you since I assume they are 285 s?

Bob

In Canada, I paid the dealership a trade up price of $179.00 each (once the factor in the amount that they credited me for the stock tires).

Yes they are 285/70/17's . I love them !!

[FusionCruiser]

Originally Posted by tuloyuser

I apologize for the dumb question but...
Did you have the auto or manual?
Did you go in the mud with the A-trac on or the rear diff locked?
From previous posts I understand that you can not have them on at the same time w/o modification.
Great pics!

Thanks,

The only dumb question is the one that doesn't get asked.

I have the Auto.

I went into the mud in 4x4 low range, low gear. Locker on (no A track, as you are correct... they don't work together)

I think that I would have been ok if I didn't take the super soft approach to entry. I came into the mud with zero momentum and no wheel spin. My excuse is that I didn't want to damage the front bumper covers incase the mud pit had a firm exit that I might schmuck into.

Once I switched on A-trac I could feel the truck negotiating with the mud for a deal on some traction. It got a bit here and there but I had to get a run and trust that the bumper would be ok on the exit. A-trac got me that run. I wasn't going anywhere without the locker or the A-trac, that's for sure!!


This truck rocks!!

[DBS311]

I was hoping, after looking at the first pic, that you were able to get out with the stock tires. Now that would be impressive!!

Good to see you getting this thing dirty. Keep the pics coming!

[Downer]

Did the A-Trac sound like metal grinding? Or anything odd? As I am sure you have read on other threads, it supposedly makes some horrible sounds while working. Being that you are one of the 1st to get the FJC stuck....and the A-TRAC to get out...you would know first hand.

[Imola Red]

Coming from a 2000 100 owner let me tell you........


The first time you hear the A-TRAC with no idea that it makes weird sounds is a very frightfull moment.

It does sound very weird.

[FusionCruiser]

Originally Posted by Downer

Did the A-Trac sound like metal grinding? Or anything odd? As I am sure you have read on other threads, it supposedly makes some horrible sounds while working. Being that you are one of the 1st to get the FJC stuck....and the A-TRAC to get out...you would know first hand.

The best way I could describe the sound is a surround sound version of anti-lock brakes. The sounds quickly make sense though because you are able to feel the various wheels getting traction and then breaking free followed by the sound from that corner as the system shuts down that wheel.

I have since used it a number of times to get over the top of a few hills that had a bit of a lip to them and had no problem even with a wheel up in the air.

I thought it was very impressive.

[FusionCruiser]

Originally Posted by Hawke

Stupid question. Does the A-trac mean you are in locked four wheel drive?

No, it is a system that detects wheel spin and applies brake to that wheel so that the wheels with traction get the power.



EDIT:: Sorry... I should mention... A-trac only works in 4 low.

[woody]

Originally Posted by Downer

Did the A-Trac sound like metal grinding? Or anything odd? As I am sure you have read on other threads, it supposedly makes some horrible sounds while working. Being that you are one of the 1st to get the FJC stuck....and the A-TRAC to get out...you would know first hand.

it sounds nasty....I had one of the FJCTT rides workin pretty hard on an uphill climb/breakover during HowiePalooza and the ATRAC does make quite a racket...it would take some getting used to.

It did do a nice job of diggin up the dirt/gravel tho

I "believe" some of the pics from HP on the FJCTT site were of me driving, shot by Roosterdooster...

the ATRAC seems to work well when yer on 3 wheels too...and on muddy climbs with trees/roots in the way...

There are times when (personally) I'd prefer use of the rear locker, but after witnessing Tim Scully and where he took an FJC using the ATRAC while at GSMTR, I was sufficiently impressed (still think there were spots that the rear locker would have made things easier tho)

(I can use more acronyms in the future too...lol )



with permission, I'd like to steal one of yer pics for the coverpic rotation on 'MUD....let me know....

[TexasBadlands]

So in other words, the rig got itself out.... So it wasn't really a stuck, just something to overcome from driving too slowly......

The Cruiser is an amazing vehicle, and I am glad you tried to utilize the tools at hand to get yourself out. It just takes patience most times.

In all the years I have been 4 wheeling, I have never gotten totally stuck. Just temporarily like what you describe. I always managed to extract myself with the rig itself.

Good going!

[Ugadog]

"I could feel the truck negotiating with the mud for a deal on some traction."

Wow, FusionCruiser is a great writer too. I love that line!!

[tabraha]

Nice pics thanks for sharing.

[dfmorse]

U can't open the rear door from the inside?

Is that true?

How about drain holes in the floor boards?

...

[Dead-Reckoning]

What kind of tires do you have on and what size?