GSMTR was short lived this year. I was on Trail 22 after a little rain and the first ledge turned into a small mountain. I gave it a few bumps, didn't get up. I was about to call it a day and take the bypass when I thought "I can give it one more shot! I have ran this trail dozens of times, I GOT THIS!!!". I lined up, bumped it, the back end slid out and dragged the front end down into the V-Ditch that I was straddling. Before I could get off the gas and on the brake pedal the front end made a very loud "BANG". I figured I had either snapped a CV joint, or bent the skid plate into the drive shaft. I went to back down the ledge and the front end bound up, went bang another time, the truck shook and I said a 4 letter word under my breath. I mentally prepared myself for what could be my front differential blowing up.
I confirmed it was the front differential. I pulled the front DS and the drive flanges, drove to camp with my tail between my legs, opened a beer and let out a huge sigh. After 7 years of faithful wheeling, she finally called it quits.
I realized after 7 years, and watching many other members blow their front diffs on the trail that I was never going to see the day. I figured everybody just gave it too much gas, or inexperienced. That is
not the case, I quickly found out that all it takes is one wrong move, and the wrong tire placement. When your number is called, you are the next victim of the 100 Series weak front differential issue. I have pushed my truck 100X harder before.
After a beer or nine, I realized that I have always been a "guest" on the trail. I thought back to the moment when I decided to give it one more try.
Never enter the state of mind that you "own" the trail, you are a guest. The very the moment you think you "own" the trail, is the moment the trail "owns" you...
It's time to lock up the 100 and never look back
