kelly saad
Supporting Vendor
Not sure I will have time to get my front air locker installed in time. I hope I don't blow my weak 98 front diff in the Mountains on this trip.
5th Annual 100's in the Hills - Ouray, CO 7/31-8/02
- Thread starter paflytyer
- Start date
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bluecruiser
SILVER Star
The bad news is that it has happened before. The good news is that I keep some rubber gloves in the truck. Seriously, I would not give anyone a mandate to have a front locker/4 pinion diff for these trails. That being said, people have blown diffs looking at these trucks. There is no way to know, I guess that's my real point. Haha.
I have had this on my mind a decent bit lately. If I can swing it, I will have a locker installed by the time I am headed down there. However, I went through the entire thread and really didn't see much on "basic maintenance to do before going," type deal, and even though it probably should be common sense, I figured I would post what I would do, and plan to do before the trip.
My plans to have done, and all of it is preventative maintenance, before I leave SoDak for Ouray is as following:
-Engine oil
-Transmission fluid (one of two things I HAVEN'T done since I purchased the Crusher)
-Coolant+an additive (other fluid that hasn't been touched, but will be. Additive is in case it's hot and crawling causes high temps and stress)
-All 3 diff fluids (I recently have done mine, but I still may JUST to be safe and attempt to avoid front diff carnage)
-Brake Fluid
-Power steering fluid
-Spark Plugs
-Seafoam (I always do this before an oil change, just to clear any of it out with new fluid)
-R134 recharge
-Heater hose T's
-Tire rotation and balance
-2 spare coil packs
-U-Joints (if they have any wobble or squeak)
-Grease the crap out of joints and yokes with a very solid grease.
May seem like overkill, but when it comes to being in mountains, and working your truck hard for fun, knowing EVERY fluid in it is fresh and a great quality is just a little more peace of mind. And even though I am currently running royal purple in the diffs and testing the new HMX engine oil and actually like it a lot, I will probably order Amsoil for the trip as I think I love it more. I might also try out their joint grease and see if I like it more than the Mobil1 I have in it now. (I am kind of an oil whore, and I love to try new products as they come in or I read about them)
Side note, and I am sure a lot of people will be doing the same, but since I work at a parts store and will be bringing the store manager with me, I will bring a solid stock of extra fluids just in case there is a freak accident and we need a ton, courtesy of our store. (I am a manager as well, so I will just do what I want if he tries to give me any lip and tell him to suck it since he is riding with)
Uhhh.......that should be all for now! Now it just needs to get here already so my ordering a snorkel, rear light bar, 4 light pods for the fogs, CB Set-up (I would suggest Right Channel Radios, amazing service, reviews and advice) tow hitch cargo thing and my yeti 110 can be used!
I'd also probably bring an extra serpentine belt and maybe radiator hose(s).
If it makes you feel better, my '99 still has the original weak diff and I've used it off-road numerous times including 2 Cruise Moab trips and 1 HIH. If you take it slow and don't push your truck beyond its limits, it will be fine. And going out with a group always helps to get broken things off the mountain in the event it does happen.
Just a heads up...i did this, but the stock outlet will not run my ironman 50L which is similar to the ARB. I am running a dedicated 8ga wire from the battery to a bluesea plug this weekend.
for what its worth Kelly, this will be year 3 for me on my "weak" front diff and its fine. I do the tough trails every year, wheel the crap out of it year round and my ride has 250k miles on it. Just dont let the front wheels get a bunch of speed and all of a sudden find grip.
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bluecruiser
SILVER Star
Well, when only have one wheel (Poughkeepsie) on the ground, you really can't break much of the drivetrain...ha!! #toocloseforcomfort
Good call. I also see if I can get those as well as some brake lines just in case someone gets hooked and ripped.
@bluecruiser have any pics/vids of Poughkeesie? I'm quite intrigued.
Just watched a video of a suabru Forrester make it up Poughkeepsie. Not saying it looked like a cake walk, but i think we will be ok with the experience of this crew. 
- Thread starter
- #192
We've never had someone not make it up. Some do need to be winched though. When dry, the wall isn't too bad. When it's wet and muddy, it's pretty difficult.
Honestly, there are not a lot of trails or even sections that are going to challenge your vehicle regardless of how built you are. Poughkeepsie is the only trail with any significant obstacles. I think it's overkill to bring extra brake lines and a ton of spare parts.
We can even hold a class on how to isolate your front diff in case of a failure. It's a pretty quick operation but one that everyone should know. Just plan on coming to see some beautiful scenery and meeting some new friends. Everything else will fall into place.
Honestly, there are not a lot of trails or even sections that are going to challenge your vehicle regardless of how built you are. Poughkeepsie is the only trail with any significant obstacles. I think it's overkill to bring extra brake lines and a ton of spare parts.
We can even hold a class on how to isolate your front diff in case of a failure. It's a pretty quick operation but one that everyone should know. Just plan on coming to see some beautiful scenery and meeting some new friends. Everything else will fall into place.
Looking forward to that class.
Can't hurt to bring simple stuff and if it doesn't get used, it goes back into stock. There is always one person that doesn't plan well at all and will run into some issue that they're not ready for. No big deal for me to assist in case of emergency. My store can afford it lol.
This registration time is too early. I just have to sit and anxiously wait now.
This registration time is too early. I just have to sit and anxiously wait now.
- Thread starter
- #195
It's always good to have spares and you should bring whatever you're comfortable carrying. I'm just trying to help you avoid bringing so much that it hurts your ability to enjoy yourself. Bringing extra oil and extra parts for a bunch of people is more than you need to do IMO. We're only 10 minutes to Ouray, 45 mins to Montrose and less than 2 hours to Grand Junction. Everyone is expected to be self sufficient, but there really isn't a super need for that since we're so close to everything.
My spare parts list is probably shorter than it should be but I can say I've never had to use any of them:
Serpentine Belt
Ignition Coil
Wiper Refills (Front)
Heater Hose Tee (a new OEM one)
Fuses
Tail Light Bulbs
OBDII Scanner and Code Book
I do bring a small toolbox with the most commonly used tools to multi-day events. All I've ever used were the screwdrivers and some Torx bits to replace burned out tail light bulbs.
TRUST me, no amount of spare parts or fluids or anything extra will hinder my ability to enjoy myself, I am too good at it. If anything, the extra stuff might try and contain my superb ability of having a good time in almost any circumstance, but I doubt it lol.
I can bring our nice OBD scanner that tells you what code it is and what it means. They won't miss it.
bluecruiser
SILVER Star
Honestly, if we are close to a town as claimed, I'll just fill my new yeti up with as much beer as it can hold (it claims 65 cans, 2 to 1 ice to beer but I'll skimp on the ice) and have a good time. And I have a lot of cigars that need smoked, so I can prob dive into those as well.
Thanks for the advice all.
