Four rigs finally made it. Junior in 4LO&GO, Rick (JeepersCreepers - he's a YT member) in his YJ based buggy with 350 TBI and Shawn in a lifted and modded Grand Cherokee with a V-8, 14 bolt rear and Dana 60 front, fully locked on tall Swampers. Oh, I was also there in Minnie. She's a flatbed '91 HiLux with SAS, V-6, 5 Spd, 63" Chevy springs in the rear and a newly installed Aussie.
Starting about 10AM, we did most of the trails around except Boulder Bash. We got to the bottom of that trail around 1:30 and there was concern it was getting a bit late to test the toughest trail. I'm sure Rick could have walked it up in the buggy. The plan for the next outing is to go there first thing in the morning as it is a spot that many people will pull cable and some may break. I won't try it in any of my rigs without some lower gears.
Good thing we backed off Boulder Bash because the Grand blew a hub shortly after turning around and it took 2 hours for us to get back out. I can't explain it and I don't understand it, but the Grand was useless with 3 wheel drive. Rick wheeled most of the day in his buggy without the ARB's engaged while Junior and I only have Aussies in the rear and are open in the front. Shawn's Grand had to be winched frequently coming out and finally spent the last few hundred yards on the strap behind Junior in order to avoid winching at other difficult spot. The Grand was very flexy and had the right stuff. Shawn's a good guy. so I won't say anything bad about him or his Jeep even though he owes me a gallon of antifreeze.
