Royal Blue Feb.24-26

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The route I was thinking of will cover some serious ground from TN116 in Lake City, through Briceville, out Coal Creek OHV trails 50, 53, and 61 to the Flats. Across the Flats and into Royal Blue. From there it will be gravel roads and some dirt roads down to the Eternal Flame. We can then do a lot of exploring to get back towards your cabins. My route is prefect for 33s and no lockers. There are a few challenging lines that if someone did get stuck a snatch strap would be all we need. Much like last year's ride. However at the Flats there are some lines to challenge your skills and lockers.

Sand Mines, while cool, is getting really too hogged out for my liking. Unless everyone has front and rear lockers you will be pulling line. The last time I went I said I wouldn't go back. It just wasn't want I wanted to do with my truck. I went down the North side last winter and it was high pucker factor due to the off camber and mud. But there are some cool features up there and if everyone is prepared you'll have fun. But I will pass.
 
Forgot to mention, we can get to the Flats from Caryville, but its paved and then gravel. The only challenging way in is from Lake City. As I mentioned over the phone I was basing this route off last year's participating trucks. None of last year's truck would have made it up Sand Mines without great effort. Can you guys wait to air down once we reach the dirt in Lake City?
 
post up how this turns out... I would like to go check it out next time if its a good place.
 
Elbert said:
post up how this turns out... I would like to go check it out next time if its a good place.

It's definitely a cool place!!! Camping up on top of the mountain is the best! Full moon nights are awesome too.
 
profro said:
The route I was thinking of will cover some serious ground from TN116 in Lake City, through Briceville, out Coal Creek OHV trails 50, 53, and 61 to the Flats. Across the Flats and into Royal Blue. From there it will be gravel roads and some dirt roads down to the Eternal Flame. We can then do a lot of exploring to get back towards your cabins. My route is prefect for 33s and no lockers. There are a few challenging lines that if someone did get stuck a snatch strap would be all we need. Much like last year's ride. However at the Flats there are some lines to challenge your skills and lockers.

Sand Mines, while cool, is getting really too hogged out for my liking. Unless everyone has front and rear lockers you will be pulling line. The last time I went I said I wouldn't go back. It just wasn't want I wanted to do with my truck. I went down the North side last winter and it was high pucker factor due to the off camber and mud. But there are some cool features up there and if everyone is prepared you'll have fun. But I will pass.

Looks like I'm gonna have to pass on this one guys!! Maybe we can get together again sometime and camp up on the mountain at the sand mines . I realize you guys are wanting to cover some ground and this route might not be the quickest. We usually make a day trip out of this. We have been all over that place without lockers and even running 31's ,yeah it makes it a challenge at times but thats what makes it fun. Every experience we have had at Royal Blue is redneck pinstriping and a s*** load of mud holes. Going down the north-side is off camber and REALLY DANGEROUS like you said. After the V notch we usually turn around and go back the way we came. Hope you guys have a good time. Call if you need anything. I'm only 20 miles from there so just let me know . Rance
 
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It's definitely a cool place!!! Camping up on top of the mountain is the best! Full moon nights are awesome too.

Ok... I wanted to try and show up...but my trailer is still getting worked on and that's just too much of a long haul with the 60 on mud tires.

Post up on the next time you guys go,
 
Thanks Doug for the great tour along coal creek, flats, wind rock and into the royal blue area. despite the issues with my truck, i think everybody had a great time. wish we could have wheeled some more but that leaves some for next time. i don't have many action shots but hopefully your friend Geritt can post up videos he took.

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broken left front engine mount on my 60 caused quite a few issues i figured out. since the engine was moving right so much, it allowed my radiator fan to get eaten up by the fan shroud. that was the reason my gas pedal kept getting stuck to the floor from the carb linkage pulling. also was the reason my heater hose snapped and spewed everywhere. made 5 stops from Onieda exit back to our cabin to fill up with water but made it ok. back to the garage!:doh:

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great pics. Nice looking bronco too.
i have broke the rubber mount and the same thing happened but i figured it out quick and wrapped bailing wire around it and make it back to camp and drilled it out and put a grade 8 bolt thru it and never looked back.
 
After looking at the mount more closely I realized something. My power steering pump had been leaking 4 years until I finally rebuilt it. All that fluid had been soaking the engine mount & the rubber basically was eaten up. It separated from the metal bracket. Probably best to buy new one.
 
Im not old school, but yes it was some great trail riding. Nothing too abusive but still some fun lines. I only used my lockers while playing. The rest of the trip was just covering ground and seeing the sights.

Too bad you guys didn't make it to the Flame once again. Just so you know it actually exists here is a pic. If we had had more beer and some lawn chairs I don't think we would have left til morning.

BTW, that Bronco II was awesome.



Here are my contributions:

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Where did the mount break? At the frame? I have some spare mounts if it was the actual rubber mount.
Looks like a nice ride.

BTW, how was the suspension?

After looking at the mount more closely I realized something. My power steering pump had been leaking 4 years until I finally rebuilt it. All that fluid had been soaking the engine mount & the rubber basically was eaten up. It separated from the metal bracket. Probably best to buy new one.
You coming to the meeting on Thursday?
 

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