TX to AZ and back - Let the updates begin.

[davido]

I'll hollywood my own for now.

Two waterfalls in the pics. The one of me standing next to the wall, I actually made it up that one. I think the only one in the group to drive it. I pulled up to it somewhat jokingly. Scott told me it was possible. Sure enough, the Cruiser just crawled it. Greg has video.

The other was the ridiculous wall that everyone had to winch up. You're literally hanging from the winch line. It's pretty wild. We have tons of pics and video of that also.

Good times so far. Lost 2.5 trailer tires on the way. Greg broke a hub today. I broke a spring which jammed the axle forward and now my CV is clicking. I also sheared a break line and developed a new oil leak. I sheared a air stem and held my thumb over it for literally an hour waiting for help to arrive. They were working on Kopecki's alternator about 50 yards back around a corner from where I was. Scott thinks I fell asleep on the ground with my thumb over the hole. He may be right. I banged up both sides as I was all but flopped both ways on the same obstacle. No video. Pics coming. That was today. Two days ago, both Scott and I retired power steering pumps at Trees Ranch. We spent a few hours changing them in the Ft. Stockton AutoZone parking lot (only thing open on Sundays).

That's about it so far. Licking our wounds tomorrow and heading to AZ.

[Reckless]

thats a bad ass ledge this was at trees right? do ya remember what trail that was?

[Busa]

No that is Las Cruces, New Mexico. That leg is getting bad. I wish i was there.

[mudtoy67]

Good stuff. Maybe next year I'll have the FJ rolling and you can strap me through the trails while I make engine noises with my lips.

[eight]

I was making engine noises at about 1am this morning.

We put some adds on the internet Tuesday morning and a couple hours later I got a call from a guy that gave us a full set of cruiser springs so we could fix Dave's.

Got a late start yesterday after a long night of drinking and a morning of wrenching. Then Dave had some steering arm bolts come out on the way to the trails. He brought out the chevy and trailer for a recovery, good pictures of that one.

The rest of us drove around for a couple more hours and found highway to hell trail. On about obstacle 2 or 3 I blew a rear shaft. A quick change did not occur as the shaft was stuck in the carrier. After removing things that looked like pieces of side gear we put the shaft back in and kept going. Maybe 100 ft later I blew a front outer. Got that changed and got going and found that the rear with the broken shaft was locked. Pulled the broken shaft to find it still locked. Then gutted the brakes and cruised on only to strip the splines on the borrowed steering box / pitman arm. Welded those together and broke the welds a few times. Then my charging system went out on the way back to camp so Greg got to tow me the last few miles.

Greg's rig leaked alot of trans oil last night and today we found that the atlas is not so connected to the transmission anymore. After deciding it would be too much work to fix he dug his spare rig out of the trailer.

I think Scott found us a guide for Table Mesa tomorrow so we'll see if we can break the 3 remaining rigs.

I don't take pictures so I have none.

[Busa]

I think i am glad i did not get to go with you all.

[BMFScout]

I think i am glad i did not get to go with you all.

If that makes you feel better about it, but you know you'd rather be right in the middle of all those broken parts.

[Busa]

Your right, but i would be pulling someone out of the trail

[J Cooper]

... and cruised on only to strip the splines on the borrowed steering box / pitman arm. Welded those together and broke the welds a few times.

glad i could help... guess we can work out those details later.

that box had only been on like 4 trips.

[redcagepatrol]

that box is really set up now - no nut needed....

I've got a bunch of pretty sweet pics from all places - but right now - it's beer drinking time..... We are on vacation

[DRAGOONRANCH]

that box is really set up now - no nut needed....

I've got a bunch of pretty sweet pics from all places - but right now - it's beer drinking time..... We are on vacation

so it's the Lance Armstrong of steering boxes then???

where's the pictures?!?!??

[Doug Krebs]

Damn david, that looks sweet!

Looks like good times!

[eight]

glad i could help... guess we can work out those details later.

that box had only been on like 4 trips.

Yea, borrowed it for one trip, couldn't hurt it. The box did work much better than mine ever did.

[uglyota]

I was making engine noises at about 1am this morning.

Engine or motorboat?
sounds like you guys are having a good time, despite the carnage!

[BMFScout]

I had a dream last night that Davido tied a strap to the back or his cruiser, strapped in, and drove it off the top of a parking garage in Vegas with it anchored to a concrete light post. It was sweet, very Travis Pastrana Like. I thought it was real when I woke up. Good story I know.