Kings River 2-7-09

heres pictures. will add writeup later.


http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h269/chr.../kings%20river/

looks like fun - anything break?

one of my front tires doesnt have power- so shaft, hub, or locker.

Waynes mirror

justins rear u-joint on the highway, and his rear locker (ARB) was cutting in and out.

Nothing major.


We were suppose to have a guest with us but he had an emergency and couldnt make it, so we had much of the same group as the new years run; Wayne and friend (didnt catch name) in the toyota, Justin in the fj40 (sweet rig BTW), and myself solo in burb. WE headed out of Palmer on time around 8:05 and proceeded towards Sutton, the fj40 is a little squirely on the highway so we went about 45 the whole way, nice scenic drive, very relaxed atmosphere between all the guys. WE unloaded at the road at Kings river, since they dont plow the whole parking lot in the winter. I led, Justin in the middle, and Wayne bringing up the rear. Decided this would be best since I could break trail if need be. The trail was tight last trip up there, and now it was even worse with the weight of the snow forcing the branches just low enough so that I hit every single one of them.

On the long hill (I think it was cherokee), I went first, barely spinning a tire. I even stopped halfway up and then just putted up the rest of the way. Justin had a little trouble, and it seemed like too little throttle, and too little tread woul prevent him from going up. Wayne flexed his new 351 V's muscle and scampered up it, with lots and lots of wheelspin. Justin tried going around the bypass, and was unsuccessful due to a very small hill, with quite a bit of snow on it. I drove down the bypass and pulled him up the small hill. Off we went.

WE came up to the next hill ( where there are 3 ways up, and you have to turn right just before it gets steep. I had to lay the hammer down a bit to get up this one, the snow was soft and sugary. Justin tried a few times, before winching up. While Justin was winching off of me Wayne pulled up. Apparently he though the trail was too easy and decided to dip a couple tires off the side, which resulted in necessary winching. Wayne made it up the right hand path on this hill unassisted. At the top, we noticed he had a leaf spring bolt loose, and we gave it a couple taps, and a couple twists.

We went through the flats for a bit, before cutting hard left up the short, but very steep section of the trail. I gave it hell once or twice, but this is where wen noticed only 3 tires were turning. After 3 or 4 tries I finally grew a pair and laid the hammer down. Justin and Wayne had fun trying to a couple times, then wayne decided to rub up against a little branch and broke off his mirror. Wayne made it 3/4 the way up and I pulled him the rest of the way. Justin made it half way, and we winched him up the rest. This is where we noticed he only had 3 tires spinning as well!

We went on through the woods, and nearly made it to the beaver ponds, but were stopped a few hundred feet short on the last little 10' tall hill. Thsi hill must have had 48" plus of snow on the front, and my 3 spinning tires couldnt get up it. Just tried too, and made it pretty far, before backing into trees and getting stuck in the soft stuff. I pulled up next to him and drug his back end over so he could continue to back up. Got him out, and had lunch.

Beatuiful day, would have been nice to make it to the frog ponds, but where we made it to was good enough for me. We turned around and headed back. We made very good time coming back out, makes sense since this entire trail seems to be one long hill. We played around a bit where we found some deeper snow, and Justin tried to overheat his rig redlining it in some deep ruts trying to get out. We let him cool down a bit, then pulled him out and headed down the trail.

We got done around 2:30 and loaded back up. I led, running 45 until we hit Palmer, where I see Justin and Wayne pull over. I cant go help them because I'm towing the trailer, and u-turns just arent possible with my truck. I headed up to Tesoro and got myself a nice little snack (jerky and cookies). Wayne called me and said Justin lost a u-joint, and they were running to napa to get another. No dice, so I tried shucks across the street, no dice. We decided to pull the rear shaft, and have him drive home in front wheel drive. We were doing 55-60 the whole way and it handled it just fine. Made it home before 5. Another beautiful day of wheelin!!

This post has been edited by chris112lee on Feb 7 2009, 09:39 PM

Damn. Sounds like I should've went. Instead, I changed out a water pump and t-stat for a buddy. And did a little more work on the house.

Man, I like that FJ! B)

Nice write up Chris.

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This post has been edited by Wayne_L on Feb 7 2009, 11:15 PM

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Looks like a helluva good time!!! Wayne we need to find you some meats now that you have the power...LOL

Nice Write-up Chris, that is the type of report folks like to read ;)

(EDIT) - I especially like the honesty of not over glorifying the "ease" of the trip like some do...LOL

hell wayne doesn't need new meats he only go cought up in two places. I was stuck all day with the crappy supper swampers. need to regrove them so I have bite. it was a good run but I'm going to be down for awhile. need to rethink my suspention so its safer on the rode and trail. I should have it back on the trails in the next month.
But I had a great time and it felt good stomping on the skinny pedle and it doing something LOL

hell wayne doesn't need new meats he only go cought up in two places. I was stuck all day with the crappy supper swampers. need to regrove them so I have bite. it was a good run but I'm going to be down for awhile. need to rethink my suspention so its safer on the rode and trail. I should have it back on the trails in the next month.
But I had a great time and it felt good stomping on the skinny pedle and it doing something LOL

Keep on it she's looking great and come a long ways since I first saw it at Wayno's.

I keep asking Diversified when they are going to make the new style STT in a 40" so I can sipe it like the Titan's are...they just do not slip...I have always disliked TSL's in the snow...but too poor to have another set for winter...LOL

yea I'm looking at the 39 14.4 15 maddog pitbull tires. they are cheep as hell right now.

plus I'm moving the rear axle further back and it would be nice to have the meets here while designing the new suspension.