Maiden voyage a success
*I will try to take a pic of the box beak for you. If you were here I'd sell it to you for the cost of the materials but you are in Cali:shrug:
After wrestling the brake problem and as a result missing the trip to Hidden Falls on Saturday Mark I finally got them resolved that eve. Therefore, the trip was finally put in motion Sunday.
Everything, well almost everything went off with out a hitch. I was impressed by low and how smooth the ride was and how low the gears were. With all these new items such a new 4-link, 3-link, sway bar, coil overs, gas tank, hydro assist, hydro cltuch, frame, skid, exhaust, tranni mount, t-case mount, brakes, frame, winch, etc... for all of it to have worked the first time out was freaking awesome. However, there are a few things we did not complete and we'll get to soon like add the front bump stops, limiting straps, stereo/speakers, bead locks, and speedo. Later I will get the rear seat, aluminum top, and custom half doors. The only adjustment we need to do is raise the front coils.
My last trip was to Hidden Falls last year for Labor Day (if anyone here remembers). So it was only natural that it's return was at Hidden Falls.
Arrived at Hidden Falls. Nobody was there as everyone had headed home. We had the whole park to ourselves. However, we did run into a small group. A couple who got married at athe park and was filmed by the CMT ******* weddings (I was told to be aired on Jan season premier).
Getting ready to hit the trails.
Finally on the trails
Check out the first obstable Mark felt suitable to test it out on LOL. NOTE the first ledge is approx 3' tall. the next is 2" and it is straight up but the pic makes it look like a ramp.
Mark had to spot me so no pic/vid on this one. More pics...
Some vids
The noise you are hearing is my new power steering pump. I needed to add more fluid. Guess I did a poor job of bleeding it. We headed back to camp and we still forgot to add fluid (Doh). Sounded like a mini chubacca. None the less it worked like a charm.
Mark "advised" me to hit a water hole that did not look too bad but as a result it was too deep as water got inside and I quickly hit reverse! Did I ever tell anyone I hate mud? Well I wanted to hand the wheel to Mark so he can also enjoy his hard work and conduct his own "testing". So, here he is...
All went well until I popped a bead approx 20 yards from the end of our last trail. Mark spotted me off the trail trying to conserve the tire/rim (could not work on the Jeep on this part of the trail so of all places to have this happen). We managed to remove the tire, add a strap, spray some starter fuild, add flame and poof, we are back in business. We got out of the park just as it got dark and got home to our wives in time for dinner. The truck and new trailer towed great. Time to clean out my garage and give Mark his garage back. I'll update more stuff as I get to it. BTW I forgot my spare! Mark thought I loaded it and I thought Mark loaded it. What would a trip be with out an adventure.
Although we are not 100% done (when are you right?) Mark has worked his butt off to help me get this wrapped up and I am forever gratefiul for hanging in there. Note a lot of the equipment to build this was either leased or borrowed and built in a two car garage as quickly as possible before the babies are coming. My wife found me great deals on parts and was a great support of the whole project. I have a lot of people to thank and I will gather all that soon.