Went to Fordyce, broke trail the whole day. There wasn't any other tracks up there.
http://beer.thisdysfunctional.org/kids/album136/DSC01225_1.jpg
http://beer.thisdysfunctional.org/kids/album136/DSC01227_1.jpg
http://beer.thisdysfunctional.org/kids/album136/DSC01228_1.jpg
http://beer.thisdysfunctional.org/kids/album136/DSC01231_1.jpg
http://beer.thisdysfunctional.org/kids/album136/DSC01241_1.jpg
Heres Randy P.
http://beer.thisdysfunctional.org/kids/album136/DSC01245_1.jpg
Making some coffee at about 8:30 at night.
http://beer.thisdysfunctional.org/kids/album136/DSC01250_1.jpg

Sad.. there's more snow in California than here in Montana.. had a warm spell this week, and it's wiped out our snow. :(

Most years we wouldn't have a prayer of making it up to the top at this time of year..

..then again, only the Scout made it to the top.. :D

http://www.m4x4a.org/ImageGallery/2005FrontierJan22/img_1263.sized.jpg

I pulled up to this spot and the trail was completely drifted over, on a side hill.. but before I turned around, I figured.. "What the heck, let's try it..".. then proceeded to strap everyone else through.. one Bronco, one Ford pickup, one Dodge pickup, an Explorer, and a Blazer. :D

http://www.m4x4a.org/ImageGallery/2005FrontierJan22/img_1267.sized.jpg

Roads were all ice under the crunchy snow.. which was deep at times..

http://www.m4x4a.org/ImageGallery/2005FrontierJan22/img_1273.sized.jpg
http://www.m4x4a.org/ImageGallery/2005FrontierJan22/img_1271.sized.jpg
http://www.m4x4a.org/ImageGallery/2005FrontierJan22/img_1281.sized.jpg

Beautiful views..

http://www.m4x4a.org/ImageGallery/2005FrontierJan22/img_1359.sized.jpg

Here I am at the top..

http://www.m4x4a.org/ImageGallery/2005FrontierJan22/img_1362.sized.jpg

http://www.m4x4a.org/ImageGallery/2005FrontierJan22/img_1373.sized.jpg


The Exploder gave it a good try, and did remarkably well, but the TTB and 33s just wasn't enough.

http://www.m4x4a.org/ImageGallery/2005FrontierJan22/img_1378.sized.jpg

While trying to tow the Explorer up the hill, digging down to ice on each assault on the stretch-strap and plowing the trail with his TTB.. I finally wiped out the LF hub, so we turned around and headed home.

Funny.. I was tightening the hub bolts up the night before, and the RF had 3 bolts sheared off, but I tightened the other 3 and made a note to spend some time and drill out the broken bolts.. and the LF is the side that sheared all 6.. so that's 9 broken bolts I'm trying to drill out. Ugh.

This time I'm going to use Gr5 instead of the 8s.. the 8s come loose just as easily as the 5s and tear the hubs to pieces just fine once things get loose, but they're a b*tch to drill out. :D

--

Airin' down..

http://www.m4x4a.org/ImageGallery/2005FrontierJan22/img_1223_001.sized.jpg

ORRR..

you could just swap in Ford outers and get rid of the hub-bolts....


Steal them off the Devil, and put the Scout outers on it :D :D

ORRR..

you could just swap in Ford outers and get rid of the hub-bolts....


Thought about that.. a lot.. but I keep thinking, "Polish a Turd"..

Besides, the U-joints are welded in and are holding up great.. :D

The hunt for a 60 is making it's way closer to the top of "The List"..


Steal them off the Devil, and put the Scout outers on it :D :D


But the Ford outers are lighter. :flipoff2: :D

Besides, there's the whole spindle and caliper stand redrilling that would need to take place, etc.

I may start tracking down the parts for the F150 wheel hub conversion.. but I keep thinking I'm just stalling on *fixing* the problem. :D

Besides, there's the whole spindle and caliper stand redrilling that would need to take place, etc.

why?? Use chevy knuckles, or SII D30 knuckles... you know that :rolleyes:


I may start tracking down the parts for the F150 wheel hub conversion.. but I keep thinking I'm just stalling on *fixing* the problem. :D

I got all the parts you need that will be going up for sale soon... need to clean some things up and I have too much crap... if you wanted to pay shipping :D


Or you could come visit :flipoff2:

why?? Use chevy knuckles, or SII D30 knuckles... you know that :rolleyes:


Why? Turd + Polish.

I have stock knuckles, with aftermarket tie-rod and draglink already on 'em, and they work fine.

If I swap to Chevy knuckles, I probably need a new tie-rod and then I have to go High-Steer since the Chevy knuckle lacks the draglink attachment.

If I use the D30 knuckles, it's not as bad, and I could find a few of those lying in my pile, I'm sure.. but of course I already have the Skyjacker lines for the SII calipers, not Chevy calipers, so those need replaced or adapted..

The swap is pretty simple. No arguments there. It's just a LOT of "simple" and extra expenses that make it not too terribly attractive.



I got all the parts you need that will be going up for sale soon... need to clean some things up and I have too much crap... if you wanted to pay shipping :D

Or you could come visit :flipoff2:

Or YOU could come visit. We're racing in 2 weeks.. I even have a guest room you could stay in.. plenty of truck n' trailer parking.. :D