Went to SMORR (Private off road park) as planned, with
@KurtECV for the weekend. Both of us on a relaxing camping / shakedown run, but more of a shakedown for Kurt. He just finished up his 1st gen Sport SAS/SOA, and we used this park as a testing ground. We both have been working hard at getting our rigs ready, and have been trying to do this for months & months now. I am very happy it finally did happen.
This rig needed all the cobwebs cleared, and all the recent repairs, to the previous shop work tested. His needed everything tested under real world use.
Kurt is a few hours away, and I met him at his place, and then we caravan it to the park. Before we could go, he had a slight trailer issue to fix, and I wanted to grease the LBJ's real quick.
Kurt was squeezing away on the gun, and then I seen it. BOTH CV boots cracked open, and slung the magic CV juice all over. We had another repair, before we could head out. lol Once we got our crap together, His son jumped in the RV, and took on the role of co-pilot / navigator. For 7 years old, he is pretty damn good at it.
Park is 4 hours away from home. I left at 9:30am, and we pulled into the campgrounds after 9pm with sleepy kid in tow. Finished setting camp at 12 midnight, and lasted 20 mins in the camp chair before I couldn't see straight anymore. Time for us all to pass out.
7am wake up by the Camp cook, announcing Breakfast was ready by sounding off the big triangle. Grub, finish some camp items overlooked in the dark, and off we went in the rigs. Found the 30* RTI ramp and tested front flex on both rigs. Got his articulation measures as is, and he can fine tune it now. BH did fairly well for an IFS at 47" up, before lifting the rear tire. Kurts Straight axle blew mine away of course, and he has lots of room for improvement left.
Lunch back at camp, and picked up my Brother. He has never done anything like this, so it was a joy to watch him squirm a bit.
We ran some easy levels in the rain, found some obstacles to climb over, and generally just had a relaxing time with the creek trails that run thru the park. Back to camp for dinner. My brother had enough fun for one day, and headed home. We headed back out in the dark, for some more fun, but this time, we raised the trail difficulty levels.
Being wet and raining, night time in covered woods on the side of the Ozarks Mountain's, the trails seem to add a level, or two to them. lol We had our LED lights blasting into the dark wooded trails, as they snaked around in mostly off camber levels that always lean you to the down slopes. Shining the lights over these edges only make it worse, so best just not do it. Ignorance is bliss they say. After hours of this, we called it, and headed back to camp around 10 pm. Having hot Showered in the awesome ranch style facility's, and feeling refreshed, it was time to make Smores, at SMORR around the campfire. No fancy metal pokers for the sweet fluffy pillow treats, so Kurt sharpened up some tree limb's (sticks). I think he cut a break away notch in mine, as it broke while adding the 2nd marshy marsh. I was wrecked. Cut me deep Kurt, ya cut me deep.
The camp cook woke me again this morning, and after a huge breakfast (something about camping and eating like you haven't in a month), we broke camp, and headed out. BH is back home safe and sound. Will do a thorough post run inspect asap.
Some facts learned on this trip with this new setup. Temps while wheeling: H- 70* / L 52*
Scan gauge showed the engine temps like to hover around 184, trans temps on the Hwy are in the 160's, and never seen it go past 179 with high RPM's on asphalt Mountain hill climbs, while doing 70 mph. On the trails, trans never went over 180. Never had to turn on the pusher fan. On the way there, it averaged 17.5 MPG and 18.2 MPG on the way back. Hills I suppose made the difference. 70 mph at 2200 rpm's. 1st kickdown is 2600, and 2nd kickdown is 3200. Only once did it kickdown far enough and hit 4500 rpms instantly. It all depends on how far I mash the skinny pedal.
I got some go pro footage to go thru and see whats what. If there is anything worth sharing, I will asap. I didn't really take any pictures this trip, so not much to share on my end. Kurt has some from his son. Yep, he was also the photo journalist. He is a multi tasker, for sure.
Ripped CV boots, and some juice splatter. No actual carnage to the joints, as this happened while in route to Kurts, and they was still wet. Both boots tore, and I suspect from sitting for too long while off set from the lift. I thought about re booting them, but the boot kits are almost as much as a new half shaft. Meh.
That is pretty depressing to me. I haven't had to add oil to an engine like this since the early 70's. Refreshed 112k engine my ass.
