XJ Wheeler
05-08-2015, 07:23 PM
Long overdue but we made the trip to go wheeling at one of the local offroad parks. And i've been working on my xj for the last few weeks to be ready for it... as much as i could anyway. The park of choice, Texas Off Road Ranch (TORR) in Huntsville, Tx. A little ways from us but only an hour and a half to two hours drive the slow way. I tried getting others, anyone, to come out but it was not to be... so two jeeps travelled alone. My brothers and mine.
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021589_zpsavorjnhn.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021589_zpsavorjnhn.jpg.html)
After we aired down and disconnected, we looked around and it didn't take long before we just jumped in and started down a trail. The first thing we came to was a hill. Promptly up and over, and somehow we got in the middle of a group coming off the hill. Didn't realize they were together and there was no way to get out of the way once we were in there. :p
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P1010334_zps6wyhdjic.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P1010334_zps6wyhdjic.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P1010331_zpssijaz5dl.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P1010331_zpssijaz5dl.jpg.html)
Now part of the group we quickly learned what the terrain offered. It was heavily wooded, and some tight areas with some steep tributaries we had to cross. First obstacle... stuck before i even got to the tough part. Sadly i didn't get much photographic proof of this. Only this one pic where you can see the front diff scrape from trying to unstick myself.
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P1010332_zpsweruoigz.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P1010332_zpsweruoigz.jpg.html)
But an easy tug backwards and taking a much different line i made it through. From Chris' view.
https://youtu.be/y99HW2byiQU
And this is Chris' XJ coming out of the crossing. And yes, poor quality. I started out using my older camera then switched to my better one.
https://youtu.be/5fcthsxdksI
Now being left the group...
We brought along our mom and at this point she was not too pleased. So we went to camp and set up a spot for her.
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021592_zpsbgvxxpsl.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021592_zpsbgvxxpsl.jpg.html)
Once we got back to it we roamed around learning the park a little then followed a trail i saw earlier in the day. At its beginning we stopped as there was multiple ways to go and got out for a look. There was a JK and what looked to be a sami with a homemade body on it. The guy who had the sami had broken his trans mount, i believe, and needed a bolt. I just happened to have one that would work. We got to talking with the guy who had the jk and he told us about the multiple trails we faced. He said to go do a certain trail and it would twist around to have multiple rocky climbs that would break off, six in fact, and to start at the end which was to be the easiest. Well, we followed it and only saw three side trails and kept going. A few minor to moderate obstacles along the way.
https://youtu.be/_jzUyyQMq1g
https://youtu.be/Db2MbyNP5J4
https://youtu.be/gJICLU2b9-o
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/Screenshot%20423_zpsvf5v50ur.png (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/Screenshot%20423_zpsvf5v50ur.png.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/Screenshot%20350_zpsm4uognhc.png (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/Screenshot%20350_zpsm4uognhc.png.html)
Then we came to a muddy curve. There was two ways to go around it, one on each side of a small tree. My brother took the outside line and fought a bit to get through. Looking at the inside line i saw no reason not to. Shorter distance, looked smooth but i knew i'd need some wheel speed if things went the same for me. Made it about three feet...
https://youtu.be/lWybQ0KqPmQ
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021640_zps5x5z7b4w.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021640_zps5x5z7b4w.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021633_zpswjqkpfrg.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021633_zpswjqkpfrg.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021632_zpss6tgmkrh.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021632_zpss6tgmkrh.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021643_zpsxbdqlsqv.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021643_zpsxbdqlsqv.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021646_zpsby9buocy.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021646_zpsby9buocy.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/Screenshot%20421_zpswjj3cko4.png (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/Screenshot%20421_zpswjj3cko4.png.html)
Yep, put out an alert for a missing diff. Gone, its just gone... You can see the trackbar go right into mud. It spent probably 30 minutes under.
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021648_zps8n471jsc.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021648_zps8n471jsc.jpg.html)
At this point i was watching my lifeline (brother) struggling to get through up ahead and as he's throttling through almost out of sight i was trying to get his attention with the horn. Also finding out my airhorns were not working due to being full of mud. Finally he saw i wasn't coming and walked back. His face when he saw me... now that i wish i had video of. :D Now, to get me out he had to come back and get behind me. So he turns around and makes his way through. Or thats how it should have went. Instead he quickly slid into the other side of the same hole i was in.
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021652_zpsvxodajzk.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021652_zpsvxodajzk.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021651_zpsadgqbrit.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021651_zpsadgqbrit.jpg.html)
I thought these pics looked pretty comical...
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021650_zpslo92v7pl.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021650_zpslo92v7pl.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021653_zpsn8edqqgk.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021653_zpsn8edqqgk.jpg.html)
Very glad he had a winch, and makes me want one even more.
https://youtu.be/yk6lMIl1lVM
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/Screenshot%20391_zpswujegh8x.png (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/Screenshot%20391_zpswujegh8x.png.html)
And once he was out we hooked up mine to pull it out of the earth...
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/Screenshot%20426_zpslzxt9hlm.png (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/Screenshot%20426_zpslzxt9hlm.png.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/Screenshot%20361_zpsp5nbvyff.png (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/Screenshot%20361_zpsp5nbvyff.png.html)
https://youtu.be/SEybA0OLcQE
HAD to laugh once it was out.
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021660_zpslfr0wnf5.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021660_zpslfr0wnf5.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021662_zpsmql5l8fl.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021662_zpsmql5l8fl.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021666_zpsx7sh0ohx.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021666_zpsx7sh0ohx.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021672_zpsqbrwkxkf.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021672_zpsqbrwkxkf.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021669_zpsm6lrh1go.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021669_zpsm6lrh1go.jpg.html)
The mischievous hole. It really just seems like a boobytrap.
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021663_zpswe4t8yzl.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021663_zpswe4t8yzl.jpg.html)
At this point we decided to abandon that way and head back the way we came.
[ame]https://youtu.be/
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021589_zpsavorjnhn.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021589_zpsavorjnhn.jpg.html)
After we aired down and disconnected, we looked around and it didn't take long before we just jumped in and started down a trail. The first thing we came to was a hill. Promptly up and over, and somehow we got in the middle of a group coming off the hill. Didn't realize they were together and there was no way to get out of the way once we were in there. :p
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P1010334_zps6wyhdjic.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P1010334_zps6wyhdjic.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P1010331_zpssijaz5dl.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P1010331_zpssijaz5dl.jpg.html)
Now part of the group we quickly learned what the terrain offered. It was heavily wooded, and some tight areas with some steep tributaries we had to cross. First obstacle... stuck before i even got to the tough part. Sadly i didn't get much photographic proof of this. Only this one pic where you can see the front diff scrape from trying to unstick myself.
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P1010332_zpsweruoigz.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P1010332_zpsweruoigz.jpg.html)
But an easy tug backwards and taking a much different line i made it through. From Chris' view.
https://youtu.be/y99HW2byiQU
And this is Chris' XJ coming out of the crossing. And yes, poor quality. I started out using my older camera then switched to my better one.
https://youtu.be/5fcthsxdksI
Now being left the group...
We brought along our mom and at this point she was not too pleased. So we went to camp and set up a spot for her.
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021592_zpsbgvxxpsl.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021592_zpsbgvxxpsl.jpg.html)
Once we got back to it we roamed around learning the park a little then followed a trail i saw earlier in the day. At its beginning we stopped as there was multiple ways to go and got out for a look. There was a JK and what looked to be a sami with a homemade body on it. The guy who had the sami had broken his trans mount, i believe, and needed a bolt. I just happened to have one that would work. We got to talking with the guy who had the jk and he told us about the multiple trails we faced. He said to go do a certain trail and it would twist around to have multiple rocky climbs that would break off, six in fact, and to start at the end which was to be the easiest. Well, we followed it and only saw three side trails and kept going. A few minor to moderate obstacles along the way.
https://youtu.be/_jzUyyQMq1g
https://youtu.be/Db2MbyNP5J4
https://youtu.be/gJICLU2b9-o
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/Screenshot%20423_zpsvf5v50ur.png (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/Screenshot%20423_zpsvf5v50ur.png.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/Screenshot%20350_zpsm4uognhc.png (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/Screenshot%20350_zpsm4uognhc.png.html)
Then we came to a muddy curve. There was two ways to go around it, one on each side of a small tree. My brother took the outside line and fought a bit to get through. Looking at the inside line i saw no reason not to. Shorter distance, looked smooth but i knew i'd need some wheel speed if things went the same for me. Made it about three feet...
https://youtu.be/lWybQ0KqPmQ
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021640_zps5x5z7b4w.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021640_zps5x5z7b4w.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021633_zpswjqkpfrg.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021633_zpswjqkpfrg.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021632_zpss6tgmkrh.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021632_zpss6tgmkrh.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021643_zpsxbdqlsqv.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021643_zpsxbdqlsqv.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021646_zpsby9buocy.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021646_zpsby9buocy.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/Screenshot%20421_zpswjj3cko4.png (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/Screenshot%20421_zpswjj3cko4.png.html)
Yep, put out an alert for a missing diff. Gone, its just gone... You can see the trackbar go right into mud. It spent probably 30 minutes under.
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021648_zps8n471jsc.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021648_zps8n471jsc.jpg.html)
At this point i was watching my lifeline (brother) struggling to get through up ahead and as he's throttling through almost out of sight i was trying to get his attention with the horn. Also finding out my airhorns were not working due to being full of mud. Finally he saw i wasn't coming and walked back. His face when he saw me... now that i wish i had video of. :D Now, to get me out he had to come back and get behind me. So he turns around and makes his way through. Or thats how it should have went. Instead he quickly slid into the other side of the same hole i was in.
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021652_zpsvxodajzk.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021652_zpsvxodajzk.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021651_zpsadgqbrit.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021651_zpsadgqbrit.jpg.html)
I thought these pics looked pretty comical...
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021650_zpslo92v7pl.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021650_zpslo92v7pl.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021653_zpsn8edqqgk.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021653_zpsn8edqqgk.jpg.html)
Very glad he had a winch, and makes me want one even more.
https://youtu.be/yk6lMIl1lVM
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/Screenshot%20391_zpswujegh8x.png (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/Screenshot%20391_zpswujegh8x.png.html)
And once he was out we hooked up mine to pull it out of the earth...
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/Screenshot%20426_zpslzxt9hlm.png (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/Screenshot%20426_zpslzxt9hlm.png.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/Screenshot%20361_zpsp5nbvyff.png (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/Screenshot%20361_zpsp5nbvyff.png.html)
https://youtu.be/SEybA0OLcQE
HAD to laugh once it was out.
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021660_zpslfr0wnf5.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021660_zpslfr0wnf5.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021662_zpsmql5l8fl.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021662_zpsmql5l8fl.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021666_zpsx7sh0ohx.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021666_zpsx7sh0ohx.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021672_zpsqbrwkxkf.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021672_zpsqbrwkxkf.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021669_zpsm6lrh1go.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021669_zpsm6lrh1go.jpg.html)
The mischievous hole. It really just seems like a boobytrap.
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y341/StormyXJ/P5021663_zpswe4t8yzl.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/StormyXJ/media/P5021663_zpswe4t8yzl.jpg.html)
At this point we decided to abandon that way and head back the way we came.
[ame]https://youtu.be/