Shakedown run [Archive]

Bluegill

03-23-2007, 07:39 PM

If all goes as planned, Chief (see avatar pic) will be hitting the trail either Sat 3-31, or Sun 4-1 (after church). Sat morning is the target, with Sun afternoon as backup - target trail is Paint Creek, Horse Creek as alternate. Exact trailhead time TBD. As of right now, the front end is 95% reassembled & almost ready to rock :twisted: Still waiting on my new brake hoses, should be here Thurs. Time to find out if Chief is ready for Harlan :headbang: Wish it had better meats, but I'll make these AT's earn their keep :smokin: No huge mudholes or vaseline hill for Chief yet, at least until all the bugs are worked out.

Also - if all goes as planned - Rudy (the TJ) will be there with Tom-Boy at the wheel too! :grin:

Anyone is welcome to join us.

LoOnaTik

03-23-2007, 07:50 PM

Wide Open :twisted:

sams_pf

03-23-2007, 09:04 PM

Also - if all goes as planned - Rudy (the TJ) will be there with Tom-Boy at the wheel too! =D> You go girl.

Dino1967

03-23-2007, 09:53 PM

ill be in harlan
take lots of pictures

Gordon

03-23-2007, 11:01 PM

I may have my Heep done by then, too. I want to get a shakedown in case I can swing Harlan, also. Will watch the thread.

duke_lover_13

03-24-2007, 12:35 AM

I would love to go if you went Sunday afternoon!! I work on saturdays!!!

Jazzman31

03-24-2007, 12:52 AM

I would love to go if you went Sunday afternoon!! I work on saturdays!!!

Then ride with us on Sunday at Bumpus or somewhere else more than likely Bumpus.

duke_lover_13

03-24-2007, 04:45 PM

Would my rack be fine??

LoOnaTik

03-24-2007, 04:54 PM

Talked to Rob, I think we're gonna be goin on Sunday after church.

SamuraiGuyTN

03-24-2007, 06:58 PM

Would my rack be fine??

at Bumpus I would think you would be ok. If I remember correctly there are some spots with lower branches. But most of it is wide open.

HARDBODY630

03-25-2007, 12:19 AM

Would my rack be fine??
I think if your asking yourself that, its time to just take it off :smokin:

duke_lover_13

03-25-2007, 12:19 AM

and how hard is it to do with 32's and not much too much room to flex??? I know I am going somewhere tomorrow..... but I dont have money to fix the rover.... :(

Jazzman31

03-25-2007, 12:26 AM

and how hard is it to do with 32's and not much too much room to flex??? I know I am going somewhere tomorrow..... but I dont have money to fix the rover.... :(

I made it through Bumpus with my stock jeep, and it is still midly stock. You should be fine in the rover, if you dont feel comfortable going through a part we can always winch or snatch you through, no biggy, and the rack can stay should be fine going through. The branches were not that lower even filled with snow. We meet at the Culd de sac before the trail head at 2pm hpoefully to be on the trail head on 2:30pm. If you need directions let me know, or if you need to follow or meet somewhere in Johnsom City will be ok. I will pm you my number.

DJRobB

03-25-2007, 12:31 AM

duke_lover_13,

I'll be at my shop "funville" around noon.

Let me know if you wanna follow me.

duke_lover_13

03-25-2007, 12:46 AM

so this is right?? http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?do=nw&go=1&r=f&aoh=&aot=&aof=&2a=%5b636%2d645%5d%20BUMPUS%20COVE%20RD&2c=ERWIN&2s=TN&2z=37650&2n=WASHINGTON%20COUNTY&2y=US&2l=ZIQuy46Zmtm80fA28YxH4Q%3d%3d&2g=PhG6%2bWscHUVEf%2bXEdix6rQ%3d%3d&2v=STREET&1a=114%20HEATHER%20LN&1c=GREENEVILLE&1s=TN&1z=37745%2d6470&1y=US&1l=CbPuWeAnRz2T0wa0DoJ4Yw%3d%3d&1g=T68clfsUPgtWPcXlKOHt5Q%3d%3d&1pn=&1pl=&1v=ADDRESS&1ffi=&1ex=&1n=GREENE%20COUNTY

DJRobB

03-25-2007, 12:52 AM

107 to 81

Around 1:30 I'll be at the store at the end of 107.

just look for the red rubi.

Jazzman31

03-25-2007, 12:55 AM

yep you got it, just go to the end of Bumpus Cove Road.

duke_lover_13

03-25-2007, 01:00 AM

well thanks guys!! I really hope I can go.... I will be giving both of you calls tomorrow!

Bluegill

03-25-2007, 09:04 AM

Sounds like somebody's been hijacking my thread - I don't remember mentioning Bumpus :? Get your own thread! :lol:

THIS ride will be Sunday afternoon (April 1st) after church. We will be leaving the trailhead at 2pm, so please be there before then. The trailhead is the small parking lot across from the campground, off Lower Paint Creek Road.

Duke Lover - as long as you have brush guards for the lights on your rack it should be okay, until the brush gets really thick.

Hey Vince - you up for a ride? :wink:

TiredIronGRB

03-25-2007, 09:33 AM

Vince will be with us in Harlan 8)

Jazzman31

03-25-2007, 01:08 PM

Sounds like somebody's been hijacking my thread - I don't remember mentioning Bumpus :? Get your own thread! :lol:
:

Our apolgizes, wont happen again. We just thought maybe Blue Chief would like to make a run at Bumpus. :lol: 8)

blynyrd

03-25-2007, 10:30 PM

I would love to go if you went Sunday afternoon!! I work on saturdays!!!

Did you go to paint creek? I think passed you. I came in from th NC side in the purple cj full of girls and dogs

duke_lover_13

03-25-2007, 11:37 PM

I would love to go if you went Sunday afternoon!! I work on saturdays!!!

Did you go to paint creek? I think passed you. I came in from th NC side in the purple cj full of girls and dogs
I sure did!!!!! Did you happen to have to back up for me??

blynyrd

03-26-2007, 09:39 PM

duke_lover_13

03-26-2007, 11:35 PM

She looked good!!! You should have stopped and talked!!!

blynyrd

03-27-2007, 03:26 AM

She looked good!!! You should have stopped and talked!!!

Uhhh, I was stopped, :lol: right after I backed up I stopped and let you by. Ah well next time . What a great day for a ride huh.

sams_pf

03-27-2007, 02:17 PM

I think we're gonna try to make it. TJ's birthday is Sunday, and that's what he told me he wanted , was to go there. I might even surprise him and let him have the wheel in that one spot that's pretty open, but not on the trail. Dont know if Red will make it through some of the holes by the sound of the last time youns went, she's been through there before though. But we'll see.

Bluegill

03-27-2007, 06:42 PM

Sounds great Sam! :grin: Auston's birthday is Friday, have to do the ride Sunday afternoon because of his b-day party Sat. I bet TJ would love a chance to drive Red on the trail for his b-day :wink: We don't plan on trying any of the hard stuff, as I need to get a feel for the FSJ, and Jules needs to get used to Rudy as well. I can spot for anyone that wants to play in the ruff stuff though..... :wink:

Time to start a roll call - if I miss anyone or you want to be added to the list just post up!

Bluegill
Tom-Boy
Gordon (possible)
Sams_pf

duke_lover_13

03-27-2007, 07:13 PM

I can't go on this one guys...... gonna be on a cruise to Mexico!!!

LoOnaTik

03-29-2007, 10:16 AM

:cry: Well........I'm out too. Got my front end torn apart....MUCHO damage! I've spent $175 already and still not done. Take some pics, hope ya'll have fun.

Bluegill

03-30-2007, 12:56 AM

Sorry you can't make it Landon :( Your Ranger would be fine at Paint Creek though. Hope you can get the F150 ready for Harlan in 2 weeks! :wink:

LoOnaTik

03-30-2007, 09:44 AM

Ranger has a broken PVH hub :roll:

LoOnaTik

03-30-2007, 05:25 PM

I just picked up the rest of the parts. If I bust my butt I might have this thing done in time.(If I don't find anything else broke):roll:

Bluegill

03-30-2007, 06:53 PM

Awe shoot.......I have to work Sat & Sun :cry: Haven't had to work a Sunday in almost a year. SO, looks like I'm out for this weekend, and Tom-Boy probably will be also. Sorry guys & gals.

Barring a catastrophe, I WILL test the FSJ out on Good Friday, since that will be my next day off. Gotta work 14hr shifts until then :roll: :shaking2:

Anyone want to reschedule? :lol:

On a positive note, my new brake lines were delivered today :grin:

Gordon

03-30-2007, 11:41 PM

A reschedule is best for me, too. I'm not quite done with the work, and Bev has some honey-do'es that will keep me away from Heep work tomorrow.

SamuraiGuyTN

03-31-2007, 09:30 AM

ahh the honey do's. Yeah its funny how they get in the way. sometimes you wanna honey don't. I feel ya.

sams_pf

03-31-2007, 11:28 AM

Reschedule's good for me too. We may still ride up there but not all the way through. Just so TJ can have a little fun.

Tom-Boy

04-01-2007, 12:00 AM

Sorry we won't be going tomorrow, but hopefully it will work out good for everyone Good Friday.

Julie

Gordon

04-01-2007, 10:59 AM

Sam, not sure I can make it, but - made good progress on my XJ last evening and would like to take it for a spin today. Are you still gonna try Paint at 2:00? If so, don't wait for me, but I might try to meet up with you in the usual parking lot across from the campground.

EDIT:

Just got a call from out of town visitors, so I'm out, once again.

sams_pf

04-01-2007, 01:32 PM

Gordon, we're not gonna go today, he decided he'd rather stay at a friends, and I'm supposed to have ball practice at 230 too. If you want to try later in the afternoon and if you dont mind us tagging aong just give a shout.

LoOnaTik

04-04-2007, 08:09 PM

Bluegill

04-05-2007, 05:18 AM

Not sure, needs to be a trail with easy & moderate sections so I can feel the beast out - have hardly driven it on road, haven't been off road with it yet. :( Tom-boy has a big say in this, since she too will be getting a feel for the TJ - but how does Horse Creek sound? As of now, I am still off Friday but have to work Sat :cry:

LoOnaTik

04-05-2007, 09:44 AM

I have never been to any of these trails, they all sound good to me :lol:

Where is Horse Creek?

Tom-Boy

04-05-2007, 10:28 AM

Horse creek is just east of Greeneville. I have much more experience as a passenger at Horse Creek than I do Paint Creek. I think either would be fine for me 8-[ Just a little nervous - excited. From what I remember of Paint Creek there are bypasses to most everything difficult. When I went there was a stock truck with inexperienced driver, so I figure I could do it with Rudy without much worry. I know stock rigs do Horse Creek also, but as Sam_pf can tell you it has it's tricky spots (if the rain has been washing it out). :wink:

You guys decide and this gal will try to keep up. 8)

Gordon

04-05-2007, 10:43 AM

Darn, wish I didn't have to work Friday. I was thinking of doing Horse Creek on Saturday to shakedown my Heep.

Tom-Boy

04-05-2007, 10:55 AM

Wish you could join us Gordon.

Jeep07

04-05-2007, 11:09 AM

I would like to get out this weekend but I think I will be working on the heep trying to build a new front bumper.

sams_pf

04-05-2007, 01:42 PM

:roll: Yeah, that stupid hole. I hope that fixed it good when they fixed it. Well, that nerf bar was needing to come off anyway. I'd like to come, (elbow permitting. :oops: )

Bluegill

04-05-2007, 06:55 PM

Landon, we can meet at the Greeneville Wal-Mart parking lot next to the road (11E) then convoy to the trail from there. I have to pull ANOTHER 14hr shift tonight, plus clean out some spare parts & loose tools out of the FSJ, so an early morning start is out. How does 1pm at the Wal-Mart parking lot sound? Horse Creek takes about 3-4hrs to go all the way up & ride back down. Beautiful scenery too. :grin:

Bluegill

04-05-2007, 07:27 PM

Cool!
My new hubs will be delivered tmorrow afternoon too :grin:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130095033267&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fmotors.search.ebay.com%3A80%2F%3Ff rom%3DR40%26satitle%3D130095033267%26fvi%3D1

LoOnaTik

04-05-2007, 09:10 PM

Landon, we can meet at the Greeneville Wal-Mart parking lot next to the road (11E) then convoy to the trail from there.

Sounds good to me :grin:

Bluegill

04-06-2007, 01:23 AM

Anyone else :?:

Tom-Boy

04-06-2007, 10:45 AM

So...

Bluegill
tom-boy
LoOnaTik
sams_pf (?)

Any others?

tcoll56

04-06-2007, 12:28 PM

So you guys will be meeting at wal-mart parking lot at 1. If that is right I'm in.

Tom-Boy

04-06-2007, 12:47 PM

So you guys will be meeting at wal-mart parking lot at 1. If that is right I'm in.

That's the plan. We'll see you there.

Thumpszilla

04-07-2007, 01:38 AM

Well how did it go?

Dino1967

04-07-2007, 10:43 AM

i didnt go but i went and meet them before the ride and seen rob and julie after the ride at church fun night(kids) they had a great time and some breakage

Bluegill

04-07-2007, 11:33 AM

The ride went well, other than wimpy brakes & the carb occasionally loading up, the FSJ did great. Landon's F150 had problems though, believe it is stripped out lock-out hubs. Julie did great in the TJ. Here are a few pics:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/shepherdskeep/Chief/first%20shakedown/HPIM0864.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/shepherdskeep/Chief/first%20shakedown/HPIM0862.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/shepherdskeep/Chief/first%20shakedown/HPIM0863.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/shepherdskeep/Chief/first%20shakedown/HPIM0870.jpg

Did end up having a killer flex shot, but we didn't have a working camera with us :( I took Landon up to the dead end hill climb - found a tree blocking the off camber gulley so I tried to turn around. Wasn't successful at doing that, but it did show how much flex the Cherokee has :smokin:

The bad news? Landon's F150 needs front hubs, and the FSJ is on hold for Harlan and other 1+ hr trips away from home until the brakes are improved. They are adequate ON-road, but pathetic off-road. :(

Thumpszilla

04-07-2007, 11:50 AM

You need the waggy brakes like I have they will put you through the window. BTW the brakes its an fsj thang now you understand! :twisted:

Bluegill

04-07-2007, 11:58 AM

I still want a TJ booster & master cyl for it. But I believe the root of the problem is 2 fold - one, the T400 always pulls on the rig; more so in 4low. two, the whole brake system could use new pads, shoes, and bleeding. Backing down the ledges at the bluff, I had the pedal to the floor after pumping it a few times......the front tires locked up & were sliding, but the back tires never did stop turning.

Thumpszilla

04-07-2007, 12:01 PM

Yup like I said its an fsj thang the truck was the same way. I got good at put it in nuetral and hit brakes. all pre 1980 fsj are like that.

TiredIronGRB

04-07-2007, 12:45 PM

That thing would look good with a set of 35" Claws :wink:

Derrickalda

04-07-2007, 12:57 PM

rig looks real good

i see alot of those around....saw alot in Moab too

before i got my license i used to drive one like yours off road all the time

Bluegill

04-07-2007, 06:32 PM

That thing would look good with a set of 35" Claws :wink:

It sure will! :wink:

SamuraiGuyTN

04-07-2007, 06:50 PM

That thing would look good with a set of 35" Claws :wink:

It sure will! :wink:

Any donations :roll: :laughing2:

LoOnaTik

04-07-2007, 09:43 PM

Had fun even tho the Ford let me down a little. Didn't get many pics just a few.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q139/rangercole/Horse%20Creek%204-6-07/100_1201.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q139/rangercole/Horse%20Creek%204-6-07/100_1198.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q139/rangercole/Horse%20Creek%204-6-07/100_1194.jpg
It was basically dark when I took this pic!
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q139/rangercole/Horse%20Creek%204-6-07/100_1210.jpg

Bluegill

04-07-2007, 09:53 PM

That is one cool camera brother 8)

Anybody notice the stealthy CB antenna mount on the FSJ?

pplblazerdude

04-07-2007, 09:59 PM

That is one cool camera brother 8)

Anybody notice the stealthy CB antenna mount on the FSJ? I was wondering about that. Did you break it or something?

tcoll56

04-08-2007, 01:34 AM

Well I guess next time I should read the forum better because I thought you guys were going tommorrow.

LoOnaTik

04-08-2007, 01:45 AM

Well I guess next time I should read the forum better because I thought you guys were going tommorrow.

Sorry man, we waited on you for a while. Next time.

Bluegill

04-08-2007, 02:35 AM

That is one cool camera brother 8)

Anybody notice the stealthy CB antenna mount on the FSJ? I was wondering about that. Did you break it or something?

Nope, but that is exactly why I mounted it on the roof like that - to keep it from breaking, snagging trees, etc. It needed to be above the Jeep's horizontal plane, and technically it is (parallel to the roof). :wink: Look closely at the 3rd pic LoOnaTik posted. Once I get it wired up, have to borrow an SWR meter & tune it. Basically there was already a 3/4" hole there in the roof when I bought it, just figured I'd use that hole for the antenna mount :lol:

Tcoll, sorry you didn't make it - we waited over 30 minutes for you at Wal-Mart. Hope to join you on the next ride! :grin: