post op on 17th

Good run today. Paul and his daughter Mary met up with Mark and his boys at Tom's around 6. Paul was early but Mark was earlier so since it was just them they headed up to RC. My daughter and I went straight to RC and whiler we were airing down met up with Veronica and Patty. We headed toward the pole lines where we played a bit - sort of nail biting time for me since I had my daughter drive up and down the hilly part and through the puddle.

We then wandered through the greens and blues on the west and east sides. A few interesting parts of teh trail - 10 I think it was was blocked but a bunch of felled trees and another had a jeep by the frog hole (I think). Seems someone underestimated the power of the puddle!

We wrapped things up around 3:30 so we could load up then air up in the light. Cold in the morning but by afternoon had the windows open. Now Paul - well, Bikini top only, no doors.

Oh wait I forgot something - as we were headed back someone suggested heading up the hill coming out of the old staging area. We said you havent had any bad ideas yet lets give it a try.

when i figure how to upload them since they are too big for youtube you will see how off camber SomeOne was! Very close to roll over!

Had a great time Veronica and Patty did a great job of trail guide. all the water holes we much deeper than expected. the dry hole out side of trail 8 had two feet of water in it. Did not break anything the only way to wheel.

No pictures of Paul stuck in a water hole????


Gill, How did the Cherokee do?

cherokee did well - found out 3 things. Oil leak somewhere that has random drops under the front end - I assume valve cover gasket, but only leaks when its been running a long time; if the battery gets disconnected the anti theft is engaged - and you cant start the car until you reset the alarm and it only took 15 minutes to figure that out!; front coils weak/old - need replacement, rubs and front end dips down onto tires. old lift so just need a stiffer coil, maybe rear springs - they seemed to be flat rather than bowed most of the time. But all in all not real worried.

It was a great maiden voyage. Nothing too hard but plenty of mud and a few smaller rocks. I almost relaxed when the daughter drove! And when she cut the tree too close it only rubbed the door handle. (did get me dreaming of an exo-cage, how do you tie that to the frame!)

you cant tie it to the frame because zjs and xjs don't have them. You have to run it off points conected to the unibody which can be a real pain in the ass.

md4wheelin wrote:

you cant tie it to the frame because zjs and xjs don't have them. You have to run it off points conected to the unibody which can be a real pain in the ass.

YA thats what I figured. As I said its a dream, I'm a lousy passenger when it comes to family driving - bad enough if I do something to the car myself, but someone else.... Bah, thats what I got the cherokee for

Hey Gill keep a eye out for lift springs for XJ's on craigslist and the local boards. Normally you can get the for cheap and they are a easy install. That and if the lift is settled that much you might be able to get by with Add a leaf's in the rear and coil spacers in the front. But that will Call for a sye kit and a CV drive shaft.

We had an awsome day!! Gil, Paul, Mark and the offspring were
a fun group to be in. We traveled all the greens and I think maybe a few blues on the east and west properties. Paul was always kind enough to offer us all a chance to play in the water holes he thought we would enjoy , but for some reason he didn't want to come and play too . And I'm sure SomeOne can't thank everyone enough for keeping SomeOne from a potential roll over

Might I say a good job a leading once agin, Veronica & Patty. My Boy's and I had a great time, maybe next time they will pack a lunch. Being only the second time out with the K5 I'm pleased with it, looking forward to doing a snow run. Till we meet again.

Mark

Veronica, I been hearing all good things about you leading groups on trails. That allows me to say "Welcome to the trail guides" Keep up that spirit of brotherhood, it's our unique brand.