harlan april fools ride 4/5-4/7

[twiztedzuki]

cant wait do sum good riding! any1else goin?:beers:

[Runoveru2]

Sounds good to me, better get my junk back together, everytime I go to fix something I find something else that's missing, bent, or broke. Harlan is very unforgiving on rigs.

[twiztedzuki]

i know!! last april fools i broke a th350 in half on creampuff!!!

[frankensteinxj]

Hopefully ill be able to make it.
Still haven't been.

[93 Krawler]

I'm in for this trip. Anyone else going?

[twiztedzuki]

i forgot change the dates but, yeah bout 10 rigs with us

[Coppertop]

I'm a maybe at this point.

Nick

[beer_goggles_009]

I will try to make this ride.

Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk 2

[93 Krawler]

I will try to make this ride.

Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk 2

Sweet. That would make 4 in our group.

Sent from my Radar 4G using Board Express

[Jonesy]

Which date is correct? I'd like to make it down as well depending on my job situation. Haven't been to Harlan in about 5 years.

[93 Krawler]

Which date is correct? I'd like to make it down as well depending on my job situation. Haven't been to Harlan in about 5 years.

It's 4/5-4/7



Sent from my Radar 4G using Board Express

[monkeystrong]

Jesse and I are in. Totally excited to go on this run!:beers:

[93 Krawler]

Jesse and I are in. Totally excited to go on this run!:beers:

Sweet! Harlan is always a good time. We plan on staying at one of the camp grounds.

Does anyone know if this event is usually crowded? I might reserve me an RV spot if so.

[WrenchMonkey]

I might reserve me an RV spot if so.

I'm gonna plan on going.

I've never been, do we need to reserve spots?

Robert

[race10]

We went down over the weekend. I took the teryx and broke a rear axle on under estimated. And had plenty of other carnage as well. 6534

[twiztedzuki]

it aint near as crowded as fall crawl, if it were me it reserve spots at south evarts to camp or rv, to me it best camp/ rv spot. free firewood and clean shower/restroom facility. i went rush over weekend, broke rhino axle, hour after got there also.

[beer_goggles_009]

Borrowed some wheels and tires from a friend. I'm in 100%. Just have to finish up the jeep up now.

jim

[93 Krawler]

I'm gonna plan on going.

I've never been, do we need to reserve spots?

Robert

Sweet! Harlan is like crack... Once you've been there, you want more & more...
If you want electric hook up, then reserve one, otherwise, there should be plenty of camping. I need a 50amp plug in for my new tow rig, so I reserved one. We usually stay at the north park, but it is first come, first serve. You can reserve at the south park and transfer it to the north park if there is room.

We went down over the weekend. I took the teryx and broke a rear axle on under estimated. And had plenty of other carnage as well. 6534

Dayum!!

Borrowed some wheels and tires from a friend. I'm in 100%. Just have to finish up the jeep up now.

jim

Cool... Get er done... Now we wait and see if Nick and Jimmy are going.

[Coppertop]

Now we wait and see if Nick and Jimmy are going.

If everything goes as planned,I'm in.......But,I'm getting close to a job change.So,most likely it's gonna be a last minute decision.

Nick

[monkeystrong]

Looks like Jesse and I are not going to be able to make it. My wife got into an accident the other night and pretty much destroyed my truck. Thankfully everyone is ok but no tow rig until the insurance figures out what they are going to do. :mad:

[twiztedzuki]

man thats aweful! least everyone ok!

[WrenchMonkey]

Man, sorry to hear that! Glad she's good!

So if I'm going to be the only one on 35s (actually, a lot closer to 33s!), am I gonna hold everybody else up? I really don't wanna be "that guy."

Maybe I'll wait n see what Nick does...

[itbrokeagain]

Looks like Jesse and I are not going to be able to make it. My wife got into an accident the other night and pretty much destroyed my truck. Thankfully everyone is ok but no tow rig until the insurance figures out what they are going to do. :mad:

I think its time to build a truggy

[93 Krawler]

Looks like Jesse and I are not going to be able to make it. My wife got into an accident the other night and pretty much destroyed my truck. Thankfully everyone is ok but no tow rig until the insurance figures out what they are going to do. :mad:

Glad everyone is ok. There's always the next trip.

So if I'm going to be the only one on 35s (actually, a lot closer to 33s!), am I gonna hold everybody else up? I really don't wanna be "that guy."

Maybe I'll wait n see what Nick does...

You'll be fine. You can bypass the stuff that you feel you can't do. I'd feel a lot better knowing there was more than just me and Jim going. It might take 2 rigs to get me back to camp if something happened. If you're able to go, I know you'll have a blast.

[LP78CJ]

Man, sorry to hear that! Glad she's good!

So if I'm going to be the only one on 35s (actually, a lot closer to 33s!), am I gonna hold everybody else up? I really don't wanna be "that guy."

Maybe I'll wait n see what Nick does...

if im able to get a tow or transmission by then, ill be on 31's givin it pure hell, so dont worry.lol :thumbup:

[twiztedzuki]

i wanna see u drop it in damnation with 31s! the way in gettin worse than climbin out! if you want i hook a 20ft strap to you and pull you

[LP78CJ]

rather you be behind with a strap so it dont flip forward! lol

[monkeystrong]

Insurance totaled my truck. So... Does anyone have an open seat? I'd still love to go and see Harlan. I'm a pretty good spotter and I promise to stay mostly sober ;)
I think Jesse would probably love to go as a rider if possible too.

[twiztedzuki]

nobody wants a sober spotter! lol i cant hear yee anyways

[monkeystrong]

Ok fully sober, but easily distracted.. :beers:

[WrenchMonkey]

I'll have one comfortable seat and one miserable one...

Or, I'll do you one better: If we can come up with a two-spot bumper pull, my pooper-doodie would handle both rigs...

Just a thought!

Robert

[93 Krawler]

I already have a passenger. Jim should have a seat, and if Nick goes, him as well. Either way, you guys should be good to go. Hopefully someone with a 2 car trailer will let you use it. :thumbup:

[beer_goggles_009]

Sorry, I don't have an open seat, one of my buddies is coming along. If that changes I will let you know.

jim

[beer_goggles_009]

http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae177/bsch_jm/2013-03-16135525_zps40d8ecbe.jpg

Drove it around the block today. A few more things and its ready to for Harlan.

[twiztedzuki]

them stickies!? lol

[gothodgie]

looks good...
:thumbup:

[Coppertop]

[IMG]

Drove it around the block today. A few more things and its ready to for Harlan.

Looks like you did an axle swap,without the appropriate wheels and tires.:D

What size tire are you puttin on that beast?

Nick

[93 Krawler]

Pretty sure he said 40's. I can't wait to see what it can do now. It did good before. Harlan is a good place to break it in. :thumbup:
3 more weeks... Sure hope it warms up before then.

[twiztedzuki]

callin for mid upper 60's so far, but that'll change countless times b4 then

[beer_goggles_009]

Looks like you did an axle swap,without the appropriate wheels and tires.:D

What size tire are you puttin on that beast?

Nick


Nick, I'm going to be running 40's. I have loaners for this trip, since I'm not sure my wheels and tires will be delivered in time.

jim

[Coppertop]

Nice!! 40's should work....Can't wait to see it in action.

Nick

[93 Krawler]

Can't wait to see it in action.

Nick

Hope you're there to see it in action... :thumbup:

[Coppertop]

I'm sad to say:I'm not going to make this...:( I start my new job april 1st.No foolin'.Should be no problem remembering my anniversary date.:D

Hope you all have a good time.:beers:
Nick

[93 Krawler]

I'm sad to say:I'm not going to make this...:( I start my new job april 1st.No foolin'.Should be no problem remembering my anniversary date.:D

Hope you all have a good time.:beers:
Nick

Bummer, but :thumbup: for a new job. I started my job on April 4th, 1994...

[93 Krawler]

Well, we're in the home stretch. So who all is still going?

I plan on leaving Thursday evening. I will be at the North park unless it's full, then I'll be at the South park in spot #5.

[WrenchMonkey]

I am, but Friday was already pushing it. I don't know about Thursday...

Robert

[twiztedzuki]

we headed out 1st thing thursday morning! so far weather gonna b great

[beer_goggles_009]

Its not looking for me to make this trip. The loaner wheels won't clear the front brake calipers.

Maybe I'll get lucky and my wheels will show up this week.

jim

[twiztedzuki]

grind calipers for 15" wheels to fit, so u can do sum wheelin

[fordman00]

What kind of rims do you need? I have two sets

Sent from my DROID RAZR

[93 Krawler]

Its not looking for me to make this trip. The loaner wheels won't clear the front brake calipers.

Maybe I'll get lucky and my wheels will show up this week.

jim

I had to grind all four of mine to clear 15" rims. Chevy calipers are easy to grind. A spacer would work too. I hope you figure something out. I probably won't go if you don't. :( I'm a little leery about wheeling in Harlan with only two rigs.

[93 Krawler]

I could probably get 2 - 39.5's from ToolMan as long as you replace them if they get damaged. He runs 17" rims. Or use his 2" spacers off the rear of his rig.

[WrenchMonkey]

...only two rigs.

I've offered my Ford to Jesse and Andy, so they might be back in, I hope. Don't know if we'll be much help with a serious recovery, but its something...

[93 Krawler]

I've offered my Ford to Jesse and Andy, so they might be back in, I hope. Don't know if we'll be much help with a serious recovery, but its something...

That would be cool. Jim is going one way or another. :thumbup: Tim only lives a few blocks away from me. I can throw his tires in my van and bring them to the meeting Monday. Gotta let me know.

[93 Krawler]

I'm loaded and ready to go. Anyone have Jim's number? I need to get a hold of him. Tim said he could use his tires or spacers.
6560

[twiztedzuki]

damn, i aint loaded yet, probly wednsday. that badass setup!

[93 Krawler]

damn, i aint loaded yet, probly wednsday. that badass setup!

Figured I'd load everything up Saturday when it was nice out. First time not using my DD to haul everything. Sure hope this thing tows good.

[WrenchMonkey]

30% chance of rain Friday, but good from there out, and 58, 66, and 70 friggin degrees! :thumbup:

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/Harlan+KY+USKY0979:1:US

[Drivermod]

Wish I could make this one. Planning to head down the last weekend in April. Have fun.:beers:

[93 Krawler]

30% chance of rain Friday, but good from there out, and 58, 66, and 70 friggin degrees! :thumbup:

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/Harlan+KY+USKY0979:1:US

Hope it stays like that. :thumbup:

[twiztedzuki]

yeah i think weather gonna b great, thursday nite shower or 2 then sun for fri and sat! gonna tear creampuff up untill it tears me up!

[93 Krawler]

yeah i think weather gonna b great, thursday nite shower or 2 then sun for fri and sat! gonna tear creampuff up untill it tears me up!

Get some video. :thumbup:

[twiztedzuki]

yes sir! loaded up headed out early morning. cant wait!!

[WrenchMonkey]

30% chance of rain Friday, but good from there out, and 58, 66, and 70 friggin degrees! :thumbup:

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/Harlan+KY+USKY0979:1:US

Hope it stays like that. :thumbup:

Even better! Rain down to 20%, temps up to 60, 68, and 71!

[93 Krawler]

Even better! Rain down to 20%, temps up to 60, 68, and 71!

:clapping:

[WrenchMonkey]

Wow, what a weekend...

[93 Krawler]

Wow, what a weekend...

:party:

[93 Krawler]

I cracked a steering knuckle this weekend, so I guess it's time to upgrade the stock knuckles. Ive seen Reid and Dedenbear knuckles, but haven't seen these before. They are priced good. http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-11719-d60-king-pin-knuckles-pair-.html?gclid=CJD9qKTBubYCFfJQOgodZzYA0A
Anyone got a the scoop on these?

[Redriverranger]

Judging by the ridges, those look like Solid Axle industries knuckles, which is what I run. They are very beefy compared to stock knuckles. The key on top is great, to keep from shearing high steer arm bolts off. I sheared a bunch of high steer arm bolts off, cracked both knuckles and plated them back, and then bought Solid knuckles and key'ed my high steer arms for them. The orange paint is deceiving, makes them look like dedenbaer/reid racing. Mine came un-painted, but I bought them direct from Solid axle industries in Ohio.

[WrenchMonkey]

Yep, fantastic trip! Great group, great weather, great wheeling!

Friday I walked right up Lower Profanity, Saturday I conquered Killing Time.
Sunday, I changed the tires and swept up some of the broken glass from Mason Jar, and Monday I drove it back to work!

I couldn't ask for a better dual-purpose rig! :D

[beer_goggles_009]

Trip report:

After meeting up at the campground our group of three rigs went out to hit the trails. There were several groups at the trails but I wouldn't call it crowded. we started off by running railbed then fishfossil before heading to lower profanity where Kevin and I hammered on our rigs trying to get over the first rock ledge while Robert squeezed by and made it look easy. Next we went to grapevine, which was a sloppy mess, so we did our best Tim Cameron impressions sliding around in the mud trying to bounce over the rocks. Then we got our first Carnage of the day, my pants, which blew out climbing into the now taller jeep. I need a step ladder or something! Next we headed over Roberts Hatch and rear window were claimed when he backed into a tree. A few minutes later a bolt in my steering shaft found my lower radiator hose and split it wide open. On the way back from camp a steering line worked loose and sprayed PS fluid everywhere. And our friday of wheel was done.

Saturday we started off playing on the slab wall near where the main trail. We proceeded to run lower damnation and trouble. While inspecting our rigs after lunch we found a crack in Kevin's DS knuckle. So we did some trail riding and ran Tombstone on our way to see if there was any action in Lion Den. A few first timers thought the squeeze didn't look that narrow. Then they saw a toyota go though and changed their minds :) the next rig through broke so we headed back to camp to fix Kevin's knuckle.

After the fix we headed up lower rock garden and through killing time. That trail has changed quite a bit, it much harder than it was last year. We then went to valvestem where Kevin and I both were denied. This is where it got interesting. Leaving valvestem, I ran out of gas and come to a stop nose down in a big dip in the road. As its getting dark Robert ran back to camp to pick up some gas. We pour about 3 gallons in and still nothing, the 3 gallons was not enough to fill the cell up to the pickup tube. We pulled my rig forwards and backwards a few times to get it onto more level ground and start to pull apart my fuel system. It seems that the pump also died. Kevin has a spare inline pump in his rig so we stick it in my rig but jeep wont even hold an idle and I can't steer without the engine running. So we start to pull it down the mountain while I bump the starter to steer, until my battery goes dead. I have a spare pump in my tow rig, so Kevin and I go down the mountain to get some more gas and my spare pump. On the way back to the trailhead, we smell something burning just before entering the park we find out what it was, the serpentine belt breaks in half. One of his Idler pulley has locked up. So we change the belt loosen the bolt in the pulley to let it spin a little bit and limp it back to camp. All the while my rig and Roberts rig are up on the mountain. So we get get the parts and wheel my tow rig up the mountain to go fix my rig. The pump is changed in a few minutes and we go to hook up jumper cables and get my rig back to camp just before midnight.

It certainly was an adventure.

For a shakedown run in my rig I would call it a success. I had a few issues that need to be addressed, Mainly fix my crappy steering. And build some storage to carry some spare parts. Hope all you web wheelers can come along next time.

A few pics I took during the trip:

Me on Grapevine
http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae177/bsch_jm/2013-04-05122931_zps80d1faa3.jpg

Kevin on Trouble:
http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae177/bsch_jm/2013-04-06124910_zpsc1aad22c.jpg
http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae177/bsch_jm/2013-04-06125023_zps7661473c.jpg

And the the friend we made at camp:
http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae177/bsch_jm/2013-04-07081708_zps8763ad0b.jpg
There were 4 of these puppies running around the camp.


Jim

[LP78CJ]

i didnt get to take my new sami and beat on it. i did ride shotgun though and your right about the trails changing :eek:. amazing how much harder killin time and grapevine have become since fall crawl. had a great time though :beers:

[twiztedzuki]

yee want any ohio clear, 3rd jar from run, couple fites and cryin drunks in that jar! lmao

[LP78CJ]

yee want any ohio clear, 3rd jar from run, couple fites and cryin drunks in that jar! lmao

Just a horn off of it. Haha

[Redriverranger]

yee want any ohio clear, 3rd jar from run, couple fites and cryin drunks in that jar! lmao

So, did you get Creampuff, or Lil jagger?

[twiztedzuki]

hit creampuff friday and was slicker minners peter! frontend bout passed the ass up sliding backwards down it! never got around to lil jagger, had quite few broke sat, we had try get off mountain. fun time though casey, everything was sloppy and no traction due to water running down everything

[93 Krawler]

Judging by the ridges, those look like Solid Axle industries knuckles, which is what I run. They are very beefy compared to stock knuckles. The key on top is great, to keep from shearing high steer arm bolts off. I sheared a bunch of high steer arm bolts off, cracked both knuckles and plated them back, and then bought Solid knuckles and key'ed my high steer arms for them. The orange paint is deceiving, makes them look like dedenbaer/reid racing. Mine came un-painted, but I bought them direct from Solid axle industries in Ohio.

You're right, I looked at Solids site. I think I will give them a try. Thanks for the info.