waggy401
05-29-2007, 05:36 PM
Let me start by saying I am an idiot - I left the camera at home. The first 'wheeling trip with the new engine, and I forget the camera. :banghead:
Anyway, the Mid Valley 4-Wheelers open the Star Lakes trail near Fresno Dome every year. The turn-off is just before the South entrance to Yosemite off Hwy 41. This year wasn't too difficult because there weren't any downed trees and minimal trash.
Several spots on the trail were right at the limit of what I can do with my 2.5" lift, 31" tires, and open diffs. Believe it or not, there was still snow up there. The biggest challenges are the narrow spots in between trees, often with accompanying sharp turns. There was one spot between trees with sharp rocks and a bit of a drop-off. One of the sharp rocks punched a hole through my passenger-side rocker panel as I dropped down. Doh!
On the way back is when I most wished I had my camera. Going back up at the place with the sharp rocks, I had the Waggy at full flex, with the right rear stuffed all the way up into the fender. It looked really cool. Unfortunately, without lockers all I got was wheel spin. With a little tug from a built CJ-8, I went up and over. No damage that time, except to my ego.
The next tough spot was also easy on the way in - a section of trail covered with snow. On the first try, I made it about a third of the way through the patch, but buried the axles. The guy lifted 80s Ranger behind me pulled me back, and I maneuvered to a spot where I could get a better running start. This time I made it about three quarters of the way, but was apparently stopped by a big slippery rock. Before I got stuck, the 360 was at full song, tires throwing snow a good 50 feet. It sounded beautiful. I was able to back down under my own power and gave it one more try. This time I missed the rock, sliding to the side a bit, and made it to dry ground on the other side.
A little further up the trail, there was another patch of snow but this one was on a 90 degree corner with trees on either side. On the first try it just wouldn't turn. So, I backed up and tried again, winding the 360 up. This time I caught some traction at the last second that whipped me around to where I was supposed to be, and made it through.
All in all it was a good trip. The only issue was some overheating, mostly caused by a failed thermostat housing gasket. That's fixed now. I still have to fix that hole in the rocker panel somehow. I can also say that the TBI made a HUGE difference in power in the higher elevations. Going from about 100 feet to 6500 was a breeze, and I felt no difference in power. Gas mileage? About 10. But then, it's not quite tuned yet and running rich. Should have a new chip this week.
Anyway, the Mid Valley 4-Wheelers open the Star Lakes trail near Fresno Dome every year. The turn-off is just before the South entrance to Yosemite off Hwy 41. This year wasn't too difficult because there weren't any downed trees and minimal trash.
Several spots on the trail were right at the limit of what I can do with my 2.5" lift, 31" tires, and open diffs. Believe it or not, there was still snow up there. The biggest challenges are the narrow spots in between trees, often with accompanying sharp turns. There was one spot between trees with sharp rocks and a bit of a drop-off. One of the sharp rocks punched a hole through my passenger-side rocker panel as I dropped down. Doh!
On the way back is when I most wished I had my camera. Going back up at the place with the sharp rocks, I had the Waggy at full flex, with the right rear stuffed all the way up into the fender. It looked really cool. Unfortunately, without lockers all I got was wheel spin. With a little tug from a built CJ-8, I went up and over. No damage that time, except to my ego.
The next tough spot was also easy on the way in - a section of trail covered with snow. On the first try, I made it about a third of the way through the patch, but buried the axles. The guy lifted 80s Ranger behind me pulled me back, and I maneuvered to a spot where I could get a better running start. This time I made it about three quarters of the way, but was apparently stopped by a big slippery rock. Before I got stuck, the 360 was at full song, tires throwing snow a good 50 feet. It sounded beautiful. I was able to back down under my own power and gave it one more try. This time I missed the rock, sliding to the side a bit, and made it to dry ground on the other side.
A little further up the trail, there was another patch of snow but this one was on a 90 degree corner with trees on either side. On the first try it just wouldn't turn. So, I backed up and tried again, winding the 360 up. This time I caught some traction at the last second that whipped me around to where I was supposed to be, and made it through.
All in all it was a good trip. The only issue was some overheating, mostly caused by a failed thermostat housing gasket. That's fixed now. I still have to fix that hole in the rocker panel somehow. I can also say that the TBI made a HUGE difference in power in the higher elevations. Going from about 100 feet to 6500 was a breeze, and I felt no difference in power. Gas mileage? About 10. But then, it's not quite tuned yet and running rich. Should have a new chip this week.