Forcast: MUD (little long)

[stumpjumper3]

Well at school today a kid i lift with pulls me and my buddy aside and says he has some good news.....go on. He and his dad are getting ready to develop 5 acres of land next to their house, his dad was looking at it and apparently offered to let him use his skidsteer to remove the grass and then proceed to build a mud bog run. Just outa the blue like that. He even offered to have his buddy come with his water truck to make sure it stays wet and we get to use the skidsteer and tractor to pull us out if we dont make it. I have been itchin to finally take my rig out and then this falls in my lap, its at the end of this month and he is on the outskirts of town 5 min. away. I just cant believe this happened and was wondering if there are any precautions i might take.

[mattmopar440]

Daily driver if so i would becareful
grease everything before you go and after your done
other than that good luck muddin :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :cool: :D :fsj:

[Dmntxn77]

Repack your bearings and change your diff fluid every time you go out there.. Also, check your transfer case fluid often, and never drive home until you are sure that there is no water in your tranny (foamy fluid).

Additionally, to help avoid problems, make sure that your vent lines for your axles, tranny, and transfer case are all in good condtion, and extended to as safe of a spot as possible.

AND, if you guys go out after a good rain, be careful to not splash with too much force... Water in the intake is a BAD thing. You might as well try to do as much waterproofing under the hood as possible just in case..

[tinnmann31]

Is his place going to be insured?

[stumpjumper3]

thanks for the tips and info as far as the tranny goes, do i just look at the dipstick or is there another way to help me spot it easier.
how can i best water proof under the hood and what about insurance, on the property or people

[tinnmann31]

I would find out if he will have it and if so, that it would be enough to cover any injuries or post medical expense. I would guess $500,000 to a million. A person may not recieve that much in injuries, but if it happens to turn into a long term care expense thats where you want to play it safe.

[krek]

Water in the intake is a BAD thing.
Very true...:eek:

http://www.eggboyracing.com/gallery2/main.php/d/4730-2/DSC03664.jpg

[goldhammer]

ODOT and Linn and Lane counties frown on mud being tracked out on the pavement-makes a slick spot for folks on the highway and they will come down on the property owner big time. Have a place to wash the rig off before hitting the pavement.

[jeeping1974]

you might have to shop around, but the rubber sheets that come under some of the older vehicles (people with YJS and older XJS will know what i'm talking about here) are a great way to keep mud and water out of your engine bay. just fine a place the sells sheets of rubber then cut the sheets into the sizes that you need to cover your inner fender well to frame openings and under the motor from the front crossmember to about the oil pan of a little further back. that will help out a lot. just make sure it fits nice and tight up agianst everything.

[stumpjumper3]

thanks for the idea witht he plastic sheets, i think i'll look into that. Good idea with the ODOT deal, i really dont want to get into, or get anybody else for that matter, in trouble, and still, as far as the tranny goes, whats the easiest way to see if water contaminated it, also, have any of you guys ever heard of the blue tarp across the front of the vehicle to prevent too much mud or water from coming in.
thanks

[Dirtball]

Just remember... mud + oil and grease = a super abrasive mixture that will quickly wear out whatever it gets into. If this is your daily driver go to a power washer and get it as clean as possible as soon as possible. I get so tickled at people I see who drive around for days and days with mud on and in their vehicles. It's not a good mixture... I'd stay out of it if I didn't have to drive through it.

My two cents...

[Dmntxn77]

Your tranny fluid will foam up when water gets in it. Eitherway, if you spend a lot of time in the mud, you should add fluid changes to regular maintence, and filter change about every other time.. That sounds like a lot, but you have to pay to play.

You can put a tarp (or whatever) across the front if you want to keep from getting your radiator FULL of mud. The problem with that is still having enough air to cool the engine. If you try it, make it so that you can pull it off easy, and watch your temp guage CLOSELY..

[stumpjumper3]

this will actually be my first time that i have ever taken it out in the mud or anything for that matter. it hasnt seen mud in its life and i dont plan on thrashing it or making it a common thing, imuch prefer the snow, but i dont want to miss an oportunity to get a little dirty and se what the ol gal has got. i will take all your advice to heart and make surethat she gets cleaned and ill check and replace the fluids as necessary and take her easy, i dont want to break my daily driver thanks again

[AlsChopShop]

make sure your wheel bearings are packed full of grease so water doesn't get in.

mudding is fun, but clean up is a b*tch.

Al

[Dmntxn77]

.......i dont plan on thrashing it or making it a common thing.....


Get back with me on that after your first run...


Mud is messy, and causes a lot of prep and cleanup, but man it is FUN.. You will see.. Its like crack! Just one more run.. Just one more run... :thumbsup: