Let's talk snow runs...

[J4intheGorge]

Just went on a snow run new years day with a group (30 rigs). I wanted to take my J-truck but chickened out with my 33" tires and open diffs. Most of these guys were running 37"-39" tires, a couple with 44" and one guy had 49" tires. Almost all had locked diffs.

The run was a blast. Got a couple pics on my camera phone but can't seem to get it transferred. Snow was about three feet and we blazed a trail for about 15 miles up, cutting downed trees with a chainsaw. Couple guys crossed a fast moving creek that was bumper high with 39" tires.

The reason for my post, I'd like to see/hear some snow run stories to make me feel more confident taking my big full size J4000 with 33" tires and open diffs out. They're going again in a week or two and I want to go but there's this unspoken "if you get stuck you suck" rule and I don't want to be pulled out by wranglers and yotas.

Tell me about your snow runs (the deep stuff) with our rigs so I'll force myself to follow these guys up the mountain next time. Are you successful with 33" tires aired down to about 10psi and open diffs? Pics would be awesome. I really want to be the guy with the only FSJ at the top of the hill with all those rice-burners.

[fulsizjeep]

Snow can be tricky IMO. It can be fun too. :cool: Sometimes you just can't help getting stuck. I especially don't like to tread far in snow on the side of a mountain. I learned a lesson a few years ago when I slid off the trail to Yankee Boy Basin when there was still a lot of snow on the San Juan Mtn trails in June. I came close to oblivian while Krista watched me tear up the side of the mountain in reverse.

I had a blast bashing snow in our back yard last January. Got my GW stuck for a week and we used a 3000 lb come along and a hilift jack to get it out just before the next blizzard.

http://frontier.net/~mystkblu/08snow/hungup1.jpg

If you wheel with people who think you suck when you get stuck, maybe you need new wheeling friends.

[Chevelleguy]

You need at least a rear locker.

[J4intheGorge]

If you wheel with people who think you suck when you get stuck, maybe you need new wheeling friends.

Well, like I said, it's unspoken...On a big run no one wants to be the guy holding people up but everyone is pretty cool about it. Sort of like no one wants to be the guy kneeling over a garbage can at a kegger. Most people are cool about it but in the back of their mind, they're glad it's not them.

Great pic! Another reason to wheel with friends.

[fulsizjeep]

okay, I hear ya.

Ryan came over the next weekend (he's in the pic) after I stuck it and we could not get his Cherokee up there to get a line on it. Now we have a winch on Krista's wheelin Waggy. :thumbsup:

[J4intheGorge]

You need at least a rear locker.

Or maybe a Lincoln Locker? (i.e. welded rear..that's the plan...very soon.)

[Stumblinman]

right now I'm running in snow with 31" tires and front locker.

If you're running with a bunch of guys all w/larger tires the trick is to be second/third in line. That way the first guy knocks the snow down but you don't have huge ruts in front of you to slide in and sit your frame down on the path. :D

Just remember the skinny pedal is your friend. :drivin:

Then again instead of worrying about some guy who built a better rig ask them questions and check out how theirs is built for ideas on your rig. That's one of the main reasons for my finding this site in the first place. I ran my rig, found out what I could and couldn't do and looked for more information on it to make it better.

[J4intheGorge]

It's my opinion they don't have better rigs. They have money for tires (the 49's were $850 each), lockers, dual transfer cases, etc. I know what they're all running but I'm looking for input from some FSJ guys who don't have all that jazz and still get 'er done. And I like snow wheelin' pics.:thumbsup:

[68glad]

I don't have pics but i'd say ride w/ a bud if the snow has been rained on. Wet snow is terrible & you will prob. be stuck in only a few inches of it. The diffs will be dragging way before everyone elses. Are you coming out the way you go in? Mabey go as far as you can then park it & jump in with someone. If it is fresh or powerdy.....go for it.:drivin:

[J4intheGorge]

Are you coming out the way you go in?

Yeah, I can always park it if I can't keep going. A few guys did that on the run. After being pulled out a number of times they knew they needed to either turn around or ditch it. If I can find time to weld up my rearend by the next trip up, I'll be in good shape. It's been raining here a lot so it's real wet. Still should be fun though. I post some pics.

[waynestiles]

"It's been raining here a lot so it's real wet" I got a brother up in the Everett/Arlington area. Talked to him last night. he said you could waterski down the Mts up that way. When the temps drop that'll all be solid ice. no more wheel'n in powder up there for a while

welcome to "global weirding" as I heard it called on one of the science shows on satellite radio

[Ziptie]

If you do not get stuck you suck! If you are pushing your rig you will be getting stuck. I try to get stuck on every trip:)
4" lift, 3.07's open, 35's
almost stuck....
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn138/Ziptie3/72%20Wag/snowdec08024.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn138/Ziptie3/72%20Wag/snowdec08021.jpg

Stuck, and yes I had a TJ pull me out.
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn138/Ziptie3/72%20Wag/snowdec08028.jpg

Same TJ just before a nice flop (I pulled him out on that) ;)
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn138/Ziptie3/ad141bfa.jpg

[J4intheGorge]

Okay, here's the few pics that turned out on the run. I know they're not FSJ but it was fun.

I'll get some better ones on the next trip.

[thunderpuppy]

snow days = fun
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll64/thunderpuppy1983/PC270043.jpg

[incommando]

Snow wheelin' is fun, for sure.

[JeepStew]

Snow wheelin' is fun, for sure.


maybe so. but if on an unfamiliar trail.....watch for what lays beneath

[fulsizjeep]

2001, first winter in Colorado...
Took my GW out to play in the snow in the back yard where we were on 20 acres.
http://www.frontier.net/%7Emystkblu/gotsnow.jpg

Jan 2005, a few days after a foot of snow, 2 days of rain, then a few more inches of snow and a hard freeze. This was the slush bowl out back.
http://www.frontier.net/%7Emystkblu/05snow1/playtime2.jpg

Last January the day before I got stuck on the hill out back here. 10 megs...
http://www.frontier.net/~mystkblu/08snow/snow_romp_08.wmv (http://www.frontier.net/%7Emystkblu/08snow/snow_romp_08.wmv)


I see the snow the Northwestern folks is deep stuff, so I am not saying this is hard core.

Found the picture of attempted recovery. Sun Dog could no better get on the shelf road and fell defeat to ice and gravity...
http://www.frontier.net/%7Emystkblu/08snow/sundogatit.jpg


AYE, BONZI! :thumbsup:
http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=10233&d=1231552759

[stumpjumper3]

Snow wheelin' is fun, for sure.

X2, i dont think i've ever had more fun playing in anything else than i have in the snow, best part about it i think, no clean up after:thumbsup:

[dajeeps]

ok i'm currious.where did you guys go and how deep was it?

[J4intheGorge]

ok i'm currious.where did you guys go

Went out behind Carson, WA. If you keep going it takes you to Old Man Pass and then on to Vancouver or Mt. St Helens...or anywhere really.

and how deep was it?

Three feet easy. The pics I posted was about the half-way point.

Snow is awesome...No clean up, harder to brake stuff and it takes some real doin' to roll a rig in it.

[dajeeps]

yeh the wind river hwy is preety in the summer time.dang you guys got preety far up their .suprised you went that far,almost to cougar.wow sounds like alot of fun.
i would have chickened out too, you would have probibly pushing snow.did it one year up past willard.didn't even make it to big ceaders campground.

[J4intheGorge]

I feel a NW FSJ run on the horizon:fsj: . I know there's a lot of Portland/Vancouver members here that would be all for it.

[81j10honcho]

snow days = fun
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll64/thunderpuppy1983/PC270043.jpg thats a perty jeep

[thunderpuppy]

aaaahhhhh shucks.:o
some day i will decide what color to paint it, but for now......palimino primer all the way !
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll64/thunderpuppy1983/PC270040.jpg

[AlsChopShop]

i'll run with you. come out to TSF, its fun in the snow. i ran my XJ (33's open) on some fresh white stuff. good times.

Al

[dajeeps]

i'll run with you when the the truck is done.