I made the ZJ/WJ proud this weekend(long)

[Howler]

There is a local club I joined over the winter and we had a first trail run this Saturday. We'll let me start by saying that the club is mostly CJ's, YJ's and TJ's. There is only one ZJ(me) and there is an XJ that is it. Anyway we met up at a store and when I pulled up there one TJ and 3 YJ's. One of the founders of this club(jeepking2) by thinks that the Grands is more of a grocery getter then an offroad vehicle. Him and I were the only stock vehicle and we both stayed connected. We then left for the first trail where I was second in line following a YJ with 4 inches of lift with 33's. Well we headed down the first trail and it was pretty simple. Just a lot of mud hole and one log that left me the perfect opportunity to place my mark on the YJ behind me :D(Jeepking2). We then shortly arrived at the river crossing. My first big challenge. The bank is about a 50 degree drop and when you first go in it is very deep then becomes shallow in the middle and the bottom changes to silt on the opposite side. About 20-30' wide. Oh by the way did I mention this was also the first real time I have been offroading:). The first person to cross was the 4" YJ. I watch him go in as I was next. As I watched he slid into the water. Oh @#$% I thought as he went in pretty deep. Then he leveled out and came across the other side with no problems. Up next ME! I decided to take bit of a different line so that I wouldn't slide in like the YJ. I pulled up and down I went. Slowly crossed the river and came out the other side surprised as he!!. The first guy just said "That was fantastic. Didn't think you would make it." To be honest I did not think I would either. Then the rest cam across. All did really good. Now the leader says "Let's head back the same way." Great I'm thinking now I will stall out for sure. Everyone thought the grand would get stuck on the mud incline and have to be pulled out. Well when my turn came I crawled up the incline with no problem. Once all were across Jeepking2 (the guy how didn't think grands are real) came up to me and said "Awesome. I have gained a little more respect for the grand". I think that was the highlight of the day form me. Anyway after that we headed to another trail and I think I will stop there as that is where I got high centered and had to be tugged out.:D. Thanks for letting me share. There were pics and video taken of the river crossing. When I get them I will post for sure.
Howler

[TOOLman]

Thanks for posting the story, I really enjoyed reading about it. Too bad you stopped when you came to the fun part ;)

I've only done some very light off-roading, due to the lack of wheelin' buddies (yeah, I'm chicken), but I've been impressed by what even a stock ZJ can do. I've been looking at a trail I pass on my way to work, but it looks a bit frightening to run w/o a spotter at least. Besides, while my ZJ is running as badly as it is, I don't want to risk stalling it somewhere off-road.

I'm looking forward to the pics.

[Howler]

Here is the link to the pics.
http://www3.sympatico.ca/jtoogood/May26.html
I am the only ZJ there.

[TOOLman]

That river crossing looks pretty gutsy. Is that a tow strap pre-attached to your ZJ? Chicken, huh? (j/k) :)

Thanks for the pics!

[Howler]

Yes that is a strap pre-attached as requested by the wranglers as they did not think I would make it back up that incline. Chichen? More like scared SH#$less. :eek: I did not realize I was that deep. Time for Anthony's BB.

[J's Jeep]

I love making YJ's, TJ's, XJ's, respect my Jeep. Usually I get the same thing. Those things were not made for dirt. But then I tell them why do they have 4 coils suspension and solid axles? They can't answer then I pull them out. Check out my pics from this weekend.

http://www.ilovejeeps.net/showthread.php?threadid=1901

[MaineZJ]

Way to go! Did you disco and what size tires did you run?

[Howler]

Way to go! Did you disco and what size tires did you run?
The back was disconected but the front was not. Had problem getting one bolt off so decided to stay connected. My tire size is 233/70/16's. I do not have any boost right now. Hoping to change that at GSE with Anthony's BB.

[Howler]

More pics have been added to the link. Check it out.
http://www3.sympatico.ca/jtoogood/May26.html

[MaineZJ]

Nice!

[1funZJ]

Good going Howler. I use to have a problem getting high centered too. Don't have that problem now with an extra 4".;) Just remember, those that think Grands aren't real Jeeps usually have YJ's and we all know YJ's aren't real Wranglers. :D (j/k)