IMPORTANT!
This run was a WILDCAT RUN and not a regular TRAIL RUN. The images you are about to see is not typical and is the first time in 3 years that anything this bad has happened.
WILDCAT RUNS are trail runs that are not part of our regular schedule. These types of run are "spur of the moment" in most cases and range in difficulty depending on who plans the run. Usually the more modified rigs go on these runs to "cut loose". Damage is likely and usually happens.
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I forgot to reset the image size, so these images are 1024x768. Sorry if you have dial up.
Jackson Gulch 02-23-2008
5 rigs: 2 Toyotas, 3 Jeeps.
Drivers: Chris, Bill, Dale, Cole and Rick.
Everything went well in the first hour...
I went down first, without a spotter, and nobody to take pictures.
Bill...
Rick...
Cole...
Dale...
As you seen, Dale rolled. The reason he rolled is that he gunned the motor and ran his driver's side wheel high on a rock. This is why I have always stressed the importance of "Roll Control". You must always be in total control of the rolling speed and behavior of your rig. Dale let his temper and frustration get the best of him and this was the result.
Dale suffered no physical injuries, but he was shaken a bit.
The following pictures are of the 3.5 hours it took us to get the rig back on it'e tires.
Dale next to his rig.
Rick had to drive back up the waterfall so we could get his Jeep to do the heavy work. There were some tense moments as it took a couple tries to get the Jeep to the top.
We could't get a "straight" pull due to the narrow trail. This was the best angle we could achieve.
Rick was the "Jack Man". Everyone stood clear as Rick did his thing...
Rick was dedicated to helping get the rig on it's wheels. Notice the fire extinguishers in the foreground. There was fuel dripping from the carburator and there was a possibility that a spark could ingnite the the truck, so we were ready. Rick and myself were the only one with fire extinguishers in our rigs.
We rolled a tire under the cab so if the jack slipped we would have a backup.
This picture makes me proud to be a member Yuma 4-Wheeler! After getting the rig past verticle, a strap was attached so we could aid in pulling the rig in the direction we needed.
Success!
We instructed Dale to remove the sparkplugs from the engine and ground the coil wire, then turn the engine over for about 20 seconds to clear the cylinders of any oil that may have gotten in while the rig was upside down. Oil in a cylinder will cause major damage if cranked over. Oil does not compress and will bend a connecting rod, or other damage.
Back on the trail! Rick jacked the cab up so Dale would have more head room. Soon Dale was in the driver's seat ready to finish the trail.
This was by far, the most damage any rig has sustained in the history of the Yuma 4-Wheelers. Don't let this scare you away from running with us. As I said at the top, this was a WILDCAT RUN and it was rated
X-TREME DIFFICULT.