Nashville TJ's Build - Continued

The second obstacle from the end of the trail is Son of Rockpile, and just prior to it is an optional obstacle called Rock Pile. It is a nasty, jagged 10 foot ledge nearly vertical.

Here is Chris giving it hell. You may notice that he is wearing a helmet for this one.


Chris put on quite the show. He hit this thing 8 or ten times. Hard.


On his final shot, he launched that monster stretched YJ like the space shuttle. Listen carefully at the end:


And just like that - the monster YJ was one wheel drive. Chris broke the passenger side rear axle shaft, and the front output shaft on the transfer case.
 
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Fortunately, we were close to the end of the trail. With great effort we were able to winch Chris up and over Son of Rockpile, leaving only Yellow Hill to navigate.


Moab 2022 - 0279.JPG


There is a good winch point at the top of Yellow Hill, and after dragging his broken ass over to the base we began the slow process of winching the YJ all the way up.

Moab 2022 - 0280.JPG



After that it was an easy, but very long, 30 mile or so run back to town using a combination of towing Chris through the challenging stuff, and him running in two wheel drive through the passible stuff.

I think Dave and I need to formally start a Pritchett Canyon Towing Service....
 
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With Chris out of commission, Dave and I hooked up with Team America on Friday to run Steel Bender. I've not run Steel Bender before, and although not a very challenging trail, it was unique. The opening section is through the trees with several water crossings, and you pass several houses and farms - which I've never seen on any other trail I've run in Moab.

This is the beginning section of the trail:

 
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Steel Bender is not without its challenges. This is an obstacle called "The Fall." It's an optional line with a nasty drop off immediately to the passenger side - but the main trail is not much better.


And right after you navigate the first ledge, there is another nasty ledge ad the bottom.


Here is The Fall from the driver's seat:

 
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And just like that, the trip was over. Saturday was an early departure and a successful traverse of the Rockies with neither snow, traffic nor mechanical problems to slow us down. About 1100 miles traveled. Another 400 miles on Sunday and we were back home in Nashville at 2 pm.

Moab 2022 - 0301.JPG


Can't wait for next year...
 
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Awesome footage! Looks like a blast. Unfortunate for your buddy, gotta know when to call it on an obstacle before that happens. I usually go with the 3x rule, 5 if I’m getting close. If I can’t do it in 5 attempts I move on.
 
NashvilleTJ said:
Steel Bender is not without its challenges. This is an obstacle called "The Fall." It's an optional line with a nasty drop off immediately to the passenger side - but the main trail is not much better.


And right after you navigate the first ledge, there is another nasty ledge ad the bottom.


Here is The Fall from the driver's seat:

Click to expand...
I was waiting for the check gauges warning. We’ll done.
 
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NashvilleTJ said:
Then we took it up a few notches, as the plan for Thursday was to hit Pritchett Canyon. Chris and I hooked up with Team America (Hardest of the Hard Core - 'Merica! Fuck Yeah! - just watch the movie) as they were planning to hit Pritchett on Thursday as well.

After sending Ryan (@Apparition) our vehicle specs, countless videos, testimonials and letters of recommendation, he granted Chris and I permission to join his team. We were in.

First up on Pritchett is the Brick Yard.



Here is a GoPro video coming through.

Click to expand...
I hope everybody here realizes that wheeling with you is like bringing a knife to a gunfight yet still a ton of fun. Hopefully next time we wheel together I'll have a more comparable build.

Also to mention Dave is an awesome guy who sits there and figures everything out before saying much and Chris is a fantastic wheeler/spotter.
 
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Apparition said:
I hope everybody here realizes that wheeling with you is like bringing a knife to a gunfight yet still a ton of fun. Hopefully next time we wheel together I'll have a more comparable build.

Also to mention Dave is an awesome guy who sits there and figures everything out before saying much and Chris is a fantastic wheeler/spotter.
Click to expand...
Always a pleasure wheelin' with you, Ryan.
 
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NashvilleTJ said:
Steel Bender is not without its challenges. This is an obstacle called "The Fall." It's an optional line with a nasty drop off immediately to the passenger side - but the main trail is not much better.


And right after you navigate the first ledge, there is another nasty ledge ad the bottom.


Here is The Fall from the driver's seat:

Click to expand...
Damn it. Watching you all have such a good time makes me want to sell all my Jeeps, and parts, then take up lawn mower racing. I'd spend less money and probably get out more! :cautious:
 
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NashvilleTJ said:
Man, you have been paying attention…🙂 That’s awesome.
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I have. Your rig is one of my favorites here 👍. The Moab videos really show it off well. I also recall in an earlier iteration of your build, you commented that particular feature exposed the need for more articulation. Then there’s your avatar photo. All together, I couldn’t resist.
 
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