05/2013 MaBell Run

I'll upload mine this afternoon...

I'll be doing the same, though I have so many I may have to make a Photobucket account or use my old Flickr and post a link to it. I'll post the best ones I find here. But for now (since this is the only one I have available at the moment) here's a teaser shot for everyone. Big Red doing it's best Gravedigger impersonation.

Holy Crap Ryan, it looks like you hit that going 90 mph lol. looks cool,,, WHEELIE, WHEELIE,
GREAT PICTURE!!
IF THAT DON'T SHAKE OFF THE RUST NOTHING WILL!

A lot of extension, now hold on for compression. How are your bump stops, got any left ?

"IS THERE A VIDEO OF THIS OUT THERE ???"

One of a few times that I thought Ryan was going ass over teakettle.

I debated bringing my D70, but with no passenger to hold it over the rough parts...here's what I got on my phone:

The staging area, where everyone disconnected and you could just hear SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS of a whole crapload of tires deflating:







Annnnd into the woods:









































Still more coming...

Sorry these aren't all in order.

The last of mine:









I had a blast. It was actually challenging, nerve-wracking, thought I was going to roll a couple times. I wasn't sure I'd get home alive/with my jeep/intact. And that made it worthwhile. Thanks again for the invite! I'm definitely going on club runs whenever possible.

Is it basically one trail ?

Mark wrote:Is it basically one trail ?

It's one short trail but with a good amount of obstacles. Even though it's one trail it usually has 1, 2, or 3 options for difficulty at each obstacle

Mark wrote:Is it basically one trail ?

Starts on the street, heads up a rock face, levels out for a bit, small trek through some trees, up a rock garden, then it's basically 4 tiers of ledges and rock faces. The cool thing about Bell is that there are multiple options and lines for each ledge. You basically get to choose your challenge level based on rig specs, tires, personal challenge desire, etc.

Total run is about 1.5 miles. We took a few hours by stopping at each obstacle and watching each other. I think it was a good way to let members see what different Jeeps have that make them able to climb up things easier.

It's a great trail. We're lucky it's still open to the public.

Sounds like a great time! Sure looks like one.

[quote="Ryan M"We took a few hours by stopping at each obstacle and watching each other. I think it was a good way to let members see what different Jeeps have that make them able to climb up things easier.

It's a great trail. We're lucky it's still open to the public. [/quote]

Watching everybody's failures and successes was hugely helpful.

Mainly the failures, of similarly built rigs, on an obstacle I was approaching.

It is a great trail. I'm glad there are enough of respectful folk out there to persuade the state to keep it open.

Here's a public link to my Flickr set with the best of the MaBell photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sorrygonecamping/sets/72157633536677435/

If anyone is uncomfortable having plates/rigs pictured let me know and I can take those photos down. Don't mind all the photos of mine, I needed to get some in somewhere.

Here are some of mine... the rest can be found on Facebook HERE, or my PhotoBucket HERE...

One with some shots:

Nice, Ryan! You got some good ones! Thanks everyone for the shots of my rig.

Ryan, you had asked me after the run if I had any new mods in mind. Well...from looking at this picture:



looks like I'll be getting a locker or two.

Ill post the videos up soon, didnt get to much on sunday as the camera had died just after i made it through the rock garden... i think i got most everyone at the beginning of the trail heading up to the first pull off.

Ryan warned us of body damage, and it happened.





I have since made it straight (enough), and need to paint it. I was tired of the stickers anyway.

Sounds like a perfect excuse for sliders!

Tonellin wrote:Sounds like a perfect excuse for sliders!

I literally said to Jim as he was starting the rock garden "Ever consider sliders? You're gonna need them"

Yeaaahhh.....

Wicked pumped I have mine. The main reason I got them was because my girlfriend is too short to get in now that it's lifted. But the help a lot getting in. Granted, they went on too late (rockers had damage when I got it), but they've saved it from getting any worse.

WOAH, like the Fram oil filter ad said,, you can pay me now or you can pay me later.
That's too bad that you got some damage there, look on the bright side at least you did not roll it.

daaayuuummm...

yep have some of that on mine.

I managed to make it through with only a couple scratches on my front dif. That said I I didn't go the harder ways due to my total lack of skid plates. Next up for the Xj, gas tank skid, t-case skid, and, as Ryan pointed out, a new tie rod.

wow-that looked like a great time. i was worried my rubicon wouldn't have faired well on that trail-but i think i'd have been just fine!

skid plates going on this month.

when's the next run?

With lockers fore and aft it is very capable,

There have been a bunch of replies that I don't feel like quoting. Answers: (The page breaks are replies to each comment.)

Rock sliders are, and have been, on the list for the Jeep. Money is stopping me for now, but this body work cost me $11 + 2 hours.

Ryan did say rock sliders were a good idea, I said "I know", then this happened.

I'm getting them when I can get them. This hasn't sped up the process.

There were other people that came close to rolling. My only worry is drive train, axles, and stuff that makes the Jeep go and stop. Body damage is A-ok. I did get a vibration, but replacing a damaged u-joint fixed that. Drove it home.

*empty

*empty

It was a great run. I would do it again if I knew I would roll my rocker panel again.