Spent a couple of nights at Fox Mountain to do some wheeling with new and old buddies.
Turnout was fantastic, with around 40 rigs, ranging from mildly modified SUVs, to full-on rock bouncing buggies (very impressive they were too!!)
Day 1, I did Unnamed 2 and Sea Legs. Both trails we rated as 33's and above. Both great trails, with a little challenge for the Zuk.
Day 2, was High Voltage, a minimum of 35's, lockers and winch.
This trail is no joke. It's a powerline trail up a mountain, with big rocks to wet the appetite as you make your way in, then on to massive rock climbs and boulders. All with a go-around if needed....but what's the fun in that?
Most folks attempted the hard climbs. Some made it without pulling cable. Some suffered big breakages rendering them with 2WD only for the rest of the day.
The Zuk did awesome. On approach to big climb #1 we noticed the rear locker was not engaging, but I kept going all the same with just the front locked up.
I made it to the top of the climb, but could not get enough traction to make it all the way. So, after a few attempts, someone (Mario) jumped on the front bumper to get some extra weight on the front end. Another (Rick) was pushing the rear tire.
Eventually, with the tires smoking and warmed up, the Zuk made it up.
What a trip!!!
Next up was the rock face. A 50ft wide, 20ft high wall of rock incline. Daunting to say the least!!!
Watching some of the buggies with 40"+ sticky tires and big horsepower struggle to climb it, I knew I was unlikely to make it.
Had to try it though. I only made one attempt, as the Zuk got half way up, then slipped sideways, pulling a right tire off the ground.
I knew right there, I was done !!!
The rest of the trail was super fun. Big rocks, climbs and tons of fun!!
Carnage report
- New Bronco - damaged door (unnamed 2), inoperable 4WD (High Voltage). Hats off to the guy, he really put that rig though the ringer..
- Ford Ranger - Dana 30 Solid axle swapped with twin transfer cases (cool rig) - blew BOTH front axle shafts
- Jeep JK - new differential gears installed the day before - stripped (bad install)
- Jeep LJ - starter issues (intermittent)
- My Zuk - rear locker inoperable (High Voltage - but may have been faulty prior) - air actuator is getting very hot - maybe needs a clean, or replace
- Toms Jeep - sheared off a valve stems (fixed)
- James' Cherokee - blew the tire off a rim mid rock climb (fixed)
- Robbies Willies Jeep (Wilma) - Got through Unnamed 2 to discover no more bolts were holding the transfer case to the bell housing ( Jeep retired)
- Barry's TJ - Broke axle U-joint and axle, then tore the knuckle and ball joint out trying to exit the trail
What a day ! :-)


































































































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