2014 Ouray FSJ Invasion - July 16-18, 2014

[AMCdealer]

Got some work done on dad's Wag over the holiday weekend. I pirated some parts from the '88 white Wag tornado victim. The camo Wag now has a mechanical fan, proper radiator overflow tank without leaks, and I swapped in the electric tailgate guts since the gear teeth on the manual tailgate stripped. Also adjusted the carb some and some other odds & ends. Hope it does better than it did two years ago!

[Tad]

Be good to see camo wag again.

[Grand_Wag_85]

Got some work done on dad's Wag over the holiday weekend. I pirated some parts from the '88 white Wag tornado victim. The camo Wag now has a mechanical fan, proper radiator overflow tank without leaks, and I swapped in the electric tailgate guts since the gear teeth on the manual tailgate stripped. Also adjusted the carb some and some other odds & ends. Hope it does better than it did two years ago!

Are you guys pulling it out with the Excursion? If you get stuck I'll be a day behind you.

[AMCdealer]

Yep. Just like 2011. Let's hope none of have any serious problems!

[j2sax]

Well, I am getting home a day early from my job in Nebraska... is that enough time to swap from auto to standard trans/swap front and rear end/get it all shaken down in time to leave Sunday in the 82 Chero... which has not been driven on the road since 2009... or is that just a pipe dream? Or, just swap the tires onto the son's cherokee XJ and bring that.... OOOOOOOoooooodecisions decisions! I know that 15 years ago, I would not have put a second thought into it and would have stayed up all night every night until done. At almost 50... I don't have that kind of motivation anymore and I will probably end up just spending time with the kids before my trip... SO CLOSE though!

Well, either way... we will see you in the mountains, Lord willing and the crik don't rise!

[fulsizjeep]

Ouray is in a state that allows recreational use of pot. The owners of the KOA request that if you are consuming at the KOA, do it in your car please. This has been a public service announcement.

[999Offroad]

How long are the trails? We're trying to figure out if we need to bring gas cans.

[rstep]

Can usually do them on a tank , but gas can are helpful. Gas up on the way to and good to go.

[fulsizjeep]

Not that long really. We probably make more miles on asphalt. Some trails require going to Silverton or Telluride. I have carried gas and never needed it. I have not carried gas and needed it. It is not for distance but other reasons more related to FSJ mechanicals.

[999Offroad]

Ok thanks, we'll probably bring 1 just in case.

[will e]

Crappy Cell phone pic.

Moved under its own power today. The rear axle has 14mm lugs so I swung by discount tire and picked some up and took them there. I was there for the first startup/move.

After moving it we found that the front driver side axle seal leaks so I left it there. I guess they have to tear the axle down to replace it, going to take them a half a day. But we are close! I decided I am going to drag it up to Ouray either way. I wanted to see what trailering it was like so I would know if I can bring the wife next year. If I have to tinker with it, better in Ouray 80 temps than here in Phoenix.


They are going to fix the axle seal tomorrow. He says about 1 out of every 10 or so ends up leaking.

[Gumby]

Mike, that looks nice bro. I will miss it this year at Judah but hope to follow it locally soon.

[Riverrat]

Crappy Cell phone pic.

Moved under its own power today. The rear axle has 14mm lugs so I swung by discount tire and picked some up and took them there. I was there for the first startup/move.

After moving it we found that the front driver side axle seal leaks so I left it there. I guess they have to tear the axle down to replace it, going to take them a half a day. But we are close! I decided I am going to drag it up to Ouray either way. I wanted to see what trailering it was like so I would know if I can bring the wife next year. If I have to tinker with it, better in Ouray 80 temps than here in Phoenix.


They are going to fix the axle seal tomorrow. He says about 1 out of every 10 or so ends up leaking.

Looking good! Definitely trailer it up! Seriously though, were you not there for our Explorer maiden voyage in 2010? Wow. Good times.

[Riverrat]

I also remember the late night excitement that ensued when it moved under its own power out of the shop. You may need to tinker with it in Ouray. You'll have help. We were planning on a quiet day Monday anyway, also the back road to Ridgeway and 550 from Ridgeway to the campground is a decent and fairly safe and un-scary testing ground. Ask me how I know.

[AMCdealer]

Looks good, Mike!

[tndonor]

Glad to see it under its new legs!

I too may have to tinker some in Ouray to finish things up. Wrenching in the San Juans is not the worst way I can think of spending an afternoon.

[Gumby]

I think that most tinker in camp, but then some do a little more.... Even those that weld n the rain.

[will e]

Well, I am out. I still don't have the Jeep back. Yesterday he said they took the front axle apart to fix the seal leak and they noticed a chip on the pinion gear that they must have missed. So need a new pinion gear. I don't really know if I will get the Jeep tomorrow or not. I assume he didn't get the part today. If they do finish it I don't want them to leave it outside for another week while I sit up in Ouray.

Hopefully you all will have a good time even without my Cheese Crisps. Someone let me know the dates for next year as soon as you know. I am thinking 'what the heck' I will just drag the wife up while towing and we can live the adventure together. I am going to want to grab a trailer spot for next year.

I haven't cancelled my spot yet, I will tomorrow. It's not close to the fire so no worries about pissing anyone off.

[rstep]

Sorry to hear Mike you will be missed.

[fulsizjeep]

mike, you need to be here to express your inner... .. .