Nantahala trip with Radio Flyer

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dodgerammit
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Nantahala trip with Radio Flyer

Post by dodgerammit »

So, after all the labor I put into this pile, it was high time the wife and I enjoyed it and put it to good use.

Cue the Lampoons Vacation song!

Loaded up and looking like a glam shot for a high end magazine shoot.... :lol:
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Headed out with the dreaded interstate traffic...
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I try to be courteous. If I see you signaling, I'll let you in. That simple. Even if you're a big semi.
But some people just need to be yanked from their vehicle GTA style and beat. This guy was one of those people. No signal, just nearly took my front bumper off. :banghead:
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Soon, my patience paid off and we were out of traffic hell and onto our favorite stretch of road in TN. US 64/74
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Into the Cherokee National Forest...
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and paralleling the Ocoee!
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Radio Flyer wasn't the only unique ride on the roads
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Just into Andrews NC, the mountains rose ahead.
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Entering the Nantahala Gorge Gorge(ous!)
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At NOC ready for our escape from the grind!
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Up the steep hill to our spot.
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Parked and ready to unload
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Our Cabin/Hotel
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Our room
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The view (with the sound of the river below)
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84 Grand Waggy-Radio Flyer (Garnet Red/3M Ebony Metallic woodgrain, with honey interior) AMC 360 :cry: 2004 4.8LS/Advance Adapter/727/242 D44/AMC20 Serehill tailgate and headlight harnesses :fsj: Ongoing thread-viewtopic.php?t=11897

92 Wrangler Islander 4.0/32RH/231 D30/D35 RHD
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dodgerammit
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Re: Nantahala trip with Radio Flyer

Post by dodgerammit »

After unpacking and settling in from a 4 hour drive, we headed down the hill and across the river for dinner
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The same river we were perched above in our room
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Our view while eating on the deck
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84 Grand Waggy-Radio Flyer (Garnet Red/3M Ebony Metallic woodgrain, with honey interior) AMC 360 :cry: 2004 4.8LS/Advance Adapter/727/242 D44/AMC20 Serehill tailgate and headlight harnesses :fsj: Ongoing thread-viewtopic.php?t=11897

92 Wrangler Islander 4.0/32RH/231 D30/D35 RHD

will e
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Re: Nantahala trip with Radio Flyer

Post by will e »

The picture of the Jeep parked is awesome! So Americana! And the picture of the Lincoln is also very cool. Love that old iron.
81 Waggy 'WILL E' Retired
82 Cherokee WT - SOA/SF/high steer/Alcan springs/agr box/Borgeson steering shaft/AMC 401/performer/holley TA/HEI/BeCool/727/ALTAS (2.0/2.72/5.44)/D60 Snofighter(Yukon Zip,hubs,stubs,4.56)/14 Bolt (FF,BF shave, Discs, ARB,Artec Truss)/MTR 37X12.5/Corbeau XRS Baja & 5 point retractable harness/Hella Aux lights/tuffy console/killer32 sliders/Evil Twin bumpers, rack and roll cage/WARN 8000/TT Fabworks steering brace/dual batts/custom TC skid plate/ARB fridge
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dodgerammit
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Re: Nantahala trip with Radio Flyer

Post by dodgerammit »

Thanks!

The next morning, we were up bright and early and off to grab breakfast. Talk about fog!
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This is the point Radio Flyer gave us our only issue the whole trip. Right after we pulled into the station, the dashcam died. It had been giving us issues, so at first, I just unplugged it and reinserted the 12v plug. Still nothing. Then, I noticed my other 12v outlets that illuminate were dead as well. Back at NOC, I whipped out my tester from my boonie bag (planned on something going wrong, so I packed tools and other essentials to insure we made it back home in case of basic mechanical failures). Testing the fuse block where I had plugged the connection into a spare "radio" or "clock" spot revealed they were no longer getting power. my in tank fuel pump is also connected into one of those type spots, but thankfully, it was still getting power and functioning. I decided not to mess with it and potentially cause a bigger issue. I can get by without 12v ports.

ONWARD!

We pulled out our clothes to ruin and donned wet gear and made a big splash at whitewater rafting.
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We had an awesome guide and since 2 people called out, so it was just us three. Made for a great trip.
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After drying off and warming up, we geared up and headed out to the top of the ridgeline for some zipline fun.
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The wife was nervous, but the deal was if my unfloatable self went rafting, she went zipping. This is just before the 1/2 mile long zip ride.
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And after the big one.
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84 Grand Waggy-Radio Flyer (Garnet Red/3M Ebony Metallic woodgrain, with honey interior) AMC 360 :cry: 2004 4.8LS/Advance Adapter/727/242 D44/AMC20 Serehill tailgate and headlight harnesses :fsj: Ongoing thread-viewtopic.php?t=11897

92 Wrangler Islander 4.0/32RH/231 D30/D35 RHD
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dodgerammit
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Re: Nantahala trip with Radio Flyer

Post by dodgerammit »

Apparently, all good things come to an end.

The last night was utter agony for the wife as a large group of Avon ladies had descended upon the cabins.
The ones staying in the room next to ours must have had bladder issues as they were up every 30 minutes going to the bathroom across the hall and slamming the doors.

I slept well, but since I'm deaf in one ear and sleep on my good ear, I heard nothing other than when I woke up in the middle of the night to stuff my face with leftovers. No kidding. I was up for 30 minutes and they hit the restroom twice in that time. :shock:


Thankfully, we checked out that morning, but both of us agree, we'll be coming back again.

The ironic part was while leaving, one of the older Avon ladies met us at the door as we were leaving. No kidding, she sounded just like aunt Bethany from the Christmas Vacation movie. She assumed I was the bellhop and wanted me to go to her room and carry her bags out. :P I told her I had carried all the bags I was going to and was done for the day. :lol:

Smokey mountain express
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After leaving, we headed to nearby Bryson city. All I can compare it to is a postcard snapshot.
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While cruising the streets (and between me complaining about lack of parking), my wife shouted, "Look! An Eagle!"






Actually, it wasn't an Eagle. But it was a well kept Concord.
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After filling up our stomachs, the fuel tank, and shopping bags with some early Christmas items from the cool stores, we headed back home.
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Unlike when we first came through, on our way back, the Ocoee was really busy. So, we stopped to take pics glad we were staying drier, even with the occasional rain.

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Back on the road, we finished the trek home.
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Overall, I am pleased with the way the Jeep did. We averaged between 13 and 13.5 most of the trip, even with all of the mountain ascents we had to do.

The most impressive economy came between the fill up in Bryson City and the fill up on the other side of Chattanooga. The Jeep Knocked down 15.15 with lots of 60 to 70 mph state route and interstate driving. 8-)

Other than the power outlet problem and the typical carburetor issues that plague the 2150 as far as restarting, then dying immediately once warmed up (unless I stomp the throttle as soon as the engine gets fire), we had no hiccups. Already planning the next trek. :-bd
84 Grand Waggy-Radio Flyer (Garnet Red/3M Ebony Metallic woodgrain, with honey interior) AMC 360 :cry: 2004 4.8LS/Advance Adapter/727/242 D44/AMC20 Serehill tailgate and headlight harnesses :fsj: Ongoing thread-viewtopic.php?t=11897

92 Wrangler Islander 4.0/32RH/231 D30/D35 RHD
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Chubbinius
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Re: Nantahala trip with Radio Flyer

Post by Chubbinius »

What an awesome trip and fantastic photos. Radio Flyer looks postcard perfect in the parking lot and pack out photos.
1970 1414X Wagoneer "The Pig"
-Custom Special
-Dauntless 350 V8
-D27 front/D44 rear
2006 XK (65th Ann Edition)-DD
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az chip
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Re: Nantahala trip with Radio Flyer

Post by az chip »

That looks like the perfect trip for that vehicle.
'81 Cherokee Chief 81 WT Chief/MSD 6/Holley Sniper/ Rusty 4" Spring lift/ Bulltear oil adapter/K&P Engineering Oil Filter/ NP 208/ Serehill Light Harness/KC LED Headlights/ Evil Twin Fab Roof Rack and sliders/ Ross mirror mounts.
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dodgerammit
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Re: Nantahala trip with Radio Flyer

Post by dodgerammit »

Chubbinius wrote:What an awesome trip and fantastic photos. Radio Flyer looks postcard perfect in the parking lot and pack out photos.
Thanks
az chip wrote:That looks like the perfect trip for that vehicle.
With the exception of mountain pulls with the 2.73 gearing..... :P I stayed with the semis.
84 Grand Waggy-Radio Flyer (Garnet Red/3M Ebony Metallic woodgrain, with honey interior) AMC 360 :cry: 2004 4.8LS/Advance Adapter/727/242 D44/AMC20 Serehill tailgate and headlight harnesses :fsj: Ongoing thread-viewtopic.php?t=11897

92 Wrangler Islander 4.0/32RH/231 D30/D35 RHD
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az chip
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Re: Nantahala trip with Radio Flyer

Post by az chip »

Is 2.73 standard? I would think a Wagoneer would have better highway gears.
'81 Cherokee Chief 81 WT Chief/MSD 6/Holley Sniper/ Rusty 4" Spring lift/ Bulltear oil adapter/K&P Engineering Oil Filter/ NP 208/ Serehill Light Harness/KC LED Headlights/ Evil Twin Fab Roof Rack and sliders/ Ross mirror mounts.
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dodgerammit
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Re: Nantahala trip with Radio Flyer

Post by dodgerammit »

2.73s are very impressive on the interstate, but have no oomph for hills. 2.73 and 3.31 are the common ones for the 80s. 3.31s were the towing package. I did some math last night and figured, if I eventually do a mechanical rebuild of this thing, installing a better cam and intake while I'm at it, and swap to a 700r4 for OD, I can go to 3.73s.

Current setup
2.73 w/29" /// 3.54 w/ 29" /// 3.73 w/29"
mph rpm /// mph rpm w/ .69 /// mph rpm w/.69
40 1265 /// 40 1641 /////// /// 40 1729
50 1582 /// 50 2051 ////// /// 50 2161 1491
55 1740 /// 55 2256 1556 /// 55 2377 1640
60 1898 /// 60 2461 1698 /// 60 2593 1789
65 2056 /// 65 2666 1840 /// 65 2809 1938
70 2214 /// 70 2871 1981 /// 70 3025 2087
84 Grand Waggy-Radio Flyer (Garnet Red/3M Ebony Metallic woodgrain, with honey interior) AMC 360 :cry: 2004 4.8LS/Advance Adapter/727/242 D44/AMC20 Serehill tailgate and headlight harnesses :fsj: Ongoing thread-viewtopic.php?t=11897

92 Wrangler Islander 4.0/32RH/231 D30/D35 RHD

letank
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Re: Nantahala trip with Radio Flyer

Post by letank »

thank you for your picts, that paint and wood scheme is very nice...
Yes, 2.73 is awfull... 3.31 is better but 3.54 is really neat! i had the chance to drive all these combo on the same mountain areas, at 3.54 it feels like a sport car... with an extra 2000lbs...
Michel
74 wag (349 Kmiles... parked, next step is a rust free body)
85 Gwag (229 Kmiles... the running test lab)
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