Tidewater Fourwheelers Members Only RunCrozet - Mar 25-26, 2006

Crozet was crazy!



On day one, Saturday, I left Hampton Roads at 03:00 to get there with enough time to check into my shared cabin, stretch my winch, air down, and disconnect. Turns out I got there in plenty of time! We had some snow/rain mix early on. Nothing like starting out trails that are sketchy for our size rigs with even more sketchiness! So much happened, I can hardly remember it all. I tried to go up this rocky slope and couldn't make it and actually got stuck between a tree and a hard place trying to turn around! (How humbling. Thanks to you guys for helping me out without tearing my top off!) I know there was some mechanical problems, a broken shock mount, broken track bar mount, quite a few stucks, some new scratches and dents, lots of posing on a big rock that had its own concerns, and a rollover!



Saturday night turned out to be far milder than the rainy/snowy day. Dinner was prepared by some dedicated Tidewater members (one of them was the Prez!) and it was ready to go when the last few folks got back to the campground. Nothin' like burgers, hot dogs, soda, and a warm fire after a long day of running up and down rocks!



Sunday was far more damaging for me. We only wheeled half a day, but I managed to bust up my windshield frame pretty well on Boulder Byway (I think!). Dave (Core) got a couple of dents and one good rear quarter panel gash. Keith (Fromme) did this cool twisty over the rock to the right of the stump maneuver which was so impressive; I wished I'd had my camera! He said it felt sketchy?! Well, it LOOKED sketchy! I wish I could have watched everyone all day, but I really only saw the folks near me. Later in the day, on Drivetrain Debauchery, I managed to get a wheel up (seems to be becoming par for the course) and Keith made it up the impressively large rocks.



Jay (ruffrider) managed to damage his front driveshaft, but I have it on good authority that he fixed it ASAP on his return home. If you see him, ask him how his wife found out he damaged Blaze; it's a FUNNY story that is worth re-telling.

I met some very nice folks on this trip and felt welcome. I want to thank all of you who helped me out of all the jams I managed to get myself into; Mike who stood on my slider to keep me from going over, Billie and Dave for guiding me wisely, and so many more that I couldn't name everyone by name!!

I'd like to thank my Dad for coming out Saturday and my little girl for putting up with me the whole weekend :)

1 3/4" Rear Coil Spacer Addition

To offset the sag in the rear end from the large and very heavy bumper, tire, hi-lift, and gas can, I ordered 1 3/4" coil spacers. For about 45 dollars and change, I had what I needed to level the Jeep out.

Dave (Core4WD) once again did a lovely job of installing the spacers and the Jeep sits beautifully, but in Jeep fashion, you can't make any modifications without creating, what I affectionately refer to as, the "Snowball Effect."

To put it simply, with most modifications, you end up having to make even more modifications to accomodate what you've just done. For example, the simple 45 dollar and change coil spacers have now made the stock rear track bar too short! This caused me to have to order a rear adjustable track bar to fix the problem. But that is not the end! I also needed rear adjustable lower control arms to adjust the axle!! This was not inexpensive, but it totally worth while.

Coil spacers installed by Dave; C.O.R.E. 4WD (Custom Off Road Enterprises).