Barrett run

I just drove out with it broken. Barrett isn't too hard if you take the easier lines.

I think Larry, Joe and Sue were camping last night. Hopefully Brad, Bill or the others will check in soon.

This is one of the reasons we shouldn't wheel alone. A person could get stuck out there for a long time. That's why it was important for me to catch Keane, although I waited too long to follow him.

Was Bill trying to catch up to the group when he broke? Did you guys find him on the way out or what?

Bill was like the fourth guy in line in a group of a dozen rigs. I was way out in front of him when he broke. A mojority of the group was behind him.

Still no word?! I sent Larry a text, but he was still camping and I don't know if he has service. I turned around at 3ish so I could be home around dinner, John followed shortly thereafter.

Actually, Larry broke his steering box. Brad had a welder and they (Joe, I think) welded it back together. Larry and Joe were going to take a better look at it in the morning.



Rich (new guy) tore his sidewall on the way down and his spare didn't fit right. Earl helped him with some makeshift spacers to get him off the trail. He was waiting for AAA when we were leaving.



Most of the welds on my front stock track bar mount broke loose so I took the track bar off (YJ) while they were working on Rich's tire. I didn't notice any difference without it on the trail or on the freeway. One less part to deal with. 😁



All in all, I had a good time.

I'll be darned...Larry sounds just like Bill on the CB from about 1-1/2 miles away 😂

I'm glad evrybody got off okay. Sounds like Barrett did a number on some rigs (mine included).

Larry's steering box brackets required an entire spool from my Readywelder. We were there for more than 2 hours. Luckily, it didn't kill the donated red top or Excide Spiral batteries. We got off the trail at just after 730. Bill and Rick (not rich) and Kevin were there when we got off the trail. I was the only one who still had to air up before leaving. Bill and Rick took off ahead of us and saw Richard, his wife and 6-yr old daughter sitting on the side of the road in the dark. We stayed with them for about 15 minutes and gave them some water. The sherrif came by twice. The talked to Richard and called AAA for him. The Sherrif also checked in on them every 15 minutes or so. That was a great Sherrif! The tow truck picked them up at about 10PM.



I'll post more later when I get back home.

How did Larry break his steering box? Sounds like I got out just in time. It took me right around an hour to get back to the trail head.

"Bender" wrote: Sounds like I got out just in time.

Ya, it sounds like the trail was fighting back 😂

"BKGM Jeepers" wrote: Bill and Rick took off ahead of us and saw Richard, his wife and 6-yr old daughter sitting on the side of the road in the dark. We stayed with them for about 15 minutes and gave them some water. The sherrif came by twice. The talked to Richard and called AAA for him. The Sherrif also checked in on them every 15 m
inutes or so. That was a great Sherrif! The tow truck picked them up at about 10PM.

We stopped by Richard's truck on the way out and asked if he needed anything or any help. He said no and that the Sherrif had stop by calliny a Towtruck for them.

What happened to Richard's truck? Fuel pump finally give up?

Got some pics uploaded...



http://pics.posse4x4.org/v/20090926KH/

Thanks Rick for adding some clarification. I was the last vehicle out of Wrights Lake that night. Several run participants had already stopped by Richard and offered assistance. The Sherrif had already called AAA for them, when we stopped by. Rick suffered a blow out because of rubbing on his spare tire.



Larry's steering box bracket broke. We we looked at it, it had been cracked in three places internally, was missing two bolts on frame mount, and had one bolt hole plugged with a weld. Also, he was missing one of the two bolts from driver side front spring hanger. Joe welded a bunch on the inside, and used a large washer as filler and welded all three metal layers on the outside. He drove out fine after Joe's work.

Joe Sue Larry Cole Are all home safe. Talked to Larry about 45min. ago. he made it home fine. Once I get another MAC lesson from Sue I (Sue most likely) will post some pics.

My pictures are up: http://pics.posse4x4.org/v/2009Barrett_Keane/

Sounds like you guys had a serious adventure! I'm glad everyone made it home, eventually!

A very big thanks to Brad and Joe. I would still be sitting there if not for Brad's welder and Joe's welding ablities.

The issue has been discribed well already, so I won't add to it.



Brad let me know what size wire, and I will replace the spool.



Still had a great time. 😀

Glad it ended okay for you Larry. It sux being the one to break...I know 😳

Hi everyone,



Thanks for a great adventure, Richard, Anne and Elizabeth got home safe at 1130pm. On the way out the first blow-out wasnt much of a problem, but the second made things interesting. Turns out the spare had the wrong offset. After adding all available washers to make wheel spacers, the choice came down to having the front tie rod end machine the rim in half while we drove or having the rear spring rub the tire. Choosing the later, we made it two miles down the main road before it blew and the ranger called in AAA for a tow home. Took awhile since the Forest service uses those funny road numbers that confuse the tow truck guys. Looks like I'll be shopping for some used 33s and toyo rims in the near future.



Later, Richard, Anne and Elizabeth

Glad you made it home okay

"JohnDF" wrote: Glad it ended okay for you Larry. It sux being the one to break...I know 😳

Thanks John.



Breaks are breaks. You fix um and wheel on. 😏



Just very thankful that there was people around to help.

"GonZo" wrote:

Breaks are breaks. You fix um and wheel on. 😏

Great attitude...that's how I look at them too...until it's me holding people up...then I feel bad.

Well, we made it past the first obstacle with minimal damage but then decided to turn back. I realized Barrett was a bit out of my capabilities as a newbie and didn't want to put my daily driver out of commission. But the trip wasn't a total loss. I met some great people, learned my limitations, and gained a whole new perspective. A big "THANKS" to everyone who spotted me and tried to help and also "Thanks" to Brad and Lee who helped put the lift on my TJ. This is a great group of people and I look forward to the next run. Maybe next time I could take notes on a ride-along if anyone has an extra seat...