Paragon July 25 - Trail Ride Results

Based on the calendar entries, this is a list of participants for Sunday's run:
[list]
seanmac...........cancelled
monkey............cancelled
bmf24
clendaniel
wanderlust
BlueJ (guiding)
salvagexj
[/list:u]
This run is open to members and guests, although only members are eligible to earn a trail ride magnet.

What trails we will run will depend on the capabilities and experience of the jeeps and drivers that will actually come. I can't say yet what trails we will be running. If there is a split in the desired trail difficulty, we could possibly join up with a BMJA group that will be there the same day. To do that, though, we will need to get there earlier than usual, which means leaving Delaware earlier as well.

Please post interest below...

I'm still planning on going this Sunday. We can leave earlier if we have too, just let us know.

Not sure of trail level yet. I'm hoping to have my steering issue fixed by then, but it's my first time out with the lift and tires. I might want to start on some greens and see how everything goes first.

If stock vehicles or those new to trail riding were considering going, but were shying away because they felt it would be only moderate or difficult trails, please come along. I'd be happy to hang on the greens for the day. I haven't had the leader training, but I'm sure given a map I can get us lost before lunch. We can have our own group (minimum 3 I believe) or we can join up with some BMJA folks.

Paul

Sunday 7/25 for Hazelton, PA

High: 71°F
Partly Cloudy
Wind: From the Northeast at 8 mph
Precip: 10 %
Max. Humidity: 75 %
UV Index: 7 High

Not looking too bad so far....

the guy that owns the restaurants I work for is making me go to St. Thomas for the weekend and I have to bow out of the run sunday. I really would rather go to PA in this instance (especially since the wife is pretty pissed she didn't get invited) but getting drunk on a beach with scantilly clad ladies and noone around to slap me does sound kind of good as well.
if anyone would like to head up to Paragon the first of aug for the day that would be cool

[size=18px]Meeting Information - Sunday 7/25[/size]

We will meet at the usual place and time - the Wawa on Foulk Road in N. Wilmington, be there gassed up in time to buy your sandwiches and drinks and hit the road by 6:15. Send me a PM or call me if you need directions to the Wawa, or if you prefer meeting us up at Paragon.

Any issues that morning call on my cell phone 302-750-0963.

Do we know what trail level everyone is looking for? If you are all going for moderate and/or hardcore stuff, I might be able to get into a group doing highter greens and blues from BMJA on Sunday.

Interesting ride today. I opted to go with some BMJA folks for some lower level trails my first time out with the new lift and tires. About 10 mins in, we had a rollover. That sucked up most of our morning, and afterwards we did Valley Road to Good, Bad & Ugly, to Turtle and out. Rest of the trip was uneventful in comparison, although we did have an overheating TJ we had to let cool down every now and then.

I'll get some pics up tomorrow, I'm going to bed now.

After Paul bailed on us to go with the BMJA wussies ( editor's note - this is meant in no way to disparage BMJA or it's members, of which I am one, but to express disappoinment that paul chose to break in his new lift and tires with a BMJA group instead of the DeJA folks he rode up with...), we went on without him and had great time. In our little group was bmf24 (Chris & Beoinca), clendaniel (Ian & friend), salvagexj (DJ & friend), and BlueJ (me, no friends ). Chris flat towed his YJ (remember, this is important later); and DJ's XJ on a borrowed brand new rollaway; and BlueJ on the trailer behind the Durango.

We headed up Valley, then across Cherokee Ridge, and through Sleepy Hollow and Headless Horseman. Then Cabin Spring trail (the wrong way, as Chris pointed out), across the Spring clearing, to Inner Spare Tire, up Rocky Meadow, Laurel, Ridge Road to visit Voodoo, then back down the Pipeline with a detour to do 1/2 of Rattler, Valley to Coal, ending up on Drumstick.

Carnage was in evidence today, but surprisingly BlueJ was unscathed. Ian and DJ ended up with some body damage from protruding trees, including a broken rear side window in the XJ. This was on Headless Horseman. Then on Rattler, Ian lost his brakes and rolled back into a tree damaging his tailgate (on the bright side, Paragon now sells "band-aid" stickers to cover those kinds of bruises). With the rear brake line closed off, Ian finished with front brakes only.

Chris's YJ...what can I say.. mucho carnage, including bent shackle and springs (he went straight into Voodoo when we stopped to visit it). Then on Drumstick he tore out the rear diff plug from his Toyota axle and poured gear oil all around. Then trying to back out to the access road he managed to tear out the fron diff plug, emptying the front diff. Somewhere along the way the muffler had fallen off (I saw it sitting in the back of his jeep), and he was also having transmission problems - something about not bothering to insert the bolt that was supposed to secure it.

With no gear oil, the YJ couldn't be flat towed home. Chris took my trailer and towed the YJ behind his pickup, leaving me with two vehicles to get home. DJ drove my Durango home, while his XJ got a ride on the rollaway (thanks!). We met up with Paul at the Exxon, then headed home.

Whew! See you next month at the August Oink. Don't forget to send in your registration form...

Glad I decided to go to the PAJeep Show.

Quote from "bmf24"

The toll of the day:
SO, i guess the axles are comming out and the drain plugs holes are getting removed. I am going to weld in a peice of steel to flush it out and make sure that wont happen again.

See if you can get a big allen head set screw type bolt. That would be flush with the case when screwed in and could be lock tighted. Or put the old plugs in with lock tight and grind the head off.

But if the differentials are cast it may be difficult to weld to.

I may be way off base here, but couldnt you have bought new diff fluid and towed it home. Or did Chris also lose the rubber plugs? Oh well still sounds like you had a fun trip!!

Don