[Pink Taco]

I ventured out with some buddies this past weekend and participated in some ******* motor sports. This place was mostly mud. unbeknownst to me I had gotten plenty of mud caked in the radiator. It took me 3 hours to get home which is normally a 1.5 hour drive. I had to pressure wash the radiator twice, fill the radiator with coolant (thank god I bring coolant with me) before I was able to limp home with the heater on high and the windows down in 30 degree weather. I finally took the grille and bumper off last night and did some more power washing of the radiator. This weekend I'll take the radiator out wash it again and perform a full flush and I should be good to go.

the point of all this is that no matter what wheeling you do, bring enough equipment to repair your vehicle. The importance of tools and spare parts/fluids is immeasurable. you never know what might break down and when. Having a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher is also a must have.

have fun on the trails just go prepared.

 

[AK98Taco]

Damn, that's a PITA.

I've had my grille off for a couple months now due to body damage and have run some muddy trails twice, but they were mainly ruts and small puddles. No problems.

Regardless, I carry fluids for everything, as well as a fire extinguisher and first aid kit. I also have a tarp in my bed storage box(good for throwing on the ground when you need to get under the truck in not-so-dry areas or bundling up with in a survival situation). I even have a propane stove, small pot, and some MREs. When I go on longer trips, I carry a sleeping bag and extra clothes.

All this stuff comes from living in Alaska and knowing what could happen at any time.

Like Warn says, "Go Prepared."

 

[tbplus10]

I ventured out with some buddies this past weekend and participated in some ******* motor sports. This place was mostly mud. unbeknownst to me I had gotten plenty of mud caked in the radiator. It took me 3 hours to get home which is normally a 1.5 hour drive. I had to pressure wash the radiator twice, fill the radiator with coolant (thank god I bring coolant with me) before I was able to limp home with the heater on high and the windows down in 30 degree weather. I finally took the grille and bumper off last night and did some more power washing of the radiator. This weekend I'll take the radiator out wash it again and perform a full flush and I should be good to go.

the point of all this is that no matter what wheeling you do, bring enough equipment to repair your vehicle. The importance of tools and spare parts/fluids is immeasurable. you never know what might break down and when. Having a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher is also a must have.

have fun on the trails just go prepared.

I know you guys in Houston dont mud alot butsome tricks I learned for mudding are
1. Spray baby oil over every surface you think might get hit with mud (water soluble, makes the mud slide off) that includes under hood and the radiator.
2. Spread a section of screen in front of the radiator, in front or behind the grill doesnt matter, tie it in temporrarly. Keeps about 75% of the mud off the radiator.

Tim

 

[Pink Taco]

bad thing is that I grew up around the mud in Manhattan, KS. Never had this happen to me before. I've heard about the baby oil as well as pam (cooking spray) My new thoughts are stay away from the mud. I'm still trying to clean some of this crap off.

 

[tbplus10]

That stuffs like crack, no matter how much you try and stay away the first time you run across it on the trail you end up jumping in.

Pam works good but with certain types of paint it leaves a residue that wont wash off.

We cut-up a T100 4X4 a couple weeks ago, in the boxed sections of the frame we found about 150lbs of mud, some sections were packed so tight with mud it actually slowed down the sawzall.

Tim

 

[Pink Taco]

damn that's a lot of mud.

 

[Baja Belk]

That stuffs like crack, no matter how much you try and stay away the first time you run across it on the trail you end up jumping in.

Pam works good but with certain types of paint it leaves a residue that wont wash off.

We cut-up a T100 4X4 a couple weeks ago, in the boxed sections of the frame we found about 150lbs of mud, some sections were packed so tight with mud it actually slowed down the sawzall.

Tim

I pulled about 40lbs of mud from my skidplate after this trip:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/belkster2000/detail?.dir=3152&.dnm=8f08.jpg&.src=ph

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/belkster2000/detail?.dir=3152&.dnm=ebd5.jpg&.src=ph

When I pulled the last bolt out of the skid it fell like a brick and just about broke my hand. I took pics of the mud in the skid but they're on a new roll. I agree, mud sucks but it's addictive (see other pics in that album).

 

[Live4yotas]

Muds like crack lol. Yeah I'd say so I'm from alabama and there is nothing as fun as some slick as red clay it might not be but 6" deep but it is awesome stuff. When you get out of your truck and walk around and are 6" taller when you get back to the truck its cool. That red clay is awesome shit it will gum up them most awesome tires. Boggers turn into mud slicks. When someone can push your truck around a turn with one hand to help you out you know your in some bad shit. But it is a major undertaking to clean out but worth the fun.

 

[rojodiablo]

To help clean out the radiator, hose it out from the INSIDE. You can hardly fit your hand and a hose in there, and the engine needs to be OFF..... but the water will push off the mud, instead of pushing it in. 'Cause I KNOW you aint gonna stay outta that mud pit for very long.'

 

[ARB1977]

I pulled about 40lbs of mud from my skidplate after this trip:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/belkster2000/detail?.dir=3152&.dnm=8f08.jpg&.src=ph

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/belkster2000/detail?.dir=3152&.dnm=ebd5.jpg&.src=ph

When I pulled the last bolt out of the skid it fell like a brick and just about broke my hand. I took pics of the mud in the skid but they're on a new roll. I agree, mud sucks but it's addictive (see other pics in that album).

Thats some crazy chit man.

 

[Baja Belk]

As promised - my 40lb skid plate....

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/belkster2000/detail?.dir=/3152&.dnm=6345.jpg&.src=ph

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/belkster2000/detail?.dir=/3152&.dnm=3dc1.jpg&.src=ph

...pics don't even do it justice...

 

[TWIN]

I've been offroading as much as possible since I was a sophmore in high school. Personally I think mud is too fun. Now I respect rock crawling for its high level of skill, but it's a little too much jarring and damage for me. Honestly, if you keep it under 15 mph and wash every square inch of your truck, there will be minimal damage. Stay safe.
-Matt

 

[Rob]

As promised - my 40lb skid plate....

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/belkster2000/detail?.dir=/3152&.dnm=6345.jpg&.src=ph

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/belkster2000/detail?.dir=/3152&.dnm=3dc1.jpg&.src=ph

...pics don't even do it justice...

Damn Baja, you could plant a garden in that

 

[Baja Belk]

Damn Baja, you could plant a garden in that

Tell me about it. You shoulda seen all the seashells I pulled out of it.... Last time I go muddin at the beach...

 

[tanKoma]

how were u able to get that skid plate off?

 

[Baja Belk]

how were u able to get that skid plate off?

The first one I held up with one hand while taking the last bolt off - little did I know how heavy it was, it nearly crushed my hand when it came crashing down. The next one I held up with my knee then took the bolts out. Putting it back on was fun considering half the bolts were missing and few of the remaining bolts went back where they were supposed to cuz the plates so bent and twisted. I think there's only two bolts holding each plate up.