Hey guys,   

I got the new shoes on my tracker, and the new 4x4 hubs installed,  and it ready to hit the trails tommorow!

my question is...i'm going solo car here.  its not a crazy trail, should be MOSTLY dry.   But i dont have an electric winch (yet).  there is thick trees on all sides of the trail.   Do you recommend anything i can pick up tonight incase i get stuck on the trail? 

I shouldnt...but you never know.  and i dont want to sleep out there!

Thanks in advance.

Maybe pick up a cable come-a-long just in case.  I have one I bought from Costco.

thanks Keith.  i was looking for one today!   cant find one

I found a used one...but they called it a "cable puller". looks the same...not sure if it is.

be very carefull with a come along.....use gloves and never turn your back to it. A better/faster/safer tool is the high lift jack. You can use it to Jack up the vehicle, and it's very usefull to haul your zuke out.

You need a little more gear but it's alot better. A couple of clevis, a tree hugger strap, a good long strap and some time. If the pin break there is nothing to really fly at you but in a come along I've seen parts fly and never be found...at the same time then you should never turn your back to the handle.

Don't get me wrong, when I plan a big solo mud runr I bring my winch, my high lift and two come alongs...they are very usefull.

Another arguement is about the real highlift or the plain farm jack.....I've got the cheap one and it's never failed.

I've read that you can use a high lift as a come-along but I've never understood how that works.  Can you explain it?  I actually have a high lift that I've never used.

I recommend blankets, sleeping bag, a set of dry clothing, food, water, and means of starting a fire.

Will you be in cell range?

If you have to call for help, and you have it, a GPS can make finding you a lot easier.

More water (dehydration will really cause you a lot of problems).

Did I say to take some water?  Oh, and blankets and dry clothing.

Don't forget that first aid kit, and water.

Shovel...seriously.

So, how did the day go?

WOW.   that was just AWESOME.


These cars go anywhere!    ha, mine is bone stock, with brand new, good 235 off road tires.     I went up sand mountains,  slogged through mud up to the doors,  and crunched through the forest.  

Being a 4-door, we hung it up on some good mounds,  but she just kept on givin er'.    Actually,  the only thing i'm thinking about getting RIGHT away, is a couple good seatbelts...almost threw my buddy through the windshield, and i smashed my neck into the roof.

I went places to pull ATV'S out today, in a 400$ car, putting out maybe 90hp.    thats just way too fun.    


I have a couple questions...  When i'm driving the tracker HARD, is there any parts (being stock)  that i'm over stressing?  anything i should be looking to beef up to keep from demolishing my ride?

also,  i need some good skid plates i'm thinking..  

You think they go anywhere stock, you should try a locker in back,
increases your traction like crazy for off camber and ruts 

Wild

Locker eh?   How much would that run me,  could i do it myself in my shop?

The locker is about $250, check the ZW vendor listings
and ya, you can do it in your shop, I was worried when
I did mine, but the only thing you have to setup again
is the backlash for the ring gear, get a mag-base dial indicator,
like $30 from harbor freight if you don't have one.

I think the lockers come with instructions too, if not many
guys on this site can help you too, as well as there are online
sources like Ack's FAQ that cover it too

Wild

Well, i know what my weekend projects going to be. 

I'm amazed at the clearance of the truck.  There were a few times i was figured for getting swamped.  not even close. 

although, a 2" lift might not hurt...

use of a Hi Lift Jack

http://www.bb4wa.com/articles/hilift_jack.htm

I spent a few hours today looking around for a Hi-lift...turns out i have one laying around the garage.

Does anyone know anybody who's ever cut a 4-door into a partial convertable?  i'm thinking the same as a sidekick... just the back part.   

Anyone seen this before?