29 Switchback Rd. Again

[4.3LXJ]

This spring I went with my son, HUM WEE Jr to 29 Switchback Rd in a stock TJ. TJ Resurrection is the project vehicle. Here is the trip this spring.

http://www.xjtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14724

We stopped near the top because of an obstacle that no one else had been through either. Plenty of people walked it, but no tire tracks.


http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Twenty%20Nine%20Switch%20Back%20Rd/IMG_0283_zps7ba8d5fd.jpg

Now the TJ has grown up. 4" lift and 35s and a good track lock in the rear, it was ready to go. So back we went. There are a few off camber situations with about a mile and a half drop and nothing to stop you from hitting bottom. There had been a lot of quads up there and rutted the down hill side on some of them. One was bad enough that the TJ was starting to lift up. But fortunately no roll overs. Time to clean the shorts though. The XJ didn't have any problems. It apparently has a lower center of gravity, which surprised me. We came to the place where we had stopped, and true to form, footprints and no tire tracks. The front side doesn't look too bad, but there are big rocks and off camber on the back side. I blew through and was out to take a vid of the TJ and he was just bouncing down the last drop. So, no drama. Here is the rest of the trail to the top

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Twenty%20Nine%20Switch%20Back%20Rd/29switchbackrd_zps74321427.jpg

The lighter section is the only part we couldn't do last time. Very frustrating. We were short on time, so a view pics of the canyon. Fall colors are just coming in here in the mountains.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Twenty%20Nine%20Switch%20Back%20Rd/IMG_0572_zpsc36231c8.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Twenty%20Nine%20Switch%20Back%20Rd/IMG_0571_zpsac707b8e.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Twenty%20Nine%20Switch%20Back%20Rd/IMG_0570_zps92108425.jpg

Life has changed here since the fire five years ago. But there is still a few remnants. Here are a couple of Sword Ferns in a very unexpected place.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Twenty%20Nine%20Switch%20Back%20Rd/IMG_0568_zps5cc241ff.jpg

What is keeping these ferns normally found in moist places alive is anybodies guess

Once we got to the top, we decided to find another way out. We didn't want to take the TJ on the off camber spot again. So we went down into the forest. Once we broke over the top we were out of the burn and in the trees. Here is a sight you don't often see in CA.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Twenty%20Nine%20Switch%20Back%20Rd/IMG_0573_zpsb73a30d0.jpg

Miniature pine cones, right? Not really. Those are Alder catkins. Alder is a pretty rare tree here and only grows in wet areas, like the Pacific Northwest. It is a weed in the woods up there.

When we were here before the flowers were out. Now, almost all gone. But ....

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Twenty%20Nine%20Switch%20Back%20Rd/IMG_0574_zps8e7d9fe4.jpg

Here are some Pearly Everlastings. They make great dried flowers. There were enough around to keep several flower shops busy.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Twenty%20Nine%20Switch%20Back%20Rd/IMG_0575_zps2dbfa3a7.jpg

The Dogwood was showing nice color. Couldn't find any Catwood though. Dogs must have chased them away :D

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Twenty%20Nine%20Switch%20Back%20Rd/IMG_0576_zps6f76ea2b.jpg

A few small logs, pic taken through the window

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Twenty%20Nine%20Switch%20Back%20Rd/IMG_0579_zpsdf03b358.jpg

It was getting dark and we were heading to the town of Concow. We got to the county road, and our friendly neighborhood Forest Service had gated our road off. I think the locals had had enough of that and had a well traveled bypass. We had no qualms about taking it. We had gotten there legitimately and if cited we would have beaten it easily in court.

We got to the pavement and aired up. Paul was swearing while connecting his sway bar back up. I never had to disconnect mine :D :bacondance: :bacondance: :bacondance:
All in all, I was very pleased with my new full travel sway bar. We had a few wash outs and such to contend with, as well as the obstacle on the switchbacks and never ran out of suspension travel or had a wheel off the ground. So I pronounce that a success.

So for the part you have all been waiting for .................. the carnage report.
On the way up I kept hearing this banging noise. Kind of sounded solid. Once we got off road, it quit. Then on the road it started up again. Now what could that possibly be? Kudos to who can guess what it was. The right answer lets you tag along on our next trip. :D

[XJ Wheeler]

I'm betting that new swaybar is the reason you didn't lean like the tj.


Sent via messenger pigeon - i talk, he types.

[4.3LXJ]

I'm betting that new swaybar is the reason you didn't lean like the tj.


Sent via messenger pigeon - i talk, he types.

I didn't see it since I was up the trail a ways. But his Jeep doesn't lean much at all. It corners better without a sway bar than mine does with one. His springs are kind of stiff, so maybe that has something to do with it.

[XJ Wheeler]

I didn't see it since I was up the trail a ways. But his Jeep doesn't lean much at all. It corners better without a sway bar than mine does with one. His springs are kind of stiff, so maybe that has something to do with it.

That is surprising then. I would have thought the tj to have a lower center of gravity. Xjs do set quite low overall... a slim body. Hmmm. This is gonna make me churn the old brain cogs to figure out.

Sent via messenger pigeon - i talk, he types.

[4.3LXJ]

If you get around one, the engine and such sit higher than in an XJ. And even lifted 8", my XJ is shorter

[abebehrmann]

Was there a problem with your transfer case not shifting out of 4wd?

[4.3LXJ]

Nope, not it. I have a different tcase and linkage so it is not a problem. Try again :D

[abebehrmann]

Could you tell which general area it was coming from or would that give it away?

[Brasscatz]

Hmmm..... muffler hanger was loose? Sweet pics by the way!

[4.3LXJ]

Could you tell which general area it was coming from or would that give it away?

Coming from the front. Sounded serious at the time

[4.3LXJ]

Hmmm..... muffler hanger was loose? Sweet pics by the way!

Thanks. Muffler bearings were all good

[Brasscatz]

You left a tool or flashlight under the hood...

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 because my microwave couldn't do it

[4.3LXJ]

Nope, but I managed to pack a full collection of sockets and no ratchets :D

[Brasscatz]

winch cable was swinging....

[4.3LXJ]

You get the prize. Very close. The winch hook which is hidden by the front license plate was being rattled by the wind against the fairlead. Pretty loud echoing off the canyon walls. Even more mystifying, it quit under deceleration.

Next big trip is the Grapevine Jeep Trail

[Brasscatz]

lol, I can imagine that would be a concerning sound! Alright, since I won the prize, do I get a paid hauler to bring my Jeep up there? :D lol

[4.3LXJ]

lol, I can imagine that would be a concerning sound! Alright, since I won the prize, do I get a paid hauler to bring my Jeep up there? :D lol

I suppose you expect me to drive it for you too?

[Brasscatz]

Well of course! EVERYBODY needs to experience the awesomeness of driving a red Jeep ;)

[4.3LXJ]

Had one of those once .............. gave it away :D