WOW is all I have to say after an amazing weekend of rockcrawling at the ORV
trails of Tellico NC mountains near Tennessee...I was VERY happy with the Dak
and its ability to take some pretty hardcore stuff! I'm talking some steep
ravines and big-ass rocks the size of Volkswagens! It was simply awesome
seeing the stares as a DAKOTA entered the trailheads driving by lines of
Jeeps and old broncos and Hummers! I definitely abused the hell out of my
side rock sliders and skid plates (WALT GET THE TRAILMASTER FRONT SKID
PLATE! It took some major hits but really saved my front diff!) The drawback
was the long wheelbase of the club cab which made for some really interesting
18-point turns on narrow trails with steep dropoffs, also got hung up in the
middle a couple times until the locker pushed me over on either the frame or
side rails. At one point I tried to get up a very steep rock face (Peckerwood
Ledge for those that know Tellico....believe me, we exhausted all jokes about
its name over the CB!...huh huh...he said pecker...)and I actually crushed a
big rock to pieces by the force of the truck frame. Alas on that one the lack
of a front locker was my downfall and it took 15 minutes of trying (and
almost tipping over at one point to the shock of about 25 people who had
gathered to watch the obstacle) before we decided to winch it the rest of the
way up. I probably had about a 35 degree or more front to back tilt on the
truck, big-time ass-pucker factor there! (my tilt gauge stops at 30 and it
was maxed out)
I have one weak link that needs to be addressed before the next excursion:
the Trailmaster torsion bar mounts that sit below the frame rail- they
continually got bashed back and I'd have to pound them back with a
sledge....I need to either move it up somehow or weld up some sort of guard
or brace for it. The torsion bars themselves were very strong, at one point
one was holding the weight of the truck sliding over a very ackward-shaped
rock. (I had spares JUST in case)...
Total damage report: Big dent in front skid from big rock. Front lower
control arm mounts slightly bent back at bottom (minor). Had to replace one
tire due to valve stem being ripped off by rock. Big scrapes on frame bottom
and side rock sliders (thats what they're there for!) Front fog light busted
from hitting tree. Rear hitch took some big hits but no damage, need to raise
it up anyways...trailmaster torsion bar mounts bent backwards but hammered
back. NO BODY DAMAGE!
Awesome, awesome weekend. Hope to have some pics back soon!
____________________
Dave Kilian -- Clayton, NC
'96 Dakota CC 4x4 3.9L 5-spd, 4.10, 4" susp/2" Body lift, 33" MT's etc...
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