did the rear bumper live??? :-)
_______________________
Jon Smith--Raleigh, NC
jon@fast4x4.net
www.fast4x4.net
'95 Dakota 4x4 318 CC auto
----- Original Message -----
From: <Killerdak@aol.com>
To: <dakota-truck@buffnet.net>
Sent: Monday, November 06, 2000 10:04 AM
Subject: DML: KILLERDAK goes Rockcrawling to TELLICO! report....
>
> 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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