well buddy asked me to join on a local run. so since i had stuff i still needed to do to the rig yet, i said sure lets go. figure it out as i go.
so with no heater box i loaded up some candles and blankets and set out to meet up at local food spot roughly 1.5hr north of me. from there we headed further north and they chose a nite run to be somewhat courtesy of the hunters. but hell we like to use stateland ourselves. most trails are hard bottom with sand mixed in with mud. biggest issues typically was small tires for the big tire ruts. if you keep it out of ruts usally be fine. but not always so easy to do just that. avg tire size was 33s. i being one of the bigger guys out there, yet i like last time was the most problem-matic. i had no problem hitting the bigger holes and getting muddy for that matter. one hole was deep and engulfed my 37s and so happens i forgot to lock the hubs. so another Mj owner was able to reach my drivers hub and lock it in and with that i was able to make it out of the mud hole in 3wd. at first i said that won't work and he reminded me i was locked in the front. i was tickled pink after making it out. however in that same hole i moved the engine, as stock motor mount is cracked, so it hit my aux fan and caused it to jam and that led to the sweet smell of burning plastic as my fuse holder and wires were melting. granted we had no 40am blade fuse so used a can soda tab to make a make shift fused connection which worked so well i was able to smell my way to finding the electric fan jammed up. so pulled that and had to deal with getting hot now. slow and steady and irritating. if i wanted and could have moved one fan over to other side to get more air flow as won't be on trans cooler. but no. damage was done and thinking my headgasket will be do to replace. so thinking now it perfect time to pull the whole drivetrain. replace 4.0, swap ax15 with new cps, and add perhaps a triple fan setup. blah blah. i like these local runs as it really gives me the opportunities to find those simple things that can make a day out on the trail troublesome. but was a great time. i felt bad for holding the group up bit they were a great group that ensured i was good to go. another reason i enjoy the jeep community. great folks and great time. made it home with road air flow and now to clean up the mud that came directly in my lap. maybe i need mud flaps...