3rd Annual Colorado Jeep-CJ Trail Report

[BusaDave9]

More pictures
Here is Molas Pass. This is just off highway 550 south of Silverton.

In Silverton I took a walk along the Animas River South of town.

The above picture is looking back toward town.
The next picture is looking south. As the river flows away from Silverton it goes into a very steep canyon.



Rapids are rated for difficulty. Many sections south of Silverton are rated 6. That is considered "Dangerous, Impossible, or Nearly Impossible" to navigate. But people still try it. Some successfully some not so.

When you take the train down this canyon the rapids look ridiculous for anyone to even attempt. And if you fall into the water the canyon walls are sheer rock. Impossible to climb out in many places.

I remember hearing about 2 kayakers that attempted these rapids. On kayaker fell out. When his buddy was unable to find any more than the empty kayak he notified the authorities. A search party was sent out. But the kayaker was able to climb up to the railroad tracks and walk back to Silverton. He called his buddy and his buddy said "there's a big rescue party out looking for you".

 

[BusaDave9]

Silverton Rail Yard
The train brings tourists from Durango to Silverton. I shot these pictures at the Silverton rail yard. This is not where the train stops in Silverton. They made the tracks go right down a side street in downtown Silverton. That's where the tourists are dropped off. Most of these pictures are HDR.











A railroad worker rides one of these little cars behind the trail to make sure the steam locomotive didn't start any fires.

 

[BusaDave9]

Landslides
During the trail ride I got trapped between 2 rock slides and had to abandon my jeep. My story is here: Trapped by a Landslide

When the bulldozer operators were digging out the trail I was on one of them said "how'd you get out? Those land slides were higher than my bulldozer" (they were using the huge bulldozers that were 15 feet high)

I drove across the creek. Back in town the owner of the cabins I was staying in said there was also a landslide on highway 550 on the other side of the Red Mountains I was on. Now that I am home I am catching up on reading the paper I saw this article: The Durango Herald 08/29/2013 | Mudslides trap Ignacio man

The landslide on highway 550 was not as deep but wider than the ones I was trapped by.

 

[Hedgehog]

the camera was still running - YouTube

nobody saw a thing, not even the dog.
watch closely.

This would have been a great time to have a Big Foot sighting. Who knows, maybe next year.

 

[Torxhead]

Thanks for sharing all that Dave, So what are your plans for that u-joint fix? I found that little car that runs behind the train to watch for hot cinders interesting also.

 

[BusaDave9]

So what are your plans for that u-joint fix?

I'm thinking this: G2 Axle & Gear 982032002 - G2 Axle & Gear 27 Spline Front Axle Kit for 82-86 Jeep CJ-5, CJ-7 & CJ-8 Scrambler with Dana 30 Axle - Quadratec

The axle shafts are extra strong but I can't find much info on the u joints that are included.
It's the U joint that broke but the axle shafts got damaged in the aftermath.

 

[Hedgehog]

Not really my business, but things break as a warning. Go stronger and you push the breakage down the line. ..... I'm just sayin'.

Besides that nice pictures. Maybe next year, Colorado isn't that far from Tucson.

 

[GatorBate]

I'm thinking this: G2 Axle & Gear 982032002 - G2 Axle & Gear 27 Spline Front Axle Kit for 82-86 Jeep CJ-5, CJ-7 & CJ-8 Scrambler with Dana 30 Axle - Quadratec

The axle shafts are extra strong but I can't find much info on the u joints that are included.
It's the U joint that broke but the axle shafts got damaged in the aftermath.

My axles came with spicer 5-760X u-joints. I wish I would have gone with the 30 splines instead of the 27 splines. Larger diamature axle more strength.

Great pictures guys. I'm going to start now to make plans to be there next year.

 

[PaRenegade]

Not really my business, but things break as a warning. Go stronger and you push the breakage down the line. ..... I'm just sayin'.

I would generally agree. The Dana 30 isn't a tank but the weak point/link should be the u-joints in the driveshaft. Much easier to fix on the trail or at home and doesn't do as much damage. So beefing up the axle and it's joints would help push the breakage to the weaker driveshaft joints.

 

[IOPort51]

with all the signs saying it is illegal to drive off the maintained roads I am wondering how they feel about self rescue such as what you did. did you tell the dozer driver your story??

Landslides
During the trail ride I got trapped between 2 rock slides and had to abandon my jeep. My story is here: Trapped by a Landslide

When the bulldozer operators were digging out the trail I was on one of them said "how'd you get out? Those land slides were higher than my bulldozer" (they were using the huge bulldozers that were 15 feet high)

I drove across the creek. Back in town the owner of the cabins I was staying in said there was also a landslide on highway 550 on the other side of the Red Mountains I was on. Now that I am home I am catching up on reading the paper I saw this article: The Durango Herald 08/29/2013 | Mudslides trap Ignacio man

The landslide on highway 550 was not as deep but wider than the ones I was trapped by.

 

[Hedgehog]

Excellent point about the driveshaft U-joints.

Since the field crew didn't seem to mind I imagine a self rescue is acceptable. On second thought I imagine a field crew wouldn't be big on sending the authorities after someone just trying to get their vehicle home.

Ya know, getting stuck and having a few field repairs gives adventure stories a little much needed spice. Enjoyed the write-up.

 

[BusaDave9]

with all the signs saying it is illegal to drive off the maintained roads I am wondering how they feel about self rescue such as what you did. did you tell the dozer driver your story??

When I told the bulldozer driver how I drove across the creek he said "we don't care. You did what you had to do but don't let the ranger hear what you did. He'll string you up"

 

[BusaDave9]

As for my axles, I welcome everyone's suggestions. CJ had a recommendation and I'd like to hear the specifics.

I like to eliminate any weak links. The weakest part should not be far weaker than the rest of the vehicle. The weak link should be easy to replace. I would rather replace a drive shaft u joint than a axle u joint. Other axle problems can be even worse (differential or axle housing)

Here's my jeep in a nutshell: V8 motor, T-18 Tranny, Dana 20 TCase, axles are Dana 30 and AMC20 . All driving 36 inch tires.
The weakest parts are the axles. I have even been toying with the idea of upgrading to Dana 60s.

 

[Torxhead]

As I recall the 760x replaced the 297x which is the same as for use in the Dana 44 . Doing a visual comparsion, the 760x looks weaker than the 297x. The YJ Dana 30 went to those around '91. So Chrysler thought it would be a good idea also. The cap diameter is 1/16" larger than the 260s. From the busted joints that I have seen, they appear to have had a prior crack, rather than break all at once. I also once noticed a guys axle u-joint prior to breaking, and the retainers were beginning to come out.

 

[Old Dog]

When I replaced my front (Dana 30 ) axles with the Alloy USA axles they took the 570 joints. I had broken a few of the 260's (stock size for the 30) I never broke a joint after the swap. I say go for the bigger axle joints.
PS. I would not recommend getting Alloy USA though.

 

[Posi]

Dave, thanks for sharing your story alone with pics of your trip. I would enjoy heading out your way at some point, maybe next years run. You seem like a good host!

 

[BusaDave9]

Dave, thanks for sharing your story alone with pics of your trip. I would enjoy heading out your way at some point, maybe next years run. You seem like a good host!

I'd like to have you join us. Next year will be the last.It will most likely be the last week of August again. Do you have far to come?

 

[Old Dog]

When I replaced my front (Dana 30 ) axles with the Alloy USA axles they took the 570 joints. I had broken a few of the 260's (stock size for the 30) I never broke a joint after the swap. I say go for the bigger axle joints.
PS. I would not recommend getting Alloy USA though.

Wow I meant to say 5-760 joints

 

[IOPort51]

Have you ever replaced those axle joints?

 

[BusaDave9]

Have you ever replaced those axle joints?

I just replace that U Joint one year ago. Just before the 2nd Colorado Jeep-CJ trail ride. I only had 1600 miles on that fricken U Joint. There was almost NO wear on the U Joint when it busted.

If I didn't have 36 inch tires those U joints would continue to work for many, many more years.