Muddin and Deep Water

[JeffP]

I’ve never gone looking for mud or deep water to drive in. I have however been forced to dive in to get to or back from remote places.
Doing that when not absolutely necessary is just plain stupid!
The ones that do rarely have the sense to drain axles, transmissions or transfer cases to get the water out! It’s a major pain in the rear!
Removing all the mud & yuck from drum brakes isn’t as bad but not my idea of fun either... then any leftover mud on the body or frame collects moisture... moisture leads to rust. I don’t like rust!
Once water hits an automatic Transmission clutch pack, it’s done! Draining won’t help!
Not being able to see what lies under the water or mud isn’t my idea of fun. Sounds like a great way to destroy a vehicle & end up walking home.
Personally I’d rather run my 4x4s for hundreds of thousands of miles, enjoying every one of them than beating the hell out of something for part of one day.
Several times a week someone will approach me in a parking lot & say “Nice Jeep, I used to have one... I sure miss it.” I just nod, say “thanks” & drive off thinking “what a dumbass! Maybe he should have taken better care of it.”
That’s my rant for today. Most Jeeps are indeed capable... IF YOU ARE FORCED TO... but please... get the water & mud out / off and replace oil & grease immediately!

 

[mdeluca]

Good post... I always shake my head and wonder, "Why the hell!?" when I see guys punishing their investment. I don't care how ratty it is, there is time and money put into every sacrificial lamb...

 

[JeffP]

Good post... I always shake my head and wonder, "Why the hell!?" when I see guys punishing their investment. I don't care how ratty it is, there is time and money put into every sacrificial lamb...

Funny story about that... I was 4x4ing on. CA beach, goofed around too long and the tide came in blocking my exit with a 3’ deep, 12’ wide river of salt water. I was in no hurry so decided to wait until the tide went out.
Faster and easier than all the extra work when I got home. Not to mention salt water!
Along comes Ranger Dumbass! Drives his “official” truck, that we paid for, thru this trench of salt water to give me a ticket for driving on the beach. The damage or even maintenance to fix it cost more than the ticket was worth.
He takes his time, taking it personal like it’s HIS beach and eventually gives me the ticket.
Then Deputy Dip tries to drive back thru it! This time, it’s wider and MUCH deeper. He’s stuck! Funny as hell watching the water rise & fall thru his cab!
He swims out, then has the nerve to walk over to me and ask if I’d be kind enough to winch him out!
I said “Gee, I’m sorry sir, I was recently informed that it’s illegal to operate a motor vehicle here EVEN THOUGH IT’S NOT POSTED as stated by the law.”
Then he starts to beg...
So I said... “You have a radio right? Call your watch commander and ask him if it’s OK for an off duty deputy sheriff to use his POV ON THE BEACH to pull you out, in exchange for your stupid ticket.”
Then it’s like “Oh... you are a sheriff’s deputy?” Not today! Today I’m off duty... just average Joe Citizen.” Then went on to say that if I had told him before he wrote... blah blah. I stopped him and said “I don’t give a rat’s behind if I pull over the Governor! He’s still getting cited.” He looked all butthurt so
I asked... does your radio still work or do you need to patch a call thru mine?”
Even better, his radio was underwater too lol!
I used mine but requested a supervisor without explaining why. lol.
His boss came out, saw what Dumbass did then OFFERED to void my ticket. Insisting that it was because the area wasn’t properly posted and that it had nothing to do with my job. Then asked if I was willing to winch the truck out.
“Sure thing, I’d be happy to.”
Being a smartass, I got back a few hundred feet, floored it, over a tiny sand bar and actually jumped the little river! It must have looked spectacular! As I was turning around Ranger Retard was swimming over to get my cable lol.
Winching him out was quick & easy. I didn’t even get wet!
After I got home I spent well over an hour checking my Jeep. I was certain I had to have broken or bent something with that Evil Kinevil jump. Nope, just a happy,incredibly rugged Jeep with no battle scars... but loads of newly earned respect!
Yes, I consider that Jeep abuse, but it really was worth it. Wish I had it on video! Or at least a photo of the tire marks on each side!

 

[mdeluca]

Funny story about that... I was 4x4ing on. CA beach, goofed around too long and the tide came in blocking my exit with a 3’ deep, 12’ wide river of salt water. I was in no hurry so decided to wait until the tide went out.
Faster and easier than all the extra work when I got home. Not to mention salt water!
Along comes Ranger Dumbass! Drives his “official” truck, that we paid for, thru this trench of salt water to give me a ticket for driving on the beach. The damage or even maintenance to fix it cost more than the ticket was worth.
He takes his time, taking it personal like it’s HIS beach and eventually gives me the ticket.
Then Deputy Dippoopie tries to drive back thru it! This time, it’s wider and MUCH deeper. He’s stuck! Funny as hell watching the water rise & fall thru his cab!
He swims out, then has the nerve to walk over to me and ask if I’d be kind enough to winch him out!
I said “Gee, I’m sorry sir, I was recently informed that it’s illegal to operate a motor vehicle here EVEN THOUGH IT’S NOT POSTED as stated by the law.”
Then he starts to beg...
So I said... “You have a radio right? Call your watch commander and ask him if it’s OK for an off duty deputy sheriff to use his POV ON THE BEACH to pull you out, in exchange for your stupid ticket.”
Then it’s like “Oh... you are a sheriff’s deputy?” Not today! Today I’m off duty... just average Joe Citizen.” Then went on to say that if I had told him before he wrote... blah blah. I stopped him and said “I don’t give a rat’s behind if I pull over the Governor! He’s still getting cited.” He looked all butthurt so
I asked... does your radio still work or do you need to patch a call thru mine?”
Even better, his radio was underwater too lol!
I used mine but requested a supervisor without explaining why. lol.
His boss came out, saw what Dumbass did then OFFERED to void my ticket. Insisting that it was because the area wasn’t properly posted and that it had nothing to do with my job. Then asked if I was willing to winch the truck out.
“Sure thing, I’d be happy to.”
Being a smartbutt, I got back a few hundred feet, floored it, over a tiny sand bar and actually jumped the little river! It must have looked spectacular! As I was turning around Ranger Retard was swimming over to get my cable lol.
Winching him out was quick & easy. I didn’t even get wet!
After I got home I spent well over an hour checking my Jeep. I was certain I had to have broken or bent something with that Evil Kinevil jump. Nope, just a happy,incredibly rugged Jeep with no battle scars... but loads of newly earned respect!
Yes, I consider that Jeep abuse, but it really was worth it. Wish I had it on video! Or at least a photo of the tire marks on each side!

Great story... I've had mostly good luck with official types. I'd would love to have been there as he turned and saw his truck filling up... Can't make some stuff up.

 

[JeffP]

Great story... I've had mostly good luck with official types. I'd would love to have been there as he turned and saw his truck filling up... Can't make some stuff up.

There is a term “officer discretion” which refers to a colossal amount of leeway in situations where the public isn’t in danger. Had I been working in his spot, I would have merely advised the person(s) driving on the beach that it’s illegal and ask them to stop.
If I caught the same guy the next day doing it again, I’d impound his Jeep!
But... 99.99% of the time everybody has a great day. It’s easier to be nice!
I had another jack me up for a “loaded fire-man” in a vehicle. Really... he wrote fireman in place of firearm!
He was being such a jerk I wasn’t about to tell him that I was required to! I wanted him to waste his day off in court while I denied even knowing and drunk firefighters, let alone cruise around with them in my Jeep.
It was pretty funny but it never made it to court.