4-Wheeling the V8!!

Sunday, December 14th, was our first wheeling run since Paul has swapped the engine in his Wrangler. He took his 4-banger manual Jeep engine out, and dropped in an automatic Dodge V8. I was so proud and amazed. He had to convert parts by hand, rebuilding things to make the Dodge engine work with the other Jeep parts.

So after about 11 months of work, we finally headed up to Brownscamp to stretch its legs.

We got up there at about 9:15, and hit the trail at 10am. Our first course was Firebreak Five, an easy but fun warm-up. Here's trees right before we began.

There's a rock garden part way through Firebreak Five, and here's a shot of Paul driving the Jeep through the rocks.

Next, it was on to Crushers. Which as you can see from the sign, is only for the real man-rigs. This obstacle will eat you up and spit you out if you're not built for it.Even Paul, with his bad-apple Jeep, got tossed into a small tree. No permanent damage, though Hobie does go to check on his papa.

The Wrangler, along with another rig that joined the run, up at the top of Can Opener. (The names of these runs just crack me up!)

As we drive through these trails, there were tons of snow-laden branches hanging down in our way. They would bash across the dashboard, covering the Jeep with snow. We had to keep clearing the wipers! This pic was through the windshield as we're driving!

Of course the boys came, and they had the biggest blast! Here they are, tearing along the trail.What outdoor trip would be complete without a giant stick?

We made it out safe and got home just before 8pm, Hoban having slept on my lap the whole drive. It was great fun, VERY cold, and I'm really glad I got a chance to hang with Paul and his great group of wheeling guys. I'm also extra very glad that he didn't try to take me in Kevin's rig, which had no top OR windshield! Talk about hard core!!