HARLAN August 21 and 22

I am 80% (and increasing) sure that I will go to this. I was initially put off by the 7+ hours of driving (living near Attica spoils me), but it is time to man up and go somewhere far from home. I am on 33s open/open, and I've read there are bypasses, but will I most likely be bypassing everything or will I be semi-capable out there? I have an auto-locked D44 in the works and could probably have a locked D30 by then if I get motivated, either of which I assume would make a huge difference out there.

I will be primitive camping, but it looks like the rates are about the same at both campgrounds, so I don't really mind where I stay and I'd be happy to be near the larger group. When you make reservations do you just tell them upper or lower?

Google says the park is an hour away from the campground, is that correct? Was hoping to leave the truck and trailer and just drive the XJ to the park, but even an hour of on-road driving that thing is sketchy...
 
You will have fun there no matter how you are equiped.

one of the trail heads is at the campground, so not sure where that hour figure is coming from.

I am staying at the "lower" campground.
 
Harlan county campground is located at the trail head of the putney entrance. the trail head goes thru the campground so once you are unloaded you just drive up the mountain trail. not abig deal to drive your rig to the shower house or to other camp sites. they also have a area to wash your rig for free. Trail wise you will be able to do a lot of the trails open if dry but wet will be another thing. the same as any other park i have been to. This park is on my do again list and i have wheeled it 2 times this year. I have done the Lions den and all of the can opener. the stock rigs will have some hill climb fun at the stadium.
 
Making my to-do list before this trip...

1) fix worn caliper that's banging around up front. I have all the parts to do calipers, rotors and pads on both sides

2) adjust rear brakes; had it on a lift and they're probably operating at less than 25% of the front so it's no wonder that the front caliper is worn from the stress; if I get froggy, I may try to tackle the ZJ disc conversion now that I have the backplates (thanks Brian!)

3) install factory gas tank skid that I got from the JY

4) get and install CB radio that my brother picked up from one of his firefighter buddies

There's always more, but those are the most critical in order of priority.

Eric
 
SC Rednek said:
Looks like I'll be there, I'm getting in Thursday night and staying till Sunday morning. Already made reservations.
Click to expand...

Cool!! Same here... When are leaving?? Maybe we can meet somewhere on I-75..

Awe Pat !! :huh:

Nick
 
hanaxj87 said:
Cool!! Same here... When are leaving?? Maybe we can meet somewhere on I-75..
Click to expand...

Don't know yet for sure, it depends on school, but probably mid or late afternoon on Thursday.

My parents are driving up from SC for the weekend (it's actually closer for them), so be sure to give my dad a hard time for not lifting or wheeling either of his jeeps.
 
SC Rednek said:
Don't know yet for sure, it depends on school, but probably mid or late afternoon on Thursday.

My parents are driving up from SC for the weekend (it's actually closer for them), so be sure to give my dad a hard time for not lifting or wheeling either of his jeeps.
Click to expand...

Not sure on the time yet... Hope to be on the road by 4:00 pm at the latest.

Dunno bout giving your dad a hard time:dunno: How big a boy is He?:greensmok

Nick
 
My friend Neal is coming out as well, with his Xterra. Before anyone laughs too hard, he wheeled it at the Redbird cleanup and I think some MWC people will vouch for him.

He is afraid of body damage though. :laugh:

I will be making reservations tomorrow for the lower campground. Arriving evening Thursday, leaving morning Sunday. After seeing pictures of this place I am dangerously excited. The only thing I wanted to do all summer was go wheeling, and between work and grad school I've only been out twice. So I'm ready to say the least.
 
Started my to-do list today with a complete front brake job. Ugghhh, the new calipers did not get rid of the popping sound dangit. It's maybe a tad better, but still there. It pops only once when put in R and only with foot on the brake. Strangely doesn't making a popping sound when put in D.

What else could it be?

Eric
 
^^^^ started a thread in OEM Tech on this issue and I have it narrowed down to the brake pads banging into the knuckle due to the knuckle being worn I suppose. New pads didn't help. At least this won't keep me from making the trip! Anyone know of any type of shim available to go between the pads and the knuckle? I've scoured the web and found squat...
 
Thanks Rob and Tess for coming out to help. Nice to see you all again and let the fams meet. You are fine folk!!!

We ruled out the pad noise (minimal)...turned out the bushings on my 4 month old RE control arms are shot! I'll be making a call on Monday, but I'm wheelin' either way. Appreciate you not running over me while I laid under the heep, Rob :thumbup: I almost made a fool out of myself...I told ya I had a popping noise!!!

Eric
 
You should replace those with poly bushings if you can (at least on the axle side).
 
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