Turkey Weekend at the Hammers

From Richard Carter:

So here's my version....

Friday - Wednesday "Finishing" the Jeep... a Marathon and a half. Now I know why most Fab shops go out of business. We spent a full day just cycling the suspension. Anyhow, I wrapped up the loose ends Wednesday at about 8:30

Thursday I woke up with something in my eye...Feels like metal. Tried to wash it out...no good. Took a quick trip to the ER. You don't truly understand the phrase "hold really still" until a doctor uses a NEEDLE to pick something out of your eyeball. I left with some Vicodin, Antibiotics and specific instructions to "Stay away from dust and out of bright sunlight."

So... Off to the desert Friday AM! Hit Sledgehammer with a group of club members and random folks. Working our way to the trail head Derek broke a tie-rod. The stock Tie-rods are a little soft. (I have one for sale!) No major issues once on the trail. Jeep worked great. Lots of 40" holes.

Made it back before dark and enjoyed some potluck appetizers and cocktails. I'm pretty sure Hatch could batter and fry a tennis shoe and it would be good. Fell asleep to the (not so) quiet hum of someone's generator.

Saturday - Woke up to the same not so quiet hum of someone's generator. Headed to Outerlimits

Another good trail! Started early and things were going smoothly until Dan ripped his upper control arm mount off of the frame...Rich W had his battery welder outfit so we pulled some batteries and I went to work welding it. Not pretty, but my weld job did come with a 100% money back guarantee! Lots more bumping and humping and we made it to the top, after dark... Note to self - fix rock lights.

Got back to camp for more food and drinks and a good campfire....apparently our campsite was like flypaper for freaks. The ghost of Chris Farley, some drunk guy who really wanted to show us how quiet his generator was and some really pissed off ex marine who wanted to know how his harbor freight generator mysteriously stopped running at about 12:30...hummmm

Sunday - took some pictures and went home.

Carnage count

Tie Rod
Drivers Fender
Hi lift
Passenger fender
Rear flare
Control arm bracket
Hood
Windshield frame

And from Dan Retz:

I really had a great time with everyone out at the hammers. I loved
it, I mean I really LOVED IT! And I can't wait to get back out again.
Most of the carnage for me was superficial thankfully.

Friday on sledge I had a broken turn signal, some dents to the front
fenders (time for tube fenders) and a bent HI Lift. I used a
sledgehammer to bend back the bend I got from sledgehammer. Ha Ha.

Saturday at Outer Limits required a good bit of winching for me. I
definitely found a limit for my jeep on that trail. While failing to
winch over an obstacle (yes failing) I think Tony said 'What's that
hanging under your jeep'. Uh Oh. As Richie says the rear upper
control arm mount had come loose. There wasn't much holding it on for
the weld was pretty poor. Other TJ owners may want to check their
jeep before the same thing happens. Big thanks to Rich W, Richie C
and Tony for helping do a trail repair and getting me through the rest
of the trail. My jeep is at Tri County now getting fixed up. And as
far as my winch goes it's working fine. I think the cable had become
to tangled that it caused those funny 'noises'. Later on the trail I
tore off the rear fender flare (more tube fenders).

Again, I think everyone is in agreement that it was a real fun
weekend. Look forward to seeing you again at Calico.

Dan Retz