Driving in the mud?

[Shreesh]

So I have now read a bunch of threads on taking our FJs into the mud the associated problems. Aside from bad driving , the worst seems to be that mud can kill our pulleys. Is this correct?

I am looking at taking a remote road into the Amazon jungle during the start of the rainy season. It is supposed to be about 300 miles of rough terrain of unknown quality. I am assuming there will be plenty of mud! I estimate it will take about four days to cross the jungle.

Unfortunately I do not have these pulleys in my parts kit and they are pretty hard to come by here in Brazil. What I wanted to know is how deep does the mud have to get to see pulley and other issues. I have gone through a bunch of mud already and nothing is squealing yet.

I still have a long way to go with this truck and a breakdown would be rather inconvenient, especially days away from help.

Should I do this? Input from those with experience driving in the mud would be most welcome!

[tibaal89]

I've had my pulleys replaced once... in my experience, the squealing only occurred when I was in exceptionally deep (3-foot-ish), dirty water or when going too fast and sending junk flying violently in the air like this:



Every time otherwise that I've just been taking it easy, trying to responsibly cross through mud I've been fine. Can't really recommend whether or not to go for you since I have no idea the other important particulars of your situation (alone, recovery gear, etc).

[Layonnn]

From what i have found, "mudding" tears up vehicles quickly. If mudding is your thing, i would buy a beater jeep and use it for that.
This is why a lot of people don't like mud. It gets in everything.

[tibaal89]

layonnn previously said:

From what i have found, "mudding" tears up vehicles quickly. If mudding is your thing, i would buy a beater jeep and use it for that.
This is why a lot of people don't like mud. It gets in everything.

I take it you are not familiar with the Shreesh... he's been circling South America for like a year, I don't think he's gonna jump ship and buy a beater Jeep.

[removed]

I've gotten fond of finding a clean stream after mudding and jamming back and forth ten times or so after a good mud bath. Cleaned the unders perfectly.

[Bonuz]

i would order them to be on the safe side. If you have room for them in your rig. I am assuming you are going to tiptoe and not go full scale mudding. However given your situation if you can have them before hand do it. I have been stuck twice in Central America over smaller things than that. As for how deep the mud needs to be tibaal covered that i his post. I have been up to 30" with out any issues. Keep in mind I don't like mud nor do I go fast enough through it to have it go everywhere like tibaal's pic. I am not familiar with your rig, but a very week spot is the oil pan drain cover. This is only relevant if you have stock skids. Remember to check the hole for a bottom if possible and there is no other way around. One other pointer would be to try and get the under side rinsed before the mud dries as mentioned in an earlier post. Good Luck

[FJCamel]

I have seen a couple of people clean and change their pulley's with after market stuff. I know dragon did something with his...

[homedad]

Shreesh...Yes it's an issue.....but like Tibaal said it takes a good muddy swim to cause trouble...and as far as being worried....even if you do mess up the pullies....it takes a few more weeks of really bad squeeking before they freeze up and you're stranded....

So call Napa...order the pullies....and go with or without them...you'll be fine.....

[Shreesh]

Checked the truck this morning and got off the remaining mud, so for now it is clean! Not much gunk had gotten into the engine compartment - all pulleys looked reasonably clean, even the ones on the bottom. I brushed them off with some water anyway.

I am quite careful with the truck, but I am not going to let potential damage stop me from getting to interesting places. That is what life is all about. Here is a not-so-secure bridge on the Transpantaneira:



There are about 111 bridges on this stretch of road!

Sounds like even if the pulleys fail it won't be sudden, so now I can go back to worrying about normal things like getting malaria. I have no idea what is up ahead but time to go have a look see!

Awesome mud pic, glad that is not my truck!!

[VDM]

If you can, spray the pulleys (not the belt) with wd40 or something of that nature. It seems to help repel the water and mud. It's usually when I have forgotten to do this and then fly through the mud, that I have to replace the pulleys. Mine have been screaming since the last Harlan run, about a month ago. I just got them replaced yesterday.

So it's not a sudden thing. Continue to enjoy your trip and shoot us some pics.