2009 Thrill on The Hill appreciation thread! - Page 3

**Archy Chris** · 09-08-2009, 09:48 PM

Quote:

crazyhermit previously said:

Well, I made it home. Quite an adventure.

For those of you who don't know I snapped my rear drive shaft yesterday....as we like to say....playing on the rocks. With the help of Chris Adams and Jake Quiniones I was able to limp the truck back to my hotel using only front wheel drive where it got parked. With more help from Chris's friend Bill....no, a different Chris....stay with me now....I was able to secure a slip yoke, here after referred to as "the golden slip yoke" to replace my broken one. I was under the impression that the spare u-joint I carried would fit the yoke...just put the parts together and I'm in the wind.....note to myself...never assume stuff.

I started working on the truck this morning @ 0800 in the parking lot of The Lodge. It only took one look at my spare u-joint to tell it wasn't going to work. My spare was for the other end of the drive shaft. The "the golden yoke" that I had gotten from Bill(kool guy, I even got a tour of his round house!) had a u-joint in it....It looked close to what I needed. It was missing two caps however and the stems were a bit rusted but the part mounted in "the golden yoke" was solid...no play. I did retrieve two and only two caps from my broken joint and they were the right two. In this particular configuration two caps have internal lock rings and two external lock rings. I tested the caps on the rusted stems and I figured I could live with the fit. I cleaned up the stems the best I could and started assembly. I tried twice but the u-joint was a little too long....I just couldn't get the second lock ring to snap in. It was not going to work.

I was prepared to stay another day to wait for a shop to open half way down the mountain in High Rolls....it turns out that would have been the wrong move....I found out later that they wouldn't have had what I needed. I thought about it and decided that I would have a better chance of getting what I needed in Alamagordo so I went back to the room, packed up, checked out and rolled the truck down the hill to town....I figured if I had to I could spend the night there. There were only two auto parts stores open in Alamagordo today, Autozone and O'reilys and of course neither of them had the right u-joint. Eventually I had to buy parts from each of the two stores and create a 'frankenstein' part that would do the job. Both of the parts stores were great....letting me into the back rooms to look through boxes and boxes of different u-joints to find just the right pieces to marry into a "frankenjoint"! Once I got the parts it took about 3 hours in the O'reily parking lot to put everything together, reinstall the driveshaft, and test it out....and yes...duct tape did play a minor roll. Of course it had to rain during the repair....do they really think their going to stop me with water? Please...I've been wet before! I was under the truck anyway right....no big deal!

Many, many thanks to all who stepped up to help and lend their moral support....especially the two Chris's, Jake and....Bill, who supplied the "golden slip yoke"....so what if it was a chevy part!

Brandon...your a Prince, and your whole crew is beyond compare.....That's the way we do it here in New Mexico! Well Done!

Thanks Again,

George

George,
Glad you made it home! Man that supercharger and inch worm is bad ass. You have one the best FJ Cruiser out there buddy. Can't wait for our next outing. Chris

FiremedicPQ1 · 09-08-2009, 09:53 PM

George, sounds like your adventure continues. Good job on the Frankenstein parts. Glad you made it home safe. Hope to see you soon - until then - be safe.
Paul

**fatbrat40** · 09-08-2009, 10:01 PM

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landy previously said:

It was fantastic meeting you Bob! You are an amazing representative for All Pro. When I can afford it I will be looking at the rear swing out and rear bumper. My rear driver's side bumper wing is hanging on by a thread after Coyote canyon!

Landy, good to wheel with you in Coyote canyon, try out that chili bowl idea with your rear bumper wing

**fatbrat40** · 09-08-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Archy Chris previously said:

George,
Glad you made it home! Man that supercharger and inch worm is bad ass. You have one the best FJ Cruiser out there buddy. Can't wait for our next outing. Chris

X2 on the bad a$$ FJ, George sweet ride

**landy** · 09-08-2009, 10:12 PM

Quote:

fatbrat40 previously said:

Landy, good to wheel with you in Coyote canyon, try out that chili bowl idea with your rear bumper wing

Same to you! Haha I'll have to get Digger's permission to do that same mod, to his credit it was his idea first!

RachesFJ · 09-08-2009, 10:13 PM

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skersfan previously said:

What a great event. Brandon, Rachel you really did a fantastic job in every area. This was my first Toth but I will be back for sure. I think the area was beautiful, the camp and lodge were fantastic. The volunteers that made this event the epic event it was certianly are owed a great deal of thanks.

I am not quite as lucky as George, I am still here in Alamagordo, at hotel down the road from the dealership. My parts should be here by noon Thursday. We will hit the space muesem in the morning I think.

Scott Harrison has been the hero here. What a great guy. We are actually using his 'FJ60 while Brandon and Rachel get the truck back on four wheels. He has helped me since the landing of my airborne FJ. Thanks George for your help, I guess it gave you practice for what followed. It really sucks when you break, but to have your friends around to help you, make you really appreciate what a great bunch this FJ group is.

I also want to say thanks to all that came by and talked to me about All Pro. Your comments will be forwarded to Jon.

Again thanks to Brandon and Rachel, and all the other sponsors that made this a very enjoyable event.

Sooo sorry that you guys are still stuck here in Alamo after the playing is over! I hope you guys are getting some quality relax time. Please let me know when you guys are at the dealership. I'm in the main building in the accounting office... don't forget to say hi. If you guys need anything my cell is 575-430-2697. Its great to hear that you will be back next year... I'll TRY and refrain from talking you in to "one more day"! ha ha! You guys definately roll with the punches and David and I have enjoyed hanging out with you guys so much! Talk to you very soon I hope... as you're waving goodbye to Alamo in your "own" ride and beginning your adventure home. Its right around the corner!

Miss R2FJ · 09-09-2009, 12:31 AM

We had a great time at our first TOTH event! Thanks to everyone who stepped up to organize, I know what it takes to put something like this on! Hope to see you all again soon!

Bob180 · 09-09-2009, 06:17 PM

Awesome event, well worth the drive from LA. My son and I are already looking forward to next years!

brandonb · 09-10-2009, 09:46 AM

Thank you all soo much for making it out to this years TOTH! We are glad you all enjoyed yourselves. I know I had a great time as always. I will take a little time off and begin working on TOTH 2010! I plan on having it at the same time and place. So put it in your calendars!

**Archy Chris** · 09-12-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

brandonb previously said:

Thank you all soo much for making it out to this years TOTH! We are glad you all enjoyed yourselves. I know I had a great time as always. I will take a little time off and begin working on TOTH 2010! I plan on having it at the same time and place. So put it in your calendars!

Brandon & TOTH Crew,
I had a great time this year (Best TOTH so far) and thanks for all the hard work that went in to the planning of this event. I had a great time meeting up with old friends and making new friends. Looking forward to next year's TOTH. Let me know what I can do to help out. Chris