We finally got some rain so it was time to take Jimminator and my 12 year old daughter out for their first time in the mudd. I've had my 99 Jimmy for 3 years and have never taken it off road but recently made a lot of changes to the truck and Jimminator was born. RC 2.5in suspension lift, add-a-leaf, winch, 31x10.50 Pro Comp All Terrains, steering stabilizer, lights, etc.... I mounted a high lift jack and shovel on board as well. I was READY, or so i thought.



The adventure started off great. We were moving through these water logged cow pastures at will.





We spent a couple of hours riding around and exploring while at the same time I kept pushing the limits of the truck. I kinda wanted to get stuck so I could test out the new winch but...

 

I wasn't prepared as well as I thought. It was getting dark so we were heading out when it happened.





We were swallowed up by Texas Black Gumbo. The slickest, thickest, stickiest and deepest mud in this pasture.

This happened about 6pm or so. I spent the next 4 hours trying everything I could think of to get out. Winch, highlift, shoveling, gathering rocks and misc wood to fill the ruts. Backwards and forwards, cut left then right, backwards and forwards... All i did was make the mudd hole bigger and deeper. I finally called a friend to come out with his f150 4x4 on Tiger Paw street tires to help me out. Of course he got stuck as well and we spent the next two hours using my winch hooked to his truck to move both trucks a lil bit at a time and were able to get ourselves out around midnight.

 

I had a lot more pics and video on my phone but somehow i lost the phone somewhere in all that mess.

 

That sucks!! I'm glad you finally got out, though! Was there nothing close enough for you to winch on to? Looks like it's time for some lockers! Although even those might not have helped.

 

Nope, nothing but pasture. I had (3) 3ft stakes with me that I tried to use as an anchor point but they pulled right out of the ground. I need (3) 5 or 6ft stakes to make it work. I learned this technique at the fire dept. They use em to anchor rescue vehicles during winching and recovery operations so I know it works.

I have thought about lockers but dont know a whole lot about them. How expensive, gas mileage and what not.

 

The lock right is the one I`m looking at

 

Also what I`m planning on is to have my winch mounted to a 2 inch reciever so I can use it front or rear. Winching from the back may have helped

 

The best way to go would be select-ables, front and rear. But, unfortunately, ARB didn't decide to bless the little 10 bolt with an air locker. And I've heard that the aluminum front diff won't hold up to a locker, anyway.

 

is your 12yr old willing to go out with you again ??
Thats probably a good gauge of the fun factor

 

Yeah, she handled it okay. We were able to laugh about it once we hit pavement