Hey Guys and Ladies. Just wanted to check in with my experience at the Joseph Jamboree. I have a few photos, and wish I would have taken several more. Thank You for everyone for being incredibly welcoming and letting me join this awesome experience.
The first day we had some fueling issues about half way up, and GMoose let us ride with him in the Frandee, then I got to drive the Kitten down! Now I know two things: The Frandee is AWESOME, and the kitten is the most terrifying piece of equipment I have ever driven. Incredible experience!
AstroCat gave me a carburetor Saturday evening, and I got it hooked up Sunday morning. The fueling issue was better, but not solved. We drove with the hood up so I could see the fuel filters, and it turns out the glass one was defective, and sucking air into my fuel pump. Removing that got us storming around in that fluffy stuff for several hours! I did almost drive into a pond, but luckily a lot of arm-waving caught my attention.
We then set off on a trail, winding down through the canyon. Turns out, the Wide Track unit really does not love groomed trails. After an hour or so, I pulled the left turn lever, and tore the front Left wheel right off the studs. Looks like that next axle set-up I built needs bigger bolts. We got some help from the guy with the groomer, (I am so sorry I can't remember your name!) and we were able to get it back on the trailer under it's own power. After a wonderful dinner, we headed home.
I wish the story ended here.
On the way home, I got the chills, and by the time I got the the other end of Washington, I had a 103 temp. I tested positive for covid. I have been vaccinated, and avoided catching it for over two years, working with covid positive patients, but it finally caught me. I think the cold, the fumes, and not drinking anything but hard cider or coffee for 3 days. If I incidentally gave this to anyone there, I am So Sorry!!
The real way the adventure ends is actually ok. I recovered after missing 9 days of work, and after 3 weeks, took the cat out again. I figured the hub was a fluke, but fixed the left one with 9/16 grade 8 bolts and lock nuts. I made it 11 miles in to the lake, but only about 7 miles back out before... Yep. The right front wheel studs all let go. I had some friends up in the area in pickups, so we took the hub off, and I was able to get it fixed and back on the next day. Maybe someday I will be able to take this thing someplace the Toyota trucks can't go!