Another great wheelin trip up at 7-Mile

[88gmctruck]

Few friends and I went up wheelin at the ORV park in Spokane this weekend. Had one of the best times I've had in awhile, really felt good to put the truck to some use other than driving to campus. Brandon (07HDClassic) and I met up with a few Spokane Locals. By the end of the day we had 7 rigs in our group out messing around.
Within in the first 10 minutes I lost my brakes. First thing I thought was I broke a brake line… so after looking at it I ended up cracking the bolt loose on the front caliper, from overflexing the truck. I also found at this time my tires can rub the frame, inner fender AND shock while it’s stuffed. Once that was bleed we were on our way playing.

Here is Brandon’s new toy…. 1988 GMC High Sierra 3/4ton Suburban. It’s a bare bones model with vinyl bench seats and vinyl floors. It’s gained the nickname “government rig” as it is so basic it just reminds me of a government vehicle. It does surprisingly well for how stock it is.

 

 

[88gmctruck]

One of Cameron’s friends, Doug found us before he was even there. He pulled up and asked “are you the guys from Pullman?” :lol:

Another friend, Justin, met up with us in his 94 Sierra.

And Cameron arrived later in the day

 

 

[88gmctruck]

Once everyone was there we started playing one of those follow me games. Well, Doug was driving over some ice and fell in.

With Doug pulled out, and the water/ice hole nice and chewed up, everyone egged me on to give it a try. I couldn’t help myself… it wasn’t that deep so in I went. LOTS of back and forth movement, the ice was SUPER thick and I kept getting hung up on it. I could feel it under the truck. I finally after 10 or so tries I made it out on my own. I was revving the truck up to 5k in 2nd gear low range. I really cleared the carbon out on this trip she ran like a top on the way home.

 

But of course, 5 minutes later I got stuck in the lamest way possible. I had already made it through this hole, and started heading right as I was following Doug’s Runner. Well the trees were too narrow for my rig so I backed up, right into the tracks where the ice was broke through. The rear diff got high centered, and the front wheels were both on a sheet of ice. Even if I had lockers, I wouldn’t have moved from this.

 

[88gmctruck]

The final place of the day; the rock garden. I didn’t try going through, but doug did and succeeded with a little help at the end.

After everything was said and done, the trucks were dirty and we were nice and tired. The day after I took the day and pressure washed, washed, vacuumed my truck and assessed my damages, 99% of which I’m sure was from the thick ice.

1. Ripped a mudflap off
2. Bent a fog light bracket and shorted the wiring
3. Cracked the air-dam
4. Dented a rear shock
5. Dented the oil pan
6. Put a nice scuff in the rear bumper
7. Took a couple good chunks of tire tread off via. the fender
8. Bent my exhaust tips
9. Lots of misc scratches in the paint

This was the second outing with the 5-Speed, however I got to use the truck so much more on this trip than the last. The trans did great, and really it’s so much better offroad than the auto. It also is much better towing, the truck is like a completely different animal. Even with the trailer (granted it’s not heavy with just bikes on it) the trans only got up to 150*. All in all it was a great day. I can’t wait to go up again with this group, we really had a blast!

 

[Anubis]

hahahaa ...... I miss 7 mile. I Abused both my 'Burb and my Explorer there....... we moved before the Rock Garden........

 

[07HDClassic]

Overall it was a really good day out there. We met a lot of new people, had fun, and no one broke down majorly. I am really impressed at how the suburban did, I really pushed it to its limits and it did everything I threw at it... and then some. The only down fall to the day was that I got hit in the face by my door panel while doing a hill climb.... but it was still fun. And I'll say it again... Dave built an awesome truck and it performs great in everything.

 

[Anubis]

I liked 7 mile because you could go in a stock rig with good tires and have a good time. not like some of the places I go around here that you need minimum 33" tires ....


I remember seeing guys wheeling a Neon out there.......

 

[07HDClassic]

The best was an Acura Integra in the snow.... with a baby in the back seat

 

[88gmctruck]

yeah, that was epic. i think there are pictures of that on my network drive.

 

[trouttrooper]

Looks like you had way too much fun.

Sometimes I wish I never sold my '84 K20. It could have been a good play truck. Come to think of it, when I did have it I played a lot Never broke anything that I couldn't limp home on though.

A 22+ foot long pickup gets high-centered pretty quick. The silver beast doesn't get to do that stuff. My Jeep though....has potential someday. Putting new hubs, ball joints, and axle Ujoints on the next full day I get off.

 

[88gmctruck]

Yeah, long trucks don't work well out there..... but when you get the jeep workin you'll have to come with us!

 

[07HDClassic]

Here is the pics of that Integra I talked about earlier

 

[trouttrooper]

Dave, were you by chance driving south on hwy 95 near Viola tonight?

Could have sworn I saw the red "GMC" going the other way, but it was pretty dark so I may be wrong.

 

[88gmctruck]

Nope, wasn't me. I was in town till 5pm then headed home.

 

[colbythekid]

Love the pics. Makes me want to go wheeling no too.