Disaster on the trail

[MikeXML320]

Wow what an eventful wheeling trip to say the least?.H3slate and I decided to go to browns camp for a little afternoon fun, which quickly turned into a nightmare. We had been up there for a few hours and did a number of trails. We were heading up a steep hill climb with narrow switchbacks, I was coming around one and then I heard a grinding sound coming from the bottom of the H2?.I stopped got out and saw fluid all over the ground. I tried to turn around but the grinding turned into clunking and I wasn?t going anywhere. I had a tooth break off in my transfer case and it wreaked havoc.
Keep in mind we are on a very steep incline, putting it in park does nothing when you have completely blown your transfer case, and the e-brake doesn?t hold well when you are on the side of a cliff. I radioed H3 slate who was well in front of me, He proceeded to turn around (I thought). I was on the phone with Rox to see if she had a trailer to get me with, when I hear H3slate saying that he needs help.
I hike up the steep incline where I see him dangling in a really bad spot(pics do not even show how bad it was), so I had to run back down to the H2 get some straps and my come along. I also had to move a few big stumps behind my car so it wouldn?t roll off the side of the mountain. We get him back down then turn our recovery efforts to my vehicle. To spare all of the painful details we got it turned around pointing down the steep hill. I rolled for 500 ft or so then the transfer case seized up and I was stuck again?..after putting it into neutral and some really bad grinding we were off again coasting down the hill (depositing t-case parts). We got almost to the bottom and I hear a loud pop in the front end?I blew a bead.
So I get to a flat spot to change my tire, get my spare out and almost roll it down the side of the mountain. Put the spare on and H3slate starts towing me out?we start hearing a lot of banging, stop and look to find another issue, had to pull the driveline because I no longer have a rear housing on my transfer case. Finally get to the highway after he pulled me through about 20 miles of trail. He goes to air up and his compressor dies?
H3 slate pulled me from the highway all the way to my house, which is about 55 miles and through multiple cities?.. We got several looks a H3 pulling a H2 60 miles an hour down the freeway?we even passed a highway patrol sitting on the side of the road in the city limits.
In total it was about a 6 hr recovery of both our vehicles. We got home around 11:00pm and H3slate had to be at work at 400am He really saved my a$$ I didn?t want to leave it up there overnight, He went above and beyond to help me out?..Thanks?and I owe you?.

[MikeXML320]

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[MikeXML320]

Also thanks Rox for the offer to come get me....

[MikeXML320]

kind of shows the steep terrain

[MikeXML320]

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[HummerHippy]

HOLY CRAP!!! WOW! So glad you made it out safely!
So when are you going back?

[H3slate]

Originally Posted by MikeXML320

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This is a good representation of how bad the angle was. Notice I am hanging onto the passenger side grab handle. I felt like any movement was going to send me down the hill. The oil light came on because of the steep angle.

I'm glad we got Mikes truck out of there and to his house. I wasn't sure that was going to happen when I finally got down to his truck to help. We pushed/pulled his front end 90 degrees and jacked his rearend over a stump to get him pointed down the hill.

I was relieved/impressed that my 3 could and did tow him off the trails and all the way home. Luckily to get home is mostly downhill.

Glad I could help you get your truck home last night.

Thanks for saving my ass on that hill.

[H3slate]

Before the carnage, we had a fun day of wheeling. Got mostly video, will post it soon.





Then the carnage.



Above is what it looked like when it first happened. Below is after it finally finished destroying itself.



This was my view when I almost tipped over.

[ROX]

I would have loved to see Slates face inside the car!!!

Glad you made it out safely!

Nice t-case Mike
You guys know I will come help anytime. When you hung up you said you'd call me right back, and when I didn't hear from you I assumed you were ok. I should know better.....

[HumminNBoatin']

FYI....

I got a buddy who has a used/rebuilt H2 transfer case he is selling for a great price. Let me know if you are still looking for one and PM me your contact info if you would like him to contact you.

Eric

[MikeXML320]

Originally Posted by ROX

I would have loved to see Slates face inside the car!!!

Glad you made it out safely!

Nice t-case Mike
You guys know I will come help anytime. When you hung up you said you'd call me right back, and when I didn't hear from you I assumed you were ok. I should know better.....

His face was priceless....that is why I got off the phone so quick Jody said I was needed now....I know you would have came up to help and I would have called back if things would have got worse....

HummerHippy if you want to tow me around on a strap we can go this weekend


HumminNBoatin' it is at the dealer right now and should be covered by my warranty, if not you might be getting a pm.......I actually was joking on the trail about getting a gobi and carrying all of the drive train parts on top when I go out...

[ROX]

You know you can pick up a tilt meter at Central 4 wheel drive for 10 bucks.

I'm glad you're getting your rig fixed.
I took mine in for a clunk in the transfer case once when it was new, and when they put in 4 wheel drive in the shop, it blew up all over the floor. I considered myself lucky, and told the guys it couldn't have happened in a better place!

Glad you made it out safely.

[DRTYFN]

Holy piss!!!

What trail was that?