AMC Eagle Den Forum

Eagle Gallery => Eagle Road Trips => Topic started by: eaglefreek on April 08, 2013, 10:18:37 PM

Title: Road trip to Utah
Post by: eaglefreek on April 08, 2013, 10:18:37 PM
About 3 months ago, a buddy in CO told me about a dirt bike ride he's joining in on in Moab at the end of April. It's too darn expensive to drive out there, though. Well Friday I got an email that I'm am needed Thursday for a job in Milford, Utah about 4 hours west of Moab. My shift will end on the 23rd and the ride is the 24th to the 28th. Perfect timing! I'm loaded up with bike on the trailer and leaving in the morning. I'll probably stop in Kansas somewhere Tuesday night and Denver on Wednesday.  I don't get paid mileage for driving that far, but get to use the amount the plane ticket would cost towards fuel, which will pay for most of it. Unfortunately, the job is in the middle of a muddy salt lake bed and I'm told conditions are miserable.
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: SpreadEagle on April 08, 2013, 11:03:45 PM
Have a safe trip. If I had room I'd offer a bed.
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: vangremlin on April 09, 2013, 08:21:21 AM
Have a safe trip and a fun ride out there.  Moab is such a cool place to visit.  Give a wave to all of us Eagle owners as you're driving through Colorado, if you've got time on your way back maybe we can have another Sonic mini-meet!
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: Amc1320 on April 09, 2013, 09:16:47 AM
have  a safe trip! Thats a LONG way from Tennessee!!
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: Eagleearl on April 09, 2013, 02:45:49 PM
Sounds like it was meant to be. Have a GREAT time out there.
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: jonb8 on April 09, 2013, 06:43:44 PM
It might be miserable conditions but at least you have something to look forward too when your done....Have fun
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: eaglefreek on April 11, 2013, 11:18:52 PM
I made it to my destination in Utah without any major issues.
Here's the Eagle loaded up ready to leave TN.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Moab%202013/photobucket-82187-1365502707517_zps8509d6a2.jpg)
I drove about 950 miles to Salina, KS. Spread Eagle called me and we chatted for a bit. I slept in a truck stop parking lot. It rained most of the night and it was a freezing rain. Within a couple minutes of leaving the truck stop in the morning, I did a nice slide on an icy overpass but was able to control it.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Moab%202013/photobucket-56760-1365680518423_zps83c5aefe.jpg)
I stopped in Colby, KS for fuel, breakfast and to rejet the carb for altitude. The wind was blowing about 40 mph with a windchill of 1 degree. It usually takes me 10 minutes to rejet the carb, but I kept having to go in the car to warm up my hands. I went to put the float  back on and noticed it wasn't where I had put it. The wind blew it and the needle fell off the float and was nowhere to be seen.  :censored: After searching all over the car and ground, I started poking around with a coat hanger and found it under the winch. That took a while and had to get my hands warmed up. Came back out and dropped the float spring  :censored: :censored:. That took a little bit to find also. I got the float in and went to put the top of the carb back on, which I just swivel a little bit out of the way, and noticed the c clip that keeps the choke plate attached to the linkage had popped off.  :censored: :censored: :censored:. I remembered I had safety wire and safety wire pliers with me and attached it with them. Over and hour later and hands that I absolutely couldn't feel, I was ready to get back on the road. I made it to my buddy's house in Littleton, CO where I spent the night.
 It was snowing pretty good on the drive over the Continental Divide. Here's a pic from Silverthorne, where I stopped for breakfast.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Moab%202013/photobucket-63164-1365734155802_zpsb4196f6c.jpg)
I had to make a pit stop at a rest area just east of Glenwood Springs, which was right on the Colorado River.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Moab%202013/photobucket-1554-1365734218914_zps17434326.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Moab%202013/photobucket-69948-1365734256189_zpsf405d708.jpg)
I stopped and took some pictures in Utah along the way.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Moab%202013/photobucket-60371-1365734466806_zps731dc56f.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Moab%202013/photobucket-1700-1365734508303_zpsaf72daa8.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Moab%202013/photobucket-64341-1365734537822_zps4ca6dd66.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Moab%202013/photobucket-65766-1365734570530_zps68ca9f98.jpg)
This is Eagle Caynon
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Moab%202013/photobucket-45121-1365735219939_zpsfe3e2f42.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Moab%202013/photobucket-32228-1365735135466_zps34c76674.jpg)
Time for bed, I've got 11 days of crappy work ahead of me.  (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/svoman2300/media/Moab%202013/photobucket-65766-1365734570530_zps68ca9f98.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: vangremlin on April 11, 2013, 11:34:20 PM
Thanks for the great pics of your trip.  You could probably post the details of re-jetting the carb in the "Don't Do This" section as well  :rotfl:.  Sorry such a simple task turned into such a major chore!  Make it through those 11 days of crappy work and you'll be rewarded with some great riding.
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: eagleman on April 12, 2013, 09:45:49 AM
Beautiful pictures of your trip. Sure don't see scenery like that here in Ohio! Good luck with your job and enjoy your ride.
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: SpreadEagle on April 12, 2013, 10:57:44 AM
Very happy you made it safe and without anything non fixable happening.  Told ya it was going to get bad across there.. :rotfl:   But seriously safe is safe and those are some very nice pictures.
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: rollguy on April 12, 2013, 11:21:16 AM
As always, the photos of your road trips are great!  Thanks for sharing them, and keep them coming!
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: MontanaEagle on April 12, 2013, 04:07:15 PM
Looks like a lot of fun, someday my bird will be able to go on big adventures.  Someday.
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: eaglefreek on April 12, 2013, 10:28:07 PM
Thanks guys.  First day at the mine site today. Once we got to the lake, we had to take an Argo, an 8 wheel amphibious vehicle, about a couple miles, on a dike, to a Snow Cat. The weather was perfect but the mud is horrible. It sucks your boots right off. It's gonna be a loooong 11 days. My legs are sore from trekking in the mud. Only 10 days of work left. I guess it beats being stuck in a cubicle.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/photobucket-28451-1365819175080_zps26a89e60.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/svoman2300/media/photobucket-28451-1365819175080_zps26a89e60.jpg.html)

Our chauffeur.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/photobucket-48825-1365818042322_zps9aa37e9f.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/svoman2300/media/photobucket-48825-1365818042322_zps9aa37e9f.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/photobucket-71631-1365818010906_zps2f764c2b.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/svoman2300/media/photobucket-71631-1365818010906_zps2f764c2b.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/photobucket-61603-1365819142880_zpsa592605f.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/svoman2300/media/photobucket-61603-1365819142880_zpsa592605f.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/photobucket-52845-1365818076081_zpsed670bcb.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/svoman2300/media/photobucket-52845-1365818076081_zpsed670bcb.jpg.html)
Coworker collecting data in the back of one of the Snow Cats.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/photobucket-24636-1365818104751_zps9f142695.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/svoman2300/media/photobucket-24636-1365818104751_zps9f142695.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: rollguy on April 12, 2013, 10:52:32 PM
Those Argo's are way cool. I have a 6 wheel Atex (1973) that is a lot of fun as well. We usually get it out every winter to play in the snow. Probably not as much fun as playing in the mud though!
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: Amc1320 on April 12, 2013, 11:03:56 PM
Wow, that is sure one desolate place

As my grandfather used to say that land is only good for holding the world toghether !

Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: vangremlin on April 13, 2013, 09:11:19 AM
That mud reminds me of that old song - "Gooey, grimey, gopher guts"  :rotfl:
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: eaglefreek on April 23, 2013, 07:19:21 PM
Well, after 12 days of looong days, I'm finally off and planned on heading to Moab tomorrow. I noticed my transfer case was leaking the other day, but didn't have a chance to investigate it until today. There is a big crack in it.  :banghead: Not sure what I am going to do now. It's a really small town and not sure I can find one around here. I did install a NP229 which should be easier to find than an Eagle case.
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: vangremlin on April 23, 2013, 08:54:30 PM
Wow this is turning into quite the trip from heck for you.  I did a quick search online for you and didn't find any 229's listed but I'll keep looking.  Good luck!
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: eaglefreek on April 23, 2013, 09:30:36 PM
Wow this is turning into quite the trip from heck for you.  I did a quick search online for you and didn't find any 229's listed but I'll keep looking.  Good luck!
I've looked also. We have an extra truck here and I'm waiting to hear back if I can use it to bring my bike to Moab. I am working another 11 day shift next week, so I have some time to find one. One of our guys will be going home to Denver and coming back before I leave, so he can pick up a transfer case from a buddy of mine in Aurora. It's a 119, but it will get me home.
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: eaglefreek on April 23, 2013, 09:57:00 PM
Just got permission from the boss that I can use a company truck to make it to Moab.  :hello2:
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: eaglefreek on April 24, 2013, 12:15:57 AM
Here's some more pics of work. I can't believe I get paid to have this much fun.  ::)
We moved from Snow Cats to Marshmasters. They are more of a tracked swamp buggy.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Moab%202013/1165_zps8011799a.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/svoman2300/media/Moab%202013/1165_zps8011799a.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Moab%202013/1168_zps28f5c8b4.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/svoman2300/media/Moab%202013/1168_zps28f5c8b4.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Moab%202013/1166_zps451abe0d.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/svoman2300/media/Moab%202013/1166_zps451abe0d.jpg.html)
This was our limo, one day.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Moab%202013/1160_zpsbd8b0c88.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/svoman2300/media/Moab%202013/1160_zpsbd8b0c88.jpg.html)
Some of my awesome driving.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Moab%202013/1150_zps7e29f2a3.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/svoman2300/media/Moab%202013/1150_zps7e29f2a3.jpg.html)
The views are spectacular.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Moab%202013/1141_zps40d0826c.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/svoman2300/media/Moab%202013/1141_zps40d0826c.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Moab%202013/1145_zps4c91ea69.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/svoman2300/media/Moab%202013/1145_zps4c91ea69.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Moab%202013/1147_zps78769c64.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/svoman2300/media/Moab%202013/1147_zps78769c64.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Moab%202013/1158_zps7f4fc5e2.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/svoman2300/media/Moab%202013/1158_zps7f4fc5e2.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: vangremlin on April 25, 2013, 10:16:24 PM
I've looked also. We have an extra truck here and I'm waiting to hear back if I can use it to bring my bike to Moab. I am working another 11 day shift next week, so I have some time to find one. One of our guys will be going home to Denver and coming back before I leave, so he can pick up a transfer case from a buddy of mine in Aurora. It's a 119, but it will get me home.

There are a couple 88/89 Grand Wagoneers in the U Pull N Pay on Broadway - not sure if one of them might have a 229 or not.
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: eaglefreek on April 26, 2013, 03:55:18 PM
Thanks Dave, but I'm going to put a 119 in to get me home. I have a 229 at home but when i do the AW4 swap I think I'm going with a 242.
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: eaglefreek on April 26, 2013, 04:21:05 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Moab%202013/photobucket-13858-1367006373167_zpsa9931ccd.jpg)
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: vangremlin on April 26, 2013, 10:55:03 PM
Utah rocks!
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: eaglefreek on May 05, 2013, 01:19:13 PM
Strike Eagle to the rescue! My "buddy" who was supposed to get a transfer case to my coworker so that he can bring it to me, flaked out on me. My coworker was leaving this morning and I called Paul at about 6 last night. He has a transfer case and is meeting my coworker so that I can get it installed this week so i can drive home.  :occasion14:
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: vangremlin on May 05, 2013, 01:47:47 PM
Eggs to Strike Eagle!
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: eaglefreek on May 09, 2013, 11:08:00 PM
Got the car back from the shop today and seems to be working great. Hitting the road in the morning.
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: Eagleearl on May 11, 2013, 09:36:07 AM
Hope you have a good trip back.
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: eaglefreek on May 13, 2013, 09:39:30 PM
Hope you have a good trip back.
Thanks, I made it back today with no issues. I'm really glad everything worked out the way that it did. The rear case half looks like it was about to split in half.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/photobucket-18041-1368495440665_zpsca48cd3d.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/svoman2300/media/photobucket-18041-1368495440665_zpsca48cd3d.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/photobucket-30714-1368495483935_zps1934a907.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/svoman2300/media/photobucket-30714-1368495483935_zps1934a907.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: vangremlin on May 13, 2013, 10:46:19 PM
Good to hear that you had an uneventful trip home, as compared to what you ran into on your trip to Utah.  It definitely looks like that could have broken into two parts at any moment!!
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: eaglebeek on May 13, 2013, 11:35:23 PM
Holy smoke :o That case looks like it could have let loose the next time you drove it. Well that you discovered it when you did. And kudos to Strike Eagle. :occasion14:

Happy to read you made it home and all is well. :eagle:
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: Amc1320 on May 15, 2013, 10:34:59 PM
Glad you made it back safe, let me know if you go back to one of those other cases, I'd like to come down and help you so I can learn how to do that someday too!

Thanks
Rob
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: EagleFam on December 02, 2013, 09:39:44 AM
Eaglefreek,

You took your Eagle on a beautiful trip. I love that red rock country in southern Utah.

Very nice front bumper on your Eagle.
Title: Re: Road trip to Utah
Post by: eaglefreek on December 02, 2013, 07:33:02 PM
Eaglefreek,

You took your Eagle on a beautiful trip. I love that red rock country in southern Utah.

Very nice front bumper on your Eagle.

Thanks. It was my second welding project. My first was the rear bumper with tire carrier. I bought a welder off of Ebay and figured it out. I did let a professional welder do the critical stuff though.