Dangerous words: "I have an idea..."

[ashyers]

It started like this: "Hilde, I have an idea..."

We're going to see just how well the M37 fares this week. A friend of mine is putting on an "Expedition" for pre-'75 4x4 into the Sierras south of Tahoe this weekend. I've been told to bring the old truck, dog, a chain saw, guns, chains, food, shelter... Sooo we're off on a 200 mile road trip to get to the base camp and then to the trails where we'll make an effort to crest the Sierras or become totally stuck trying. I guess there have been as many as 40 participants!

I have very limited off road experience, just Hollister Hills in the dry with the Power Wagon Rally crew. Last time I drove in the snow was in Wisconsin with my '80 Fiesta with Hakkapeliitta snow tires in the front. It defined trailing throttle oversteer!

So if you guys have any advice I'm listening . The truck is pretty much stock with gears and Super Lug tires. I was not able to borrow chains, but have been told that the Unimog attending will be able to drag me along if necessary .

Hilde gets MAJOR points for participating in this hair brained adventure over Valentine's Day weekend...I may need advice in that area too!!!!

Andy

[Tom P]

Lower your tire pressures, not extreme but less than you normally run.
Some type of portable air supply would be beneficial.

Take tow straps/chains.

Good Luck and enjoy yourself.
Tom

[RMS]

when it comes to deep snow the colder the better. get chains anyway you can! even if you have to Frankenstein up a set. but you really want cleated chains. especially in a convoy your not leading.http://www.g741.org/PHPBB/viewtopic.php ... now#p68223

carry a quality squeegee and dedicated window water. a good air pump so you can air all the way down to 10psi if you have to. I run 35/45 on pavement, 30/35 hard gravel road. 25/30 lose gravel path and have had it down to 20/20 with chains pushing powder to the fenders. find yourself a 12ton cargo strap to hook on the pintle and toss the tail in the box for easy extraction. if you have two spare tires bring them both or carry a tube and patches and the tools to break it all down or have someone who's willing to schlep one out if needed. 4 to 500lbs in the box will smooth out the ride and save your spine. secure your tailgate with anything as the hooks will bounce off

I carry a spare rear drive shaft, short rear axle shaft, carb, dizzy, head gasket and some odds and ends.
check out http://www.g741.org/PHPBB/viewtopic.php ... +and+green for some of my adventures.

[Cal_Gary]

Pictures! Take your camera, cell phone, and have a great time! Agreed, kudos to Hilde for agreeing to such an excursion!
Have fun!
Gary

[ashyers]

Thanks for the advice guys!

As far as airing down the tires, how far is too far with the factory wheels?

I am going to have to try and figure something out with chains. I thought I was going to be able to borrow a set, but that fell through. I may have to find some on the way up, possibly at a truck supply place????

As far as extraction, what's the best location to pull from and not damage the frame by turning it into a parrallelogram?

Any ideas what I can spray on the truck to prevent snow/mud from packing the fenders? I was thinking silicone spray or maybe Pam.

We are getting heavy rain now, so this may be a mud fest!!!


Andy

[Tom P]

After re-thinking this, Yes You need to find chains.

Wash the fenders and spray with cooking skillet "Pam"
Works great on plows, shovels too.

Even the Emergency strap on chains are better than nothing,

Were not allowed chains here in IL., but when needed I use
Four sets of doubles on each wheel. That's eight chains per wheel.
There better than the strap on cable type, but harder to find.

https://www.tirechain.com/Tire-Chains-Strap-On.htm

Tom

[Cal_Gary]

Hi Andy,
I'd go no lower than 15psi. I'd also loan you my chains but they're heavy to ship-you might get a set from VPW (I'm looking to order another set for my front diff based on all the snow we've gotten). My first VPW set is RUD brand, # 3277 twisted links and fit fine with the rubber snatch cords on the outside. I also use bike cable locks snaked thru the outer rim so I don't lose the chains. You can get keyed sets from Home Depot or Lowe's.
Gary

[ashyers]

Gary,
Thanks! I'll put the P/N in the glove box in case we see somewhere selling chains on the drive up.

We're off tomorrow at sunrise to go up to Somerset, bonfire and fun tonight, then to the trails tomorrow. A bunch of people are convoying up today, but we're stuck working.

The weather has been nuts lately, cold, warm, stormy, windy. I have a feeling I'm going to wish I had a defroster!!

Are you coming out for Camp Plymouth? It's going to be BIG!

http://mvccnews.net/plymouth_spring.html

We always have room at our campsite .

Andy

[rickf]

Going low on air with chains is very hard on both the chains and especially the sidewalls of the tires. Do what you want but I never went below 30 lb's when running chains. With chains the idea is to grab solid ground for traction and without chains the idea is to air down and float on top. You cannot have both at once. The tires will move around far too much inside of the chains.

[RMS]

good bungees will reduce chains from chaffing the sidewall. yes in general you want firm tires with chains to dig down but when driving on feet of snow with slushy layers airing down is all you can do to keep moving.

[ashyers]

Well Crew,
The M37 did well! We had a wonderful trip and I've come to appreciate the capabilities of the truck. I never did pick up a set of chains, but that was not a big issue. I do plan on picking up a set for next year though. The weather all weekend was nuts. Sun, rain, hail, sleet, snow. I'll stop typing now and you can enjoy some photos .

https://photos.app.goo.gl/mXyoNvwWTtRvWUZ86

Anyone want to come out and play next year?!

Andy

[Elwood]

Nice photos. Looks like you both had a great time.

Someone brought an FC120? Looks like an early one with the narrow front axle?

[ashyers]

John,
You called it! I went for a night ride up and down the "driveway" to my friend's cabin in the Forward Control. It's a kick in the pants! It reminds me of my VW bus, but with ground clearance and FWD. It's a tiny vehicle. I was also able to sample a Unimog with a specialized forward control cab. That thing is unstoppable.

We had a wide variety of vehicles, but the M37 was the only "old" Dodge. I guess the Power Wagons and WC's have just become too pricey to play with.

It was really fun learning to drive the truck in four wheel drive in super slippery conditions. I never thought that the M37 could dance, but it does under the right circumstances.

Andy

[Cal_Gary]

Fantastic videos, Andy! Loved the shot of Hilde piloting the M-something Veronica would never do! Burr it sure looked cold-much like a lot of my winter driving this season. Still snowing in late February-rather unusual even for Utah but the looks you get when passing all the stuck 4WDs is priceless!

Thanks for sharing! Sorry we can't make Plymouth; however there might be a CA trip for Veronica's job in March-will let you know if that becomes reality so we can visit!
Gary

[ashyers]

Gary,
Glad you enjoyed the photos. We had a wonderful trip.

I'm sorry you guys won't make Camp Plymouth, but if you guys are out in March you should definitely visit! Your welcome to stay a bit if you like, we have plenty of room.

Andy