Project Update : A biff, A bash, but never a crash

Last weeks adventures during Rovers on the Rocks tested all of the armor and gave the Ashcroft ATB a full on work out.  

A Biff 

Before we get to the rock challenge lets have a look at the brand new front steering guard from Terrfirma. 

I was planing on taking some action shots with the guard during Rovers on the Rocks but with in the first few minutes the guard was put to the test. 

The new guard fit with ease and was able to take the abuse.

A Bash 

The steering guard was not the only new piece of armor earning its salt. The tank guard took a beating.

With out the guard the gas tank would not have survived this. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Iar726Zl8Q&feature=c4-overview&list=UUUnCLXtAqip_9qd-T1NenbA

Never a crash 

The P38 performed amazingly and this was partly due to the Terrafirma  beed locks. I aired them down to 8psi and they gave us all the grip we could possibly ask for.

Traction can be a double edged sword. If the tire has more grip then the drivetrain has strength to spin it two things can happen. 

1 the motor bogs down and wants to die

2 the weakest link in the system does its best rice crispy impression “Snap Crackle Pop"

Yep you guest it we went with choice number two. The 4 dot 6 combined with the sticky icky Nitto’s ended in Snap Crackle Pop. We are betting it is the front viscous 1/2 shaft in the transfer case. Unfortunately this neutered the front drivetrain leaving us in rear wheel drive only. The silver lining in this failure is we were able to see just how good the Ashcroft ATB is. 

This situation gave us a unique oppertunity to see the ATB in action.  With the traction control disabled and no power going to the front wheels this was a perfect challenge. Could the Ashcroft unit provide enough torque transfer to the one rear wheel on the ground to push the front two wheels over the rock and dirt mound? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhdpSW9tRBw&feature=c4-overview&list=UUUnCLXtAqip_9qd-T1NenbA

My hats off to the ATB. If the traction control was working, I’m betting it would have walked right out with very little effort.  

Before we get to the poser picture I have two other pictures I would like to share. The first one is of the Mud pod. I am really liking this on the dash.

And the other picture is of the snorkel.  We had a few water crossings and for the first time in a long time I took the P38 back with a dry air filter. 

Finally the poser pic.