Damage report...

[The Drift]

So my Pathy went offroading for REAL this time. 44 acres of hillclimbs, mud pits, and all that fun stuff. I went to an Xterra/Jeep meet in Lake Geneva Wisconsin. I'm going to post up some pictures later, I put two below just for fun.

 

Now here is a question now that I have experienced just how beat up your truck gets when you hit it hard all day.

 

My radiator and AC condensor were caked full of mud. I powerwashed it 3 times now, Had to powerwash my engine like mad, because she just kept overheating. My belts (which are all only a few months old) are squeeling like an old junker and I'm still a lil worried about her overheating. What can I do to prevent this stuff other than not drive through deep mud and water? Has anyone found some tricks to keeping the engine bay clean and happy when wheelin in some nasty muck for a day.

 

I feel like I maybe didn't take some neccesary/common sense precautions and I'd like to hear some tricks of the trade.

 

 

and I'm definately looking into making some sliders, because my rockers are trashed now.

[The Drift]

As a side note, the Jeep guys were very impressed by the abilities of the Pathy. They were suprised at how well it did climbing hills, trudging through muck, etc. They actually thought I was climbing hills with more ease than them.

[The Drift]

Oh, and the check engine light came on as well.

 

 

But the check engine light didn't come on until after I did a quick coolant flush yesterday...hmmmm

[cdhicks99]

Nice pics, and congrats on a succesful trip.

It sounds like you had an easy day as far as repairs go!

 

My tips:

Rock sliders

take it slower through the mud

[navygz19]

 

My tips:

take it slower through the mud

Agreed. It looks like your going at a prety quick clip in the first photo.

[The Drift]

Sliders are probbly going to be my first attempt at fabbing parts for my Pathy.

 

 

And I'd have to agree, slowing down through the mud puddles might be a good idea. It looks good on pictures, but it's a pain to clean.

 

 

But quite a few of the trails had deep muck that was actually coming into the engine ba a bit I believe regardless of speed. Is there a way to prevent that, or does it just come with the territory? Anyone ever cover up their grill when the go whelling to try and keep stuff clean?

[cdhicks99]

I have seen people use window screen over their rad. to help some then when it's dirty just take it off and wash it in a mudhole then replace.

[Trainman]

Does your truck still have its splash guard? A few have posted here similar issues then looked underneath to see there is no splash guard. Factory ones are plastic, you may want to invest in an aftermarket steel replacement, like this:

 

 

I get very little spashing up inside the engine bay but I do not wheel through mud like that

[Slick]

yes. underbody armor is the best way to keep the engine bay clean, as well as definitely slowing down through watery mud like that.....

do you have mud guards (they're like a soft rubber) in your fender wells?

sliders and a bit of lift will also help sly

 

looks like you had fun!!!!!

[The Drift]

End of July I think I will be purchasing some Black Panther Armor. My stock "skid plate" ( if you can call that plastic thing that) is beyond destroyed.

[Trainman]

End of July I think I will be purchasing some Black Panther Armor. My stock "skid plate" ( if you can call that plastic thing that) is beyond destroyed.

AHHH! That is were the mud came into the engine bay. It is amazing what that spash guard will do.

[The Drift]

AHHH! That is were the mud came into the engine bay. It is amazing what that spash guard will do.

I wouldn't doubt that played a large roll. Half the stock skid is missing. I wouldn't be suprised though if quite a bit came in through the grill. Either way. Skids and sliders are a must before my next excursion. I was going to do a lift at the end of the month, but I think armor will have to come first.