XJ in a bad way

[rholbrook]

After work the plans were to meet up with 4 friends to go for a ride up Mueller Park Canyon. When we got to the entrance we paid our entrance fee only to be turned around by a closed gate. I decided to go speak with the camp manager only to find out that because the pipeline company is still working up there, the trail would be closed until September some time. Consider the entrance fee a donation. I wish a sign had been posted but oh well.

Being really close to the Bountiful "B" we decide to head over there. After getting to the parking lot, there were signs up stating that Ward Canyon Road and Buckland Flats were closed. Not a big deal because we wanted to ride Buckland Ridge and knew that there would be too much snow to ride the bottom of Tuttle Loop.

After getting behind the B, I notice a white XJ sitting in the middle of a steep trail facing down hill. I rode below and away from it so I never paid it any attention until on the way back.

I thought it looked funny and upon further inspection, this is what I found.

The upper control arms snapped allowing the front axle to roll over. The driveline is broken and the yokes is nearly hitting the oil pan. You can see in the picture that the springs have come out of the pads.

The only way they are getting this out of there is winch it back up the hill to a flat spot and repair it there.

Does this XJ belong to anyone on here? I looked in the window at the seats totally expecting to see a mohawk pinched in the seats from their asses. The picture doesn't really show how its sitting on the hill.

 

[Unimog]

Another way to get it out that I have used would be tow truck style. Lift and chain the front end to the back of another vehicle, removing the front wheels if you can't get them off the ground.

 

[Taco4life]

For future reference, you can still ride the mueller park trail. You don't need to go through the gate, just park at the entrance and cross the bridge. I ride that trail in the morning before work, there is a small section where they are working on the pipeline that has a place you can cross.

 

[mbryson]

That is a pickle there.

 

[Seven]

I am a little skepical and worried. I just can/t comprehend how you snap both upper arms and the one you see is broken pretty square. I would expect it to looked more ripped instead of the the sqaure break that it does have.

If this is someone here. post up and I am sure that I am not the only one that is willing to go help the owner get fixed up.

 

[pfinder]

i have seen this done before except it was a full size Chevy and it was the rear axle. the guy that own the Chevy before my Buddie decided you don't need a lift kit and you can fab up anything.. lets just say he forgot a few welds.. it was a fun day getting it back to his house.
for this jeep it wont be hard to get it home and jack stand the front and start over..

 

[Gravy]

Bad day!

 

[RedeyeRacing]

I have seen a couple rigs in the mountians in similar shape....both of those were stolen and then taken on a joy ride until they were stuck or broken. I wonder if this is the case on this one?

 

[YOUKNOW]

I have seen a couple rigs in the mountians in similar shape....both of those were stolen and then taken on a joy ride until they were stuck or broken. I wonder if this is the case on this one?

Very true. Except if it were stolen, I don't think that there would be rocks under the wheels to stop the Jeep from rolling down the hill....

 

[Bart]

Looks like he'd been pounding it pretty good. You can break anything if you beat it hard enough.

 

[ttora4runner]

It was still there at 10 o'clock this morning.

 

[spencurai]

Get the plate number or VIN and report it to the Sheriff. It might be stolen, either way whomever owns it needs to get their junk off the mountain.

 

[Chevycrew]

If its someone here, Im willing to come up, 2 trucks with winches sitting here at the house.

But I agree, easiest will be fixing it enough to drive it out in 2wd.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Surprised nobody has mentioned the obvious. Grab a pair of stock arms from the junk yard, chock the rear wheels really well with the e-brake on, jack up the front, and swap out the arms.