2-Door Bronco Sasquatch Trip to Cliff Hanger @ Moab. Tie-Rod Broken, Fixed, Finished Trail

[TeocaliMG]

Nice trip! Only been there once, but this trail just made my list! Glad to see you wheeling hard with both the 2.0 and 3.0 racks. They got a lot of hate (sure it should have launched with the 3.0) but they hold up when not jacked way up. I ran mine for 2 years on some rough stuff, including over a year on 37's.

I like your wheeling philosophy, thats my approach as well. I choose my lines with some mechanical sympathy in mind, but like you said, you can't drive scared. Gotta be confident and if something breaks, so be it.

Sponsored

 

[NORCALGXP]

Can you confirm if you had your front lockers on at the time of the break?

Yes the front locker was engage

 

[Jonny way]

The vast majority of people I have heard who have said they broke a tie rod have had front lockers engaged while in a turned position. In the Off-Roadeo the instructor told me that we should always keep the wheels positioned straight when front lockers are engaged and climbing. Curious of others experience in this situation.

 

[SS Bronco]

The vast majority of people who have said they broke a tie rod have had front lockers engaged while in a turned position. In the Off-Roadeo the instructor told me that we should always keep the wheels positioned straight when front lockers are engaged and climbing. Curious of others experience in this situation.

Your response, should have been what if you need to climb to the right or left. All trails are not straight up. It definitely helps to keep the wheel straight just not practical. I do agree most break I’ve seen the front locker was engaged. Besides the stretching of the tie rod which can happen when hitting your wheel on things.

 

[Surfnbike]

I just got back from Moab two weeks ago. Such a magical place. I did some light offroading (Cane Creek and Jackson Hole). Too bad all the side by sides are ruining it and getting things shut down. Won't be able to offroad there in another 10 years, hopefully the other sports will live on. Thanks for the videos.

PS is video #5 the start of Hymasa after the creek crossing? Nice climb.

 

[Surfnbike]

The vast majority of people I have heard who have said they broke a tie rod have had front lockers engaged while in a turned position. In the Off-Roadeo the instructor told me that we should always keep the wheels positioned straight when front lockers are engaged and climbing. Curious of others experience in this situation.

Crawled lots of obstacles at sharp angles in my rubicon with the front lockers engaged, so I'd say sometimes you don't have a choice. What you don't want to do is push off of/away from/into a rock using your steering; you can do that with an RC rock crawler but not a 5000lbs vehicle because it will quickly blow your steering "fuse".

 

[bikesandguitars]

I’ve spent many hours on my mountain bike at the base of CliffHanger - back when it was called Amasa Back - watching all kinds of vehicles try to clear that first big drop down to Kane Creek. If you can clear that particular drop and the climb immediately after the creek, you know you’re good for the rest of the trail. Very few vehicles leave that trail without a little - or a lot - of body damage. It is a classic!

 

[the poacher]

Hey OP,
Nice job driving and thank you for sharing. Great to see a two door put through its paces. That is indeed a challenging trail and one that I will have to put on my bucket list once I upgrade to 37's. Yahoo!

 

[NORCALGXP]

Your response, should have been what if you need to climb to the right or left. All trails are not straight up. It definitely helps to keep the wheel straight just not practical. I do agree most break I’ve seen the front locker was engaged. Besides the stretching of the tie rod which can happen when hitting your wheel on things.

Hi hit my wheels on a lot of rocks over the course of five day.

 

[SS Bronco]

Hi hit my wheels on a lot of rocks over the course of five day.

Probably why the alinement is off the other side is pulled out of the socket a bit.

 

[Sitruc_btb]

This video makes me think... If I took my Bronco to Moab and didn't come home with a broken tie rod.... would anyone even believe I was there...

I spent a week in Moab last year. No broken tie rods or body damage.

Must've been a dream.

 

[SeptuagenerianSasquatch]

Great videos, and commentary. Enjoyed it immensely. I'm contemplating hitting myself (and my 4dr Badlands Sas) with a double-dog-dare to attempt it, maybe next year.
Those were Ford Performance tie rods? I got some Ikons on sale. I'll probably install those and keep my OEMs for spares.
What psi did you set your tires on?

 

[NORCALGXP]

Great videos, and commentary. Enjoyed it immensely. I'm contemplating hitting myself (and my 4dr Badlands Sas) with a double-dog-dare to attempt it, maybe next year.
Those were Ford Performance tie rods? I got some Ikons on sale. I'll probably install those and keep my OEMs for spares.
What psi did you set your tires on?

Hi, like your user name I am maybe ten years younger. Yes they were Ford Performance tie rods. I will stay with these for now I would rather a tie rod break than the steering rack. Have not heard of any one else breaking the FP tie rod till now , but it was a hard four days off wheeling. I ran 13 psi on my Mickey Thompson Baja's, very hard side wall. I would run this trail again I like a good challange.

 

[SeptuagenerianSasquatch]

Hi, like your user name I am maybe ten years younger. Yes they were Ford Performance tie rods. I will stay with these for now I would rather a tie rod break than the steering rack.
***
I would run this trail again I like a good challenge.

At my age, I wouldn't attempt Cliffhanger solo, even if I had a full set of tools and likely parts.
Two years ago, I turned 75, and came across a Badlands/Sas cancellation at a dealership. Paid cash for it, even with an obscene markup, but they were very hard to come by in New England. First summer, got out to W.VA, Utah, Nevada (solo) no regrets. My fantasy bucket trip for next year is: Hatfield-McCoys trail system (WVA), a full week of Moab (including Cliffhanger), Pony Express Historic Byway and Snake Valley UT, Pony Express 4x4 trail across Nevada, Rubicon California.

Don't let the old man in!

 

[Trail]

What an awesome looking adventure.

Sponsored