With it's 30x11.50-15 TSL Bias Ply Super Swampers, spring over axle lift, locked rear pumpin gears, reduced transfer case crawl ratios and Power coming from a fresh 1.6L 8-Valve Sidekick transplant spiced up with a long tube header and brand new Holley Progressive carb it should have no problem getting itself out of any potential trouble it might find its sway into. Approach and Departure angles are incredible, and there is enough height and underbody structural protection to keep it going through all but the worst of conditions. Though equipped with a full cage and rocker bar to s sprinkled with more than enough sturdy recovery points, this little bugger hasn't been on receiving end of a tow rope or chain in years.
That was about to change.
While roaming about on one of the many trails near the house, we discovered that what had been rain grooves of a few inches deep, had grown to be 12" to 18" in width and depth. While running one of our regular routes headed West with the setting sun low in our eyes we crossed many such ruts criss crossing the trail. Finally we rolled up to what appeared to be a slightly larger than average rain wash . Not too concerned with what we have yet encountered and being armed with the confidence of skill and our machine, we rolled right into the next one..,
Only to be stopped dead in our tracks quite abruptly when we dropped into a Four foot hole with vertical walls as tall as the Samurai's hood and both too steep and lacking proper traction to attempt self-extrication.
It is always nice to have such trails close to home, a cell phone, and a wife on the other end of the line in possession of a "real" truck, which just also happens to be packing some serious recovery gear, including a wonderful 12k Warn Winch.
In no time help had arrived, and the little Zuk was freed from it's trap and back on it's way. It was even nice to get the Ram out in the brush, to lock it up and exercise it's handy Winch.
All in all, another good afternoon in the soft moist Utah sand.
