Project update
The P38 was challenged for the first time last week at Rovers on the Rocks. We showed up to the event with just a lift and tires. No armor, no traction aids and headed out with the big boys to see if we could keep up.
The Terrafirma lift did quite well over all the train that Roush creek had to offer.
We were running a little bit late for the rock competition so I had to hotfoot it back. Showing no mercy to the suspension tires or rims. The big girl bounded over rocks and crevices while we hit speeds of 20 miles an hour. To make things more interesting there was 3 adults in the truck. The suspension absorbed the torture with out showing any sign of wanting to quit. I don't know how they would've handled flying overwash board roads in 110 deg Arizona heat but for this little test they did more than expected for a direct bolt in shock.
Take a look at this video of the P38 balancing on two wheels. You can see the brake being spiked trying to get the truck to pitch and roll but the shocks are keeping it under control.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaUhLNmBrnE&feature=plcp
An interesting P38 thing happen when we were on the trail.
The new HD bumpers were not here in time so we were stuck with stock. Attached to the stock rear bumper was the trailer wiring harness. This will be relevant soon.
The trails of Rockcreek quickly eliminated the wiring harness. The remaining wiring shorted out and blew the brake light fuse. On most trucks this would not be a big deal but the P38 is not most trucks.
Unfortunately this fuse was also linked to the ABS
And without ABS you don't have any of this
The P38 was in a deep gully with rocks on either side. This made the doors impossible to open and prevented anybody from reaching the fuse that was so inconveniently located under the passenger seat. We decided to winch it out and when i jumped back in the truck to put it in drive it was stuck in park.
So quick recap of fuse number 17
Can't take the truck out of park
No ABS
No traction control
Oh yeah and no brake lights
Aside from the above issue of fuse number 17 I was extremely happy with the truck. The brakes are fantastic when compared to a Disco or Defender of the same generation
The pictures never look as steep as it really is
We use the P38 to set up the rock competition course
Bill AKA ArmyRover was able to jump in and run the course without doing any damage and give us is wonderful wheel stand picture.
Coming next will be rock sliders. We should have them in hand on Wednesday but I think we're going to have to do some work on the fenders.
The true 33 is a bit tight for the wheel well. I'm going to try some of Terrafirma's new fender flares. They were designed for the D2 and do not require you to cut the fender but extends the arches. We will have to see how they fit.
