So I decided to take the wife and my new (to me) 07 JK X Unlimited to Superlift ORV in Hot Springs for a pre-anniversary weekend campout. A couple of the guys in my local Jeep club weren't busy and came out so we wouldn't have to wheel alone, and I'm very glad they did. The X performed admirably on class 3 trails all day. We were headed back to camp to put my Jeep away and ride along with another guy to see some fours, when disaster struck. The spot we were on was barely worse than a rutted dirt road, about a 45 degree downhill. Tamest thing we'd seen all day. Let my guard down, and didn't react fast enough.





the angle in the first picture is about right, the rest make it look pretty level. That section of trail has two ruts in it that looked a little deeper than my diffs would pass, so I kept the wheels up on the higher sections, and the back wheels got loose, slipping into the ruts. Didn't get my wheel cut fast enough to make the front wheels follow, and ended up sideways on a downward slope. Luckily, it was a really slow roll, and only came out to about 3/4 of a roll before the little tree stopped us.

With some creative winching, we got it back on it's wheels without doing any extra damage:




No frame damage, though the windshield was slightly pushed out of shape at the top, and the hood was torn up. After insurance estimate, every body panel on it had a dent or ripple somewhere worth replacing. The right rear flender was the only piece of plastic to survive. Soft top was torn up, as well as the door frame pieces for it. The doors were off luckily, so no issues there. Bumper was a little crumpled in some spots, but it was my spare bumper anyway (I keep one with hooks to tear up, and one without for when I want the Jeep to look less used for the sake of my parents' nerves). It's been in the shop for almost a month between waiting for parts and paint. Insurance covered it, $12,349.76. I get to go pic it up this afternoon, fixed, and improved! 4" rough country lift, and 33" tires. I'll post some of the "after" pics tomorrow.

Just remember, the worst stuff can happen when you least suspsect it. I'm going back to Superlift for a club even this weekend (lol, yes right after I get it back from the shop) and this time, I plan on paying better attention even on the easy stuff.

 

Man same here glad to hear there was no injury's that looked bad

 

holy crap. Glad you are ok! How fast were you going?

 

Wasn't going too fast, maybe 10-15. Cool part was, all the dmg was aesthetic. We drove it home to Memphis, 4 hours from little rock. Went top down on the interstate at 80. alignment wasn't even shaky (though the steering wheel was off-center, but that was from trail riding all day). I gotta hand it to Jeep, they make a sturdy vehicle.

 

HOLY CRAP MAN!!!!! Glad you are ok.

You know when you go back we all want to see pics of you and your "New" Jeep next to that little tree that saved you.

 

Sweet merciful crap Glad your OK. What the heck did you tell your nervous parents happened if they get upset about scratches on your bumper.

 

somebody's getting a new hood! I'd look at it as an opportunity to upgrade, because looking at it any other way just isn't nearly as good. Glad you didn't get hurt!

 

Glad to hear you guys r OK!!...at least you had people with you


....now on to business... I'm not far from you in NC if you wanna pick up a hood in mint condition for sale CHEAP no hardware

 

Damn! I wish there was a video to go along with the pictures! Thankfully everyone was ok. I bet you will chance hitting your diffs next time

 

Wow. Nice job!


I'm surprised they didn't total it. I never understood the "save a couple of bucks" deal. I guess it keeps the body shops in business...