Rear Locker Fitted

Last night saw another trip to Bob's in Edinburgh to fit the Detroit Locker into the Rear Axle. This involved pulling the old axle out and fitting a whole new axle. While I was at it I fitted a set of cranked radius arms from D44. These will stop bush wearing at the rear end. The reason I changed the axle was so that a. I would get Disc Brakes on the rear and b. to get 24 spline half shafts for added strength.


New axle rebuilt and set ready to go back on the truck. As soon as we fixed everything back up and bled the brakes we had to go test it. It was 10.45pm and roof lights were switched on we headed to the forest at the end of Bob's track. I buried it into a ditch and booted it the truck found grip and drove right through. Job done. We went into the slightly steeper ditch and did have to get the winch out but I'm still happy.
The scary news this week is that I have got a place in the Tay Forest Challenge event at the end of August so a little more prep work before then. Rear Winch and maybe a bigger set of tyres. I'm competing with Mike Robertson who I marshalled for last year.

River Braan

I had a fun day out on the river this morning. All the flows are low in Perthshire but it is always good to be on the Lower Braan.
I was out with Phil Robinson from Alba Adventure (thanks for taking the pictures, you're great) and Amber from Breadalbane Canoe Club. It was Amber's first down this section and I think she had a good trip.

One of the early boof moves.

Looking down the Mad Mile

Bike and Diff

I've been busy over the last few weeks. I've been training hard to pass my Motorbike Test. Well on the 22nd of April I PASSED!!!!!!!!!! On the 23rd I went out and picked my new bike up.


A Honda Transalp 650cc I have been out on the good days since trying to get used to it. I spent an afternoon riding roads I know well and visiting a few friends. I really enjoyed learning something new and experiencing the roads I know in a different way. Here's hoping for a sunny summer to get out and play.

I have also finally got round to fitting my new locker into my rear diff. At the moment I still have to refit it into the axle but it is a bit more of a job than it sounds. I am replacing the whole axle and rear radius arms. This will give me more articulation and also 24 spline rear axle with disc brakes. All good. I have also entered into the Tay Forest Challenge which is run at the end of August. I am not guaranteed a place but here's hoping. It is an awesome event that I marshalled at last year. I have entered with Mike Robertson. I'll keep you posted if I get a place.

Lamancha Play Day

A few members of SORC had a little day out yesterday in Lamancha. It was not an official SORC event and there were others out but we kept ourselves busy. After my rubbish score at last weeks RTV I was keen for any practice I could get. Colin turned up with some canes and so we were going to get a chance to set up a couple of sections. Obviously we were going to get some good driving in as well.

Cross Axled.

With the start of British summertime and some good weather at the end of last week I was hoping for a sunny day out. How wrong I was. I woke to snow and when we got to Lamancha there was a good bit lying. It was great to start with as the ground was fairly solid. That didn't stop me from getting stuck early on. I was trying harder than everyone else. I think I earned this years TOW out award today. Bugger.

Not getting out backwards. Ended up winching out forwards.

Colin set up a section for us as the weather broke. It was great to drive a section more than once and try different routes and speeds. I did manage to get a clear even though it took a couple of trys. Not allowed in competion.

A Jimny winching a Land Cruiser..........?

Stuck again. But with the sun out by the end of the day it was like a different day all together. It was an awesome day out. Thanks to all the SORC team who came out.

Shandon RTV

I was out competing last weekend. Well if that is what you call coming last!!!! More like, I was out driving last weekend and getting stuck and hitting canes.
The weather was very unlike the west coast. We had a mix of rain but most of the day it was dry. Bob and Helen set up some great sections and everyone had a fun day.

Colin Rose in his recently built SJ one the event. Well done Colin.