The rattle under the hood of Britt Blakeman’s CJ-7 emanates from the 6.2L GM diesel equipped with a Banks Sidewinder turbo. Gobs of torque are transferred through a 700R4 four-speed automatic and Dana 300 transfer case to a front Dana 44 and rear Dana 60 axle capped by 35-inch Super Swamper SSR tires.The rattle under the hood of Britt Blakeman’s CJ-7 emanates from the 6.2L GM diesel equipp We first visited Elko, Nevada, during the 2006 Ultimate Adventure, when we ran Gas Tank Alley with members of the Bangin’ Bones 4WD Club. Since that time we have been eager to go back and experience more of the excellent Basque food, the scenery of the Ruby Mountains, and of course the challenging rockcrawling trails. This time around we took a crack at the Broken Bones Trail. The author’s ’87 Toyota pickup relied on the Marlin Crawler dual transfer cases and Detroit Lockers to get through the trail in one piece. The 37-inch BFGoodrich Krawlers work best at the single-digit pressures allowed by the Walker Evans beadlock wheels.The author’s ’87 Toyota pickup relied on the Marlin Crawler dual transfer cases and Detroi We were actually scheduled to run Broken Bones during the 2006 UA, but a grass fire just weeks before the trip forced a last-minute change of plans. Like most high-desert trails, Broken Bones is a seasonal wash in the bottom of a canyon. It is only a mile long, but harsh winters can change the trail quite dramatically from one year to the next. When we ran the trail last spring it was still wet. The lack of traction definitely upped the difficulty factor. Broken Bones lived up to its name, as only four of the nine vehicles we started with were able to complete the trail under their own power. Fried clutches, busted driveshafts, and broken axles claimed the rest of the group, and soon there were more people walking than driving. Broken Bones is located outside of Elko in one of the countless nearby canyons. Did you know that there are 314 distinct mountain ranges in Nevada? And that 89 percent of the state is public land? The possibilities for rockcrawling are endless here.Broken Bones is located outside of Elko in one of the countless nearby canyons. Did you kn Want to experience these trails for yourself? Elko is located on Interstate 80 roughly halfway between Reno and Salt Lake City. Every Memorial Day weekend the Bangin’ Bones 4WD Club (www.bang inbones.com) hosts the Wild Weekend, with organized trail rides covering everything from historical Pony Express routes to axle-snapping canyons like Broken Bones. We definitely plan to return soon for more Nevada wheeling. Jared Neff’s buggy is powered by a reliable 4.3L Vortec engine backed by a TH350 automatic and an Atlas II transfer case. Sway-A-Way 21⁄2-inch-diameter air shocks suspend the high-pinion Dana 60 axles with Yukon 4340 chromoly axleshafts. The front axle uses a Detroit Locker, while the rear has a selectable ARB Air Locker.Jared Neff’s buggy is powered by a reliable 4.3L Vortec engine backed by a TH350 automatic Brian Hicks drove 175 miles from his home in Ely, Nevada, to run Broken Bones with us. His ’66 FJ40 Land Cruiser is equipped with a small-block Chevy and has 1-ton axles mounted under the leaf springs to make room for the 40-inch Goodyear MT/Rs.Brian Hicks drove 175 miles from his home in Ely, Nevada, to run Broken Bones with us. His We love the yellow paint and wrinkled sheetmetal on Scott Price’s ’78 F-150. Throughout the years Price has added 1-ton components to his half-ton truck and a Klune-V underdrive to turn the skinny 38.5-inch Interco Boggers.We love the yellow paint and wrinkled sheetmetal on Scott Price’s ’78 F-150. Throughout th The trail ends with an off-camber section going around a huge bolder. Too low on the hill and you scrape against the rock, too far up the hill and you tip over into the boulder. Here, Brian Hicks needs a little help getting his FJ40 through the trail unscathed.The trail ends with an off-camber section going around a huge bolder. Too low on the hill The big green CJ-7 of Rick Weight was one of only four vehicles that finished Broken Bones. A healthy AMC 401 spins 40-inch Goodyear MT/Rs while Dana 60 axles keep parts from exploding. Weight was quick to offer up his Warn Powerplant on the trail when it was necessary to extract broken and stuck vehicles.The big green CJ-7 of Rick Weight was one of only four vehicles that finished Broken Bones A model of simplicity, Kent Hansen’s low-slung CJ-7 uses a Campbell Enterprises hood and rear TJ flares to clear 37-inch Goodyear MT/Rs with minimal lift. A 5.3L Chevy engine powers the Jeep, and the clocked Dana 300 transfer case allows for a completely flat undercarriage.A model of simplicity, Kent Hansen’s low-slung CJ-7 uses a Campbell Enterprises hood and r By Harry Wagner Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
