December 2003 -- a rainy Sunday

I had the bright idea to go into the office for a few hours. It wasn't raining hard, just steady. No good deed goes unpunished?

Anyway, I was headed south on the 405. Because of the rain I considered getting off one exit sooner than I usually do. The normal exit is a long looping curve from the 405 South to the 133 North. --I wish I had taken the early exit.

As I came up to the turn for the 133, I slowed. I began the turn and the tires started to slide right away. I wasn't worried as I was going slow and this has happened before. Normally I just take my foot off the gas and give it a second. This time was different.

Even though I was going slow, the Jeep slid and continued to slide. It worked its way off the road and into the mud. At this point, I am sideways. The dirt is hard with a layer of very slippery mud on top. I know I am screwed. Next thing I feel the Jeep hit something. (a small ditch) The wheels stop. She falls on to her side -- hard / crunch / glass breaking / crap starts to fly. She rolls on to the roof and stops.

I am hanging upside down from my seat belt. I'm not scared; I'm just so upset at wrecking my Jeep. All my crap is everywhere -- change, books, a small sledge hammer. ??? That could have taken my head off. I can see the windshield is broken. I have to push up on the ground in order to get the seatbelt loose. I fall on to the floor -- roof? I push a door open and crawl out.

Several really nice people stop to see if I am ok. I am and they leave. I can't really look at my Jeep and I feel sick about what I've done. The Highway Patrol show up and they too are very nice. They tell me there are a lot of accidents today and they may leave since I am fine. They don't though.

Tow trucks are called. A taxi is called.

The end of a sweet adventure. I confess I'll not get a another Jeep right away. Something lower to the ground perhaps.

Brad

Mods

Drivetrain	Dana 44 (4.56 gearing)
Drivetrain	ARB Locker
Tires	33 x 10.5 BF Goodrich AT ko
Intake	Air Tube
Intake	K&N Filter
Security	Custom Kill Switch
Security	LoJack
Suspension	Tera Quick Disconnects
Suspension	Rubicon Express
Protection	Tellico Tough Skid Plate
Protection	Four-x-Doctor differential protectors
Protection	Turbo City Side Bars
Recovery	HiLift Jack
Recovery	Tow Hooks (front/rear)
Electrical	Interior 75 watt AC Outlet
Misc	Stripped visors
Misc	Disguarded bumper end caps
Misc	Removed Wrangler stickers
Misc	On-Board Air

Fluids @ 5000 miles (printable)

Engine	Mobil 1 Synth 0-30w	6 Quarts
Transmission (Manual)	Mobil 1 Synth Gear Oil	4-5 Quarts
Transfer Case	Mobil 1 Synth ATF	2 Quarts
Differentials	Mobil 1 Synth Gear Oil	2 Quarts * 2

(Actually came up with two quarts extra gear oil.)

• Southern California 4x4 Places

Stuff I want to get:

• Skid plate for gas tank

My Jeep when it was brand new

After one year

After the Dana 44 upgrade and 33" tires...

Christmas 2002 in Silver City NM.