Muddin' in the Tropics - Lessons Learned

1. This is a great example of the benefits of 40s over 37s and 37s over 35s. As the ruts get deeper the sidewall height becomes more critical. Chassis height is key also, but sidewall height is a key contributor in mud in this video, in my opinion.
2. Insufficient lift leaves you pushing more and more mud with your chassis.
3. I've complained a bit about my BFG All-Terrain K02s loading up with mud and not clearing. Here is a broad range of mud terrain oriented tires. I note that none of them clear themselves in these conditions. I am toning down my criticism of the K02s which seem to keep me moving even mudded up. If I was following these guys, yes, I would have to have mud terrain rated tires. Right now, I am choosing to wait a few days for firmer ground (Class B Jeepero for sure).
4. Trying to learn a few things from watching others, it seems to me that as the Jeeps slow in the mud and stop, that more steering wheel side to side under power would help to get the Jeep moving again. This is a technique that this club does not seem to use much. I do that in sand and mud. Don't you?
5. I don't like seeing engines bouncing off rev-limiters. Makes me cringe to hear it. To me that implies that their overall crawl ratio is numerically too high (over 74:1) for the speeds that they are trying to maintain. Or is it that they just need to shift up one gear? Or both? No sympathy for their equipment here. Yeh, it's a tough life for muddin' Jeeps in the tropics.
6. Lockers front and rear appear to me to be a key requirement. Anything less does not work in these conditions. If you slow and dig yourself in, as the JK at 10:40 in the video (and stuck for 30 minutes), it is hard to crawl out without winch use. What was his biggest mistake, not carrying enough speed in the bog? Not quite enough lift?

Capt. Don said:

Off Road Extremo “Las Cadenas PR” - YouTube





In Puerto Rico here, one of our real "Jeepero" groups are the Migue Off-road Club. As there is a great deal of rain in our tropical rainforests and forests, mud is a way of life. I consider myself a Class B Jeepero here as I would wait for about 4 days after a good rain, when the ground has firmed up a bit, and then go jeeping. For my 35s and a mild lift on my 2022 JKUXR, and being an ex - Colorado rock crawler, I like slow and steady. Works fine for damp but fairly firm ground. Not for mud. I still like to watch these guys whom I consider the real Class A Jeeperos here. In this video of theirs at the 8:00 to 10:00 minutes point you can see Jeeps working hard and impressively. A few observations from this "old dog trying to learn some new tricks." I am interested to hear your observations.

1. This is a great example of the benefits of 40s over 37s and 37s over 35s. As the ruts get deeper the sidewall height becomes more critical. Chassis height is key also, but sidewall height is a key contributor in mud in this video, in my opinion.
2. Insufficient lift leaves you pushing more and more mud with your chassis.
3. I've complained a bit about my BFG All-Terrain K02s loading up with mud and not clearing. Here is a broad range of mud terrain oriented tires. I note that none of them clear themselves in these conditions. I am toning down my criticism of the K02s which seem to keep me moving even mudded up. If I was following these guys, yes, I would have to have mud terrain rated tires. Right now, I am choosing to wait a few days for firmer ground (Class B Jeepero for sure).
4. Trying to learn a few things from watching others, it seems to me that as the Jeeps slow in the mud and stop, that more steering wheel side to side under power would help to get the Jeep moving again. This is a technique that this club does not seem to use much. I do that in sand and mud. Don't you?
5. I don't like seeing engines bouncing off rev-limiters. Makes me cringe to hear it. To me that implies that their overall crawl ratio is numerically too high (over 74:1) for the speeds that they are trying to maintain. Or is it that they just need to shift up one gear? Or both? No sympathy for their equipment here. Yeh, it's a tough life for muddin' Jeeps in the tropics.
6. Lockers front and rear appear to me to be a key requirement. Anything less does not work in these conditions. If you slow and dig yourself in, as the JK at 10:40 in the video (and stuck for 30 minutes), it is hard to crawl out without winch use. What was his biggest mistake, not carrying enough speed in the bog? Not quite enough lift?

It is fun to watch these guys. My hat is off to them. Note that they did not bend any metal. And though they came doggone close, they did not run over any spectators. Any other lessons that you observed and care to share?

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