Today I went out to trail called Carvacre out here in San Diego. I thought it was a decently difficult trail, but then again I don't have much driving experience. Sadly I only got 1/2 mile into the 2 mile long trail due to alternator and battery problems. I've been told that the first 100 yards is the hardest part of the trail, which I'd believe the way it flexed out my suspension.

Ok onto my question. While I was stuffed/drooped all the way and still trying to go up an obsticle I noticed a metal knocking sound. I get out of the car only to see the the rear U-joint on my drive axle hitting my gas tank skidplate. Has this happened to anyone else? Should I just pound the skidplate back, or is there a fix for this?

My rear setups consists of
-3" downey leaf springs
-6" Marlin Crawler shackles
-Skyjacker shocks
-31" tires

While out on Carvacre I ran into another Toyota today, a 91 Toyota pickup with a 22re. Zero lift, just 31" tires, tires at full pressure and some bilstien shocks. He managed to do the whole trail with just one minor ding under his door, which impressed the hell out of me. When I saw him coming down the mountain I noticed his friends took a picture of his truck doing at least a 3.5 foot wheelstand (If that was me, I probably would of soiled myself). After I get the battery/alternator and u-joint fixed I'm hoping to go up there and do finish the trail. On a good note I finally learned the importance of airing down firsthand. I had some traction issues getting over the first obstacle, but after just airing my tires down to 20PSI the car crawled right up. This trail also got me to realize how useful lockers and 4.7 gears or dual cases can be, especially if you drive manual.

 

just beat it back, mine has done the same thing

 

I took off my skid, welded a taller plate along the side where the driveshaft can hit it, now I let the driveshaft bang away at the side-skid on the gas tank without fear of rupturing the tank.

It only hits when I'm having "peak fun."