Broken in Moab

[FauxLux]

Hey all. We are in Moab getting ready to go on the White Rim for 3 days.

Getting in some fun yesterday my battery strap broke causing the battery to bounce into the automatic transmission cooling line, cutting it. Lost all fluid eventually. Was able to limp to a mile out fortunately. Flat-bedded to shop where they will refill fluid (dude totally sounds like he knows what he's talking about as far as the refill procedure goes), and fix battery strap.

Q.
-Would you still go out on White Rim (quite remote), or would you just head back to Denver for a more complete going-over?
-What should I be "looking for" as evidence that I really did damage the transmission?

Thanks all!. I'm sitting here in a motel in Moab, not sure what I should do.




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[dblack]

Are you running it alone, or with someone?

As in another vehicle.

 

[FauxLux]

Hey all. We are in Moab getting ready to go on the White Rim for 3 days.

Getting in some fun yesterday my battery strap broke causing the battery to bounce into the automatic transmission cooling line, cutting it. Lost all fluid eventually. Was able to limp to a mile out fortunately. Flat-bedded to shop where they will refill fluid (dude totally sounds like he knows what he's talking about as far as the refill procedure goes), and fix battery strap.

Q.
-Would you still go out on White Rim (quite remote), or would you just head back to Denver for a more complete going-over?
-What should I be "looking for" as evidence that I really did damage the transmission?

Thanks all!. I'm sitting here in a motel in Moab, not sure what I should do.




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Oh yeah, it's a Gen 2 Tacoma OffRoad Automatic Tranny with 40k on transmission . No previous abuse until yesterday.


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[Kelly]

They fixed the cooling line, right?

I'd drive it around town a bit to see if it's shifting ok. Then take it back to the same guy and ask him to tell you if the trans fluid smells burnt (a mechanic knows that smell). If it seems ok, chances are it is ok.

If you have an InReach (or any other way to call for help without cell service), I'd continue your trip :-)

 

[dblack]

Listen and feel if there is any slippage in any gear.

That will feel like A little more Reving with less motion or pickup.

If it's not slipping I'd try it too. White Rim isn't overly technical. Just take it easy.

 

[FauxLux]

Are you running it alone, or with someone?

As in another vehicle.

Alone. Was supposed to be more but he bailed.


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[Kelly]

Alone. Was supposed to be more but he bailed.


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See if you can hook up with someone else heading out the same way and tag along. At least that way, if you break, they could get somewhere to get you some help.

 

[FauxLux]

They fixed the cooling line, right?

I'd drive it around town a bit to see if it's shifting ok. Then take it back to the same guy and ask him to tell you if the trans fluid smells burnt (a mechanic knows that smell). If it seems ok, chances are it is ok.

If you have an InReach (or any other way to call for help without cell service), I'd continue your trip :-)

Thanks. I just didn't know if the damage would be apparent right off the bat or.....

I do have an inReach but the (perhaps only) recovery truck in town is broken (broke the frame in half). Definitely a risk:benefit problem!


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[FauxLux]

See if you can hook up with someone else heading out the same way and tag along. At least that way, if you break, they could get somewhere to get you some help.

Yeah, that definitely occurred to me too, thanks!


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[FauxLux]

Listen and feel if there is any slippage in any gear.

That will feel like A little more Reving with less motion or pickup.

If it's not slipping I'd try it too. White Rim isn't overly technical. Just take it easy.

Thanks! Evaluating risk!


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[Kelly]

Thanks. I just didn't know if the damage would be apparent right off the bat or.....

I do have an inReach but the (perhaps only) recovery truck in town is broken (broke the frame in half). Definitely a risk:benefit problem!


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If you break again, send me your location, and what you need, and I'll coordinate getting you some help.

I'll PM you my contact info now.

Worst case,... I'll put together a QRF and come get you myself :-)

 

[FauxLux]

If you break again, send me your location, and what you need, and I'll coordinate getting you some help.

I'll PM you my contact info now.

Worst case,... I'll put together a QRF and come get you myself :-)

Wow! That's an incredible offer! I haven't yet picked up my truck to check out what it feels like. If it feels "off" at all I think I'm gonna just head back. Regardless, I will post what I'm doing for all you guys to know: this truly is a great club. I'm sporting my badges on both my truck and my trailer proudly!

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[dblack]

Oh, and let us know how it worked out or in 3 or 4 days we'll be wondering if you're still out there curled under a cactus with a burrow for warmth.

 

[FauxLux]

Oh, and let us know how it worked out or in 3 or 4 days we'll be wondering if you're still out there curled under a cactus with a burrow for warmth.

Thanks all! Turns out I did damage my transmission. No forward gears. Gonna trailer rig and my trailer back to Denver with I-haul. All due to a failed battery strap. Lesson learned. Thanks again! Also learned a good lesson on how to make myself available to coordinate a recovery for someone else, if they have an inDevice! An adventure regardless! (Kinda bummed. Had White crack permit for tomorrow night though).


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[dblack]

Just food for thought... it's a lot cheaper to ship a transmission to you than vice versa. Plus after you ship the truck home you buy the transmission anyway.

 

[druff6991]

Go back to Denver. Autos get damaged long before they run out. Clutches could be burned up. That's a really bad deal to loose one of those, especially if they control first gear. Plates could've gotten warped, which would cause bad stuff on the clutches. Just me being me, cause I've had to pull mine twice (first time was due to miles, second was 5 miles after first time due to overdrive sprag put in backwards. 5 miles every clutch was cooked and it had fluid to cool it) i wouldn't risk a 3 day off road trip on a tranny that ran dry

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Edit, I scanned over where op said he had no forward gears. My bad

 

[Boort]

@MadVdB

Any details / pics of how the Batt Strap broke or what could be done to repair / prevent it?

Boort

 

[ravenplague]

do it!

 

[sledgehomer]

People in Moab are rad. Go talk to some people in town. More than likely, you will find someone to go with you.

I never recommend going without a secret nd vehicle in the first place. White Rim is desolate but is traveled often. Especially this time of year.

But as I say, don't give yourself the opportunity to become a casualty. Have fun, be safe

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[[DO]Ron]

Do people actually read the whole topic before replying? xD

He has no forward gears and already has plans to go back home.. there aint no going to Moab with no gears :P