Carl, or Paj4×4 as he is known in the 4×4PH.com forums, is leaving on Wednesday. And so we needed to take him out on the trails to ‘wheel. It was also a good time to do a shakedown of his most recent modification to his Suzuki Samurai 4×4.

The destination: Boso-boso. We need to go somewhere near (more time on the trails than on pavement) and we need to go where there are a lot of wet, gooey mud & deep ruts. With these requirements Boso-boso was chosen.

After meeting and waiting at the rendezvous (and after some light breakfast for some) we went on our way. The convoy consisted of 4 vehicles: 3 Suzuki Samurais and the all-mighty 4×4PH Suzuki Vitara (biased? Maybe. Don’t like it? Create your own site. Haha, just kidding).

When we got to the point of no return everyone had to air-down and lower their tire pressures. This would give us (well, them since I didn’t air-down, heh) better traction when we’d need it most; as this will make our tires’ footprints larger and more flexible to be able to grip uneven surfaces using a larger tire area… I hope that’s clearer than it looks…

While everyone was airing-down a native woman found her way into my vehicle. Here’s a picture I took of her: click!

OK, so off to the new day’s mist we run (Metallica lyrics). Upon reaching the first difficult area we were stopped by locals walking along the track with deep ruts. We find out from them that a passenger jeep was working its way along the track. Mind you, this is no ordinary jeep you normally see in the city.

This jeep uses large tires (9.00 x 16, I think), I would also assume welded rear diffs, & a PTO winch. Those are just the stuff that’s visible from where I was standing. After a while I find out the jeep’s tire chains (a traction aid) broke and the jeep’s crew were attempting to fix it on the trails, while the other crew members were winching the jeep all the way.

Tired of waiting Mich decided to tackle the ruts on the opposite side the jeep was taking. Another pic here. After Mich’s successful run we all decided to follow suit. Second to go was Doc Bong, going, gone… Next up is Carl aka Paj4×4, the reason for the trail. So off he went! Then is was my turn 1, 2, 3.

The next area is trickier. The left side of the track seems shallower, and I was voted to go first. Hmm… OK, so I started my run, and the mud pit was as deceptive as sh*t — I slid into the deep rut and got high-centered on my A-arms, my tires weren’t biting on hard ground… but I was splashing gooey mud all over the place! Then I called for help.

After attaching the tow-straps I was pulled back by Mich on his Samurai, we started talking about a new strategy. Then I was ready to go! So I took the agreed-upon line, hit a bump at the crucial turning point (gulp! You can see Jam through the windshield thrown from her seat towards me) but was able to go through with no problems. Mich, Carl, then Doc Bong taking the same line, after being tested by the guinea pig (me) to be the safe and correct line to take.

The next stretch of muddy ruts we encountered I was again setup to be the first to go… while writing this I think the Samurai guys ganged-up on me so I’ll be the first one to get stuck while “testing the waters,” hmm…

And look, after taking the middle part and getting stuck they all passed the right side, overtaking me, then recovering me 1, 2, 3. A Samurai owners’ conspiracy? Heh!

After that was all smooth sailing, until we reached the basketball court of a barangay (village), but as we were all still high from the trip Doc Bong, who was leading now, decided to push through and have lunch some time later.

As luck would have it Doc Bong’s Extreme Trekkers by Simex dug up the trail too much, add the drizzle, the small creek, the slippery undergrowth, mud tires made slick by sticky mud, and the big rock on the left side that I had to avoid and that would spell adventure… with the shovel and recovery straps (you can see the rock right in front of my left headlight).

Of course, Mother Nature always helps in making sure we have some fun. While we were setting up and winching the rain started to get stronger, making the tracks more slippery. But what’s a little rain? We continued to pull and pull (front and back) and we’re still stuck.

After successfully recovering the Vitara we turned back and headed to the stage beside the basketball court for lunch, as the rain was starting to really come down at this time. But everyone was tired, happy, and hungry all at the same time.

When everyone was rested and full, both from the food and stories, we decided to head home… and go through the whole thing again the opposite direction.

And I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

And time for our secret weapon…
Secret Weapon

The Shovel!
The Shovel

Now, we’re really ready to go…

Attacking the ruts! Leaving behind a trail of flying mud!

Mich (rear angle), Carl (rear angle), and on to the next obstacle…

The cliff/ditch that has eaten me twice (this trip was the second time, and I hope it’s the last. First one was the weekend before this). It doesn’t look bad but if you were in the driver’s seat…

So final recovery for the day, and off we go, heading home. Guy Smiley happy.

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