Stormy Weather

Early last month I arranged to meet Mike, Andy and Mick from Storm Jeeps & Jeepey with the purpose of driving a few greenlanes, and taking a some promo photos of one of their newly modified Wranglers, and I knew just the lanes to test them on.

On a grim Sunday morning I pulled over onto Rake Head Road just off Woodhead Road in the press Subaru Forester. Mick turned up first in his Storm modified 2019 Suzuki Jimny SZ5. It really looked the part with Old Man Emu 2" Suspension Lift, 215/75R15 BF Goodrich KM3, 30mm TrailgearWheel Spacers and a rear 2" receiver hitch. It was blue, my favourite Jimny colour.

At this point I can see you scratching your heads in confusion - Storm Jeeps do Jeeps, not Suzukis?? It makes sense really, they have great relationships with aftermarket manufacturers, and of course the knowledge and skill to create reliable and competent modified 4x4s, so why not modify Jimnys, pickups and so on?

I had a feeling that Mike and Andy were going to turn up in something a bit special, and they didn’t disappoint. Christened Kermit, their highly modified 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL Rubicon is resplendent in a Mojito paint-job, with 17x8.5" Rugged Ridge XHD wheels, Safari Snorkel, 4 x Pillar mounted LED cube lights, and was a sight to behold. In addition to that little lot, it was also fitted with Rockslide Engineering Rock Slider Step, Rugged Ridge HD Front Bumper, a Warn Zeon 10s winch and a Rugged Ridge HD Rear Bumper and HD Tyre Carrier. When Mike and Andy build a Jeep, they build a Jeep!

And because today was going to be part of a photo shoot, they loaded the Front Runner half roof rack with Front Runner storage boxes.

After a brief chat we decided to get cracking before the rain set in, and as I got to the Forester, the rain set in. It was the proper wet stuff too, not just just drizzle.

Lane 1 - The Old Gate Track (Trailwise ref; SE1005-05) was our first challenge, I say challenge, both vehicles walked it, and when I say ‘walked it’, I mean flexed their way up and down the short but rutted lane.

Lane 2 - From there we carried on east along SE1005-06 until Rake Head Road turns into Holme Woods Lane which eventually takes you over the dam at Riding Wood reservoir. There are a few puddles to negotiate, but nothing Muddy Madam couldn’t manage in her Skoda Fabia.

Arriving at Riding Wood reservoir we stopped for a while as Mike, Andy and Mick positioned the Wrangler and Jimny for a quick photo shoot. And it was quick as the wind and rain had picked up their ?? as drench. To be fair, we’re Northerners, so the rain didn’t bother us, it was just the fact that with the wind howling around us, we couldn’t keep our camera lenses dry!

Our next lane was supposed to be Ramsden Road, but the barriers were up preventing access. They shouldn’t have been as no work has been planned, someone obviously thought it would be funny.

Lane 3 - Fairly miffed (putting it politely), we detoured towards lanes SE1305-02, SE1306-02 and SE1404-01. I had ideas for some great photos here, but nah, too wet still.

The Subaru Forester I was driving was taking everything in its stride, and SE1404-01 can get a bit rocky in places, but nothing a Subaru can’t handle. Our next lane would be a bit more of a challenge for the Forester.

Lane 4 - SE1708-04, or Scar End Lane is fairly steep and can be narrow in places, but it has a solid enough base.

You may remember that last month I wrote about driving down this particular lane with a group from GLASS, but this time I would leading our small group upwards.

With two small rivers cascading down the lane I pressed the X-Mode button on the Forester to gain extra traction and headed upwards. I’m always amazed at what type of terrain a Subaru on standard tyres can slay, and although from the driver's seat Scar End Lane looked sketchy, the Forester didn’t scramble for grip once, and despite the best efforts of the mud, rain and slippery rock steps, we made it up.

As for the the Jeep and the Suzuki, well, they made it look like a pub car park, but their test was yet to come.

Upon reaching the top we turned left and headed towards our final test, Cheese Gate Nab Side.

Lane 5 - For this gnarly road I parked up the Forester and jumped in the Wrangler with Mike and Andy, as as good as the Forester is, I would’ve trashed it!

Cheese Gate Nab Side, or SE1607-02 is one that caused us a bit of trouble in last months issue, and I have to admit being quite shocked at how different it is from 12 months ago as the holes and ruts are much deeper now. I’m not going to blame over use by fellow 4x4 owners, but as the rain was still lashing it down you could see the damage that is caused by natural erosion.

Andy was first heading downwards in his Wrangler, there was the odd groan from the suspension that was being put through its paces as we lurched from side to side. As you near the bottom, there’s a ’S’ bend, and it’s the second part of the bend that gets you, not only with a deep rut that has formed into the rocky base, but also with quite a big step just after it.

Both 4x4s managed to get down without a problem, but the next task was getting back up again!

Andy first, and with lockers locked and sway bars disconnected, he slowly crawled up and through the deep rain channel, even stopping for photos. The 2.5" Old Man Emu BP-51 HD suspension and Teraflex adjustable track bar proved their worth, with incredible flex the Wrangler didn’t even spin its huge 35x12.5" BFGoodrich KM3 tyres.

Mick in the little Suzuki behind, who was arguably having more fun, lifted pretty much every wheel on the Jimny, as he again took his time and gently drove up the step and through the huge rut.

Although badly rutted, as I’ve already mentioned, the modified Wrangler made it look easy, almost boring in fact. This is definitely a lane for the more experienced driver with a capable 4x4.

I did have a couple more lanes planned, but as the rain was still incessant and it was almost dinner time, we decided to head to the nearest pub, which happened to be the Toss o’ Coin on Penistone Rd, for some lunch. Credit where credit’s due, the grub was cracking with great service.

If you’re interested in the Jimny, you can’t have it as it belongs to Mick, but Kermit has been built as a demonstrator and show truck, and I have no doubt will be for sale at point, if Mike doesn’t claim it first!

The great thing about buying a Jeep from Mike and Andy at Storm Jeeps is that you know the products they fit are tested and proven, not only do they look the part, but they also perform well too.

http://stormjeeps.com