Custom Differentials Mud Bash 2009 - Mud In Yer Eye

If the folks in eastern Missouri woke up one morning and found that all of the paved roads had magically turned to mud, they'd probably be ecstatic. Anyway that's our take after spending New Year's Day in Bloomsdale, Missouri, at the J&N Entertainment and 310 Off Road New Year's Day Mud Bash presented by Custom Differentials.

Commonly referred to as simply "Mud Bash," this year marked the tenth anniversary of this gooey event. It's held at the J&N Entertainment 4-Wheel Park, which is adjacent to Custom Differentials. Jeremy Naeger is the owner of Custom Differentials. If that name sounds familiar, it's because he's a former Top Truck Challenge competitor and a long-time wheeler. He and his shop are well known for everything from standard axle rebuilds all the way to some of the most rugged, incredible axles you can bolt under your rig. Naeger actually started the Mud Bash back in 1999, and over the years, it has morphed into what it is today. So, what is it today?

Well, it's a one-day event where people are invited to simply explore the Park's mud pits at their own speed. It's as simple as that. Mud Bash doesn't burden people with a structured schedule of events. An uptight schedule just won't fly on New Year's Day. The event is designed to be a stress-free day of hanging out with other wheelers in an environment that celebrates a natural phenomenon found when moisture merges with dirt. In fact, Missourians seem to be in harmony with mud. Not that mud doesn't fight back every now and then. And if these wheelers think cleaning all the mud off their rigs at the end of the day is a pain, they're not saying.

This year's Mud Bash drew around 2,000 people and about 200 four-wheel drive rigs. Free giveaways, music, and available food all combined with a bit of horsing around in the mud to create a laid back, fun day. For more info on the 2010 Mud Bash or any of the other events held throughout the year at the J&N Entertainment 4-Wheel Park, visit www.custom-differentials.com.

While wandering around we found this '89 Wrangler owned by Andy Webb of Bonne Terre, Missouri. This rig has an interesting story. Webb's buddies built it while he was serving overseas in the Air Force. Webb says, "[It] wouldn't have gotten done without them." The Jeep has a heavily modified 258ci engine, locked Ford 8.8-inch rear axle, Rough Country 4-inch suspension lift, Dick Cepek wheels and 35-inch Mickey Thompson MTZ tires. It also sports a CJ hood and grille, customized YJ fenders, CJ tailgate, custom dash and a modified Poison Spyder 'cage.

You may remember Phillip McGilton's '83 Chevy K10 pickup from Top Truck Challenge 2007. McGilton brought the truck to Mud Bash and was entertaining the crowd with some big air jumps and mud action when he augered the driver side front wheel into a dirt berm after a jump. The resulting damage ended the Chevy's day.

Warming fires were located...        read full caption Warming fires were located around the property for those who were chilled by the January weather. These ladies found that a little teamwork meant warm feet.	The Park has a couple of deep...        read full caption The Park has a couple of deep pits where getting stuck is almost a given. This pit was one of 'em, as this Bronco found out. Heavy equipment is on-site and used for recoveries.	Carhartt and camo was the...        read full caption Carhartt and camo was the clothing of choice due to chilly temps and a brisk cold wind. In addition to participants, hundreds of spectators came out for the day to watch the Mud Bash action.
As the day wore on, folks...        read full caption As the day wore on, folks got bolder and they created new ways through the obstacles. Things got a little tipsy for this Ford as the driver tried a creative line into one of the mud pits.	When thinking of hardcore...        read full caption When thinking of hardcore mud trucks, tractor tires always seem to figure into the equation. We saw a few rigs sporting tractor tires at the Mud Bash, and as expected they were almost unstoppable in the mud.	A couple of the pits combined...        read full caption A couple of the pits combined mud with deep water, and this mix took its toll on a few of the rigs like this Ford. The ice floating around on the surface wasn't a factor, other than an indicator of the previous night's temperatures.
One of the more unusual modifications...        read full caption One of the more unusual modifications we saw was on this Grand Cherokee. Apparently tired of having a mud-clogged exhaust system, the owner of this rig fabbed a custom exhaust that exits above the roofline on the tail end of the vehicle.	Next to waterlogged engines,...        read full caption Next to waterlogged engines, the biggest killer of mud fun seemed to be tires peeled from wheels. Most folks air down to get more traction, but the result is less pressure on the bead, which increases the chances of the tire and wheel parting ways. This is where beadlock wheels would come in handy.	Most Missourians aren't shy...        read full caption Most Missourians aren't shy about throwing their rigs into deep water. To ensure the shorter rigs don't suck muddy water into the engine, a few of the owners fabbed up homemade high-mount air intakes. This Pathfinder's owner created a one-of-a-kind PVC intake that is functional and stylish.
George and Beth Blakey's '93...        read full caption George and Beth Blakey's '93 Chevy cop car was one of the more unusual vehicles at the Bash. George says he built it "cuz it's different and not everyone has something like this." He's right. The rig sports a heavily modified small-block Chevy engine, Dana 60 front axle, locked 14-bolt rear axle, 8 inches of suspension lift, and 39-inch Boggers.	Denver Counts Jr., of Park...        read full caption Denver Counts Jr., of Park Hills, Missouri, brought out his '74 Ford F-350 Crew Cab. This rare truck is pretty cool and it only has 30,000 miles on the odometer. There wasn't much mud that would stop it thanks to body mods designed to lighten the truck, tractor tires, a 390ci V-8, Rockwell 2-ton axles and a significant amount of suspension lift.	Calvin and Stephanie Vail...        read full caption Calvin and Stephanie Vail (shown here with friends) brought out their extremely rare NAPCO '69 Ford F-600. This rig spent almost its entire life in an iron mine in northern Minnesota before they procured it. It only has 37,000 original miles and they say that at least 35,000 of those miles were accrued off-road around the mine. The rig rolls on 46-inch Michelin tires and it's powered by a 300 cubic-inch engine.