The Getaway...Crom's build and adventures

Yup. Only a matter of time. The steel ones are strong and holding up great. Here is where I got them:

24 TOYOTA OEM OE STOCK FACTORY WHEELS RIMS MAG LUG NUTS 12X1.5 1.5 21 HEX BLACK

Listed for $34.95

 

I found these pics in another section of the forum and wanted to cross post them here.

Camping pics from 2009 when truck was completely stock.

Death Valley, Lippincott Pass 2009





Joshua Tree, Jumbo Rocks 2009







Yosemite, White Wolf 2009

 

Here are some pictures from summer 2011. I am a minimalist and when I do solo trips I don't deploy a lot of gear when I pull over for the night. Jetboil and Mountain House dinners work well for a hot fast meal.

Wyman Creek Road, White Mountains, Inyo, National Forest, CA






White Mountains, Inyo, National Forest, CA


Hunter Mountain Pass, Saline Valley Road, Death Valley, CA

 

Pictures from Jacumba Wilderness, CA February 2012





Just south east of Valley of the Moon in Jacumba is a jeep trail. Does anybody know the name of it? It's the part in red. Here is a Google Map.

I took it in my stock 4x4 Tacoma (w/ sliders) and it was quite the adventure. $hit bricks in a few places... I had to spend 20 minutes rebuilding the trail in one part stacking rocks so I could make it out. Using extremely careful wheel placement, and spot checking many times I made it out no serious damage just lots of new pin striping and dents in the factory skids.

I would not recommend that trail without some additional armor.

My guess is Jeeps roll through with 35" tires. Lots of dirtbike tracks too. Border patrolman I. HERNANDEZ called it an ATV trail.



I was too concerned with getting out than taking pictures of the trail. I did manage to capture this image where I had to stack some rocks. The ledge was about knee high (Pictures can't do the depth justice).



The previous day I day hiked into Valley of the Moon and captured these images of the monzonite boulders.






Cave Shelter used my migrants


The Border fence


The Border fence




Old Mining Equipment from Elliot Mine


Sunset next to Table Mountain BLM Area


Truck was covered in ICE the next morning


Fun Times.

 

February 2013, our new family of four went camping (2.5 year old, and our 4-month old.) Agua Caliente County campground San Diego, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.







Look at this crazy over packing I did to camp with a newborn.

 

March 2013, I got to go camping, but did a backpack up the side of a mountain in the desert instead of truck camping.

I love to backpack when possible, and fortunately I got to go out with a couple buddies on a weekend in Anza-Borrego.

I left the Tacoma at the end of a spur road.





My buddies and I wandered 1,300' up to the summit of an island mountain in the desert.



We pitched our tents between these wonderful pinyon pines which did a superb job of protecting us from the constant wind at night.



Watched God make a sunset



Had a wonderful campfire with great company.



A few views from the summit. Looking North to the Santa Rosa Mountains, which I love.



A view to the East, the Salton Sea, and beyond.



Looking South-West to the Potrero (flat area) and the Laguna Mountains



Found a chipmunk.



And a butterfly.

 

Summer of 2013, I took our family of four up to Bass Lake, CA to swim during the massive heat wave. We swam 3-4 times a day. It was great!

 

July 2013, Went to Yosemite. Four days and three nights for the family. We camped like royalty with the Mr. Heater in the tent and a 12v fan for white noise. It was like the Bahamas 75*F all night long in the Kodiak tent.

Our neighbors in the campground were world-class. Everyone was kind, courteous and respectful. We were very fortunate.

We swam in Lake Tenaya and the Merced river. Scrambled on lots of granite with my almost 3-year old little girl.

Yosemite Creek Campground



Yosemite Valley

Lake Tenaya

Merced River

 

October 2013, We were blessed with another family camping trip. Four families, six adults, and 5 kids total.



Jumbo Rocks campground

 

February 2014, camped with some buddies in Anza-Borrego desert. Beautiful weather.

 

May 2014, Santa Rosa Truck Trail, a family trip.

 

June, 2014, Western Sierra's family camping

 

Great looking truck man.

 

Belle Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA OCTOBER, 2014

 

Thanks!

 

I went to Death Valley National Park for the last four days, and three nights of 2014. Had a lot of fun. I drove about 200 miles off road. Full trip report and lots of pictures here and here.

For this trip I converted my truck into the Death Valley Express. I pull the rear seat bottoms, fold down the seat backs and sleep in the cab, totally protected from the cold and wind. I spent each night in a new location in the park. When I arrive at my spot for the night, I open the rear hatch of my shell, fold down the tail gate and turn on a propane heater, and play a little bit of music. I deploy a camp stool, read books, study maps, and do photography. I didn't even bother cooking any food. Super fast, light weight, and incredibly simple. Camp setup is about 2 minutes flat. I love it!



Here are some trip highlights.

Ibex Sand Dunes


Saratoga Springs


Coyote near Green water Valley


My Tacoma on Harry Wade Road


Random camper in Greenwater Valley at the 2-mile legal camping limit.


A very cold morning on West Side Road with Telescope Peak in the background


Cars moving on CA-190 at night


Three random shots of campers off of Trail Canyon Road. I surmise these folks may have had a rough night, very strong cold winter storm winds all night long. My truck was rocking in the wind!

 

Yup. With very careful wheel placement, a stock 4x4 with locker, ATRAC, can go all kinds of interesting places.

Once I throw on the OME suspension in two weekends I won't be able to call my truck stock anymore. But the time as come... At nearly 6 years old, the suspension is beat. I'm really excited about it. The last big change for my truck was the baja rack and shell in 2012.

 

Now I want to go camping lol awesome truck man

 

DUDE! I'm pretty sure that's the same exact campground at Joshua Tree that I've stayed at. Photos looks great. Even with all the crap that's been done to my truck, its main mission is still to take me and the lady camping and exploring.

Maybe I missed it, but what's the other black tube thing on your rack? Not the road shower. I'm looking at making one though.

 

I think that's where he said he kept his poles for his tent.