The Getaway...Crom's build and adventures

I grew up around guns and remember my father used to take me to the now closed range up Angeles Crest HWY (CA-2) and it looked just like that. I remember looking at all the brightly colored pieces of plastic and trying to figure out what I could build with them in a lego-esque kind of way. It wasn't until I got older that I realized what all the spent shells were. It's a shame because I still shoot for recreation, but wide open placed like that are getting shut down because people don't clean up after themselves. I remember the range would have "cold range" weekends where they were closed for shooting, but a dedicated few would go to clean up the place. It wasn't enough and the place is closed down now. I remember people would take old furniture and appliances to shot at too. Place ended up looking like a dump towards the end.

 

I seriously had a "Ratatouille" moment when I read your post BTW. Thanks for that. I think I'll call my dad now, maybe take him to the range this weekend...

 

My experience is essentially the same as yours, but for the San Diego region. I leaned to shoot in the scouts as a kid. Firearms were a normal part of our lives. Over time, open shooting areas were closed down, recreational shooters were pushed further and further east. Now one must drive 2 hours to the desert.

There are a few clandestine spots I know of in our country, but most folks I know make the long drive out.

 

That's awesome! Make it happen!

My Dad lives in Florida but we speak on the phone twice a week and exchange pics over email and texting. So important to me to maintain relationships before time runs out. I can hardly wait, he is coming out for thanksgiving and staying at our home. I'm hoping I can take him out to the desert while he is here.

 

Thanks for the info on the camera yesterday. I was looking at SLR's but didn't want to drop that much cash on one. I gave the link to my wife last night for a Christmas present idea!

Children are so amazing to watch as they grow and learn. You guys are giving your children positive outdoor experiences that will last them a lifetime. It's something to be proud of!

After seeing those pics of the trash it leave you questioning what motivates one to do that. People wonder why shooting areas get closed and that is a perfect example of why. It only takes five minutes to pickup your casings and targets which we have always done since I was a kid. My dad made us pickup every spent casing including the tiny 22lr brass. I got in the habit many years ago of bringing extra trash bags to haul back as much garbage as I can carry. It's been great having a truck all of these years which has allowed me to haul back propane tanks, antennas, fridges, chairs and many other things. Now that I have a tacoma space is more limited but I will still do what I can.

I also bring out these magnetic pickups for the kids to drag though the sand to find nails with. We use them mostly around fire pits since the nails are usually left over from a-holes burning down pallets. We pull the nails off the magnets for them and pay the kids a nickle for every two nails. It gives them motivation to fill up their piggy banks while having some competitive fun. The best part is that it not only cleans up the area but teaches them about respecting the environment in the process.

$28 Master Magnetics Pick-Up Pal - Chrome-Plated Durable Reacher Tool with Strong Magnet - for Nails, Nuts, and Other Scrap Metal - 65 lb Pull - 36" Length Steel Handle - 3.25" Diameter

http://www.amazon.com/Handle-Magnet...4&sr=1-9&keywords=magnetic+pickup+with+handle

 

You're welcome. You and yours are good people! We do what we can as well. Cool idea for the magnet picker upper! That's a great idea. We've camped on BLM land and the nails were there. Thank you.

 

I got an alignment today and it wasn't good news. The tech thought something may be bent on the drivers side.

I found this on the interwebs:

I need to find someone who is an expert on front end alignments who can verify / elaborate on the quote above.

Any of you know who to ask on TW?

 

@thefatkid

 

Or....step back in time on go Old School....large format film! I still shoot it and love it.

 

Maybe I shouldn't say this, but I'm not a fan of Ken Rockwell. I can't take him or his website seriously at all.

 

I got nothing.

 

SAI and Included angle give different indications of what is damaged depending on what style of suspension is being discussed. I don't have any of my text books at home so I'll have to do a little searching.

From what I remember off of a double arm suspension it indicates a bent knuckle/spindle. Typically it is easy enough to see the bent/damage parts to not have to refer to SAI or IA so I don't really use them until it is time to study for/take ASE tests.

 

Thanks. Don't know if you saw the quote in post 516, but when I showed it to the alignment tech today he said he'd have to pull a book to confirm that.

The thing is, the last alignment the tech was able to get SAI and AI to match perfectly.

The guy today said that it wasn't possible and I know he tried hard.

I've had two wheeling trips since last alignment...

I'm going to get another alignment in a week or so to get a second opinion.

I just need to know what's going on so I can take care of it.

Thanks for your post.

Oh and I'll crawl under the truck and take a real good look at everything ASAP.

 

Thanks for checking in! Love your build, and tech write ups!

 

Steering axis inclination is not an adjustable angle, not sure how a tech could match/change them.

Do you have spindle gussets? Could you go and measure the distance from the upper ball joint/control arm to the sidewall of the tire on both sides?

Edit: pictures of where your alignment cams are currently positioned it helpful also

 

I'll go measure take pics and crawl under my truck with headlamp. My neighbors like this and will think something is wrong if I don't do this every so often. Will post back soon. thanks

 

Guffaw.

 

This is great!
I thought I was the only one that neighbors poked fun at. Great to hear .

 

When I got my last alignment by a local overland guru, he noticed that my tabs were basically flattened out and my cams were frozen in place. He was able to get everything close, but he would have to do some major work in order to fix the issue likely welding on new tabs and replacing the cams.

 

Yeah mine are flattened out too. Got pics coming in a minute.

You're a confirmed Tacoholic. lol