The Getaway...Crom's build and adventures

At least for the 2016 3rd gen you can now get a TRD OR DCLB. I think many people with Sports got them because they wanted a DCLB.

I certainly don't need HAC but I wonder about DAC. I'm coming from a 1992 MT and 1st gear, 4LO was wonderful in that truck on steep descents. Now in my 2015 I've got an AT and I'm not sure I'd be happy with the idle descent in 4LO 1st - the torque converter just allows too much extra speed compared to a direct connection to engine compression. So I've tried DAC on some minor stuff and it *seems* like it might be a better option than tapping the brakes myself. But you've got way more experience with this truck than me!

Thanks for the input on ATRAC too, I've been wondering whether I'd just leave it on in 4LO or choose to turn it on instead.

 

Mountain Spring Stagecoach Trail - Anza-Borrego South (Continued)

I finally found the history behind this place.

SAN DIEGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY:

In 1863 Pete Larkins and Joe Stancliff built a small house at Mountain Springs, selling meager supplies to travelers passing that way, and with their team of oxen they assisted travelers up the steep, thirty per cent mountain grade.

In 1870 the San Diego -- Ft. Yuma Turnpike Company purchased Larkins' holdings and petitioned the San Diego Board of Supervisors to allow them to establish a Toll Road and station at this location. The permit was granted, and the company operated a toll station in the old Larkins House for about six years, with Mr. Bowers as Station Agent. All that remains at present, to mark the location of the original station site, is a lone Washingtonia Palm tree and the remains of a portion of the old stone foundation.

In 1878 the Board of Supervisors relocated a portion of the road above the station, and eliminated the toll road. This change of alignment brought the road into the Mountain Springs area about one-half mile north of the old stage station. At this point another spring was developed in a near-by canyon. It was at this location, in about 1860, that sheep men built some stone corrals and a small stone house. In the corrals lambing ewes were kept at night, to protect them and their young lambs from the coyotes.

In 1900 Supervisor James Jasper constructed a new grade into the area. This new road came around the mountain from the north and terminated near the stone corrals. Jasper cleaned out the springs in the canyon, and piped the water a short distance to a large water trough at the feet of the grade; this was convenient for the sheep men, as the overflow ran into the nearby corrals.

In 1909, a new Mountain Springs Grade was constructed with monies provided by a San Diego County bond issue, to accommodate the increasing demand of the automobile. This grade entered the amphitheatre from the south and the old water trough was moved to a new location about a thousand feet to the south east from its position at the stone corrals, so that cool water could be had for the boiling radiators. A short time thereafter a small cafe and garage operated at this location, but closed when the California Division of Highways again relocated the highway a few hundred feet farther north. This is the highway that is in use as of 1955.

NOTE: Prior to 1907, San Diego County extended easterly to the Colorado river. In that year, Imperial County was formed, the division line between the two counties passing through the Mountain Springs area; in fact, the present highway down the grade crosses and re-crosses the County line several times.​

We arrived at the bottom of the trail which dead ends at Interstate 8.


The stacked rock wall ruins of the stagecoach station. About 150 years ago.


The remains of a rock house.


Water trough.


My friend in the distance, next to the rock wall.


I also found the mother of all cholla cactus plants. @Maticuno this is the largest I recall seeing. Would you say this is big? it's all one plant, another pic below.

This is all one plant. Kev is at least 6' tall.

The cholla cactus barbs are unlike any other.


This is what the barbs look like under a microscope.



When you get poked, and you try to pull out the barbs splay or flare out. Said another way, the spines are reverse barbed. I've been around these plants my whole life, and never had a serious issue with them. It's like any other desert danger.

Not my picture, but you get the idea.


Not my picture, but I know someone this happened to in the last year.

 

You're right. I shouldn't say it's useless. It may be very useful to others. From what I remember, I tried it back in '09 and it didn't seem to impress me. Maybe I'll try it again next chance and reevaluate. If I remember right, I was in L4, but transmission was in "D" and it was a herky-jerky feeling as I went down hill. Maybe it would be different in first gear?

Yeah HAC is Hill-start Assist Control. Since my truck doesn't have that, It's wrong to cast judgement on it, so I'll edit my original post.

 

That's the reason I ended up with a Sport. I would have snagged up a DCLB offroad in a heart beat.

The DCSB offroad also wasn't available and still isn't available in Canada. The only way to get an offroad was with the access cab. I think that's changed now with the 2016 DCLB offroads, but I'm not 100% sure.

The DCSB is actually a pretty rare truck around where I live. I think you'd see more of them if they offered the offroad package.

Also, OUCH at that last photo.

 

Mountain Spring Stagecoach Trail - Anza-Borrego South (Final)

Kev and I have conquered amazing desert peaks in our time. On this day we found a drainage tunnel under the interstate. So of course we had to check it out, lol



Tunnel was fun to go through. Plenty of headroom. And my god, look at all those bolts and nuts!


We were glad we were not the ones that had to turn them when it was built. We guessed it was built sometime in the 1960's


After exiting the tunnel to the east, we found this stretch of concrete. According to one modern map, it's name is Mountain Springs Road.

However, I read up a little bit and it turns out this was originally part highway 80. or U.S. Route 80 in California.

This patch of highway was used up until 1964 when interstate 8 was built.


We scanned the area looking for more stuff to explore, and there were lots. We took note, and promised to return another day.


We returned through the tunnel of doom.


Took time to have a basic lunch.


Then we returned from the way we came. Kev led the way.


Trail goes up and around the mountain.


We took a small detour to the top of Table Mountain to take in some views before the U.S. Border Patrol kicked us out.


We returned to the Jacumba gas station where Kev left his Tundra and I aired up.
Let me tell you. I love my ARB air compressor. At one minute per tire, I'm very pleased, but the novelty of having a portable 20lb system wore off months ago. I can't wait to stuff that thing in the rig and get it mounted up. Yet another project to finish.


Slider took a minor hit.


Both back wheels got some new rock rash going on.




Here endith my trip report for the ancient, , and historical Mountain Springs Stagecoach trail in Jacumba, CA.

 

Looks like a fun trail to explore. I'll keep that one in mind next time I'm down that way.
The guy with the cactus - That's knarly! I had one of those get me on a hike because it stuck to my boot then the back of the other leg. Serious OUCH! I noticed he's a golfer. If I hit a ball in a cactus I say good by to it.
DAC is good if you just want to roll down a steep hill and forget about it (off road for dummies thing) I hate the noises those modes make though so most times I don't bother with them. ATRAC is the exception as noted. Just keep your foot in it and it will find a way to get you up the hill. I use the locker whenever I want max traction in 4L. It's awesome when engaged - makes a BIG difference even with ATRAC on. But yea I don't think I'll do the locker anytime mod either.

 

@Crom blower motor is easy to get to with out tearing dash apart. Pull the glove box and when you replace the cabin air filter it's right there.

 

That cactus plant looks to be very painful haha

 

The Jumping Cholla is one we have a lot of in the surrounding Phoenix Trails. This is one cactus you learn to stay away from.

 

Yup it's a crazy plant for sure.

Thanks! That is a relief. I don't want to take the dash apart ever again. I don't have time for that!

On the Cholla cactus, I've seen an animal die that got cholla cactus stuck to it's neck, could not get it off. It eventually died inside of a train tunnel in the desert and was subsequently mummified over years time. Crazy stuff!

Here is the pic




Some things that I've seen work when Cholla hits happen are:

• Heavy duty salad tongs, the stainless steel variety
• Needle nose pliers

There is only one weakness that Cholla has that I'm aware of and that's fire.

Burn it with fire! The spines will burn rather well, regardless if it's dry or wet.

 

Then it's still stuck on the neck wtf haha

 

I'm guessing that's a coyote.

 

A comb is a very useful removal tool as well (slide the comb against the skin with spines between the tines of the comb and then pull up).

 

I got the DCLB SR5, no atrac, I plan to get lockers and regear when I can afford it...that may be a while. I have found that lightly applying the brakes when a wheel is spinning sends power to the non spinning tire. It has worked so far.

 

2 clicks on the ebrake does the same thing.

 

The Cholla barb will never let go. lol I'm guessing 200 years from now it will look exactly the same.

I think so too. I looked at some canine skulls and the teeth seem to match up. It's crazy how the arid climate of the desert preserves things so well. I'm amazed at times.

I have tried that once, and maybe mine was too cheap, it did not have the strength to pry the cholla away, plastic comb just bent and cholla stayed put. I bet if I used a metal comb it would work a lot better.

I have asked my friends to provide me with the pics of our other friend that fell into the cholla cactus around Jan 2015. I'm hoping they come through for me. The story is a good one. It was his first desert backpack and he fell into a cholla cactus within the first 250 yards of the trail head. It was rocky climbing and cross country travel. Got all F'd up Cholla on his back. It took another member of the group an estimated 45 minutes to clean it all out with a leather man needle nose pliers. To his credit, he put is pack back on and the trip continued! lol

Good to hear. Andy, I got a question for you, two really...

1. Do you know what obstacle did you hit to bend your DS spindle?
2. What did you do to plug the drain holes in your LCA? I got a couple quotes to weld them all closed, and just noticed yours.

 

Looks like the BAMF LCA skids that plugged the holes with bolts?

 

Going across a dry lake bed at 60, hit a 2x2 rut at an angle.

Yup

 

How do you like the use of the Solar Panels? I've been looking at doing some sort of camping setup with some. Worth the money?

 

Yeah good eye Jon, I never knew how they attached.

Thanks! It doesn't take much. Can't wait to get mine beefed up.

I like them a lot and it was worth it. The panels keep up with my aux load and I never have to worry about charging. This allows me to focus more of my time on interacting with the family and having fun with them.

I got my solar panels from a place called Solar Blvd. My cost three years ago was $1.46 per watt. Not too bad. The main reason for the solar was to support the fridge. We base camp in the summer and the rig may sit for up to (4) days at a lake where we like to camp.

The real star and heart of my aux battery setup is the CTEK D250S DUAL charging device.

When it comes to technological advancements in battery charging, CTEK nailed it. It does everything right in an optimal fashion, fully automated, with a 5-year warranty. I haven't performed market research in a while, but at the time (2013) nothing on the market came close to what it does. The only thing I have done to augment the CTEK is to add my own voltmeter to monitor the aux battery. Everything is fully automated and works superbly.