RileySB's 2013 OR Build

lol I see we have similar tastes

 

I was trying to point out OP is female, not a dude

 

lol according to who?

 

Her profile.

 

You're crazy man

 

Thanks gents!

 

Took to the mountains, the Eastern Sierras to be exact. I had a few days off work and other obligations and figured I haven't camped in awhile. Ended up being a quick 24 hour trip. Back is aching from driving and slept like shit due to all the campers pulling into the campground between 2200-0400. I've forgotten how bad it sucks to camp Th-Sat because it's so busy. I'm gonna have to go back to camping midweek to avoid crowds. I also left my guns at home which made me feel naked so I didn't primitive camp. But, got up early thanks to the damn dog waking me up at first light aka 0600.

My sleeping platform setup. Only downside is there is really no room to sit up. May have to ditch the plywood idea and just lay a mat down between the wheel wells like old times and remove the spare every time I set up camp.

Grumpily I packed up, downed some coffee and hit the trails. Went up Mazourka Canyon Rd and saw lots of wildflowers and blooming cactus. Went all the way up to the communications tower. Amazing views of the Eastern Sierras towering over the valley floor. It was about 48 degrees with spotty snow patches and a cool breeze. Not a soul in sight on my trail run today. Took the trail over to Papoose Flats towards Saline Valley Rd. Papoose Flats was kind of rocky in sections that you had to pick your lines as not to get the truck's belly stuck. I would rate it light moderate in difficulty.

Looking down into the northern part of Death Valley as I head down Papoose Flat to Saline Valley Rd. Good thing I had a Inyo NF map. So many different off shoots and not very many signs.
Took the pup for a swim in the Owens River on the way out. Flowing pretty well but murky. Light breeze. Wish I would have brought my fly fishing setup.

Was planning to head towards Bishop to do Coyote Flats, and even up to Hot Creek but I just wasn't feeling it. I've gotten soft in my older age . I was craving a good night's sleep and some NHL playoff hockey. Plus I usually go out to the Sierras to hike and everything was covered in snow still- arrived at the tail end of a spring storm which explained the howling wind and the cold temps. It was nice to be able to do some off roading- it's been awhile. Having the Prinsu Cabrac was nice- plopped my Rotopax and my Maxtrax up there, not like there wasn't plenty of room in the bed. It just looked more badass

Just got told I have been picked up by my tournament ice hockey team for the Arizona Memorial Day Classic so I will be heading out there for that. hoping to loop some Grand Canyon, Flagstff, Sedona and Monument Valley into the trip. I know it's around the same time as Overland Expo but I am not a big fan of large conferences- would rather go to to Rock Therapy.

 

Nice! When are you going to az?

 

Nice updates and glad you squeezed in a trip! Thanks for pics and trip report.

 

Over memorial day weekend. My tourney starts Friday night and concludes Monday afternoon. So that leaves me a few days before and after to explore if I feel like it...and if it's not scorching hot.

 

Changed the oil. Only 6K on the change with full synthetic and the oil was black as tar . Changed out the filter too. I LOVE MY FUMOTO VALVE! Makes oil changes a breeze. Probably the best maintenance mod so far. Also cleaned out the air filter (AFE) and the cabin air filter (AFE as well) which was covered in dog hair and dirt. Started working on my Redline Tuning hood struts but just measured. Measure thrice cut once right? Or in this case, drill once. I also finished greasing my u-joint zerks. Managed to reach the one behind the heat shield without having to remove it.

 

A little more progress on my Mod-To-Do list yay! Finished chopping both sides to put the CMC plates on. Didn't want to tack them on just quite yet, wanted to make sure they didn't rub, and so far so good. Just threw some spray paint on it for now. Also installed my Redline Tuning hood struts. Easy install!
It's been quite a productive couple weeks. I'm exhausted but happy with the progress!

Mod list To be completed:
1. Fender trim
2. Finish cab mount chop and weld in the plates
3. Mount rear superbumps onto non-drilled All Pro flip plates
4. Mount e-locker armor
5. Weld toether and Install Total Chaos LCA tabs
6. Oil change
7. Replace front diff gear oil.
8. Mount spare tire onto homemade welded bed carrier
9. Install Maxtrac pins onto Cabrac (waiting for delivery)
10. Install Rotopax mount onto Cabrac
11. Wash and wax the truck and vacuum/polish the interior.
12. Install Redline Tuning hood struts

 

Mounted my recovery gear case (Plano 42 box) . Have a tow strap, my removable hitch D-ring, Tekton ratchet set, tow strap and tire plug kit.

 

so since you have all that stuff, i'll just go with you and i won't need any of my own!

 

went up WCC yesterday to explore with @bwonger . He took me up some crazy offshoot that I would have never tried on my own, freaking steep and very slippery. (Photos don't do justice for real). Watching him slide down with his brakes locked had me feeling like I was going to crap my pants. It was hard enough walking on the hill without eating it every step. But I had a proud mama moment when I said "what the heck" and took on the hill and it was like ride a powder run with tires instead of a snowboard.


In other news. Have plans to get alignment tomorrow with my lifetime alignment from Firestone. Then transmission, front diff and transfer case fluids changed at the mechanic and a general look-over before I hit the road next week for Utah and AZ. Picked up a Delorme Inreach today at REI with my dividend. Getting more excited! Just need to mount my Maxtrax and still waiting on my KrazyBeaver shovel to show up (still no word on shipment ).

 

Yeah...I wasn't really scared the first time, but then when you said I was crazy when I brought you...then things changed. Haha ignorance is bliss.

 

I thought he was talking about the off shoot past the pine trees that is on the left and goes into a big clearing at the bottom, near the comm tower. Hot diggity this one was steep!. I'm headed out towards Kanab, then to the north rim of the grand canyon, then down around to the south rim, then flagstaff, sedona and then finally down into phoenix for a hockey tournament over the Memorial Day weekend. then drive home. Got me an Inreach RAM mount and power cord for the BirdDawg mount. Now a new GPS program to figure out how to use and create trips with. Finally figuring out the GAIA. Maybe I will just use the GAIA to routefind and the InReach to drop tracks. Too bad can't merge the two progams

 

Finally got my Krazy Beaver murder spork today! Just in time for my trip last week. Now to figure out where to mount it.

Also got alignment done at Firestone. I have a lifetime alignment deal with them. The last two times I was very happy with their service. Today, not so much. I made an appointment for 5pm and in the notes I put the specs I wanted. I showed up 10 mins early, checked in with the guy up front. Explained to him that I want these specs- "I don't usually do custom specs" is what he says. Funny because the two previous times I told the guy at the front what I wanted them at and both guys (different guys) said "no problem". The guy today told me " if you want custom specs you should have made an appointment earlier in the day". Well sorry, I didn't know that. Explained to him the issues I have with my right alignment cam tab and how it won't hold camber at 0. The guy made me feel like I was being a pain in the ass with all my statements. Maybe he was surprised that a girl actually kind of knew what she wanted him to do. anyways, long story short...numbers aren't what I wanted. But I didn't feel like waiting longer and they were closing. I told him I wanted my caster 2.4-3.0. And both sides caster is less than 2.0. At least it won't rub the tires and he got the toe close to 0. Still wanders left a bit at higher speeds. I will probably take it back one more time, hopefully my friend is working that time, and if not I'm giving up on Firestone and taking it to Superior. Well- I will try and get my Total Chaos cam tabs on, and then see if they can get me the numbers I want. If not, then it's on to Superior. I just figured since I spent the money on the Lifetime, why not use it.

Today's alignment with 285s and Built Right UCA (status post striking large bear on the right side effectively flattening my right cam tab)

Last alignment with new 285s, and Built Right UCA (after striking bear during the summer) 10/8/15

Just seems weird how my caster jumped over a degree

Next up- fluids to be changed on Friday at Richard's Accurate

 

Finished maintenance for now. Got the local mechanic to change my front diff, transfer case and transmission fluids. Long overdue. 51100 miles. Truck feels great! Taking off the skids was a pain because they are pretty bent out of shape. But usin a power drill with a 1/4" head made it so much easier! Now to put them back on ugh

 

I went up to WCC when I went up to Santa Maria to visit my sister last year. Can you run that WCC to Refugio Rd? I went to SB for the day and got up there later than expected so wasn't able to get as far as I wanted on the trail before the sun started to drop. Def did not want to get stuck up there solo in the dark but really wanted to see if you could drop back down to Refugio. The views up there are so awesome!