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The Getaway...Crom's build and adventures

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Builds (2005-2015)' started by Crom, Feb 11, 2015.

  1. Dec 5, 2016 at 1:09 PM
    #2901
    Crom

    Crom [OP] Super-Deluxe Member

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    Death Valley Nov. 2016 a Family Adventure Day 3, part 2

    After fun at the Mesquite Sand Dunes, I drove to Beatty, NV. I treated the family to an eat-out lunch, which we all enjoyed. We got some ice cream at a visitor market that was next door. I refueled the truck and we were off to Rhyolite.

    Rhyolite is a ghost town in Nye County, Nevada. It is in the Bullfrog Hills. In its heyday it was quite popular. There are several structures still standing that are quite impressive. The bottle house, the bank, the school. etc. My children are very aware of the curse of Bodie. Bodie is a different ghost town located North of Mono Lake. It's been said that when you take artifacts from there, terrible things will happen to you until you return them. I had to explain several times, that this ghost town is not cursed, this is not Bodie, and nothing bad would happen to us for being here. I finally gave up and told them it was not a ghost town, just some broken buildings to look at. lol

    There is another attraction at this location, and that is the Goldwell Open Air Museum. I was so jazzed that the museum was open. It's one building, and one man operating it. The historical pictures inside are impressive. That's where I got to see what Rhyolite looked like in 1907. It looked awesome! It was cold here and there was a storm approaching which only added to our excitement and adventure.

    [​IMG]
    The last supper

    [​IMG]
    Ghost rider

    The museum can be partially seen in the photo above, we bought some post cards, and I bought a T-shirt! So stoked! :D
    [​IMG]

    This was a fun place to explore. There is art all over the place.
    After we had our fill, I returned to pavement, and headed back in the direction of Death Valley NP.

    Our next adventure would be a return to Death Valley via Titus Canyon, a two hour off-road trail.




     
    Byb127, DVexile, geoyota760 and 7 others like this.
  2. Dec 5, 2016 at 1:31 PM
    #2902
    Crom

    Crom [OP] Super-Deluxe Member

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    Death Valley Nov. 2016 a Family Adventure Day 3, part 3

    Titus Canyon is quite impressive to experience. The terrain varies a lot while traversing through.

    [​IMG]
    Titus Canyon sign

    NV-374 is pictured to the left of the sign, it becomes Daylight Pass Rd and goes to DV. We took the turn and stopped to air down.
    I aired down and we began the route. Titus is quite scenic.

    [​IMG]

    In about the middle of the route there is a Ghost town called Leadfield.
    We explored here and saw a large jack rabbit and took some great photos. There are 4-5 structures still sanding.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    It was at this stop that I noticed that one of my license plate lights had vibrated out. :(
    I disconnected it and tossed it in the back, and secured the wiring harness to an inside support member of the bumper. lol

    Daylight left us in Leadfield.
    [​IMG]
    A view from Leadfield

    I continued on through the canyon. The trail gets VERY interesting after this. The canyon gets tight, then very tight, then very very tight! It was fun for my kids. I stopped the truck so my kids could reach out of the truck and touch the canyon walls! So cool! I followed the tight, windy, curvy trail all the way out of the canyon. My kids lost their minds and were awfully silly playing a game with each other. My wife and I actually got to enjoy each others company as we traversed the last bits of the canyon.

    The trail (Titus Canyon rd) terminates at pavement, Scotties Castle Rd. I stopped here to air up.
    We headed south on pavement and stopped at some random place to get out of truck and walk around in the darkness and silence of the desert.
    When you're in DV, and there is no moon, with cloud cover, it's almost pitch black! lol The clouds were blocking most of the stars.
    After about 10 minutes of this fun nonsense, we piled in and I drove back to our room where I cooked us up some quick dinner before we retired for the night in our room.
     
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  3. Dec 5, 2016 at 1:51 PM
    #2903
    Crom

    Crom [OP] Super-Deluxe Member

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    Death Valley Nov. 2016 a Family Adventure Day 4 - The Ranch Resort

    [​IMG]
    Furnace Creek Ranch Resort

    If I am going to stay in a nice place, I might as well enjoy some of the finer benefits. The pool was one.

    [​IMG]
    The pool is fed from a high-flow-rate of warm natural spring water. I couldn't detect any traces of chlorine. It was great to be swimming out doors late in November! :yay:
    My kids enjoyed the pool for an hour,getting them out was a pain. They played keep away from me. Grrr.

    [​IMG]
    The double doors that led from the room to the patio.

    [​IMG]
    Double story building.
    Ground floor is best for cooking. :)

    The resort was worth the cost for me on this trip. Next time we'll probably tent it.
    I wasn't sure prior to this trip if my 'site' would have worked for us. Having seen it in person, I know now that it would work.​
     
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  4. Dec 5, 2016 at 2:12 PM
    #2904
    CO MTN Steve

    CO MTN Steve Well-Known Member

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    Lifted, Armored, needs more lights.
    Nice work Crom, someone pointed me to this and looks like the final part of the easy button is missing, connecting the hose to new air chuck, some kind of 1/4" ID Barb to 1/4" FPT thread the air chuck uses. Not having much luck in my search for this piece, any chance you recall?
     
    ChadsPride and Crom[QUOTED][OP] like this.
  5. Dec 5, 2016 at 2:16 PM
    #2905
    Crom

    Crom [OP] Super-Deluxe Member

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    Death Valley Nov. 2016 a Family Adventure Day 4 - Badwater Basin

    After enjoying the pool, and the room until 10:55 :laugh: , we hit the visitor center for some keepsakes from the store. I topped off the gas tank for the trip home. I had several route choices ahead of me to choose from which would prove interesting. Also, we wern't sure if we were going to tent it one night or not. Anyways, I wanted my family to experience Badwater basin in the daylight. So we headed south on Badwater Rd.

    First stop was The Devil's Golf Course. ( Immense area of rock salt eroded by wind and rain into jagged spires. So incredibly serrated that “only the devil could play golf on such rough links.” )

    In this picture below, my oldest ventured far our on the salt crystals, my youngest ducked into a hole.
    The best description of this place is like walking on glass. It's very durable. We tasted it, and no doubt it's salt! :D

    [​IMG]

    We finally arrived at Badwater. Before exploring, I made lunch for us all and we enjoyed it very much. The fold down table on the swing gate again served us well. I took full advantage of an RV that was parked in an adjacent space to the south, making wonderful shade for us. There were many visitors here that were foreigners, who traveled far to be here. After we powered up, we went down the salt pan and checked it out!
    [​IMG]
    The lowest point in North America at -282' below sea level.


    It's almost like being on an alien world. Very little vegetation. Just too damned harsh.

    [​IMG]
    Someone dug a hole in the salt pan which my kids liked to play in. Saltwater is found about 8-12" below the surface.
    Beneath the surface is 11,000' of salt and sediment, before hitting bedrock.
    The name "bad water" comes from someone who led their donkey to the water, but it wouldn't drink. lol


     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2016
  6. Dec 5, 2016 at 2:17 PM
    #2906
    CO MTN Steve

    CO MTN Steve Well-Known Member

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    Lifted, Armored, needs more lights.
    I thought this was to connect the air line to the "gauge junction" (opposite end from what I am wondering about). I am now thinking maybe he bought the flexzilla 1/4" air line and just cut the end off to make this (one end should have the needed male 1/4" FPT).
     
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  7. Dec 5, 2016 at 2:42 PM
    #2907
    Crom

    Crom [OP] Super-Deluxe Member

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    @inv3ctiv3 is right.

    The air manifold has 1/8" BSP type threads, not NPT like we're accustomed to. The only way it's going to work IMO, is a BSP to hose barb fitting, which you've been directed to. Order that, and you should be good!

    Pictured below is the fitting installed in the ARB manifold / gauge junction. :) I hope this helps.
    [​IMG]
     
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  8. Dec 5, 2016 at 2:43 PM
    #2908
    CO MTN Steve

    CO MTN Steve Well-Known Member

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  9. Dec 5, 2016 at 2:48 PM
    #2909
    Crom

    Crom [OP] Super-Deluxe Member

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    :rofl:

    Please let me do :facepalm: now. Yeah I think what you said earlier. What I did was take a 25' factory made hose with 1/4" male fittings, cut that to length, attach the coilhose to the end with the fitting, and hose barb on the other which screwed into the ARB mainfold. lol

    It will all make sense when you take it apart I think.

    :)
     
  10. Dec 5, 2016 at 3:49 PM
    #2910
    Crom

    Crom [OP] Super-Deluxe Member

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    Death Valley Nov. 2016 a Family Adventure Day 4 - Crossing the Panamint Mountain Range

    After Badwater, I traveled south on Badwater Rd. I had to make a choice. The options before me were to:
    1. Take Jubilee Pass (pavement) to CA-127, back to Baker, CA, I-15 and Home,
    2. Take Harry Wade Road (30ish mile dirt) to CA-127, back to Baker, CA, I-15 and Home,
    3. Cross the epic Panamint Mountain Range in 4WD, to Trona Rd, south to US-395. 55 miles off off-road adventure!
    [​IMG]
    Panamint Mountains

    When I got the junction of West Side Road, I had convinced my wife that it was best "adventure wise" to cross the Panamint Mountains. Some negotiation occurred. lol I let the air out of the tires, and whispered to my truck it was now time to grow wings, and fly. I pointed the truck NW on West Side Road, then west, up Warm Springs Canyon. It was 14 miles to Warm Springs where we would stop to explore. We passed several mine sites of interest. It had been seven (7) years since I traveled this route, the last time in the reverse direction. It was exciting to see these places again. It's like seeing an old friend. A group of two vehicles passed us before we arrived at Warm Springs, one of them a Toyota 4runner.


    There were a few minor water crossings before arrinving at the old plantation house at Warm Springs, where I read the plaque to my family. My kids and I quickly explored one of the mines, they laughed hysterically at some fool who had drug a porcelain toilet into the first 15' of the mines entrance. We declined to enter, and explored the property. We hiked up the mountain to try and find the origin of the warm spring which was flowing quite well. The vegetation was thick. We made it to a few clearings where there was a gauging station. Water flow at this location measured 2". We were not able to find the source as the vegetation was just too thick. We down climbed and hiked back to the truck. We jumped in and went through a much deeper water crossing, about 18" or so. I stopped just after passing through to talk to a dude that was camping out at this location. Old Dude had a modified 1st gen was very laid back. He had two K9 companions. We talked for a few minutes and then we departed, west up the canyon. It was another 10.6 miles to Butte Valley. I pushed the truck hard traveling as quickly as we could over the very rough terrain. The alluvial fan leading down into Butte Valley from Warm Springs was brutal at speed. I slowed the truck and noticed the front end bouncing around and a "squish-squish" sound. What's this?!? I thought.... Blown a shock or shocks!. I just kept going, and soon I realized I like the feeling of blown shocks! Awesome! lol


    [​IMG]
    Stripped Butte, Butte Valley

    [​IMG]
    Burros in Butte Valley

    I wanted very much for my family to see the Geologists Cabin in Butte Valley, but it was occupied. I could spy this at a distance and I was bummed about that. I hustled over to Stella's Cabin to check that one out.
    [​IMG]
    Stella's Cabin

    My kids liked this place a lot. Lot's to see and explore. I did my photo-documentary job, and we got out of there. We were in a race against daylight and there was a lot of ground to cover.
    My biggest worry was a technical section of the trail that lies ahead. I wanted no part of that one-truck, in the dark

    I repeated this same process at Russel's Camp/Cabin. That cabin was in very poor shape. Unfortunate to see it that way.

    Finally it was time for Mengel Pass.
    Leaving Butte Valley behind in the distance, I took the pass. My wife spotted us through, only some rock slider contact with a rock or two and we were good!
    [​IMG]
    Mengal Pass

    I had no memory of this, but there are a number of other technical obstacles after Mengal pass. Each one had to be negotiated. (I have no aftermarket skids). Somewhere on one of these I took a hard hit, not sure where though. I just kept going. The route gets kind of difficult in a few sections (traveling from east to west). I took a few spurs that were wrong, had to back track to route correct. One of these was just before entering Goler wash and the spur led us up to a high point that was cliff like, that was unnerving! My wife was not happy! :(

    I backtracked again and found the right way and we descended further down the canyon. Now about 5-miles from Butte Valley I ran into a group of Toyota's and a Jeep. The jeep was not with the Toyota's, I talked to him for a minute, he wanted some trail intelligence which I was happy to provide. I did recognize Greg's long bed in the Toyota group. @goblue82 . I pulled over and Greg and I talked briefly. We had met for the first time during the September Rancho Cucamonga Big Bear meet. We were both in a hurry, in a race for daylight. We said our goodbyes and down canyon I went. We lost daylight in the canyon and I slowed our pace.

    When the canyon ended, I may or may not have let my kids steer the wheel while in my lap? :D Perhaps many turns were given? :notsure:
    Finally we hit the graded road, known as Wingate Rd. From this junction, it was 15 more windy miles to Ballarat, another ghost town.
    I drove the route north. After arriving in Ballarat, I took the final 3.6 miles of dirt to pavement. At pavement the kids ate dinner and we snacked there is a large pullout at this location, with several interpretive panels notating the historical significance of Ballarat. We enjoyed our impromptu dinner location. I aired up the tires and turned the truck south on Trona rd.

    We drove through Trona, and the high desert. Wife and I enjoyed some real food around Kramer junction, before the final push home, arriving around 11 pm.

    All in all, Death Valley was a success. I can't wait to go back!!!

     
  11. Dec 5, 2016 at 4:26 PM
    #2911
    Crom

    Crom [OP] Super-Deluxe Member

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    Fallout from Death Valley 2016 trip and associated maintenance.

    Damage:
    • License plate light vibrated out, will reinstall with epoxy or nylock nut and bolt
    • Valve core went bad on me in Titus Canyon (Drivers rear), when airing down.
    • Lots of rock chip damage. Chipped doors, sliders, rear axle housing, rear bumper.
    • One of my Toyo chunked. One outer tread block ripped off.
    • New Rock rash on drivers rear wheel.
    • Rust from water crossings + chipped paint.
    • One dent in slider from a hard hit
    • Body Creak noise (old chronic problem)

    Maintenance:

    • Truck thoroughly washed outside.
    • Blown out interior dust with leaf blower.
    • I spent three hours cleaning under the truck. Fame cleaned well. I have repainted rock sliders, rear bumper, and rear axle housing. Truck looks good, will post a pic soon.
     
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2016
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  12. Dec 5, 2016 at 4:28 PM
    #2912
    Soul Surfer

    Soul Surfer J!m! Was Last Seen: Roam in’ Around…

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    :mudding: :cheers:
     
  13. Dec 5, 2016 at 4:49 PM
    #2913
    goblue82

    goblue82 Well-Known Member

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    Great write up as usual, Nick. I took a couple hits to my sliders and skids as well as my muffler. Some from Mengal Pass and then the rest bombing it through the wash east of Butte Valley getting back to the hwy.
     
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  14. Dec 5, 2016 at 9:21 PM
    #2914
    ETAV8R

    ETAV8R Out DERP'n

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    Just the basics
    Thank you for taking us all along on another wonderful adventure.
    So no shock failure?
    How do you go about cleaning the underside of the truck?
     
  15. Dec 5, 2016 at 9:56 PM
    #2915
    Evenflow

    Evenflow Well-Known Member

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    Yes
    Nick,
    If you know you are going to do a lot of water crossings or get into salt water spray the undercarriage liberally with WD-40. I lived in Florida for a bit and the old timers there taught me that trick for driving on the beach, the WD-40 power washes off pretty easily after the fact too. I do it for some of my baja surf missions where I know I will be driving on the beach and you would be shocked how clean and relativel rust free my under carriage is for a 2006.
     
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  16. Dec 5, 2016 at 10:24 PM
    #2916
    goblue82

    goblue82 Well-Known Member

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    Fluid Film is something I hit my under carriage with a couple times per year. Im rather inland from the coast and thankfully Cali doesn't salt so I find 3-4 cans every time change seems to be a sweet spot.
     
  17. Dec 5, 2016 at 10:25 PM
    #2917
    HB Taco

    HB Taco Well-Known Member

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    I forgot about that. Used to do that with my dirt bikes. They would clean up so easy after. Then just spray some more on just to protect and wipe off excess.
    Love it. takes me back to last Easter when I took my family there. We loved that pool. FYI you don't have to stay there to use the Pool and showers just $5 all day. Great pics as always Nick :cheers:
     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2016
  18. Dec 5, 2016 at 10:53 PM
    #2918
    Woodrow F Call

    Woodrow F Call Kindling crackles and the smoke curls up...

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    I was going to ask about the shocks.
     
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  19. Dec 6, 2016 at 3:13 AM
    #2919
    ChadsPride

    ChadsPride Tacoma Owner & Enthusiast

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  20. Dec 6, 2016 at 7:30 AM
    #2920
    crazy joker

    crazy joker Well-Known Member

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    Real men just call it camping
    Great write ups as usual!
     
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