ckrockets build thread (daily driver/overlander rig) - Jack's 2010 4X4 DCSB Silver Streak Mica

I've always used Delorme Atlases for my motorcycle trips as backups. I have copies of Montana & Idaho from my motorcycle trip 2 year ago. I need to look at them and see if they even show anything not asphalt.

 

Personally I grew up learning how to orient and travel via compass and topo maps as well as Atlas' I really wish they would make more of them for all of these treks vs. most being all on gps devices and such. I prefer an actual map in my hand. All this new tech is really hard for me.

 

I was using Google Maps via a Nexus 7 tablet in early 2013 for my GPS routes/mapping on my motorcycle. This was unheard of in that time-frame but it worked perfect even back then. At the time I posted pictures of it on a motorcycle forum I frequented and people had no idea what to make of it.

I found the forum post, nothing ever goes away on the internet. https://www.600riders.com/forum/fz6-general-discussion/47570-finally-decided-gps.html


For years before that I use to make copies out of the Delorme Atlas and put them in the map pocket of my tank bag, with the tentative route highlighted with a ink highlighter. That evolved to printed screen captures of a Google Maps route. Would have to switch pages out every couple hours it worked well also, so like you I cut my teeth on paper map navigating.

 

Excuse the re-post wanted to push this latest update to the front:

4 days til I leave for my trip, I'm exhausted.

Sunday 6/23/19



***Installed water tank/pump platform


***Installed bedrack storage platform (propane tank retention, water tank fill port, and water outlet spout)


***Tested out water tank/pump and propane water heater setup. Water pump flow rate was way to much 3 gal/min, luckily the propane water heater can meter the flow down. At the min setting I was able to calculate the rate shown in video as 0.8 gal/min which is about perfect. At that flow rate the temp setting at about 1/8th is perfect temperature for a shower. This is a really neat water heater it uses 2 D batteries and ignites on when it senses water flow, water heats up within seconds. At a flow rate of 0.8 gal/min I should be able to get 4 - 5 minute showers with extra left over for cleanup after cooking.

 

There's been a development, my trip has been postponed indefinitely.

Yesterday (Tuesday 6/25/19) I had began calling strategic locations verifying I could secure potable water for my water tank. One of the locations was a local Ranger Station in a small town. During our conversation I mentioned what routes I would be coming from, this is what I was informed of.

Lolo Motoway: CLOSED (due to snow)

Magruder Corridor: CLOSED (due to snow)

They got snow 2 weeks ago and it has not melted enough to open the roads. I asked what was their opinion if they would be OPEN by Monday July 1st, "possible not likely". I asked what was their guess on when they would OPEN "we are expecting them to be open within 2 weeks".

I fully expect the other 4 routes I have planned are also CLOSED, regardless Lolo and Magruder were the main 2 reasons I planned this trip, the others were just a bonus.

All I can say is I'm extremely fortunate I called, spoke to that particular individual, and mentioned the routes to them even though it wasn't even relevant to our conversation about potable water locations. If I had driven 2 days 2000 miles to find out the roads were CLOSED it would have been a disaster.

I'm also fortunate to have a job that is very flexible with my vacation. My boss has approved for me to make a judgment call a few days in advance on when I will be taking the 2 weeks off.

At this point it's just a waiting game to see when the roads are OPEN (which I will be calling again this Friday). Even when the roads OPEN I'll probably give it a few more days if not a week to allow things to stabilize and dry out. So it could be anywhere from 1-3 weeks before I actually leave for the trip.

It's all good, the trip is still on I just don't know when I'll be leaving at this point.

 

Bummer about the roads.

Good that you will going, though. A little more time build up the anticipation!

And, more time to work on your truck.

 

Bummer on the closures but you're right, good thing you brought it up when speaking with the station!

 

Funny how things work out like that. I would say even if you had made the trek to find those trails closed there is so many really good places out there you could of still had a pretty epic detour. I lived in WY for a yr. In the higher elevations it wasn't uncommon to have a foot of snow come down in the middle of summer. Hell even where I lived we got dustings all the way into June.

 

That stinks, but at least you found out ahead of time. You should feel SUPER fortunate that you work for someone who is willing to work with you on when you are going to take your vacation time. I'm lucky enough to have an employer who would be willing to do the same, but not everyone is in the same boat. Pretty crazy that next week is July and roads are closed because of snow.

 

Friday 6/28/19

 

Sunday 6/30/19

Wanted to try something to see how well it worked. It works.


***Going to Hatteras for a couple days with my Brother and his family, I'm staying in a beach front campground, and parking on the beach during the day with my rig. This should come in handy.

 

This thread....

 

Tuesday 7/2/19

***tested out my camp cooking setup for colleagues at work for lunch (hamburgers and hotdogs), even got to use the mister

 

Happy 4th of July weekend!

Thursday 7/4/19

***another practice run setting up RTT, mounted RV bubble leveler on rack, tested out leveling blocks

 

Sorry to hear about the trip being postponed. I head to NC National Forests near Brevard whenever possible. Really nice areas to get away and be closer to elevation. Also I am envious of your superior sewing machine. I learned how to do some tactical gear designing but my 1970's Singer will not punch through enough layers consistently. Those are nice straight lines on you equipment. I was looking at doing a "Bikini" cover for the BedRack for travel to provide some shade before I went with a canopy. What kind of suspension lift did you do and would you do it again? I put on some weight in the back of the tacoma between a platform 2 long Pelican cases full of stuff tires racks and loaded for 4. My tacoma squats full time in the back and I need to get that fixed. I was looking at keeping the same shocks as they seem to work (nothing fancy bilsteins) and upgrading springs to the OME Dakar's.

 

Old man emu lift w/ SPC control arms, very happy with it so far. See post #69

 

Friday 7/5/19


***testing out handwashing, food preparation, cookware clean up station/camp sink, (and if need be quick bird bath station )

Lifetime 4-Foot Fillet Table (Light Commercial), 280560


***folds up fairly compact fully enclosed



***made a simple protective bag for it

 

go go go!

No seriously I've got to call to see if Lolo Motorway is open (my first route). @MTgirl gave me a local update from this weekend and it didn't appear it would be open for another week or so.