209 TACOS - B/S and shenanigans

They closed it while we were out.

My Dad wheels the red FJ40 and my brother has the orange FJ40.

It was good to see family while “social distancing”. Rained/snowed so hard we never got out of our rigs!

 

Guess I’m camping in my driveway next weekend. Did they close the gate at mile 13 or something else?

 

I just ran out there to get one last run on the snow tires before I swap them out. All the gates are open to the top of the pass, where I turned around so about mile 13. But they will lock them by this weekend, if they are going to lock them at all.

Typical FS, there is no signage about any potential closures, etc.

 

No gates were closed on the main road. All the gates north of the road were closed (normal) most the gates south were open (also normal for early april).

There were no signs or anything indicating they were "closing" the road. Only reason we found out was because it was on our local internet news site.

Today would have been epic for a snow run though... 16" at the lake!

 

Nice, that section was only wet when we came through yesterday. We didn't find the deep stuff until the second pass before you drop down into the lake. I'm jealous you got out there today though.

 

Just got back from quarantine in the Mojave Desert with my future wife and my son (16y/o) who drove his TJ. Life is normal out there, centered on what matters, and coming back to COVID life is jolting. The news is capitalizing and cashing in on fear. Living has always been a risky endeavor.

 

Snowed overnight and I was the first one out there, which is always the best feeling. No one had been past River Ranch and the people I saw at RR were putting kayaks into the river. Crazy dudes.

 

Clutch slave cylinder went out on the heep. It was fun driving up to my pops place without being able to disengage the clutch...

down shifting was interesting and so was avoiding stop lights. Took the scenic route!

 

It’s Friday but Sunday is coming!

 

That good?

 

What do you guys think about Fumoto drain plugs? I have CBI skid plates, any drawbacks?

https://www.fumotooildrainvalve.com/B103SX.html

 

I've had a Fumoto plug in my tool box awaiting the day I pull my skids to install.

 

I have a Fumoto valve on the RAV4, the GX460, the MR2 Spyder and the Tacoma. Fuck that Ford. It doesn’t deserve it...

 

love it and highly recommend the fumoto valves. i just take a short clear tube, plug one end on the nipple, other side into my jug and open the valve. oil changes are super easy.

 

Wish I would have done mine sooner than I did
So much easier to use

 

I haven’t changed the oil myself yet on this truck, what is the driver to get the filter plug off? I have an access panel in my skid but I’m guessing I’ll need to drop the whole plate to get to the filter as well

 

This is the kit I picked up. Comes with the tool and a metal filter housing to replace the plastic one the truck came with.

$55 Genuine 04152-YZZA1 oil filter with Genuine 15620-31060 Oil Filter Housing Cap and 15643-31050 Cap Plug includes APSG Wrench and crush washer.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XZF7JW4/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_YtgMEbRK1KV7Z

I also have the Fumoto valve. Picked up an inexpensive electric pump to suck the oil out in about a minute and a half.

ALEKO BST1017N 12V 5A DC Motor Fuel Oil Diesel Pump with Hose with Handle & On/Off Switch

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010CERWQS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

I put one on when I did my first oil change and its been pretty rad. I got the one without a nipple and if I had to do it again I think I'd get the nipple version just to make things slightly less messy. Not that it's super messy now, but sometimes a tiny bit of oil can get on my hands and skid plate when I'm opening the valve.