Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

have to agree that lower air pressure would have helped

 

@sawbladeduller Currently I air down my General Grabber A/T 2's down to 15 psi for the average dirt road such as Saline. I used to air down my BFG A/T KO2's down to 10 psi because the sidewalls are much stiffer comparing to the General Grabber sidewalls. Both brands are rated Load E. Ive also re valved front and rear which helps with the low impact high frequency stuff. I am curious though, to where do you air down to?

 

I had my E-load duratracs at 17 psi this weekend in saline valley and was cruising the road 40-50 no problem. Good to know I can probably go lower if I ever need to

 

When my truck left the Highway, I dropped the pressure from 45psi to 25psi. I agree a lower psi is helpful. My top speed anywhere in the park is 35mph. I rather enjoy a slower pace than most of you, it seems. I will pull over and let you pass should I see you in my rearview mirror.

 

dropping to 20psi would make a very noticeable difference and would immensely increase the comfort level..

 

and traction....20 psi here

 

I drove out a narrow windy rocky and loose gravel road in 2WD. on return I could not go up the hill in 2WD, maybe a much lower tire pressure would have enabled the 2WD. putting it in 4H the truck rolled up easy.

 

certainly lower psi's would have aided in more traction, but being in 4wd overall was easier on your rig

 

so tell me about 're-valving'...referring to remote resi

 

possibilities are endless in valving on how you want a shock or coil/over to handle terrain or seat of the pants feel. Basically the valve shims that are inside the shock or coil/over that sandwich the valve body are configured in such a way that is most suitable to your rig, overall terrain that you drive. There are several shock rebuild companies that can do this for you. What brand coil/over and shocks do you have?

Three companies that quickly come to mind are

DC Shock Services located in San Dimas, Ca - Kurt is great do deal with, he also does the shock rebuilds and tuning on our Class 6100 Truck and Class 10 Car
https://www.dcshockservices.com/

Down South Motorsports located in San Diego, Ca - has rebuilt and revalved my rear shocks years ago, superb customer service
https://downsouthmotorsports.com/

Accutune Off-Road located in Carson, Ca.
https://downsouthmotorsports.com/

Here's a look at my front Coil/Over that I recently rebuilt using new o-rings and shock oil
The circled red is the shims and valve body

 

As much as I might like to re-build thes myself, realistically over my head. these are King standard resi-OEM replacements, pretty sure 650#coil. probably time for uni-ball replacements as well. Maybe take this apart late next spring when too hot to go Death Valley. I'd have a good bit of downtime.

 

I have the same shocks on a single cab with Cooper STT Pros. I need to revalve mine as well. I would love to keep these tires in the future but I prefer a more cush ride.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGXpk1Jj9un/?igshid=stwbcd2zzp8r

 

Looks like they might be scraping...hope they have skids LOL

 

Been a while since I spent any time at Eureka Dunes. Last week I headed out to hopefully enjoy the Orionids Meteor Shower during the new moon. The plan was to head to Saline after a day or two at Eureka Dunes but with the temps being near 100 in Saline Valley and having spent two days with 90 degree temps at the dunes I decided to explore northern Eureka Valley and then head to higher altitudes. Nighttime temps were great at the campground. There were a few campers there and I cannot imagine being there with each site filled with campers and their respective vehicles. One thing I definitely recommend is taking a nighttime hike to any one of the crests of the dune field. Watching stars from that vantage point is really something special.






Watched this Robber Fly and it's lunch move from plant to plant for quite a while.




Sunrise on the day of departure


Referencing Digonnet's Hiking Western Death Valley I decided to explore Cucomungo Canyon out to Nevada and return via the Piper Road. The latter being a bit rougher than the former but nothing difficult in this remote region. Outside DVNP to the north along Cucomungo Canyon there are numerous abandoned cabins and some still lived in ones at Pigeon Spring.


Startled this yote coming around a corner










Coming back into the park via the Piper Road did provide nice views of Eureka Valley as noted by Diggonet but it was lackluster with the poor air quality.

 

You mentioned watching the stars from the dunes. Something else I can highly recommend is watching the transition from night to day.

I did it in the Sierras one night and it blew me away. Seriously one of the coolest things.

 

That requires getting up very early. I'm more of a sunset person than dawn but I'm sure it is awesome too.

 

It's really different. I was in the same boat-how could it be that much different? It is.

 

agree. some info from 10.14.20 wednesday. awake looking at stars, surprised to see a red spot eastern horizon. it's 0410 the temp is 64.5*, wind 3.9mph from 347*. a red crescent moon breaks into the hazy sky. at 0610 the T is 61* wind 9.5mph from 342* and starlight fading fast, sunrise.

 

Just read Diggonet's chapter on Cucomungo canyon and this post....it is now on the list for a possible destination on this November's trip to Death Valley. If not this time, one of the trips soon.