The BRWNTRD (Hasn't flopped yet)

Before doing stuff


After doing stuff

Installed McNiel Racing +2 Fiberglass Fenders I picked up from @OrangeCrash

The driver’s side fender flare finally decided it wanted to exit the truck like the passenger side did several months ago. Now I’ve got more room for activities and they were already the proper color.

 

Some pre 4th of July trip work pics.

Had play in the uni-balls in my UCAs. Tried to swap them on the truck but the bolts were rusted to the uniballs. Picked up a set of Dirt King Boxed Heimed Uppers and their rebuild kit since I was ready to move on from the Rokmen setup.

Getting it airborne


That don’t look good


Beverage break


Umm

Trying to reseat the new uniballs, which didn’t work


This may have been part of the problem


One of the UCA bolts was bent and both of the UCA/Spindle bolts were bent, probably part of the problem to go with play in both uniballs.

Now I’ve got stock length Dirt King Upper and Lower Arms and I can avoid messing with the front end for a little bit.

 

Plan for the trip was north along the Pacific Coast Highway to Washington and then south down 395 on the eastern side of the state visiting friends and family along the way.

July 3 - Day 1:Heading North I saw a Goodyear blimp near LA


I met @desertjunkie760 and lady friend in Los Padres National Forest near Santa Barbara and apparently luck was on my side as the first open gate they had seen all day allowed us into the dirt. We found a few spots to play around and enjoy the amazing view from the top of the ridge.


We found a decent spot off the trail that was reasonably flat and enjoyed dinner and a great view of the sunset.

 

Day 2: The sun rose early and by 6:30 I was baking in the tent, but the view was spectacular. We were well above the cloud layer and could just barely see the Channel Islands poking through.


But then things unraveled after dogs didn’t get along and I got bit trying to break it up. Had to break up the First Aid kit and then limped around putting up camp. Still looked pretty though.

We headed down to Santa Barbara for me to hit up an urgent care, thankfully before people started blowing off fingers. Hidden for the weak stomach types.

Spoiler: Gory pics

But at least I didn’t blow up my hand like my stupid friend in Texas.

I continued North, they headed back South since they had to go back to work Tuesday.

Just north of Morro Bay


A tree near Big Sur


A fire near Big Sur closed the camping options I had planned on using so I ended up driving all the way to Monterrey and then south down 101 to Williams Hill, a section of BLM land near Fort Hunter Liggett. Nothing sexy but free camping and available. Didn’t even take any pictures.

 

The next day I went back to Monterrey and continued north along the coast through San Francisco and across the Golden Gate Bridge to where my sister is staying in Napa. I chilled with her much more relaxed dog for 2 days before I realized camping and wound care didn’t go well together.


I headed back south with my Brother-in-Law and we spent the night in Paso Robles at a vineyard owned by a friend of his.


Then back to San Diego the way I came, just in time for LA traffic.

 

this explains why we saw you last week......

 

Yep, that was after the nurse at the clinic on North Island freaked out and told me I had to get to the Emergency Room right away. The doctor was less concerned.

 

Some things have happened the last 6 months.

@Prayn4surf and I went to the top of Bronco Peak

I went up to coast to Morro Bay for my sister’s 40th and parked next to my dad’s “overlanding” rig, FWD Promaster with a full bed and room for two motorcycles.


And hit a fun landmark

 

Cross Country moves are lame, but I’ve seen a few cool things on the way.

Belle is ready


I’ve got a light overlander load in the GFC


Spent the first night in St. George, UT. Decided to take the scenic route through Zion, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef instead of staying on the interstate. Totally worth the extra hours.


Spent the next night in Denver and then after a whole ass boring day, one in St. Louis.

Now the BRWNTRD is east of the Mississippi for the first time ever and things look a bit different

 

What do you do with Belle when visiting museums/stops/city stuff?

 

East coast isn't too horrible.
Not sure about NJ though

 

For the quick stops she chills in the truck and non of the stops on this trip were very long. Overnight she gets to party in the hotel.

 

Another cumulative update of the last month

The BRWNTRD got snowed on for the first time I think, it’s been in the snow but after it fell.

Visited Grandview in New River Gorge National Park, like Horseshoe Bend but much older.



Went on a tour of the highest points in Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia.

 

After a month of chilling in West Virginia at my parents I continued on to NJ, my home for at least the next 3 years.

On the way I checked out Delaware’s highest point which is super hard to get to.


I’ve been having an issue with my passenger headlight not always turning on which is likely a bad ballast but rather than troubleshooting I decided to pick up a set of Morimoto XB Hybrid LEDs. They will sit until I get my own garage again so until then I just have this massive box.

 

Which headlights do you have currently?

 

A set of stock lights that were retrofitted by another member but needed some love when I bought them.

 

This made me sad 2 years ago but today I was made whole. This may be the dumbest gift that’s made me the happiest. @dmurph1996 you absolutely nailed the spirit of @TWSS.


Now we figure out what happens when you use a fake license plate on your vehicle. Tolls should be easier, but interactions with authorities may be more difficult.

 

Apparently I packed my spare ballasts in the shipping container and intermittent headlights are no fun so I spent the afternoon installing the new headlights. Being able to pull the aluminum bumper alone was a huge help.

Not needing to add many extra wires was quite nice after the complication of the HIDs and halos. Will report back after I get them dialed in and see how they perform on a commute that starts and ends in the dark.

 

Made my first trip into the Pine Barrens to give Belle a chance to get out of the house. Lots of big ruts and deep puddles. Certainly not my normal style, crunched through a few frozen sections in 12” of water.



Unfortunately while looking at my suspension out there I noticed one of the rear bump stops ripped off. This is the second failure I’ve had of these, the first was a partial separation after 6 months and both sides were replaced under warranty, now 3 years later the entire soft section disappeared, not sure when it disappeared, been a while since I’ve climbed under there. I’ve also had a separation failure of Superbumps so I’ll be looking for something that isn’t molded together.

 

Glad you found a decent trail for Belle! Careful though, it'll take a while for us SoCal folks to organize a recovery that far away.