d.shaw 2012 DCSB build

Some great pictures in this thread, thanks for sharing!

 

thank you for the kind words and for checking it out, i appreciate it


random picture cause why not....

 

last night around 7 pm my mate called me - he and his girlfriend had gotten stuck in ocotillo wells (102 miles away from where i was) after a day of riding dirt bikes, they had tried getting help and everything they could think of to get out, i considered posting on one of the SOS offroad FB groups, then realised this is one of the reasons i have my truck. so i drove out and used an ARB snatch strap (because i could) - was an easy recovery (they are 2WD - but are in the desert often) - i was pretty stoked

 

rehab-ed my frontrunner gullwing doors as the bolt heads were showing signs of rust, (clearly because of the couple months in the PNW) i removed them all and sprayed them with rustoleum rust reformer. I also added a gasket along the inside top of the door to help (its worked) with a very small amount of water ingress i had. Then i figured out why my latches on the passenger side were so tricky to open, the bolt securing them was a touch loose, whamo. back in action!




then after realising the spot i installed my vrnclr sewn storage 'top shelf' (way up in the wedge) was not so convenient - having moved it a while ago the leftover VHB tape had to go. i tried several things - none of them working i invested in this vinyl remover kit. worried that the roof of the drifter would be able to handle it, it all worked out great. some isopropyl alcohol to remove the last bit of glue, back to looking 'sweet as' again

FONSWEA 24Pcs Eraser Wheel Decal Remover, 2Pcs 4" Adhesive Sticker and Vinyl Remover with Plastic and Metal Razor Blades, Drill Adapter and 1Pcs, Rubber Wheel Removal Tool for Cars

https://www.amazon.com/FONSWEA-Remo...hdWls&pd_rd_i=B094PRQBQS&ref_=pd_bap_d_rp_1_t


https://vrnclrsewnstorage.com/collections/camper-and-tent-products/products/the-top-shelf

 

posting some random photos

 

Leaving Death Valley this morning at 10am as we approached "the great silt mine" in Hidden Valley - it was clear there was a stuck vehicle at the southern end. as we checked it out - no occupant(s) were there but signs one had been recently - with clear footprints headed south (towards Ulida Flat / Hunter Mtn - the way they had approached)
We created a plan for my wife to go quickly search for them (we had two tacoma's - and we were leaving eventually in that direction) as my son and I checked out getting the RAV4 hybrid free. The vehicle was unlocked with the keys left. First attempt at just stuffing the maxtrax under a couple tires failed (it was high centered) we sorted a more thoughtful plan, my wife returned with the solo occupant, who it had turned out had arrived there at 10pm the previous night. She had seen the warning sign but as that had said 'in 18 miles' and her gps was saying to turn in 11 miles she had figured she was going to be ok.
We figured out the RAV4 has very little in the way of tow points, so managed to jack it up using the tacoma stock jack and some firewood, and then place firewood and then the maxtrax under the passenger side wheels, and cleared out some of the 'silt' from under the vehicle. From there it was an easy drive back off to solid ground.
We talked some safety points with the driver (stay with the vehicle etc) then sorted out a path to get her thru to the other side and on her way (Ubehebe Crater was her intended destination)

Felt good to have multiple options (as there is no cell service there the garmin inreach mini would be handy to alert the NPS etc) - set up a plan with the wife and work thru options till something worked.

 

That could of gone terribly wrong for that person real quick. Lucky for her she had some awesome people come by.

 

cheers mate - yes they were not very prepared at all - including driving thru there at 10pm anyway….

 

People have to realize that the gps isn't always right, especially in the middle of nowhere. I saw this sad story the other day.

https://youtu.be/2SvuZ_y75EU

 

ugh heartbreaking mate. yeah its sometimes a hard decision to make but stopping and turning around before getting too deep is the best option

 

Agreed

 

Oscar and i were able to get away a day earlier than Sally and Grace, although a late start we were able to get to the Panamint Valley and find a camp close to another we had a year earlier below Tuber Canyon. Arriving in the dark we ate leftover meat and chips for dinner, with grapes, a classic 'dad is not as prepared as Sally' meal
we woke up to some beautiful views - and after coffee (for me anyway) cruised up to check out the mine remains further up the canyon. From there we headed to Panamint Springs and gased up where the fuel was cheaper than i was expecting - $5.97 and drove thru Darwin Canyon checking out a couple mines till the town of Darwin. We had planned to meet Sally and Grace off the 395 in Olancha so we headed that way only to be meet with crazy winds (and a sand storm) and fuel that was $6.50 so we diverted them thru Trona and met at Panamint springs

not a bad first camp spot




Oscar, taller than ever......




the remains of oil cans in darwin canyon




the sand storm would have us almost stopped at times.....and 50 miles later sand trapped in the wheels

 

we headed into Saline Valley and found a spot to camp at, fearing high wind we were surprised at how calm it was - set up camp and ate a real meal (Sally had arrived) it was great to all be camping again. Morning saw us take a walk down to the Salt Lake, spying some burros on the way, and tasting some salt whilst there. Packed up camp and headed up Lippincott Road to the racetrack, ate lunch (again Sally cooked) and went for a walk around. Teakettle junction and up Lost Burro Gap towards White Top Mtn, which was rather lovely. We then went to search for a camp and found a great spot and played 'rock drums' and sang some songs. A raging fire again in the solo stove, we had a fun night - waking in the morning and packing up to start the journey home - not before helping a weary traveller get going again (see couple posts above)









the flame on this is too cool






nothing like morning fires.....





finding salt to lick



a reenactment of a previous trip which was brutally cold and windy





album cover










thanks for looking - i appreciate it

 

Great pics and reports.

 

cheers mate. as always it is good to get away.

 

no longer looking like an 80's porn star.......trimmed the fenders and rear bumper(and got a new windshield)

 

Looks good. Tell me more about this fender trimming. I've been on the fence about removing mine completely but yours look better than a complete delete.

 

Time for 37s!

 

so i have a complete lack of skills, esp in the 'straight line cutting dept.' and my mate who usually helps me on these moved (back) to Europe - and i had talked to a local guy about getting it done but timing is tricky - i used a local shop in San Diego. Having a shop that can get this done and has done many of these whilst cutting the rear bumper to fit, as well as replacing my windshield is clutch to me, less than a day away from the truck, i can still work to pay for it - so yeah. thats where i am at