Norcal Spotted and BS Thread

Probably Bakersfield 99 North to 41, though I think 41 was closed earlier this year not sure what the current status is, someone else should know better than I.

 

Sierra road conditions can change quickly. Be sure to bookmark the DOT site for road conditions.

 

Yes, Yosemite is plowed. But its still gorgeous, especially when theres snow. That being said, so far looking like a light year for that. We're behind on rainfall for this time of year already. Not sure what precipitation will bring for December and January. Last year, snow came late, but it came on in feet soon as it started. Tent with heater will do. BUT, theres no hookups in any campground in Yose. You can only run a generator during specific hours, but they end around 8 or 9pm.

As others stated, Rubicon will not be doable and from Yose, its quite a bit out of the way.

Food & drink: I'll get you a list later

Thanks for the mention!

If theres snow in Wawona, its gorgeous if you can see it first thing. Its also a huge draw for day trippers for snowman building... And you'll see plenty of trash in the form of broken plastic sleds because people are jerks...

The road to/from Wawona (Hwy 41/Wawona Rd) is very winding, no passing for over 20 miles. By California law, you MUST carry tire chains in your vehicle. Yose Rangers will set up road blocks and check. Rule of thumb. R1-carry chains. R2- 2wd vehicles must chain up, 4wd vehicles must be in 4wd. R3- Even 4wd must chain up (rear wheels). If its R4, just stay put. No one needs to be on the road in those conditions anyway.

Camping is first come, first served.

You'll have to go around via Tehachapi as someone else stated.
Coming north on 99 from Bakersfield area, you'll have two options to get to Yose. Hwy 41 north out of Fresno, into Wawona. Or continue north on 99 to Merced and enter via Hwy 140 through Mariposa. Both are good options. Maybe do both, one inbound, one outbound... (I would suggest 41 inbound for the view of Half Dome at Tunnel View parking area).

41 was closed due to Railroad Fire. All roads open currently.

That being said... Roads here can, and do, close on a moments notice. Snow and ice are not the only hazards. Rock fall is a big deal right now. The Parkline Slab lost a chunk this spring. But 3/4 of it is still up there and its barely hanging on. In times of rain like we had just a couple days ago, they preemptively shut down the road overnight. Its worth shutting down rather than have massive amounts of rock falling in the dark... Call 209-372-0200, press, 1, then press 1 for current road conditions. Its always updated soon as theres a change.

 

Food and Drink for @CedarPark

41/Fresno/Oakhurst: Fresno has the standard chain foods all over. Take your pick. Westwood Bbq is pretty good (and Im particular about my Q). Its the last restaurant leaving Fresno.

Oakhurst: I highly recommend SouthGate Brewing. Their own beers plus a few guest beers. Great brick oven pizza. Family friendly. Theres a couple other ok restaurants, but nothing worth mention.

Hwy 140 through Mariposa: The Alley. 16 rotating craft beer taps. (our fave!). The GroveHouse: new place owned/operated by Park service family. Serves their own beer plus several guest taps. 1850 Restaurant. Just great food! If they offer the 50/50 burger, get it! Its a rarity, ground bacon/ground steak burger! Ive not had any bad thing here. They have a few of their own brews on tap and several other craft beers too.

If you want white table cloth, go to Savourys. Great food here too. Its still casual so no need to get gussied up.

Grab n go or quick made to order sandwich: Sweetwater grocery. A couple beers on tap, but usually nothing too special. Large selection of bottled/canned beer in the cooler.

The unique experience: The Yosemite Bug Cafe. Menu changes daily, but always great. just a couple beers on tap. Homemade pies are amazing here! There a day spa here also. you can get a day pass for soaking in the hot tub or sauna.

 

Considering how everybody thinks the Ford 6.0 diesel is a pile of shit my work truck sure has racked up the miles with no problems

 

If anyone needs anything TW Expressed from BAMF to Sac lemme know!

Text me.

 

Got all of those places down in my trip notes, thanks so much for all the advise bud! So freakin' excited to get out there

 

the 6.0 is an amazing motor, just needs to be bulletproof'd when it goes and shes solid forever.

 

Went to Southgate Brew over the summer, was much better then expected.

 

No problems? No coolers, injectors, head gaskets, turbo? Egr valve? FICM? High pressure pump? Stand pipes? Rail plugs?

I'd own a 6.0 because i know how to work on them. Not recommended for people who pay for labor unless its making you money and you can afford it.

The engine itself is sound, just everything on/around it tends to fail

 

Agree to a point. Don't like the bulletproof oil cooler. I'd keep the ford oil cooler and replace it every 100k as maintenance. Just my .02

 

Yeah grab some sliders for me, they aren't paid for or ordered, but you can handle all of that right? Sweet, thanks bud!

 

The only thing the truck has had done it rebuild the transmission at 300k. Trust me I’m not saying this is normal. Every time our mechanics show up to work on something else they always ask me how the truck is running it when I tell him it’s running great they just scratch their heads and say that doesn’t make sense.

 

You must have the Tuesday-Thursday build

I was told that anything built on a Monday is doomed to fail as the person building it is either A. Still thinking about the weekend or B. Hungover

Same for Friday but just because they are already looking forward to the weekend.

Are they all highway miles? And what model year? I agree, very impressive. Do you run any additives? What do you do for maintenance? And have you had it since it was new? Or did you buy used?

 

Yeah this trucks been good so far but I know it’s going to make up for lost time at some point. The motor will probably explode in a ball of flames and I’ll die a fiery death.

 

I have only seen one catch on fire, but the tech working on it had a untreated concussion causing fluid buildup in the brain.

Saw one with a piston in the oil pan. Not sure what caused it to grenade.

The majority of engine replacements are hard run engines like green constructions trucks (without implying a specific company) that idles 12 hrs a day and commute to and from the job site, or ambulances that are run at WOT while driving and 1200-1500 rpm while sitting waiting for a call. They tend to lose lifter bearings that make their way up through the oil pump and score everything up....

 

I'll be sure to wave when I see you on the freeway.

 

Bullet proofed? I’ve heard they’re great after that.

 

Shoot. Need to refresh before posting