The Batoll Builds

I want something like this but not 4 grand.
I used to think a man hole cover would work but that might be too thick. And where the hell do I get a manhole cover from? I mean legally?

$4,995 evo Professional Series Grill on Cart (10-0002-NG), Seasoned Steel Cooktop, Natural Gas

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00545BLYA/?ref=idea_lv_dp_#immersive-view_1550896216471

 

Yeah put it on in August, after a good run in with dust. It’s the cheap hilux one but gets the job done.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-1800-...233467?hash=item442472193b:g:YMwAAOSw6rxbZy9b

Or you can go this route....

 

Here’s a photo of the driveway where I picked up the smittybuilt. Kinda pulled the trigger a bit early. This one might go up for sale, still got my sights on an eezi awn 1400

 

My friend Tyler starting the nottle.

Order bags for the pan and the legs so more to come

 

JAWBONE 3/8/19 First Real Trip

Overall Agenda:
- Thursday, Head down to Pismo pick up RTT and find a spot to camp for the night
- Friday, meet up with the group and hit Last Chance
- Saturday, Trail to lake Isabella
- Sunday, Head back to the Bay Area






1st stop, Pismo Beach. Why.... to pick up an Eezi Awn 1400. Yes, I recently purchased a Smittybilt Rtt, but Eezi Awn Tents are highly regarded for their quality and long life span. So why not just buy another Rtt.





Quality of the tent was amazing, most importantly the bed mat has African safari print. After drilling holes in the new bed rack and securing the tent. I was ready to continue on, the next store was to grab food supplies and fire wood.






During my grocery store raid, I got a phone call from a good friend, Tyler who partially organized and talked me into this trip. He tells me he's coming down to join me, because I just wing stuff.

It's true, I like to figure things out as I go. For example, while he was driving down I found a campsite for us to say the night. Where exactly, I couldn't tell you, just had some GPS coordinates showing it was in the right direction we're headed and the internet said it was free.

After meeting up in San Margarita we drove 2 hours and got to camp at midnight, made a small fire and cooked and ate a can of beans, had a beer and talked about what our surroundings might look like in the morning.

I was excited to get to bed, first night in the Eezi Awn it was going to be great.






I froze.... The sleeping bags claim to be rated 23 degrees F but felt like I had been wrapped in newspaper.
On the bright side we woke up to the Carrizo Plains




Quickly, brewed coffee consumed the caffeine, packed up and got on the road. Everything is just open and the road was well-maintained allowing for above average speeds.

Made a stop at a Hardware store, picked up a shovel for myself and a thick blanket to ensure, I wouldn't freeze, after the purchase we made our way west to meet up with the rest of the group.

With Gas tanks filled we headed for the staging area

LAST CHANCE CANYON




After airing down, we head into the Canyon


After we turn a few turns we see this 4runner high centered on a rock. Turns out he decided to turn around and while going in reverse he ran his rear diff into a boulder tried moving forward and ended sinking his front tires in. He was stuck for about 20 mins before we came along.

The Runner was lifted by the rear by the hi lift, we stacked rocks under the rear tires and dug out the front tires and set up max tracks.

With a little skinny pedal the 4Runner was free, thanks and goodbyes were said and we continued in opposite directions.




Meanwhile, we are head up the canyon and the trail is getting more and more technical and I'm having a hard time. With my 5speed in 4wd and high 1st gear, not familiar with the wet sandy conditions and the feeling of sinking. To make matters worse each time I put the clutch in I lose momentum.

After talking to the more experienced drivers about my issues, they suggest 4 Lo, I had been so preoccupied with clearance and lines I forgot about 4 lo.



Everything was much smoother, still, choose to get out and walk finding the right lines


Following Tim, is... terrifying he's all skinny pedal and he makes it work and makes everything look easy.

Being a first gen, and much narrower I was able to squeeze through close boulders.


We eventually hit the V notch and yeah pictures or videos do not do it justice, we took the bypass and moved on

 

What’s going on with that 4Runner and sketchy hi lifting lol

 

After V Notch the trail mellowed out a bit, still, a few obstacles but nothing like we were about the endure. Graduation Hill

Justin started it off, and this angle is the best perspective. Steep hill little bit to loss gravel,two bumps to get up.


^ gif might take a second to start working.

This was a perfect opportunity to get some practice with the rear locker. Took sometime rolling back and forth getting familiar with it engaging and disengaging. Once I was ready, threw it in 4lo and slowly made my way up.

 

The 4runner was turning around and drove his rear diff up on a rock, with his rear wheels in the air, he spun his front tires and dug himself in.

I guess he’d been stuck for 20mins before we got there. His runner was bone stock and still had the dealer paper plates just kinda surprised he got that far.

Yeah it was a bit sketchy, but it was the best location to get the rear end up, to allow us to stack rocks and get him on his way.

 

Back To Carrizo Plains

From the previous adventure, I stumbled upon the Carrizo Plains and had to go back.
After some research, I timed the trip during the flower bloom and mapped out a few trails.

Most of the Valley floor is nicely graded road, which was perfect for my brothers Skoolie conversion, still some fun trails exist in the smaller mountians ranges boarding the plains.

Rolled into Carrizo around midnight, quickly set up the tent and past out.

 

Those flowers are nuts.

 

I know!! Way better once we go in the hills

 

Soooo... school is donetime for some and

Few things on my to-do list
- Chop back the frame horns, to finish recover points
- Hi Lift Mount, thinking on the bed rack
- Clean up a few welds
- Start planning out the electrical system
- Repaint bumpers
- aal
- tundra brake upgrade
- skids

 

What are you doing for recovery points?

 

I’m going bolt on, it’s not the best looking but I feel it’s the safer option.

Technically they have been on the truck for a bit but I can’t get two bolts in on each side due to an interference with the frame horns

 

Nice!
I've been looking at front recovery points for my truck. My ARB bumper has them but I'd much prefer something beefy bolted to the frame in the stock recovery point location.
I think for winching the ARB is probably fine. But for a hard snatch no so sure.

 

You referring to the stock hook location?