Wisconsin Tacomas and bad financial advice

Have to turn on the Low Rider and get myself psyched into it.

 

Nice work!

 

I picked up this little pressure washer at Menards for blasting the mud off the 4Runner. I wasn't sure it would be sufficient, but it got the job done. I had it on jack stands with the wheels off so I could really get in the nooks and crannies. As long as it doesn't crap out after a few uses, I'll be very happy with the purchase!



The 4Runner is officially in winter mode. It's so quiet!

 

Are any of us NOT planning future mods? Ever?

 

That was so old school. I do remember running tape fed machines.
Even the tooling thats used on the machines has advanced to the point where I do very little making and sharpening of old school tooling. This past week I was training my apprentice on how to make a step drill the old school way. He already knows how to do it on a CNC machine.

Well done.
We now have an expert transfer case specialist in the group.

We should've invited a secret WI TW handshake.

 

Awesome! If the plug thing was the only issue, it seems like it was a walk in the park! Did you need to take off the transmission crossmember?

 

Time to party

where you adventuring today?!

 

I have that same pressure washer, it has worked well for me now for a couple years.

Yeah that place is a hot mess especially on a Friday. That was my bad. Pikes Peak would be neat but not in the cards on this trip. I got to see it at least from a distance!

 

Awesome! That's good to hear!

I was really impressed with it yesterday, and now I'm sitting here thinking about what else I can pressure wash.

I generally go through $20-30 at the pay 'n' spray after every outing, so it's going to pay for itself pretty quickly.

 

@wi_taco I’m thinking of keeping my fridge strapped down in the back of the 4runner semi-permanently, in case of spontaneous camping opportunities. But mostly because I’m lazy.

Now that the winter months are coming, is there anything about bad having the fridge be in sub-freezing temps? Is it better to leave it off or have it running when it gets real cold outside?

 

Dang! You guys get rally racing up there too? That’s freakin awesome!

 

Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

No, I did not. There's a 2nd (aftermarket) crossmember for the t.c. skid plate that I left on, too.
It came in handy, like an extra set of.......hands.

Napping.

 

Wasn't real hard. Wasn't exactly easy getting it out of there, either, heh.
Trying to get at all the bolts with crazy combinations of ratchets, socket extensions and a knuckle.
Like working on my press, I could've used an extra elbow at my forearm.
For getting it out I rested it on the transfer xmember and slid it down a custom 2×4 ramp.

 

I just bought it’s brother today. It worked great so far!

 

Pressure washing will be next, since I have all my skids off.
Transfer case has all fresh oil (given), refreshed the actuator gears and posts with some dabs of white lithium before reassmbling, sprayed the driveshaft contact points with fluid film, and greased all the ujoints while I was under there.

 

That’s a great question and honestly I don’t know. I need to figure that out myself whether I need to take it out for the winter. Have to start by reading the manual. Inside the cab generally doesn’t get as cold but you’d need to get a thermometer and prove that hypothesis for yourself and match against manufacturer specs for your device.

 

Tell ya hwat, it got frosty up on that there mountain last night. 34 after I unfroze myself and woke up, had to be down below 30 most of the night with the wind coming through. I stayed pretty toasty but still you can tell. First sub-freezing camp of the year woot!



The theme of today’s adventure was dumb CO fucklechucks wasting my time. Tried to get breakfast at a local shop, they ignored me for 10 minutes and then ignored me some more as I walked out. Must be some of that “locals only” attitude I’ve head of at times. They can pay their mortgage with locals only money then, fuck em. Somehow I ended up at Carls Jr because I was desperate and they still had breakfast going late. Ordered, waited 20 minutes, others getting food. Counter girl is stoned out of her gourd and was like “ahh sorry brah I’ll make it now” while the cook is like “bitch what?!” Got my money back, went elsewhere. Probably killed an hour just finding coffee. My own stereo started doing its thing again too, wasted a while making it cooperate with some percussive maintenance. Pioneer: our motto is “lol sike.”



Finally after all the nonsense I got back to Capulin Volcano National Monument. I’ve been here before and didn’t realize they have short hours. Previously I drove up just as they closed the gates. Today I was late but made it inside. Score!



The drive to the top kinda sucks if you don’t like heights and shear cliff dropoffs with no guard rail. I was not having fun for that part. Views at the top, and then again driving down when you aren’t on the ragged edge are worth it though.



I’m at the KOA in Raton, NM only because they have showers and I need one badly. It’s the 12th today I’m told and I’m in that zone of the trip where I don’t know dates/days. Buts it’s been at least 3-4 since last shower so it’s time. More New Mexico adventure for a couple days and then might go silent for a few while visiting family on the 16th. Enjoy the weekend everyone!

 

Thanks for bringing us along on your adventures, Adam! Not the day you had envisioned, but tomorrow's breakfast is sure to be epic! Knowing you, I read these posts in your voice in my head. Love your humor and storytelling style. Keep em coming.