The 395 and Owens Valley-Eastern Sierra Region

2nd gen 4wd wheel hub will migrate out without the axle nut and cv in there. My 2wd has a threaded hub with a spanner nut on the inside holding it in. I know a few 4wd guys that carry a spare 2wd hub for this same situation.

 

Interesting. I thought carrying spare cages was only a 1st gen issue. Since I also own a 2009 4runner and a 2006 Taco you think I would have researched that better. lol

 

I was kicking myself for not carrying a spare axle stub... I mean, I've had the designated donor axle sitting in my garage for six years--with vague plans to somehow cut it apart someday. But my tripod joint abruptly self-disassembled for no apparent reason yesterday instead of someday.

Now that I've discovered the "hammer smash" approach... I'll claim it's perhaps less critical to carry a spare than I thought. Either way, you have to pull the broken axle assembly out of the hub, so you're already going to be covered in grease and mosquito bites hoping your truck doesn't tip off the jack and crush you. One minute with a hammer and you can separate the axle stub there on the trail... so long as you remember this technique instead of struggling with it for hours and missing out on an entire afternoon of fishing.

I once saw a video of a 3rd gen stranded in Moab with a broken axle stub -- as in, the shaft broke within the hub. Those guys needed a spare axle stub (or in their case a whole assembly brought in by a tow company) to get underway again. So I'm not saying there's no reason to carry a spare... perhaps even a whole axle assembly.

Now that I have this axle stub (freshly centrifuged of its grease no less) I'm going to part the cup off when I can get to a lathe, should make for a more compact spare to throw in the trail repair bin... perhaps as soon as someday.



Fishing didn't pan out for us this trip ... didn't see any jumpers even at dusk, nor any keepers lurking at depth even with several hours spent peering over the sides of the boat. But we found several schools of fingerlings and had fun trying to hook one. I guess I brought the wrong color lures, though... couldn't get so much as a nibble even with dozens giving chase to each cast.


I forgot to take any pictures so I stole this one from my friend


(I was too busy being a BOAT CAPTAIN!)

Some folks were getting bites from the shore, but with illegal tackle, so I didn't feel too bad.



A new highlight for me was seeing all the gigantic millipedes that came out at night. I don't recall seeing them before... must be my first time visiting during millipede season? Mesmerizing creatures to watch.

 

I picked up a copy of Lost Trails Guidebook Volume 3. It covers trails in what might become the Range of Light National Monument as well as Bald Mountain. Other states are included as well. I'd say it's more of a "hints" book than a guidebook. Interesting to look through, supports a cause, the Blue Ribbon Coalition.

 

I carry two 2-wd hubs with me just in case of wheel bearing, axle, front diff...anything really. They're small and have been used before (on other trucks).

 

Here's a test for you Eastern Sierra guys -- where are these phone booths located?

 

1984?

 

Quick psa for anyone cruising around Crowley Lake.
Avoid FS4S03. We used FS4S03/Sheep Camp Road yesterday to cut over to Casa Diablo.
We found out it’s a great name and does in fact have a sheep camp. We drove up on ~100 sheep which moved off the road as if they were used to it. We waved at the shepherd who went back into his trailer. All good to proceed right? Nope, suddenly 6 dogs came charging out and legit wanted to shred the truck. One dog chased us a 1/4 mile before giving up. My doors have some Cujo marks that will be there for the long haul.

 

ARG!

 

FS Land == FS rules. Maybe a call to let them know of this?

 

That sucks! I recently had an identical experience but was about 30 miles from your location in Inyo. Exactly the same, the heard moved, we waved to the Shepard, proceeded slowly, and then the dogs came out, except the stupid dogs did not get the Tacoma doors. They were overly aggressive, and to be honest, while maintaining proper trail speed, I was not about to stop if one of them was dumb enough to go under the wheels either--I had my family in the car.