The Batoll Builds

Did some camping for the 4th.

 

4th of July Camping Trip

Ready to start prepping/packing for the trip, I left work and while filling up at the gas station down the street, the top end of the radiator began to show its age and leak coolant. Looking at the rate of coolant I was loosing, I could make it home if I’m careful. To reduce the risk I picked up an extra gallon of the green stuff filled the over flow and set off for home closely watching my Engine temp in the Ultraguage.

Once I got home, I took a look at the radiator and the leak had stopped, basically meaning the seals had expanded with the increase in temp of the engine creating a good seal.

But again with start up from a cooled engine/coolant I’m guaranteed a small river of coolant until I reach running temp and the seals expand. I just pictured starting the truck in the woods and dumping coolant everywhere, so Wife and I picked up an after market replacement swapped it in, burped and got ready.


Met up with my friend Tyler, his wife and made our way to our destination. Their awning was a life saver as the campsite was open and had minimal shade.


Did some hiking and Rosie was having a hard time and needed some help ahha


But the creek near camp was a good treat.


Overall trip was nice and relaxing, nothing technical but a fun drive out there and back. Campfires were prohibited, so it was interesting using a buddy heater but it’s not the same. There’s just something about smelling like campfire.

Few things, reviewed:

The Dog Mod was a hit, Rosie felt more comfortable and was able to relax during the drive. Just wish I could make a quick disconnect for that rear extra cab window.

First time using the CO2 setup, AMAZING! I had all my tires full. And the bottle mounted before Tyler had one tire done with his Vlair compressor Seeing his progress I pulled the tank out and finish his tires. Yup worth it.

 

Where'd you go? PM welcomed.

 

Some Where in the Sierras

 

Nice build and beautiful dogger.

 

thanks man!

 

Thank you for not social media blasting your coordinates! So many special places that are absolutely overrun now thanks to the ‘gram



Oh, and Rosie looks like an awesome pupper!

 

haha your welcome, I feel like I need one of those personalized license plates.

 

I feel you on geotagging/coordinate dropping.

Rosie’s great a little goofy but also smart.

 

Love it, pits are the best.

 

Test run with the sunshades, works great. Easy to set up and cost $60. Looks a little low, as I’m parked near the curb and the pole is on the lowest setting

 

I’ve had a set of wheelers rear bumps laying around since November. Finally took the time and got those installed.

Next up, sway bar delete. Headed up the to hills for a weekend retreat in a cabin near some fire roads...interested to see the difference with no sway bar.

 

The Best Trail Ever

Plan for the weekend, is to escape the city and chill with my brother and sister in law at her family cabin. There’s plenty of good hikes , rivers and ohhhh OHV trails

Well, things don’t always go according the plan. Work kept me busy during the rest of the week so I couldn’t get to a few maintenance items or remove the sway bar from the truck.

I look over to my wife and ask, “what vehicle you wana take?” (It’s guna be the truck, I always take the truck up there)

She looks at me, smiles and says “The 4runner, it’s more comfortable and we just took the truck out camping.....”

Recently, had a few issues with 4runner:

it had been about 2 - 3 weeks with no CEL and no issues. So this would be a good test, I agreed, 4runner it is.



1st day there, my brother and I get stuck working but I was able to do a half day.



To let him work in peace and quiet, my wife, sister in law and niece piled into the 4runner and headed off to the trail head.

Once there I got out of the driverseat, went to the passenger side and said, it’s your 4runner you should be driving. She smiled and jump in the driverseat and off we went.

Backstory: Wife has never driven off-road, shes not of fan of the manual transmission on the truck, she can drive it but she doesn’t like to and never has or shown any interest off-road.



There was a few good hills getting to the vista and one spot requiring rock stacking but so far so good.



During our snack break at the top, we discussed the for plan heading down. Continuing on the trail will lead us through a rock garden which is the shorter route or head back the way we came.

Seeing the short distance they voted for the rock garden, I explained how there might be a few technical spots and they were all for it. Off we went.





Once we got to the rock garden section we took our time, pick our line.

Each large rock we past in the middle of the trail was painted with some low hanging bumpers from others who attempted the trail.

With Kelley driving, I spotted and stacked rocks and logs where they we needed. At one point we had a good 3 wheel tilt action and with a slight turn of the wheel the 4runner came back down on all 4’s and with some patience, we made it through in scathed! Down side is I didn’t grab any shots of the section, oh well there will be next time.

At the bottom of the trail, we met the highway and headed back to the cabin.

For sure one of the coolest experiences, Each obstacle she tackled I had a smile ear to ear.

 

Looks like an awesome trip. Special place you found there!

 

Yeah, so many places to explore!

 

New OEM all weather mats came in!

I’ve had gray for a bit, and a Tan set popped up in the TW classifieds and had to have them to match the interior.

 

The Lakes

The wife wanted to head to a spot near water for the weekend, So out came the books/Gaia and google earth, found a nice location in an area I’d never explored. So off we went. First a few new items to help organization and
accessibility:

Warn 45-45-90 bag for CO2 components


PRP BAG for awning/sunshade


On the road you see some interesting things, it’s hard to see but there is a Tonka dump truck strapped down on the bed.



Getting to the trail head and going up to the lake. There’s a fun little shelf road and a few minor obstacles But a great view.



Found our spot and set up camp



After camp was set up we took in our surroundings, relaxed a bit and played Rock Stump.

Throw rocks and first one who gets their rock to land and remain the top of the stump is the winner!





We explored the area a bit noticing all the other potential campsites. When we rolled up at approx. 2pm on a Friday afternoon there 4 current occupants spread out around the lakes, but as time passed more would arrive.

 

I've seen that truck with the Tonka truck strapped on the back. Caught my eye too.

 

Looks like a great place you found there. Rock stump is one of my favorite games.

Same! I know that stretch of highway well.