Blueberry Gone Wild FJ Build

[Baileyyy]

Hello All!


12/10/14 Took home a meticulously maintained 2007 Voodoo Blue FJ. 102k miles, 4x4, never off road, factory locker + A-trac, all bone stock! Even had OEM running boards... Threw on a spacer lift , Bobby Mount Chop (BMC Poway special) , and 33.8" Nitto Terra Grappler G2 and I was off ! This builds Primary use is a Reliable DD that can get me anywhere I want and home at the end of the weekend. Not looking to rock crawl or pre-run the Baja 1000. Just a great "Overland Style" Build for camping trips and exploring with the pup (Ozzy) and Family/Friends.

Post up if you have any questions or suggestions!!!





Current (2/20/16):

Lighting :
Baja Designs XL80, Pair, Driving/Combo
Baja Designs Squadron-R Pro, Pair, Amber Driving/Combo
Baja Designs S2 Pro, Pair, Wide Cornering
Baja Designs Squadron Sport, Pair, Amber Wide Cornering



Armor :
Demello Off-Road Aluminum 3-Hoop Front Bumper
SRD Rock Sliders Welded On


Front Suspension :
Total Chaos UCA's
Fox 2.5 w/ Resi Coilovers


Rear Suspension :
Toytec Superflex 2.0 Rear Springs
Fox 2.5 W/DSC


Overland / Expedition Gear :
BajaRack Utility Rack
Edgestar 43qt Fridge
TemboTusk Fridge Slide
Coleman Grille / Stove
FrontRunner Expander Chair
Table in a Bag



Wheels / Tires:
285/75/17 33.8" Nitto Terra Grappler G2
4- 1.25" Wheel Spacers


Battery/Electrical:
sPod Power Source
OTRATTW Switches
Sears Die Hard 31M
Pelfreybilt Off-Road 31 Battery Cage


____________________________________

Trips/Runs:
2014
- 12/31/14 Palomar MTN snow exploration
2015
- 1/24/15 Anza Borrego/ Ocotillo Wells
- 2/14/15 Anza Borrego/ Ocotillo Wells
- 2/21/15 Anza Borrego/ Ocotillo Wells
- 3/28/15 Anza Borrego/ Ocotillo Wells
- 6/19/15 Sequoia National Park
- 8/22/15 Big Bear Lake
- 9/05/15 Eastern Sierra Nevada
- 11/21/15 Anza Borrego/ Ocotillo Wells
2016
- 1/02/16 Anza Borrego/ Ocotillo Wells
- 1/09/16 Big Bear Snow Fun
- 2/20/16 Anza Borrego/ Ocotillo Wells
- 3/04/16 Anza Borrego/ Ocotillo Wells

To Be Continued.....

 

[Baileyyy]

Sequoia National Park June 19-21 REPORT Part 1

Just got back from another awesome road trip!
Headed out of San Diego at 4:30 AM and hit the road at a quick pace. The goal was to avoid traffic through LA and we did just that.

Made it up through the grapevine at about 7:15 AM. We were moving along at a nice pace.

From there we were cruising along through some very boring areas. (sorry Bakersfield folks)
At around 10:30 We came into the park entrance.

Making our way up the hill we decided to cruise to Buckeye Flats Campground. On the way in we saw a fire road/ trail access called "Middle Fork Trail"
The road was partially paved and was very tight. We made our way in and had some of the best views I've ever seen. It was nice knowing the commuter car wouldn't likely be up there.

After relaxing there for about an hour or so, it was time to make our way further into the park.
We decided that setting up camp early was the best option so that we could explore more afterwards.

Camp set up at Dorst Creek Campground

Had to go and hit the main tourist stops.
Tunnel Log

Moro Rock was a complete Cluster****, So we decided to hit that on Saturday
The road back from Moro Rock.

Ate lunch at Wuksachi Lodge and Headed to down the road for some more scenic stops.
A couple hours later we were back at camp and Headed up the Muir Grove Trail for a short Sunset Hike. Didn't take many photos along the hike.

Fast forward to Saturday Morning. Forced myself to get our of bed at 5:00 AM. We quickly rushed to Moro Rock for a Sunrise Hike.
While there we ran into a Guy named Ryan. He was from New York and was visiting Sequoia and Yosemite for a few days. We chatted it up and waited for the Sunrise. The early morning rise was worth it!

More to come later! Have some more photos to upload

 

[Baileyyy]

Sequoia National Park June 19-21 REPORT Part 2

On our way back from Moro Rock, we were rounding a bend and saw a nice sized Black Bear Come running across the road.
We slowed and made sure there was no traffic coming. Quickly rolled down the window and got a pic of him/her. The Bear was about 20ft away, so we quickly got the shot and moved on.
Didn't want to bother the Bear on it's hunt for some breakfast

A nap was needed after the little sleep from the night before. Can't seem to get a solid nights sleep when camping.
Always on High Alert :Wow1: Had a few visitors in the campground, I think they smelt the Bacon Cheeseburgers I accidentally torched on the fire.

We decided to Cruise on over to Upper Stony Creek. Parked the car in the Day Use Area and Hiked down to Lower Stony Creek.
More than a couple years back I had High School XC Running Camp and Lower Stony Creek was the hangout everyday after runs. Unfortunately many of the best spots were very low as the water levels certainly have changed over the years. It was nice to relive some of those memories as we took a nice dip in the creek. Not a bad spot to sit on the log and relax for a few hours.

Arrived back at camp just in time for Sunset and Dinner. After a full two days, it was time to relax and rest up for the drive home.
Fathers Day was Sunday so we made an early departure and decided it was better to spend as much time with the family.
The road home got a little interesting. It was about 8:00 AM when we ran into some trouble.

Had a nice surprise when we came around a blind turn and found a Ford Escape sitting head on in our lane. The couple driving said the car just turned off without warning going up the grade. Trying to coast into the turnout they got stuck in our lane. A fellow FJ also stopped and we did our best to try and assist the stranded motorists. I initially parked at the entrance of the turn and turned on my hazzards and Rack Lights to try and warn traffic behind us. Luckily a Park Service worker was on his way to work and safely regulated traffic flow.

A group of us pushed the escape into the turnout and a Park Ranger was sent out to try and help from there. It didn't look good as the Escape had a very strong smell of burnt oil and was leaving a nice trail underneath. Spirits were still high even though the car wouldn't start and more than likely they would be towed out of there.

Picture after we got all turned around and moved the escape into the turn out. The initial idea was to pull the ford with the rig, but we had enough man power to push it safely. Explains why I'm facing uphill.

Overall the trip was a success! We got a lot more done than expected. It was really nice to be back in the mountains. A lot of great memories came back from my XC days.
A great reminder how out of shape I've gotten. It really might be time to get back in shape. Certainly was nice to be able to run some of those trails a few years back.
I'm greatly considering another trip in August right before School picks up again.

Have more pictures of the trip here:
Sequoia June 19-21 2015 by Bailey Johnston | Photobucket

 

[Baileyyy]

Eastern Sierra Nevada September 5-6 2015 REPORT

A long long long two days of driving in some of the best terrain California has to offer! Monache Meadows to Mammoth Lakes!!!
5:00 AM departed San Diego with Monache Meadows as the destination for labor day weekend.

After 4 hours on the 15 and HWY395 we reached the turn out for 9 Mile Canyon Road. Tanks were topped off at the Shell Station and we were headed up the mountain.
NOTE: Lights were turned on for most photos. Was not driving around with them on... Wouldn't want to blind others

9 Mile Canyon Road is a beautiful drive gaining elevation quickly into Kennedy Meadows. Coming around the turns we quickly entered the tree-line and were greeted by beautiful scenery.
Decided to check in on Kennedy Meadows Campground and see if it is a good spot for future camping use. It is certainly on the list!

Pic just outside of Kennedy Meadows Campground at a pit stop / outhouse that was nicely maintained

We continued our way towards Monache Meadows and couldn't stop laughing at this creative wildlife sign

Monache Meadows Jeep Trail is a neat Trail that is Stock 4x4 Friendly with a few slightly flexy sections. Nothing Crazy!

As we approached the camping area we noticed quite a few vehicles cruising in and around the campground.
We just had to get the usual water crossing shot in the little water that was left. Shot at South Fork Kern River Crossing

This is where most of the pictures stop and we decided to change the game plan a little bit.
It was about 2:00PM and the vehicles kept coming in to Monache Meadows. Last minute decision after a phone call with a friend and we had Hot Springs on our mind.
Made our way down the mountain and through these towns along the 395
-Olancha
-Lone Pine
-Independence
-Big Pine
-Bishop

From Bishop we headed up towards Mammoth Lakes with our destination being the local Hot Springs. After hours of driving from Monache Meadows we arrived at a very tucked away spring just east of 395.
As the sun went down around 7:30 the spring was very relaxing. Realizing we could A) camp near spring or B) camp down the grade towards Bishop and possibly get a hotel..
Option B would be better to reduce the drive home Sunday
*Insert IPHONE Panorama*

Darkness came up quickly and it was time to hit the trails. Thankfully I had a little light to help guide the way :sombrero:

Driving back through Bishop and Big Pine we had our mind set on a few forest roads outside of Independence for camp. All hotels were booked so we decided to do what we set out to do in the first place. Camp!
After about 18 hours of being out and about on the road it was time for the Final Rest Stop. Chose a nice turnout and headed to bed around 11:00PM.

Morning came around shortly and a beautiful sunrise lit up the great Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.

After a little bit of exploring it was time to head back to San Diego! Really grateful to have the Sierra Nevada mountain range so close.
This was a weekend to remember! Hopefully the next time fire restrictions will be lowered and memories of this trip will be shared for years to come around the campfire.

Thanks for checking out my Trip Report.. Time to get some rest

 

[470SNC]

Nice photos BJ looks like an awesome place to explore!

 

[Baileyyy]

Nice photos BJ looks like an awesome place to explore!

Thanks Sang! Yes, an awesome place with lots to explore.
I've got years of exploring ahead of me :fishing:

 

[bigdon]

Awesome photos, thanks for sharing!

 

[Baileyyy]

Anza Borrego/ Ocotillo Wells 11/21/2015

Decided to make a quick trip out to the desert before this busy Thanksgiving week.
Got about 90 miles of dirt in Sunday morning before heading home. No crazy report as I didn't have the work camera and didn't have the chance to document much.

Ozzy, my corgi/lab mix, and I at Christmas Circle in Borrego Springs

Camp set up in Inspiration Wash. We had a great view overlooking Borrego Springs and the Airport.

Waking up after a long night by the fire. Lots of stories and adventure planning shared. Ozzy and I went for a quick walk where we ran into some signs of company near the campground. Must have been a desert fox or coyote.

Took off after packing up and did a quick 90 miles up and down Anza Borrego and Ocotillo Wells. More detailed trip report for the future desert runs.
Desert season is here! Lots of trips coming very soon! Will try to abduct the work camera for documentation

 

[Baileyyy]

got out to Anza Borrego Saturday and Sunday for a little exploring. Was fun and a little chilly at night. Not too bad! Only issue was my tent... it's Time to find a new Tent. this yellow instant tent folds over on itself and the joints are cracked.
String kept it from collapsing this time around. Luckily didn't get any wind this trip. Time to search for a replacement.


Had a fun getaway besides the tent issues. More upgrades coming soon....

 

[Baileyyy]

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