BrianSD_42 Photo Journal Build Maintenance Thread

[Road Bull]

Well that didn't take long, 1 day lol. Already came apart. I just drove around town, probably one of the terrible San Diego potholes that did me in. I have to take this headlight out and see if I can't get it to stick together via some jb weld.

Ugh.. I just don't trust myself to not screw it up. Hahaha. I am sure you will get it sorted, but I always feel... special when attempting a lot of things most people seem to breeze through. At least there are a lot of good write ups here to sort things out.

The last time I was on the trial I thought that my 4runner was going to rattle apart due to all the washboard service roads. I have developed new clanging sounds that I am still trying to track down.

Good luck man.

 

[Kotrin]

Head Lights looked good for the day, right?

Love the photo's and build.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Yeah it's pretty funny because I didn't do anything wrong, these things just happen. I already removed the light and am reinstalling with JB weld to help hold in place. Typical retrofit fun! Here's a pic before I fixed it with redo plus JB Weld.

Edit: permanently fixing the light took < 30 min.

In other news, Thursday morning I leave for camping at Mt Whitney, the tallest mountain in the continental United States.

 

[theesotericone]

Thursday morning I leave for camping at Mt Whitney, the tallest mountain in the continental United States.

Nice. You going in via the hikers trail or the climbers trail?

 

[BrianSD_42]

Nice. You going in via the hikers trail or the climbers trail?

We have permits for the hikers trail. I don't plan to summit this trip.

 

[theesotericone]

We have permits for the hikers trail. I don't plan to summit this trip.

The weathers supposed to hold well above seasonal average through the weekend so it'll be a great time to be up there. The crowds will have thinned out a good bit this time of year as well. I've been up it more then a few times but always by the climbers trail. That used to be doable in a day without a permit but a few years ago the Forest Service combined it into the lottery system. A major bummer for sure. Have fun, bring a warm bag and stay safe.

 

[Unner]

Yes as I mention below camping in the winter can be very nice. To each there own of course. I stayed in Death Valley in early January a few years ago. It dropped to 30F at night but that is just the outside air temp. I was fine in my tent and sleeping bag. Thanks for the compliments btw!





Thanks for the compliment dude. Yes these things are a huge pain. I think one of the reasons I have to align them veritically so agressively is my truck has a pretty strong rake. Regarding camping in the desert, you might be surprised by how great it can be in the Winter. I've camped in Death Valley and Joshua Tree several times during Nov/Dec/Jan and the weather was always (for me) great. Usually I arrived just after a big storm had hit.

Thanks for the info! I'm thinking it shouldn't be too bad inside the 4Runner with a good sleeping bag and some blankets. I'm going to look into those double sleeping bags and see if I can convince my girlfriend that we should do this for our vacation.

 

[BrianSD_42]

It really isn't that bad. My wife and I camped at Sequoia National Park in May and it snowed, the pictures are a few pages back. It wasn't cold inside the tent. She had a summer bag and top blanket (always bring one!) and I had my mummy bag. We were fine and had a great time.

 

[phattyduck]

It really isn't that bad. My wife and I camped at Sequoia National Park in May and it snowed, the pictures are a few pages back. It wasn't cold inside the tent. She had a summer bag and top blanket (always bring one!) and I had my mummy bag. We were fine and had a great time.

We did a backpacking trip to Death Valley in early March this year - high country, too. There was snow on the north mountain faces at our altitude and we were crunching through frozen puddles setting up the tents at dusk the first night. If you are prepared, it isn't bad. Precipitation is the challenge if it is cold, not the temp itself.

-Charlie

 

[BrianSD_42]

I figure now is a good time to post some older pics since I'm between trips right now.

Back in September I went to Portland with the lady for a few days. It was a blast. The trip out to Canon beach was a lot of fun as well and very scenic.

We also got in several brewery tours, visited lots of restaurants and even had some social justice tacos. That's what I call it since the excellent (taco) restaurant, heck a lot of them in the neighborhood where we AirBnB-d were laying on the politics pretty thick. I guess I'm spoiled here in San Diego because we've got great food, lots of diversity and I've never seen a "white silence = genocide" sign while trying to buy dinner. I take it they just roll a bit harder on left up there in Portland. // end rant.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Portland area continued ....

 

[BrianSD_42]

Then a few weeks later I visited Seattle for work. Didn't take very many pics but that two are decent.

While in greater Seattle I ate at the restaurant Melrose in Renton (near the hotel) which was recommended to me and boy was it good. Definitely worth a visit if your in the area and work is paying for the evening meal.

The last pic is San Diego but I felt the sunset alone worth posting.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Finally a truck pic .... Here is the truck at Alabama Hills a few weeks ago.

More Whitney trip pics coming soon. BTW if you are ever in Lone Pine be sure to get breakfast at the Alabama Hills Cafe. Food was really awesome.

 

[Road Bull]

Great Pics!!

Hey! Next time you are in my neck of the woods, give me a heads up. I would be happy to take you are and your girl some good food and drink out here. There is tons of great places to eat and plenty to see out this way. I am happy to help out and host where and when I can. Looks like you had a fun time though.

 

[octanejunkie]

Cool pics. I drive through Lone Pine all the time and never stop. I'll have to remember that place. How were the biscuits and gravy?

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

[BrianSD_42]

Hey! Next time you are in my neck of the woods, give me a heads up. I would be happy to take you are and your girl some good food and drink out here.

Thanks. I may take you up on that the next time I'm in WA. I went up there for work so I really didn't have a lot of extra time.

"How were the biscuits and gravy?"

I don't know because I had a mixed omlet with avadaco and sausage. Was really good!

Today I detailed my DD, the 08 TL with a full wax. Running like a champ, as it should at 80K miles. :thumb:

My next trip in the truck will be Joshua Tree in December. I'm looking forward to it.

 

[Unner]

Nice pics from the trip and the TL looks good too. I wouldn't mind picking up one of them as a DD in the next couple years. They're good looking cars.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Nice pics from the trip and the TL looks good too.

Thanks!


On Friday I had my King shocks adjusted up. I wasn't able to get before and after measurements from fender to ground but I did take record the amount of shock thread showing. This seems to be the most universally accurate way to discuss amongst fellow owners.

Shocks: King coilover with # 600 spring. Model: Tacoma, not EXT


Factory setting: both shocks set to 1 & 1/8 thread showing

First adjust a few months ago:
• Passenger: 1 & 1/8" thread showing (factory)
• Driver: 1 & 4/8" thread showing
• Difference: driver side shock is set higher with 3/8" more thread showing

Now:
• Passenger side: 1 & 3/8" thread showing
• Driver side: just a hair under 1 & 9/16" thread showing
• Difference: driver side shock is set higher with 3/16" more thread showing


Drivers Side

Passenger Side

This morning I washed the truck and wiped out the inside. Finally all clean again!

:bat:

 

[Road Bull]

Looks good Brian! I think you found a sweet spot for front to rear ride height. Your 4runner is looking goon man. I washed mine the other day because it stopped raining for about 12 hours. But this time of year, washing the truck is like building sandcastles in the surf. I think it will be raining for the foreseeable future now that winter is here.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Trip Report: Mazourka Peak near Lone Pine, CA

We took Mazourka Canyon Rd. from Lone Pine up to the top of the mountain and then came out in Big Pine. This was a very scenic day drive during my 3 day camping trip in Alabama Hills, CA.


Pictures Part 1 (Nikon D7100)


1. Alabama Hills, CA camping area

2. Top of the pass near Mazourka looking down into Big Pine & Bishop in the distance

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6. Top of the pass near Mazourka

7. Top of the pass near Mazourka

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11. Moffett mine

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Pictures Part 2 (Nexus6P)

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