BrianSD_42 Photo Journal Build Maintenance Thread

[BrianSD_42]

Quick update .... YES this build exists but I just haven't been driving it as much lately.

Upcoming:
* Replacing the fan clutch and thermastat.
* Big Bear camping & wheeling trip 10/11/14


In other news - 2 weeks ago I went to the Coronado Speed Fest in San Diego. They host it in celebration of Fleet Week each year. This was my first time and it was awesome.


Here are some pictures.


Camera: 16MP Nikon D5100 with 18-140 VR lens.


Link for next year ---> https://www.fleetweeksandiego.org/events/fleet-week-coronado-speed-festival/
















































































:llama:

 

[BrianSD_42]

Speed Fest Pictures set #2

 

[BrianSD_42]

Speedfest - The Final Pics!!!














:cheers:

 

[BrianSD_42]

Trip Report: Big Bear Lake / Lake Arrowhead

Saturday trail: 3N34 / Dishpan Springs


Dishpan Springs Trail (3N34)
* Dishpan Springs Trail - Dirtopia, the Off-Road Encyclopedia
* Dishpan Springs 4x4 Trail - TripAdvisor
* Dishpan Springs (3N34) | MJR: Jeep Trail Reports & Maps


Start point: East of lake Arrowhead on the Big Bear side of the trail. We went down the trail (although it doesn't become clear until later on) which is the easy direction on 3N34.

Our time on trail: 2 hours + (another 3 waiting for multiple broken & stuck vehicles ahead of us - seriously)

This trail is pretty tough. Its rated a black diamond and I would consider strong-blue (summer) to double black when WET but that is just my opinion. We went down the trail, the guys in the video went up it which is a bit harder. I'm pretty sure I could go up it but the other two Toyotas I was with were all open diffs so going up was a no go. Lots of trucks on this trail had 35s, 37s and above. We were the little trucks.

We didn't take too many pictures but there are a few below from the trip, and not really many showing the terrain. It was a great trip though and I made it out with any body damage!

Here is a video of the trail. It isn't my video as I simply couldn't play video guy and drive at the same time and the other two trucks weren't into photos and recordings.

Video:
Como Chingas on Dishpan Springs Trail, 7-16-2011 - YouTube
[MENTION=55927]TraumaHawk[/MENTION]

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Tro8kfmR7pI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>






//*** Pictures (Nikon 5100 with 18-140 Nikon lens) ***//
















*** Props to my friend Rob (who doesn't like to be on the internet) but is a badass for going manning up and going camping/wheeling ON CRUTCHES ***






























































:bat:

 

[1blink]

Looks like a pretty sweet trail, didn't know SoCal had that kind of thing going

 

[BrianSD_42]

10-25-14 Update - Red Is Back !!!


On my most recent Big Bear trip I managed to smash up my Savage Offroad skids a bit. Nothing major, just a few visual dents. I figured now is as good a time as any to repaint them Red and also change my overall accenting to from Black & Grey to Black & Red.

I had previously written this post about how to paint your wheels. I used the same method but instead of Graphite Grey I used 2 coats of Duplicolor Perfect Match Chrysler Flame Red and then a coat of clear.
----> http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...licolor-3rd-gen-wheel-painting-how-story.html




Pictures: Before - Nice & Smashed Looking


1.



2.





Painting The Pieces Red


3.



4.



5.



6.



7.



8.







Finished & Installed



9.



10.




:bat:

 

[BrianSD_42]

Anyone remember my Stone Brewing truck hitch? (Built in bottle opener)

In keeping with my back to red theme I've painted it Red and colored in the lines black.

I think it turned out pretty well.

The method is pretty simple. Follow normal painting procedures to paint it red. Sharpie in the black parts.


BEFORE / AFTER


:bat:

 

[4Running Daily]

Wow, I'm impressed. That's a pretty steady hand.

 

[GreenbowCounty]

Eylets?

Noticed you have the pieces below your headlights removed. Any plans for them?

 

[BrianSD_42]

Only the piece from one side is missing. I have it and will put it back on the next time I remove my grill. It's on the to do list, just a low priority.

 

[GreenbowCounty]

Only the piece from one side is missing. I have it and will put it back on the next time I remove my grill. It's on the to do list, just a low priority.

Gotcha! Truck looks good man; looking forward to more. I'm parked for a while while I plan some upgrades.

 

[amalik]

Brian -- sorry if I missed it in your thread... why the thermostat and fan clutch replacement? I'm just curious on the fan clutch. I'm not overheating or anything, but I think it might be time to replace it based on age and miles (Original one probably is in there).

 

[BrianSD_42]

I replaced the fan clutch because i couldn't figure out why my temps were consistently 198-204 depending on movement or traffic.

It turns out it was air in the cooling system. Now I'm back to 188-196 including on the trail.

The only thing the fan clutch did for me was smooth out my idle a bit. It wasn't bad before but it is smoother now.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Every year San Diego celebrates Halloween with an outdoor music and alcohal fest called Monster Bash.

This is what one of the stages looked like (there are 4+ stages)

Its really less concert and more just a giant massive multi-block street party with multiple stages and DJs changing every hour.

Requirements:
$35 entrance
Costume


:bat:

 

[BrianSD_42]

New shocks!

As pictured, from leaking Bilstien to non-leaking Bilstien .

 

[MtnT4R]

I think I spend way too much time in off topic. I just got around to reading your build and to quote just about everyone else, badass 4Runner! You really think through the details and it shows.

 

[BrianSD_42]

12-12-14 GVL & Big Bear Snow Day Drive Trip Report:

So I think some people will find this update pretty decent and I've got a new main page picture (up soon).

Well last Saturday night I decided over dinner to drive up to Big Bear for an easy going adventure last Sunday which was just after the soft of big storm that hit SoCal. My GF was glad to join so we made a day trip out of it, leaving San Diego and arriving Big Bear area by about 11am.

Because member [MENTION=106327]GVL[/MENTION] had posted some great pictures of Green Valley Lake which is in the Big Bear area I figured it would be good to hit him up for some local advice. He came out and met us at the trail head of Crap Flats Road & the HWY and then we did a quick attempt at 2N54 which looked undriven.

Great trip. Here are the pictures and a quick explanation.

Trail 2N54 - started but turned back because of over 12" of snow pack
Trail Crab Flats Road - This is just the main dirt road that connects all the 4WD trails
Trail 2N06X - connects over to 3N93
Trail 3N93 - definitely a black diamond, I won't be going back in the snow and with 33s I was nearly high centered several times (get bigger tires)



2N54 Trail- We attempted 2N54 which was sweet because it was still unbroken snow. But unfortunately, as pictured above, the snow was just too deep. GVL and I split up back at the main road and he went home; he wasn't planning on wheeling but did come out to meet me on short notice to chat and do a short bit of wheeling.



1.



2.



3.



4.



5.



6.



7.



8.



9.



10.



11.



12.




GVL, it was a crazy trip after we parted ways. The "main dirt road" aka Crab Flats Road actually turned un-plowed after about 4 mins of cruising. Plenty of snow.

We took the turn off Crab Flats Road onto 2N06X towards "Lower Larga" that you suggested. It was a pretty hairy road, at least more than I expected. It began with an uphill over some rocks and was mostly easy but the snow and grade made it definitely exciting.






Crab Flats Campground Road

1.



2.



3.



4.



5.



6.




:usa2:

 

[BrianSD_42]

2N06X Pass Through Trail


Eventually we made down Crab Flats Road until it intersected with the 2N06X (which eventually ends at 3N93) pass-through.

There were some GIAGANTIC Jeeps with 37s or 42s going down it and GVL had told me it was doable. I have to agree that it wasn't too bad but there first hill was quite interesting and I bet next weekend, once it is covered in ICE due to the melted snow that it would be somewhat unsafe.



1.



2.



3.



4.



5.



6.



7.



8.




10.







3N93 Trail


3. After the intersection point, we took 3N93 back towards the main road and it was even more exciting, very strong grades, at least for a dirt road completely covered in snow. I ran into some 4Runners, all on 37s (except one on 33s) going the rest of the way down 3N93. All the other guys had 37s, they made it look easy. I kept the locker on the whole time and didn't air down. There was plenty of snow the whole time but a good bit less than the 2N05 trail we tried earlier.

I really had no choice but to follow with them as going back seemed like even more of a pain. I realized as I was going down the last bit that 3N93 is the crazy trail I have never gone on because to go up it you have to get past a huge boulder and now this time we are going down it covered in snow. I had actually started 3N93 from the bottom during the summer twice and gave up because it looked to intense and that big rock at the bottom is huge.

After a lot of work, I made it down without any body damage at all. I was almost high centered once but a couple of the 4Runner guys helped guide me so I made it through. The boulder at the bottom of 3N93 though - wow I'm just thankful for my sliders , I finally put them to some serious use on that one.



1.



2.



3.



4.



5.



6.



7.



8.



9.



/////////////////////////// END TRIP REPORT ////////////////////////////

 

[THatfield]

Love the pics. Truck is looking sharp as usual! looked a little hairy in the rock bed going up hill... would have had me white knuckling it. LOL.

I enjoy the trip reports. Great detail. One day I'll make it out west. So beautiful!

 

[BrianSD_42]

Truck is looking sharp as usual! looked a little hairy in the rock bed going up hill... would have had me white knuckling it.

Thanks!

I actually didn't post pictures of the hard parts of the trail. I was too busy trying to make it through.