theesotericone's Trails and BS Thread

[theesotericone]

Champion(AKA Sparkplug) Mine Road by Accident​

So there's a big rock cropping up in the Whites that I've always looked at but never bothered to try and get too. From town it looks like it's gonna be a horrible chosspile but I've climbed a lot of those. I couldn't find any info about it having any routes or ever being been climbed for that matter. What do you do in those cases? You go check it out.

My wife was up to come along for this one so we headed out to see how close we could get in the rig. After looking at the topo's we figured out a way in.

Heading up Rotue 6 we turned off at White Mt Ranch Rd. The end of the road turns to dirt and keeps going up into Jeffrey Canyon. Now, had I done any research at all about Jeffrey Canyon I would have learned that it was named after Dr Jeffrey. President of the Champion Porcelain Company. AKA Champion Spark Plugs. I didn't though and that's how we accidentally ended up on the road.

Driving in there was a road on the right I knew I needed to catch to get towards where I wanted to go. Reaching it I saw a little sign the said "Sparkplug". That's when I realized we where going to the Champion Mine. That's when I also realized the cool crag I wanted to climb was indeed a mine. lol

We ended up going to the lower hikers access. The road ends about a 1/4 mile before this shot for most folks. I had every intent of continuing until it wasn't possible. This is what not possible looks like. lol

After turning around and figuring that was the end of the adventure I noticed this sign. What do you do when you see one of those? You point the rig up that road.

So this road turns out to be a really steep, narrow shelf road. There's a few spots that you could easily slide off the road and take the fast way down. After the first one of those my wife decided walking would be more preferable to her. I think "LET ME OUT NOW." are the words she used. lol

This is right before things get tight.

And here you can see my wife walking along. Lucky for me she's super fit so her walking didn't really cost much time at all.

This is the end of the road and the beginning of the upper hikers access.

After getting home and reading a few trip reports about the mine I realized most people don't like this road. I found it to be pretty chill and super fun. To each there own.

The mine is about another 1.5 miles on foot from the upper access as far as I know. So that's how I came upon the Champion Mine. Will I be back to climb that outcrop? I actually might. The left side looks like it's not to bad of choss. Maybe next time I can convince my wife to stay in the truck. lol

 

[theesotericone]

Well I just got a call from a buddy who's getting rid of a 96 Taco 3.4L V6 5-speed with 330,000 on the clock. It's a little beat up but I'm still thinking about buying it. I took it for a spin. It's got a strong clutch and motor. 4wd Hi and Lo work perfectly. It tracks straight and everything but the AC(which he removed completely:gun4 works.

Here's the kicker. The price is too good to pass up I think. If it passes smog I'm thinking about buying it. He gave me the keys and I'm taking it to get smogged Monday or Tuesday.

After looking at these photo's let me know what you guys think is a fair price.

 

[Scramble]

It's pretty beat up, $1k?

 

[theesotericone]

It's pretty beat up, $1k?

Keep in mind this is the Cali market. $500. How's that for a deal.

Yeah, it's beat up. Do you see the drivers seat? Need to get rid of that ASAP if it passes smog. Also has the normal worn out leaf pack that's common with 1st gen Taco's. Those will get replaced as well. Rear slider is missing the drivers slide glass so that'll get replaced.

All in all though this is one of the best deals I've ever gotten on a rig. It basically the dealer trade in value. I drove it for 30 minutes and it's solid. I had my ODB reader plugged in the whole time and Torque running. After parking it I scanned for codes. No codes. If it passes smog it's a done deal.

 

[Scramble]

Keep in mind this is the Cali market. $500. How's that for a deal.

Yeah, it's beat up. Do you see the drivers seat? Need to get rid of that ASAP if it passes smog. Also has the normal worn out leaf pack that's common with 1st gen Taco's. Those will get replaced as well. Rear slider is missing the drivers slide glass so that'll get replaced.

All in all though this is one of the best deals I've ever gotten on a rig. It basically the dealer trade in value. I drove it for 30 minutes and it's solid. I had my ODB reader plugged in the whole time and Torque running. After parking it I scanned for codes. No codes. If it passes smog it's a done deal.

$500 is what I'd pay & was my first thought, I picked 1k 'cause I figured the Cali market is higher without rust. Yea! The driver seat is trashed! LMAO!

 

[Rock_Rat]

Keep in mind this is the Cali market. $500. How's that for a deal.

Yeah, it's beat up. Do you see the drivers seat? Need to get rid of that ASAP if it passes smog. Also has the normal worn out leaf pack that's common with 1st gen Taco's. Those will get replaced as well. Rear slider is missing the drivers slide glass so that'll get replaced.

All in all though this is one of the best deals I've ever gotten on a rig. It basically the dealer trade in value. I drove it for 30 minutes and it's solid. I had my ODB reader plugged in the whole time and Torque running. After parking it I scanned for codes. No codes. If it passes smog it's a done deal.

Seriously? There's still some life left in that seat. Awesome deal! I seriously need to head down your way. Got the itch big time...

 

[theesotericone]

Seriously? There's still some life left in that seat. Awesome deal! I seriously need to head down your way. Got the itch big time...

No, that seats actually dead. Your literally sitting on the flat metal support bracket. lol

Come down anytime except the last two weeks of March. I'll be in Australia climbing at Arapiles.

 

[Road Bull]

I would love to get my hands on another Toyota truck, especially for that price. Cosmetically it could be better, but you don't drive the outside of the truck. Toyota has made a lot of weak sauce truck seats. I had a bench that was really starting to peter out when I sold it. But if you can get some new seats, I would say go for it! You wouldn't have a hard time making your money back if you changed your mind. Even if you had to drop a new 3.4 in there, it still seems like a good deal.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Hey buddy you get any snow runs in yet?

 

[Unner]

Nice find! Hopefully it passes smog. Any car for $500 is a good deal.

 

[theesotericone]

Hey buddy you get any snow runs in yet?

None unless you count driving on the streets in Mammoth. It's pretty bleak this year. Coyote and everything in the Whites is still basically snow free. You might hit a patch or two but that's it.

I would love to get my hands on another Toyota truck, especially for that price. Cosmetically it could be better, but you don't drive the outside of the truck. Toyota has made a lot of weak sauce truck seats. I had a bench that was really starting to peter out when I sold it. But if you can get some new seats, I would say go for it! You wouldn't have a hard time making your money back if you changed your mind. Even if you had to drop a new 3.4 in there, it still seems like a good deal.

Yep. The beauty of the whole thing is that the front suspension is the same as my rig. Once I pony up for Kings in the front of my rig the Billei/Eibach coils go into the truck. I'm already getting a parts list for the rear refresh. Most likely go with junkyard leafs from a 88-94 Toyo truck. They bolt right up and give about 2" of lift. They ride way softer and don't suffer from the same spring flattening that the Tacos do. Those, u-bolt flip kit and billies and I've got a new rear end for less then 300 bucks. Then I'll worry about the front.

If it passes smog tomorrow the timing couldn't be better. My wife leaves for a 6 day work trip on Tuesday. That means the rig gets pulled into the garage and torn into. The dash rattles and it needs a general clean up. Once the dash is out in goes the new stereo and speakers.

What rear lift did you have on your last truck?

 

[Road Bull]

None unless you count driving on the streets in Mammoth. It's pretty bleak this year. Coyote and everything in the Whites is still basically snow free. You might hit a patch or two but that's it.





Yep. The beauty of the whole thing is that the front suspension is the same as my rig. Once I pony up for Kings in the front of my rig the Billei/Eibach coils go into the truck. I'm already getting a parts list for the rear refresh. Most likely go with junkyard leafs from a 88-94 Toyo truck. They bolt right up and give about 2" of lift. They ride way softer and don't suffer from the same spring flattening that the Tacos do. Those, u-bolt flip kit and billies and I've got a new rear end for less then 300 bucks. Then I'll worry about the front.

If it passes smog tomorrow the timing couldn't be better. My wife leaves for a 6 day work trip on Tuesday. That means the rig gets pulled into the garage and torn into. The dash rattles and it needs a general clean up. Once the dash is out in goes the new stereo and speakers.

What rear lift did you have on your last truck?

Cool! Sounds like you have a solid plan of attack! So my 1994 Extended cab was a stocker. I was toying with the idea of lifting it, and knew very little about what I wanted to do at the time to get it the way I wanted it. At the same time, I started to toy with the idea of getting and modding a 4Runner. That's when I found this forum. I was also thinking that it would be nice to have something to transport my drums in, out from the weather. That, AND be able to carry more than one adult. I ended up selling my truck to further fund my 4runner build. But... I miss that truck. It had the gutless 3.0 V6 4x4 manual. But it was a great truck. I love that body style. The doors felt solid... it was just a sweet mid sized truck.

 

[theesotericone]

Cool! Sounds like you have a solid plan of attack! So my 1994 Extended cab was a stocker. I was toying with the idea of lifting it, and knew very little about what I wanted to do at the time to get it the way I wanted it. At the same time, I started to toy with the idea of getting and modding a 4Runner. That's when I found this forum. I was also thinking that it would be nice to have something to transport my drums in, out from the weather. That, AND be able to carry more than one adult. I ended up selling my truck to further fund my 4runner build. But... I miss that truck. It had the gutless 3.0 V6 4x4 manual. But it was a great truck. I love that body style. The doors felt solid... it was just a sweet mid sized truck.

87-94 where great years. When I decide to build a true crawler that's the platform it will be built off of.

The plan for this thing is just to keep it as a beater. But a beater that rides better. I'll clean it up and make sure it's sound but I can't dump much cash into it. I'd rather put the cash towards my rig. The whole goal at this point is road/trail worthy, more comfortable(that frikkin seat man), and cheap. I'm looking to keep the total well below 1000 bucks for the whole project.

The main reason I'm buying this thing is so if I want to take the runner and wheel my wife has a dirt road capable vehicle that she can use to go climbing. The second reason, unknown to the wife, is 5 speed swap. Think about it. What is the most common 5speed swap in our rigs? 96-98 Tacos. For 500 buck? It's a no brainer. This thing better pass smog. lol

 

[phattyduck]

The second reason, unknown to the wife, is 5 speed swap. Think about it. What is the most common 5speed swap in our rigs? 96-98 Tacos. For 500 buck? It's a no brainer. This thing better pass smog. lol

Non-op is your friend. Though, then it is only a parts truck...

-Charlie

 

[theesotericone]

[MENTION=139000]phattyduck[/MENTION]

That's the beauty of this one. No need to non-op it. It's like I just bought a 5 speed swap that I can drive. lol


Drove the Taco to work today. It cruised 75MPM up a long steep grade while still in 5th. It's a 45 mile commute one way. Temps stayed normal. Other than that shit seat it's actually fun to drive.

I went to the smog shop after work and it passed. So after that I went to the bank and then my buddies house. We swapped cash for title so it's a done deal. I now own it.

Time to get it in the garage and do a full interior tear down. Then find a damn seat. lol

 

[Scramble]

[MENTION=139000]phattyduck[/MENTION]

That's the beauty of this one. No need to non-op it. It's like I just bought a 5 speed swap that I can drive. lol


Drove the Taco to work today. It cruised 75MPM up a long steep grade while still in 5th. It's a 45 mile commute one way. Temps stayed normal. Other than that shit seat it's actually fun to drive.

I went to the smog shop after work and it passed. So after that I went to the bank and then my buddies house. We swapped cash for title so it's a done deal. I now own it.

Time to get it in the garage and do a full interior tear down. Then find a damn seat. lol

Awesome - Congrats!

Just strap a butt plug on that seat & you'll feel right at home! :bigok:

 

[fourfive]

I went to the smog shop after work and it passed. So after that I went to the bank and then my buddies house. We swapped cash for title so it's a done deal. I now own it.

That's awesome man, congratulations! Aside from maintenance, do you plan on keeping it stock?

 

[theesotericone]

That's awesome man, congratulations! Aside from maintenance, do you plan on keeping it stock?

At this point yes. It's a lot of miles and I already have a rig I'd rather put the play money towards. Down the line, who knows. Order so far will be a full interior teardown, new radio, new seat(s), new rear shocks, used rear leaf pack or add a leaf, swap over my rigs old tires/rims.

That should make it worthy of the dirt and city driving it will see. I'd also figured out the cruise control is gone so I need to look into that at some point but it's not a priority.

 

[Unner]

I'd have way too much fun driving an old beat up truck like that. Park too close to me in a parking lot? Oooops the wind caught my door and seems to have dented your new Mercedes.

Have fun tearing it apart!

 

[octanejunkie]

Awesome - Congrats!

Just strap a butt plug on that seat & you'll feel right at home! :bigok:

Congrats [emoji109]

Look out for the [MENTION=7105]Scramble[/MENTION] seat mod

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