[Teotwaki]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Because the trip report is combined with the build report ( ) I have a combined question: How did all of the mods & upgrades perform? What broke loose? What total luxury item was a joy to have?

For the broken antennas maybe a mounting point relocation is one approach because the antennas cannot take the impacts that are breaking them.

Another approach would be similar to some of the military manpacks with the antenna tilt bracket at the base of the antenna. Instead of resisting an impact the antenna mount will allow a partial breakaway.

Two other suggestions:

Limb risers in the front and move the antenna away from the corner of the bumper or....

...or a CB-style large spring at the base of the antennas. Hmmm, or a military SINCGARS antenna base with the large spring....


EDIT: Just remembered that some ham antennas have tilt mounts so that the antenna can be mounted up on a roof rack but fold over when going in a garage.

 

[Teotwaki]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

That's a FELONY here on the mainland. It may even be a felony to THINK of running over a turtle here. .....

Bust me! Bust me! I thought of it years ago...

A long time ago I was coming back down from Calico Peak and some other folks were ahead of me in a 4x4 dually pick up. It was night time and my headlights showed something jammed between the right rear tire set. I soon realized it was just a big rock but I couldn't resist and picked up the radio:

Jim to Ron. "No s**t, you've got a tortise jammed in your rear wheels!"

Ron, disbelieving "Aw heck! Are you sure?!"

Jim in a serious voice "Yup. It is whirling around each time your tire rotates"

Ron slides to a halt in a storm of desert dust and jumps out with a little bitty flashlight. He catches sight of the top of the dark colored rock poking out and I add a little fuel to the fire, mentioniong that he just violated a whole bunch of laws. It wasn't until he took a prybar to the rock that he realized that he had been snookered big time. :silly:

 

[Teotwaki]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

I also have a few of the large Pelican cases to use when I want to store and protect gear up on the roof rack. Due to weight and bulk of the Pelicans I do not often use the large ones for gear inside the vehicle. A 1600 series case's empty weight is 13 pounds as opposed to a 2 pound heavy duty nylon cargo bag.

One approach is to organize trail run particpants such that in a group of 5 vehicles there may be two Hi-lifts to be shared, one major medical kit, one prybar and so on. Enough to cover the needs of the team without needless duplication.

On easy trail runs you can travel alone and not bring too much gear. On hard trail runs it is best not to travel alone so no need for me to pack as if I was all alone.

 

[Teotwaki]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Pretty much 100% in agreement...... understand the points completely.

I normally sleep outside the rig, sometimes just a bivy sack and sleeping bag. Makes for fast getaways... :grim:

 

[Teotwaki]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

aghhhhh!!!! I feel all teared up now!!! sniff, sniff. Do you write for Hallmark, or could have for Deep Thoughts, from SNL???? JK!!!!!!! Thanks for the part! ................

Hey! I was browsing through Hallmark and saw this card!



(Apologies to Uphill and Sandabbe, but I could not resist)

 

[Teotwaki]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Nice updates! If the snow was much deeper the snorkel would be handy... imp:

I've been in the Tonto NF 50 miles south of Payson and love the area.

There is this very scenic bridge...

near the Roosevelt Dam

as well as offroad areas branching out from the Apache Trail

 

[Teotwaki]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

re: Pleasant Valley War

Way cool!

 

[Teotwaki]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Reserved for MRII Mojave Road: Needles to Barstow
April 5-6, 2008​

This design is my favorite so now you can add "Artist" to

Poet, Warrior, Proud Father, Adventurer....

 

[Teotwaki]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Was that the jammed lid issue back in December?

 

[Teotwaki]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Agree completely on convenience factor! I have used a cargo bag approach for stuff that only had to come out for making camp: folding table, tent, sleeping bags and mats. Nothing heavy but they were semi-bulky so it was nice to keep it out of the vehicle's interior.

The Thule bag is a zippered clamshell design so I could get at things from either side. The profile is slightlly tapered to lower its wind resistance.

 

[Teotwaki]

I think that you could easily handle the install of new premium speakers in the doors and it would be cool if Larry already researched what to buy. I'd like to learn more about that.

When I bought my 4Runner it came with a fairly lame stereo. It was maybe 50 watts and even had a cassette deck! I went on EBay and bought a Scion 1806 head unit pull out for $50 and it has 160 Watts, iPod and Satellite interfaces built in. I think that the FJammer is similar and may be made by Pioneer. It sounds sooooooooo much better so I don't need much more than better speakers.

 

[Teotwaki]

With a full main and spare tank, and all your usual gear, what weight do you think you're at? Can you *see* a difference in the rear spring ride height with the auxiliary tank?

He is waiting for approval of his bank loan in order to purchase that much gas......:mecry:

 

[Teotwaki]

MALICIOUS MISCHIEF--

I woke up today, went out to the FJ to drive my daughter to school and found that the rig was the victim of defacing. Actually it was worse than graffiti.

Somebody put a wretched All Pro sticker on the back window. While I don't keep my residence a secret, the list is short...

I'm sure that the offending party took a photo of their handiwork and it might surface on the Forum.

For the record, I'd prefer a Hillary for President sticker or a Gay Nazis for Christ sticker over an -- :thefinger: all pro :thefinger: sticker. Malicious mischief indeed.

This one???

Or this one?

 

[Teotwaki]

Geez. You guys think you have to worry about Miss Uphill's Daddy??

Y'all better have Kevlar jockstraps! :jester:

 

[Teotwaki]

My daughter did this at age 10 with a bitty little rifle called a Chipmonk at maybe 10 yards

Woe to the man that upsets her.:rofl:





When she gets engaged the quarter will go on a nice silver chain for her to show her fiance'...

 

[Teotwaki]

Uphill,

Here is the sign near Jim Wessel's place :lol:

and be sure to check out the Native American "graffiti" at the old lava flow

 

[Teotwaki]

If there was enough oil to clog the MAP sensor it might be possible that cleaning out the rest of the throttle body would be good to do when you have time.

The secondary filter has activated charcoal in it and might have absorbed oil too, slowing down airflow (?).. I don't know if it is cheaper to buy a new one or to try soaking it in gasoline (it is made to absorb gas vapors) and then shaking/drying it out thoroughly.

 

[Teotwaki]

Great info. I'm running a TRD drop in that requires pre oiling. I've always been very careful not to over oil for this reason. If you haven't already posted a pic of that sensor could you please! I'm at work and can't get pictures here so thanks if you did.:bigthumb:

Really easy to find. When looking at the engine the inlet is to your left and on the top of the inlet tube you'll see the harness plugged into the sensor which is held down with two screws.

Bottom view

I think that this is the correct side view

 

[Teotwaki]

Thank you Jim. So, you just unbolt it and lift it out to clean then? Awesome. I'll do it this weekend.:bigthumb:

It is easier to remove the wire harness plug before taking out the screws.

I use compressed air to help blow excess solvent out of the inner tube of the sensor.

I also take the O-ring off of the body to avoid getting dried out when cleaning the sensor with solvent. I clean the O-ring off and re-lube it with some silicone grease then reinstall to have a good airtight fit.

 

[Teotwaki]

This one scares the beJeezus out of me..... :lol:

Nice action shot!!!