I was going to add you need to take some more trips to give us more stories. I guess you just need to make some time and give us those stories we all like. Thanks for sharing them.
haha yeah! Plenty has happened or will. just need to spend the time to get the photos done!
Thanks for the answer. It seems that is a fairly common failure on the 1st gen tacos and 3rd gen 4runners (what I drive). I recently replaced my LBJ's with OEM parts, just as PM. The originals looked to be in good condition, so I will have to try and find them, hopefully I didn't send them to the recycler....
Speaking of such things (trail repairs), do you mind listing what spares you carry? You have much more experience 'overlanding' than I do, and so, I would like to glean from your experience.
Glad to hear you've been out on more trips. I'm jealous. I can't wait to read and see amazing pics of your 'epic adventures'...
Another question. When you are out for an extended time (like this trip), can you share your 'tricks' on personal hygiene?
Lastly, I asked you a couple years ago, what camera and lense you use. Have you upgraded your photo equip?
Thanks Monte, much appreciated.
Keep exploring (and posting...)
Durwin
Yeah hopefully you kept those! Make good trail spares.
I carry a lot of stuff. 2 CVs, Tie rods inner and outers, LBJs, assorted bolts and nuts and washers, gear oil, engine oil, spare alternator...maybe a few other things..i haven't done my spring check up so can't remember it all perfectly..sorry.. I knew a guy that hauled the entires front end of a truck around with him, as in uppers and lower control arms haha its kind of a balance of weight and what you can actually fix on the trail vs just being totally screwed. My main trail truck, Frankenstein, has 35s so the stress on the steering components is higher than on 33s(still high on 33s though). Thats why I bring the tie rods along. But really, if I have a accident thats bad enough, not a lot I can do anyways.
Preventative maintenance is your friend here and doing pre trip checks and prep. That should save you from a majority of things that could go wrong. Then during the trips, we always every once in a while at our own leisure check the trucks, just glancing underneath, butting fingers on bolts..can be be telling and save you.
LBJs and LBJ bolts will always live in the spare parts though as thats an accident or issue that can be minor or caught on trail before its bad, like on this trip, or it can fully explode at speed as seen in my first report here The S.O.S. Report. In the latter case, you're screwed no matter what. there isn't a lot of reason to haul a spare steering rack, brake lines, enough fluid to bleed the brakes, upper control arms and ball joints, and all the hardware...its just not really useable and worth the weight.
So yeah, I've been on lots of trips, and broken a LOT of stuff. Usually its more of a matter of survival and getting home rather than fixing it and continuing on. You can solve a lot of problems with just a good tool box with some other handy devices. And knowledge of course, knowing I could just gut the diff and still drive in 2wd with Frankenstein when the front diff blew up in remote Canada country and how to do it is important.
As for Hygiene. Im not one to care too much about being super clean. THat said. I do have a shower I made out of an old beer keg that I bring when it fits. Plus its 5 gals of extra water if needed. It can be AMAZING just to rinse your hair of the dust. Which depending on where we are, I'll just dunk into a creek or pond/lake if possible. My buddy Mike has a water jug with a spout and just opens it up slightly and puts his head under it to rinse off every morning. I don't need that really myself, but can understand how some would. After that, I brush my teeth and chew gum to keep my mouth feeling fresh, that alone helps stave off most of it haha. My girl brings baby wipes with us and wiping your pits out and your face down and where ever it feels "musty" can be great. I always wear deodorant too.
Nothing beats the full on shower though I built with the air compressor..although it can be quite cold depending on where you are. We've used it very lightly though as it doesn't always pack how I want it too. And 5 gal of water does NOT last long with 2 people. Usually its enough for us to wash our hair and arms with biodegradable soap and thats about it. Its a life saver if your with a lot of trucks in super dusty roads. Showers though are bulky and a bit cumbersome. Really usually for 2 weeks you can get away just fine without it. Longer than that though, you'd want it around for sure.
Keeping your bedding clean is also important. I sleep with only boxer on, no matter how cold it is..well okay if its below 0 i'll wear a shirt I guess and hat. Otherwise I don't though, wearing layers to bed makes you sweat more and ultimately makes you stink more by not letting your body get to breath. I have no real proof of that statement..but it works for me quite well.
Thankfully, all of us are out there at the same time so we all smell just as bad as each other and also thankfully we never notice it..no idea what its like when we stop in town for a bite mid trip for other people LOL but whatever!
Camera gear wise, Im still shooting the same stuff.
Canon 60D
18-135mm STM(I did just get a USM version though on this trip i was using the STM still)
10-18mm USM
50mm 1.8(I rarely use this lens)
Most all my photos are with the 18-135mm, its probably the best lens for what I do as it has a wide angle and the zoom reach is just good enough for almost everything on these trips. Sometimes I wish I had a longer lens but that is rare. Otherwise, this is the best all around walking around lens Canon makes.
I do really really want to get a Canon 6D or something else full frame and some real glass. Been wanting to for a while now, but always seem to spend money else where. The 60D has been good to me though and my god do I abuse it. It leads a bumpy rough life with me, but always keeps kicking. I probably have close to 40-60k shutters on it by now.
Mike and Dan both shoot canon too. Mike on an older 50D and Dan on a newer 80D.
I use LightRoom 5 mostly for edits and for star photos and Panos I use PhotoShop.
Always glad to help! Sorry for the long ass post haha
Monte
haha
