CalZona Expedition 2011

[SOCALFJ]

This trip has been in my head for 2 years now and im finally getting around to doing it. We are doing an overland trip in December where we will start from the Mexican border of southern Arizona below Ajo and end in Pismo Beach California via dirt.

This southwest journey will combine many overland routes/trails linked together such as:

East to West

• El Camino Del Diablo
• Picacho Rd./Indian Pass
• Bradshaw Overland Route
• Joshua Tree/Berdoo Canyon
• Old Dale Rd.
• Mojave Road
• Lucerne Valley/Bessemer
• Big Bear/Arrowhead/Silverwood Trails
• Red Rock/Tehachapi
• Carrizo Plains
• Pozo Rd.
• Hi-Mountain Rd.
• Oceano Dunes
• Pismo

Ends on the sand at the Pacific Ocean.

The route is just over 1,000 miles and will take 10 days or so. We'd like to take longer, but it's just not feasible with owning our own business.

If anyone wants to join us along the way, you're more than welcome too. I'll have more info later.

 

[FJRanger]

I'll be following this. My conversion should be done and I'd hopefully have the 80 back by that time. I don't think we could make the entire trip, but it would be great to join in for a few parts of it.

Nathan

 

[Dan2722]

Cool tirp idea. Depending on the dates and how many days I can get off I would like to try and join you for the southern part of the trip through Mojave road.

 

[SOCALFJ]

Dates are tentatively set for December 23, 2011 - January 1st, 2012.

Only time we can shut down the office/shop and take that much time off. We're also fortunate that our family understands that we sometimes miss Holidays.

 

[Grizzley]

Dave, PM sent on trip details.

 

[ScottyDog]

That sounds like a fun trip. I'd like to do something similiar but hitting fishing spots along the way... I can't wait for the report out!

 

[SOCALFJ]

Today, i finally finished mapping out the trip. It's taken months and im really tired of starring at maps now

The route is approx 1,000 miles and is about 95-98% dirt.

 

[JohnGalt]

Looks like a lot of Hard Work, Dave! You do know that you'll hit Pismo just a tad too late for SnT, right?

 

[SOCALFJ]

Yep, and a tad too early for New Years

Just calculated the dirt... about 857 miles worth

 

[Brentbba]

Looks like Mojave Rd is part of this? What time period is that to Pismo approximately?

 

[SOCALFJ]

Yes, read the first post

We're tying many overland routes together.

From Mojave Road to Pismo Beach, how long will it take? Depends how fast you want to do it.

We'll do it in 4 days. The start of Mojave Road is about the halfway point of the trip.

 

[gon2srf]

Epic trip Dave, I may have to join you for the Mojave Road route.

 

[Bluetribal]

The route is approx 1,000 miles and is about 95-98% dirt.

You should re-name it the CalZona 1,000!!!!!

 

[SOCALFJ]

ha! You got it Mark! trip report will say that

 

[SOCALFJ]

Maintenance on the Landcruiser is finally getting close to the end.

All new OEM Toyota cooling system hoses have been replaced along with new clamps.

The rear heater has been deleted as to not have to worry about more to go wrong. In the process we've replaced all the hoses with AJIK Overland Exchange Green Stripe hose kits. This includes, removing the down pipe and using the work around kit instead for the PHH area.

While we were on the fire wall we replaced the heater control valve and all hoses are use the constant torque hose clamps.

The power steering pump was rebuilt last month and has started leaking already again. So its' going back in. At that time we'll also replace the stock alternator with a Mean Green alternator from Sierra Expeditions. We found that it would be nice to have more power for the big 24 volt 150 watt FyrLyts and our overhead Lightforce 170's.

Permits are in hand for ECDD, we just need to mail them off.

Almost ready to take-off. It's going to be quite the adventure

 

[E-train]

Sounds fantastic! looking forward to the report.

 

[SOCALFJ]

The huge CalZona wall map is finally complete in the shop. The red pushpins are for fuel (F1,F2 etc) and the yellow pushpins are campsites along the way (N1, N2 etc). Yellow route was our first consideration and black is final. Big thanks to Justin Majich for the maps that he kindly removed from two large books. To the right hand lower corner is Mainland Mexico. The top left is Pismo Beach.

The longest stretch without fuel will be from F3 to F4 with nearly 400-500 miles of off highway travel.

 

[SOCALFJ]

Little update..

Well, now that Toys 4 Tots is over we can spend time prepping for the final days before departure. With only 10 days left we'll have plenty of "doing".

SD cards were ordered today.

Some new NATO cans will arrive tomorrow for extra fuel.

The Mean Green alternator hopefully came in today at Sierra Expeditions. That means we'll get the truck off to Yotamasters finally to get it buttoned up and its last check come end of week.

Then we'll take a week packing to where we don't rush nor forget anything.

Last but not least, V.I.O. sponsored us and sent out their super mil-spec HD camera for use. We're excited to capture footage with it.

Getting closer!

 

[NLXTACY]

Interesting on the POV.HD

We are looking into getting a set for a 3D project we are working on for a client.

Better then the GoPro or Contour for sure.

 

[SOCALFJ]

Yeah, we'll have a GoPro HERO HD too.

I can't believe all the support that has come forward for this trip. A last minute surprise this morning, we just heard that COOPER Tire is sending us tires to use for the trip. Absolutely a fantastic sponsor and we'll be running their Discoverer ST/Maxx's! They're E Loaded and come in the perfect size for our rig. We can't wait to test them out in the years to come.