CalZona Expedition 2011

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SOCALFJ

SOCALFJ

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Location
Forest Falls, CA
Website
www.adventureduo.com
From the Desert to the Sea
overlandnevada.jpg


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 Southern border of Arizona/Mexico 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 20+ days. But due to the fact that we run our own company, we'll have to do it in about 10-12. We are thinking of a donation setup for each mile going to a well known foundation / organization announced at a later date. We wanted to make a DVD, almost like a documentary but with our time frame, we won't spend as much time in areas we'd like.

Right now we are in the early stages of planning this trip, but i figured i'd start in on announcing it and get the ball rolling. I'll have more details later as to a timeline, when we'll be doing it and whom will be joining us.

Companies/Sponsors involved in our trip thus far:


  • Yotamasters
  • Northwest Overland
  • Trasharoo
  • California Tape Products
  • Badlands4x4 Training
  • Sierra Expeditions
  • HeiserOil
  • AJIK Overland Exchange
  • Fox Shocks
  • Cruiserheads.com
  • Daystar
  • Viking Overland
  • So-Cal Teardrops
  • Hannibal USA
  • Maxtrax
  • Overland Gourmet
  • Expedition Ops
  • Kilby Off Road
The trip should be epic and we plan to pre-run some of the routes in early November. Keep on eye on this thread for more news and info as we get closer.

Thanks everyone
 
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Wow that sounds really cool
 
So the preparation has started.

On the truck we'll be obviously doing our normal maintenance as well as changing out all heating and radiator hoses along with a flush. We just did the head cover gasket, rebuilt the power steering pump with all new lines and replaced the dizzy o-ring on our truck as well. Small lines have been replaced for vacuum and smog (while we were there). Along with this we're doing the heater by pass kit by AJIK overland exchange.

Along with normal maintenance items, full tranny fluid change, t-case change and the motor oil change all going to happen with the help of our friends HeiserOil. Amsoil like always.

Toyotamasters will go ahead and check every big nut and bolt on the truck when they get it as well as grease all zerks on the driveline. We might even do a diff fluid change while its there.

We also installed a new Landtank Blue fan clutch from AJIK overland exchange. Although this trip takes place in the winter, it's nice to not have to worry later in the year when summer arrives.

The trailer bearings were just serviced by So-Cal Teardrops and repacked/tightened to spec as well. They also added under floor storage for us so we can carry even more gear than we already have (winter clothing and such) and Hannibal USA added an awning with changing room enclosure for those nights or days on the trail where we may encounter some rain storms.

Also along for a swap was the Lock N Roll coupler hitch. Chris at Kilby was kind enough to send us out the newest and strongest version of his famous Max Coupler for use on the trip. Our lock N roll was getting pretty ragged as it was at least 5 years old and had seen plenty of use.

Permits are coming along for El Camino Del Diablo. I prefer to get mine early and have them mailed to us so as we don't have to worry once we arrive at stopping, nor missing the time they close and waste a day.

We'll be pre-running a section first or second week in November from the end of Mojave Rd.. near Afton Cyn to the Grape Vine (Interstate 5). This is one of the congested areas and we need to make sure there's a designated route set in stone for this stage. We'll be pre-running it with 2 dual sports and i'll follow with our 80 series and no trailer. The pre-run will be approx 200 miles off road and we'll do it in two days.

We still need to order some CF cards, SD cards and a GoPro or two. Along with the mounts for the cameras.

All in all, everything is going well for departure come December 23rd. Looks like there should be a 2) 80 series w/overland type trailers and one 100 series with us for the entire trip. Others will drop in and drop out.

Thanks for reading guys and we look forward to sharing this journey with you guys come December!
 
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While everyone was at Surf N Turf enjoying the sand and rigs.. we were busy.

Well, yesterday's leg was a huge success. Except for the few little 'work-arounds' we had to make, the route was 99% good. Also, out of 180 miles, we drove only about 1/2 mile of that on pavement. The route took all day to cover with a few under hood burrito stops here and there. We ran the last quarter of it in the dark which proved to be a small challenge when the trails started to disappear because no one had driven over the section in 30+ years. It was epic.

barstowleg2.jpg


Here's the SPOT tracking.. SPOT Shared Page

The SPOT delayed transmitting at the first section from Afton Cyn but you get the idea.

Amongst the great scenery we ran through and the remote areas, we also came with feet of China Lake, found a Memorial, an airplane hull, the top secret vehicle test track and much more! It's going to be a great trip in December!

I'll post some photos tomorrow.
 
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I've been only wheelin' here in Cali for 6 months or little over. I've been spoiled with living in Alaska and Utah and not running into many gates like I have here. Your trip sounds awesome, but do u have alternate routes when a trail now has the gate closed?
 
curlyeagle said:
I've been only wheelin' here in Cali for 6 months or little over. I've been spoiled with living in Alaska and Utah and not running into many gates like I have here. Your trip sounds awesome, but do u have alternate routes when a trail now has the gate closed?
Click to expand...

Excellent Question!

This was the reason why we pre-ran the sections that were questionable. That way we could find out for sure before we head out what has gates, private land etc.

The majority of the routes are all BLM, presever routes, wagon roads and sections i've already traveled that i know without a doubt are open traveled roads.

If/when we run into a section impassible, due to a change or weather (dry lake) it will turn into more of an adventure as we'll have to think on-the-fly.



Grizzley, it would be epic man!
 
:popcorn:

Looking forward to watching the adventure. :cheers:
 
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 :D
 
SOCALFJ said:
From the Desert to the SeaEast 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 20+ days. But due to the fact that we run our own company, we'll have to do it in
Click to expand...

1,000 miles?

San Diego to Medford, OR is just over 800 miles. How many times are you going to run it?
 
Pin_Head said:
1,000 miles?

San Diego to Medford, OR is just over 800 miles. How many times are you going to run it?
Click to expand...

If you look at the map, we're starting in southern Arizona. Not CA. It's 856 miles of dirt and 1,000 total.

monniepoo said:
I'm sure it's not as the crow flys. You can add plenty of miles taking the dirt trails.
Click to expand...

Exactly.
 
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.
calzonawallmap.jpg


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