Builds My first '40 and the venture (6 Viewers)

[TexasLandCruiser]

Thursday Cont...

Four rigs — two 40s and two 80s — went for Engineer. The road was bumpier than Corkscrew but nothing tragic. My copilot was clutch at spotting lines — a huge improvement over my usual “hope and steer” method.

Near Engineer Pass, Erik spotted an Unimog, which meant mandatory photos. Erik stayed to chat while the rest of us hit the top of the pass. After a few shots up top, we realize Schaefer wasn’t happening — daylight’s already packing up. That meant/mandated heading down via Mineral Creek at that.

We start down Mineral Creek. None of us have been on Mineral and we assume because it is down vs up, should be fine. For the most part is, except when it wasn’t. Luckily my copilot was calling the lines to for other to follow (mine) or the lines not to follow (also mine). Frequently we would get out and study the various lines for a 40 vs 80 Series and toss rocks where necessary. We get down and move 300-400 feet and repeat. It took a long time. To say mineral Creek was “easy downhill” (in a narrow, no power steering 40) is in the same vein that quicksand it “just wet dirt” or juggling chainsaws is “just hand-eye coordination.” George said before we got to the obstacles going down that this doesn’t count for “doing Mineral Creek” – he lost his power steering etc. and was renegotiating that position about half-way down in his 40. See, not as easy when you don't have those big comfy 80 series amenities…

There was one stretch where we were making time and I saw a place with lighting I thought would be great to cycle the rigs though for a quick pic. Well, I got too close and the ground was loose gravel and my open diff made sure I was not backing out, spin one wheel – so I need a tug about 10-12 inches. That slowed us down more than I anticipated. (My ego was the bigger recovery)

By the time we rolled out, headlights were on and the sun was long gone. I congratulated everyone on surviving my “Where the **** Did the Sun Go So Fast?” tour. Air up, realize everything’s closed, head back to camp. Dinner: whatever hadn’t melted or spoiled in the cooler. Five-star for those who ate. I was too tired.

Pics..

George @1969 ToyotaFJ40 and me
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@Greyota
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Top of Engineer Pass
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@Plains Cruiser Rig getting much need mud spa
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My recovery point...
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Decending Mineral Creek is a wild range of emotions. Those off camber one wheel in the air hanging wasn’t fun

 

[TexasLandCruiser]

It always amazes me how we take our trucks out in the trails, rocks, and places not conducive to longevity of most vehicles..then we drive them on the hi-ways and thru cities like any other car and go back and forth like it’s normal…the people in the other cars have no clue where we’ve been…it’s just another “jeep”.

Some of the stuff I drove my FJ40 through back in Vermont was treacherous..yet, I jumped on the northway at 65 mph for an 18 hour round trip to NJ and back to Vt…only to head out on the logging roads again…nothing broke ever

We are like ducks all Calm on the surface but paddling like hell underneath. (Analogy of people in the city just look at us like another jeep). When someone does say something like omg! what year is that Land Rover a 2020 or what. For a split second am excited then just walk away man.

 

[OlYellr]

(Previous joke was referring to the certain kind of commercial Bryan says his 40 would star in.. )

Before SAS 9, Ketchup & Mustard took a short cruise to Iowa's Loess Hills area on the other side of the Missouri. Some snaps:

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Some serious ruts on the "level b" roads there.View attachment 3977384
Iowa... or Hawaii?
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A quick bite in Omaha after exhausting all our other options.
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Looking forward to returning in the fall.

We need to sneak back into Iowa - That area would be fun in the fall. And yeah, what Ian said.

 

[OlYellr]

No pics. Just small tech update.

I might have spilled some soap and water on Yellr. It is going to take several iterations to get it clean.

Tonight I also reset the timing. Yellr starts harder with the timing advanced to 11 here in Nebraska. No doubt. Set to 7 degrees and RPM to 800 - vacuum was 18 when done. I didn't do a lean drop on the carb.

 

[RevISK]

No pics. Just small tech update.

I might have spilled some soap and water on Yellr. It is going to take several iterations to get it clean.

Tonight I also reset the timing. Yellr starts harder with the timing advanced to 11 here in Nebraska. No doubt. Set to 7 degrees and RPM to 800 - vacuum was 18 when done. I didn't do a lean drop on the carb.

Better running?
What’s your elevation there?

 

[knuckle47]

Running with the Sniper EFI and Hyperspark my timing starts at 12*

 

[OlYellr]

Better running?
What’s your elevation there?

Elevation here is about 1300. The biggest difference is the ease it starts now (again) - and when I drive it - struggling for words as I never really thought about how to describe it - more relaxed, less up-tight.

When in CO, it started with the same kind of ease and had the same less up-tight feel at 11 degrees.

I was getting 14.8 MPG roughly with that 11 degree timing here - which is fantastic IMO - but it was a chore for Yellr to start.

 

[Ditcherman]

Elevation here is about 1300. The biggest difference is the ease it starts now (again) - and when I drive it - struggling for words as I never really thought about how to describe it - more relaxed, less up-tight.

When in CO, it started with the same kind of ease and had the same less up-tight feel at 11 degrees.

I was getting 14.8 MPG roughly with that 11 degree timing here - which is fantastic IMO - but it was a chore for Yellr to start.

At first glance, one might think great fuel economy would be a sign of easy running, “less uptight” so I find that interesting. Just learning here.

 

[RevISK]

Elevation here is about 1300. The biggest difference is the ease it starts now (again) - and when I drive it - struggling for words as I never really thought about how to describe it - more relaxed, less up-tight.

When in CO, it started with the same kind of ease and had the same less up-tight feel at 11 degrees.

I was getting 14.8 MPG roughly with that 11 degree timing here - which is fantastic IMO - but it was a chore for Yellr to start.

I’m about to bounce for a pretty good spell of work trips and when I get back, I should have everything I need for a refresh of Norman’s trans and t-case.
I’ll likely give the girl a once over with a valve adjustment, re-time, plugs, lean drop etc…

 

[OlYellr]

At first glance, one might think great fuel economy would be a sign of easy running,” less upright” so I find that interesting. Just learning here.

I drove it to work this am. It fired right up vs a labored cranking. And to be fair, the starting is the only reason why I thought I’d do the timing.

Crazy what a difference. Seemed to do well on the interstate too.

 

[knuckle47]

@OlYellr After your breathtaking photos in the mountains, AS GOOD as Yellr looks in this photo….it seems a tad out of place. …too much corporate glitter for a pioneer

(Great mirror too)