Comments for Pacific Northwest Backroad Adventures http://www.pnwadventures.com Vehicle Dependent Overland Touring, Backroad Explorations and Outdoor Adventures Sat, 06 Sep 2008 03:25:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 Comment on Troubleshooting the Toyota FJ80 Land Cruiser Center Diff Lock (CDL) by Troubleshooting your Centre Diff Lock - Australian 4WD Action Online Forums - the 4WD, 4x4 and offroad truck community. Get the latest tips, news, reviews, images and video clips. Chat with other 4WDers and share your offroad adventures. http://www.pnwadventures.com/vehicles/toyota-fj80-landcruiser-cdl-troubleshooting/#comment-224 Troubleshooting your Centre Diff Lock - Australian 4WD Action Online Forums - the 4WD, 4x4 and offroad truck community. Get the latest tips, news, reviews, images and video clips. Chat with other 4WDers and share your offroad adventures. Sun, 20 Jul 2008 12:42:29 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/vehicles/toyota-fj80-landcruiser-cdl-troubleshooting/#comment-224 [...] the Toyota FJ80 Land Cruiser Center Diff Lock (CDL) Follow link.... Excellent Write Up Troubleshooting the Toyota FJ80 Land Cruiser Center Diff Lock (CDL) | Pacific Northwest Backroad Adv... __________________ _____________________________ pǝɹoq ǝq ʇsnɯ [...] [...] the Toyota FJ80 Land Cruiser Center Diff Lock (CDL) Follow link…. Excellent Write Up Troubleshooting the Toyota FJ80 Land Cruiser Center Diff Lock (CDL) | Pacific Northwest Backroad Adv… __________________ _____________________________ pǝɹoq ǝq ʇsnɯ [...]

]]> Comment on Increased Fuel Economy and Power for a 3FE Powered Toyota Land Cruiser? by Steve http://www.pnwadventures.com/vehicles/increased-fuel-economy-and-power-for-a-3fe-powered-toyota-land-cruiser/#comment-204 Steve Wed, 28 May 2008 21:23:33 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/?p=227#comment-204 Some preliminary information after my first road trip after making this adjustment. First, like I mentioned above, my Land Cruiser feels like it has more low-end torque. It seems to have a little better power on the top end. For instance, the few times I climbed the Vantage hill (westbound) on I-90, the best speed I could manage was about 45 mph. This past weekend, I was able to maintain 55 mph all the way up the 10 mile grade. Of course I had my foot to the floor in third gear (maybe the 80+ mph run across the Columbia River bridge helped carry some momentum up the hill). As far as fuel mileage, well on this 500+ mile trip, fuel mileage really sucked (literally). It could be that I was pushing the little 3FE hard the entire trip, plus I had an extra 200 pound person and gear along for the ride. More tests to follow. Some preliminary information after my first road trip after making this adjustment. First, like I mentioned above, my Land Cruiser feels like it has more low-end torque. It seems to have a little better power on the top end. For instance, the few times I climbed the Vantage hill (westbound) on I-90, the best speed I could manage was about 45 mph. This past weekend, I was able to maintain 55 mph all the way up the 10 mile grade. Of course I had my foot to the floor in third gear (maybe the 80+ mph run across the Columbia River bridge helped carry some momentum up the hill). As far as fuel mileage, well on this 500+ mile trip, fuel mileage really sucked (literally). It could be that I was pushing the little 3FE hard the entire trip, plus I had an extra 200 pound person and gear along for the ride. More tests to follow.

]]> Comment on Where Were You On May 18, 1980? by Steve http://www.pnwadventures.com/northwest_history/where-were-you-on-may-18-1980/#comment-197 Steve Wed, 21 May 2008 06:25:57 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/?p=223#comment-197 I remember how badly the east side received the ash. I recall seeing the news clips from Yakima where it was pitch black during the day. In Puyallup, we only had on day that I could recall where the winds were just right and we had a light dusting of ash. That was a little later in the year. Steve I remember how badly the east side received the ash. I recall seeing the news clips from Yakima where it was pitch black during the day.

In Puyallup, we only had on day that I could recall where the winds were just right and we had a light dusting of ash. That was a little later in the year.

Steve

]]> Comment on Where Were You On May 18, 1980? by OlympiaFJ60 http://www.pnwadventures.com/northwest_history/where-were-you-on-may-18-1980/#comment-196 OlympiaFJ60 Wed, 21 May 2008 05:28:53 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/?p=223#comment-196 That is probably the most memorable day of my child hood. I was probably 9 or so (second grade) when it happened. My friend Lawrence was over and he, my younger brother and I were playing in a big dirt pile where a neighbor house was being built. The great big "pillow" clouds started filling the sky it grew darker and darker. Lawrence's mom called to tell us about the mountain and that he had to go home. We spent the rest of the day in the house. I remember it being pitch black at noon, then the ash started to fall. One of my older brothers had been at boy scout camp some place near the mountain but they received the warning in time and he was on his way home. That was the end of the school year that year. Moses Lake received nearly 6 inches of powdery ash. It was recommended that people not drive because the ash would quickly overwhelm the vehicles air filters and destroy the engine. I remember seeing the sheriff cars with big tractor air filters mounted on the front for a while after. Either the next day or a few days later it started to rain and there was concern over the weight of all the ash and water on the roofs of buildings. My dad and older brothers were up on top of the house and shop pushing as much off as they could. I will try and find some of the pictures of the "mud slides" down from the roof tops. That is probably the most memorable day of my child hood. I was probably 9 or so (second grade) when it happened. My friend Lawrence was over and he, my younger brother and I were playing in a big dirt pile where a neighbor house was being built. The great big “pillow” clouds started filling the sky it grew darker and darker. Lawrence’s mom called to tell us about the mountain and that he had to go home. We spent the rest of the day in the house. I remember it being pitch black at noon, then the ash started to fall. One of my older brothers had been at boy scout camp some place near the mountain but they received the warning in time and he was on his way home. That was the end of the school year that year. Moses Lake received nearly 6 inches of powdery ash.

It was recommended that people not drive because the ash would quickly overwhelm the vehicles air filters and destroy the engine. I remember seeing the sheriff cars with big tractor air filters mounted on the front for a while after.

Either the next day or a few days later it started to rain and there was concern over the weight of all the ash and water on the roofs of buildings. My dad and older brothers were up on top of the house and shop pushing as much off as they could. I will try and find some of the pictures of the “mud slides” down from the roof tops.

]]> Comment on Deadline for Clearwater National Forest Travel Plan Comment Period is set for 02.29.08 by Steve http://www.pnwadventures.com/access/deadline-for-clearwater-national-forest-travel-plan-comment-period-is-set-for-022908/#comment-187 Steve Wed, 20 Feb 2008 16:54:40 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/access/deadline-for-clearwater-national-forest-travel-plan-comment-period-is-set-for-022908/#comment-187 I emailed my comments. Did you? I emailed my comments. Did you?

]]> Comment on FJ80 Land Cruiser Starting Issues by Steve http://www.pnwadventures.com/vehicles/fj80-land-cruiser-starting-issues/#comment-154 Steve Tue, 04 Dec 2007 21:02:56 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/vehicles/fj80-land-cruiser-starting-issues/#comment-154 I was able to take some time at lunch to diagnose the problem a little further in depth and found the problem. There is a wire connection/plug between the distributor and the ECU that when I inserted my test prongs into, one of the wires pushed out the backside. Had I conducted this test (in the pouring down rainstorm), I would have discovered the problem in the first place. Oh well, I just added to my spare parts inventory for those remote backcountry overland trips. I was able to take some time at lunch to diagnose the problem a little further in depth and found the problem. There is a wire connection/plug between the distributor and the ECU that when I inserted my test prongs into, one of the wires pushed out the backside. Had I conducted this test (in the pouring down rainstorm), I would have discovered the problem in the first place. Oh well, I just added to my spare parts inventory for those remote backcountry overland trips.

]]> Comment on SPOT - The Worlds First Satellite Messenger by Steve http://www.pnwadventures.com/web/spot-the-worlds-first-satellite-messenger/#comment-140 Steve Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:31:43 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/web/spot-%e2%80%93-the-world%e2%80%99s-first-satellite-messenger/#comment-140 This unit is now available. Visit http://www.findmespot.com/ for details, This unit is now available. Visit http://www.findmespot.com/ for details,

]]> Comment on Washington Cascades Overland Tour 2007 - Final Thoughts by Steve http://www.pnwadventures.com/web/washington-cascades-overland-tour-2007-final-thoughts/#comment-108 Steve Thu, 23 Aug 2007 13:38:49 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/web/washington-cascades-overland-tour-2007-final-thoughts/#comment-108 Thanks for forwarding the trip report. Steve Thanks for forwarding the trip report.

Steve

]]> Comment on SPOT - The Worlds First Satellite Messenger by Steve http://www.pnwadventures.com/web/spot-the-worlds-first-satellite-messenger/#comment-107 Steve Thu, 23 Aug 2007 13:32:33 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/web/spot-%e2%80%93-the-world%e2%80%99s-first-satellite-messenger/#comment-107 I would prefer also satellite phone myself, but its not in my budget. This may be a less expensive alternative (with less capabilities) if it works as well as described. It somewhat reminds me the Onstar system but in a handheld device. I would prefer also satellite phone myself, but its not in my budget. This may be a less expensive alternative (with less capabilities) if it works as well as described. It somewhat reminds me the Onstar system but in a handheld device.

]]> Comment on SPOT - The Worlds First Satellite Messenger by Toy Man http://www.pnwadventures.com/web/spot-the-worlds-first-satellite-messenger/#comment-106 Toy Man Thu, 23 Aug 2007 11:50:19 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/web/spot-%e2%80%93-the-world%e2%80%99s-first-satellite-messenger/#comment-106 I prefer my satellite phone. However it is somewhat expensive and is not always able to find a satellite to communicate with. Dick I prefer my satellite phone.

However it is somewhat expensive and is not always able to find a satellite to communicate with.

Dick

]]> Comment on Oregon: John Day to Prineville via Malheur, Ochoco and Deschutes National Forests by Toy Man http://www.pnwadventures.com/web/oregon-john-day-to-prineville-via-malheur-ochoco-and-deschutes-national-forests/#comment-105 Toy Man Thu, 23 Aug 2007 11:47:15 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/web/oregon-john-day-to-prineville-via-malheur-ochoco-and-deschutes-national-forests/#comment-105 There is an Oregon Back Country Discovery Route that covers this same area. Dick There is an Oregon Back Country Discovery Route that covers this same area.

Dick

]]> Comment on Clover Springs Trail Run - 07.14.07 by Toy Man http://www.pnwadventures.com/events/clover-springs-trail-run-2007/#comment-104 Toy Man Thu, 23 Aug 2007 11:29:22 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/events/clover-springs-trail-run-2007/#comment-104 I did this run with Chris several years ago. It is as you said. Nice drive. Dick I did this run with Chris several years ago. It is as you said. Nice drive.

Dick

]]> Comment on Washington Cascades Overland Tour 2007 - Final Thoughts by Toy Man http://www.pnwadventures.com/web/washington-cascades-overland-tour-2007-final-thoughts/#comment-103 Toy Man Thu, 23 Aug 2007 11:26:00 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/web/washington-cascades-overland-tour-2007-final-thoughts/#comment-103 Would be interested in the waypoints. I sent your trip report to Leonard kerns. He maintains the Oregon Back Country Dicovery Route maps. He said he starting to think of a route from Willamette Pass north to Columbia River along the spine of the Cascades. It would tie into the beginning of your route quite nicely. I have also started poking around the spine of the Cascades thru the Mt. Hood NF. Dick Would be interested in the waypoints.

I sent your trip report to Leonard kerns. He maintains the Oregon Back Country Dicovery Route maps. He said he starting to think of a route from Willamette Pass north to Columbia River along the spine of the Cascades. It would tie into the beginning of your route quite nicely.

I have also started poking around the spine of the Cascades thru the Mt. Hood NF.

Dick

]]> Comment on Washington Cascades Overland Tour 2007 - Final Thoughts by Steve http://www.pnwadventures.com/web/washington-cascades-overland-tour-2007-final-thoughts/#comment-101 Steve Thu, 23 Aug 2007 02:32:42 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/web/washington-cascades-overland-tour-2007-final-thoughts/#comment-101 Thank you. My goal is to do a better job of posting up my trips on the forum. I tracked waypoints of the trip but need to use the computer at work to see if I can make a route out of it. Steve Thank you.

My goal is to do a better job of posting up my trips on the forum.

I tracked waypoints of the trip but need to use the computer at work to see if I can make a route out of it.

Steve

]]> Comment on Washington Cascades Overland Tour 2007 - Final Thoughts by Toy Man http://www.pnwadventures.com/web/washington-cascades-overland-tour-2007-final-thoughts/#comment-99 Toy Man Thu, 23 Aug 2007 00:40:24 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/web/washington-cascades-overland-tour-2007-final-thoughts/#comment-99 Nice trip report. I'm interested if you want company on a future trip. Do you track via GPS. Dick Nice trip report. I’m interested if you want company on a future trip.

Do you track via GPS.

Dick

]]> Comment on Preview: 1992 Toyota FJ80 Land Cruiser Dual Battery Installation by soggymountain http://www.pnwadventures.com/photos/preview-toyota-fj80-land-cruiser-dual-battery-installation/#comment-75 soggymountain Sun, 12 Aug 2007 15:54:53 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/photos/preview-toyota-fj80-land-cruiser-dual-battery-installation/#comment-75 Good job, Steve. That second battery could come in real handy and you have inspired me to investigate the possibilities. Good job, Steve. That second battery could come in real handy and you have inspired me to investigate the possibilities.

]]> Comment on Rimrock Roads and Trails - 06.07.07 by grimmwit http://www.pnwadventures.com/adventures/rimrock-roads_and-trails/#comment-71 grimmwit Wed, 11 Jul 2007 04:34:24 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/adventures/rimrock-roads_and-trails/#comment-71 Whoops! I rearranged the galleries, and the URL changed. Below is the correct URL: http://kgrimm.smugmug.com/gallery/3123290 I also posted a few photos from the Little Bald Mountain / Clover Springs tour on June 9: http://kgrimm.smugmug.com/gallery/3133513 All future Backroad Driver galleries should be availalbe via this URL: http://kgrimm.smugmug.com/Backroad%20Drivers%20Northwest Kelly Whoops! I rearranged the galleries, and the URL changed. Below is the correct URL:
http://kgrimm.smugmug.com/gallery/3123290

I also posted a few photos from the Little Bald Mountain / Clover Springs tour on June 9:
http://kgrimm.smugmug.com/gallery/3133513

All future Backroad Driver galleries should be availalbe via this URL:
http://kgrimm.smugmug.com/Backroad%20Drivers%20Northwest

Kelly

]]> Comment on Rimrock Roads and Trails - 06.07.07 by Steve http://www.pnwadventures.com/adventures/rimrock-roads_and-trails/#comment-70 Steve Wed, 11 Jul 2007 03:33:25 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/adventures/rimrock-roads_and-trails/#comment-70 Great photos. I can relate on the dust. Been there with my old YJ in the past. I'm getting used to having the windows up and AC on instead of getting dusted out. Steve Great photos.

I can relate on the dust. Been there with my old YJ in the past. I’m getting used to having the windows up and AC on instead of getting dusted out.

Steve

]]> Comment on Rimrock Roads and Trails - 06.07.07 by grimmwit http://www.pnwadventures.com/adventures/rimrock-roads_and-trails/#comment-69 grimmwit Wed, 11 Jul 2007 03:02:29 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/adventures/rimrock-roads_and-trails/#comment-69 Hi Steve, It was good to meet you again. What a gorgeous day! The only downer is it took probably two hours with an air hose, washcloth, bucket and vacuum to get all (ok, most) of the dust out of my Jeep. Enjoyed your photos. If anyone from the group is interested, I've posted my photos from the same trip at http://kgrimm.smugmug.com/Groups/346100 . I don't expect to make any of the announced trips in the next few months. I look forward to your photos and reports to keep me in the loop! Keep up the good work. Kelly Hi Steve,

It was good to meet you again. What a gorgeous day! The only downer is it took probably two hours with an air hose, washcloth, bucket and vacuum to get all (ok, most) of the dust out of my Jeep. Enjoyed your photos. If anyone from the group is interested, I’ve posted my photos from the same trip at http://kgrimm.smugmug.com/Groups/346100 .

I don’t expect to make any of the announced trips in the next few months. I look forward to your photos and reports to keep me in the loop!

Keep up the good work.

Kelly

]]> Comment on Clover Springs and Little Bald Mountain Backroads Tour - 06.09.07 by grimmwit http://www.pnwadventures.com/adventures/clover-springs-little-bald-mountain-tour/#comment-66 grimmwit Mon, 18 Jun 2007 22:26:32 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/adventures/clover-springs-little-bald-mountain-tour/#comment-66 Nice trip report Steve. It was great to meet up with you and the rest of the group on this outing. I look forward to seeing you on future explorations.... :) -- Kelly Grimm Nice trip report Steve. It was great to meet up with you and the rest of the group on this outing. I look forward to seeing you on future explorations…. :)
– Kelly Grimm

]]> Comment on Lower Crab Creek Tour - 5.5.07 by C. Alexander Leigh http://www.pnwadventures.com/adventures/lower-crab-creek-tour/#comment-62 C. Alexander Leigh Thu, 10 May 2007 18:34:17 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/adventures/lower-crab-creek-tour/#comment-62 You might still look into it, because it's my understanding they leave the sculptures out until wind and time takes them. I think the website said something about them being "on display" through october although how that is even possible I have no idea. Maybe call whatever passes for the chamber of commerce over there, I am sure they have heard every question before and are eager for some tourist dollars. You might still look into it, because it’s my understanding they leave the sculptures out until wind and time takes them. I think the website said something about them being “on display” through october although how that is even possible I have no idea.

Maybe call whatever passes for the chamber of commerce over there, I am sure they have heard every question before and are eager for some tourist dollars.

]]> Comment on Lower Crab Creek Tour - 5.5.07 by Steve http://www.pnwadventures.com/adventures/lower-crab-creek-tour/#comment-60 Steve Thu, 10 May 2007 18:18:58 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/adventures/lower-crab-creek-tour/#comment-60 From what I have heard, it sounds like a wonderful place to visit. That would be a great weekend however I'm scheduled to work that those days this year. Maybe another year. From what I have heard, it sounds like a wonderful place to visit. That would be a great weekend however I’m scheduled to work that those days this year. Maybe another year.

]]> Comment on Links for January 11, 2007 by C. Alexander Leigh http://www.pnwadventures.com/web/links-11jan07/#comment-59 C. Alexander Leigh Thu, 10 May 2007 01:32:28 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/web/links-11jan07/#comment-59 When my Street Pilot 2620 crapped out after many years of use, one of the reasons I bought a TomTom 910 to replace it was that the TomTom has 1st class mac software to manage it. Even though there are plenty of hacky ways to work with Garmin's on mac's I felt it was important to support a vendor that realized that, yes, people own Macs. The TomTom has turned out to be an interesting device. I am, in general, not a particular Linux advocate but the fact the 910 (and the rest of them) are Linux boxes means there are quite a few interesting apps out from other people that you can install. I found a great one that provides a navigation heads-up panel and also allows you to do KML/NEMA frame logging for producing maps. Tripmaster, it's called. I plan an in-depth write up of it after I complete my first survey with it, maybe in a couple weeks. When my Street Pilot 2620 crapped out after many years of use, one of the reasons I bought a TomTom 910 to replace it was that the TomTom has 1st class mac software to manage it. Even though there are plenty of hacky ways to work with Garmin’s on mac’s I felt it was important to support a vendor that realized that, yes, people own Macs.

The TomTom has turned out to be an interesting device. I am, in general, not a particular Linux advocate but the fact the 910 (and the rest of them) are Linux boxes means there are quite a few interesting apps out from other people that you can install. I found a great one that provides a navigation heads-up panel and also allows you to do KML/NEMA frame logging for producing maps. Tripmaster, it’s called. I plan an in-depth write up of it after I complete my first survey with it, maybe in a couple weeks.

]]> Comment on Amateur Radio Installation in a Jeep TJ by C. Alexander Leigh http://www.pnwadventures.com/web/amateur-radio-installation-jeep-tj/#comment-58 C. Alexander Leigh Thu, 10 May 2007 01:29:37 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/web/amateur-radio-installation-jeep-tj/#comment-58 Let me know when you get on the air; KE7MSY. I often monitor WW7RA VHF. I went with the Yaesu FT-857D though, for the Rover, and a VX-7 for field work... The 857 has some significant advantages over the FT-1500 and you can remove it and use it as a decent base-camp or base-station radio. My girlfriend is in the process of studying so she can test out this month and work a amateur radio from her TJ; there's been open debate about what radio she should get, and I do admit the 1500 keeps coming up. Antenna selection and mounting is very important, though... Let me know when you get on the air; KE7MSY. I often monitor WW7RA VHF. I went with the Yaesu FT-857D though, for the Rover, and a VX-7 for field work… The 857 has some significant advantages over the FT-1500 and you can remove it and use it as a decent base-camp or base-station radio.

My girlfriend is in the process of studying so she can test out this month and work a amateur radio from her TJ; there’s been open debate about what radio she should get, and I do admit the 1500 keeps coming up.

Antenna selection and mounting is very important, though…

]]> Comment on Outdoor Photos 02.07 by C. Alexander Leigh http://www.pnwadventures.com/photos/outdoor-photos-0207/#comment-57 C. Alexander Leigh Thu, 10 May 2007 01:26:46 +0000 http://www.pnwadventures.com/photos/outdoor-photos-0207/#comment-57 Have you ridden Steven's Pass? The last two seasons we've bought passes there. Definitly out of your way, though, if you are down towards Renton. I see Whistler's still got 20 some trails open, I've almost got an itch to go up there and get the last-last-last of it in, at least before I have to start walking up the mountain myself again. Have you ridden Steven’s Pass? The last two seasons we’ve bought passes there. Definitly out of your way, though, if you are down towards Renton. I see Whistler’s still got 20 some trails open, I’ve almost got an itch to go up there and get the last-last-last of it in, at least before I have to start walking up the mountain myself again.

]]>