We're in Baja!

deminimis · 12-31-2008, 04:11 PM

Ha ha! No pics right now. Spent the last four days or so (I'm losing track) with Mr. and Mrs. Scatter explorer some kick-butt Baja back country. My Sporty isn't fairing so well. Fridge crapped out. Edge chip bit the big one (scatter no issues today with the disconnect). And the good 'ol 7.3 is leaking oil at the rear main seal. Suspension is kicking butt. Anyway, I need a beer. Look for a complete trip report in a couple of weeks!

Hey!! Who drove by on Mex 1 today in a white Sporty with boards on the roof pulling a cargo trailer? You didn't even stop and say hello while I was airing up tires at the turn off for El Arco! Whatssupwithdat??

surfgeek33 · 12-31-2008, 04:37 PM

deminimis · 12-31-2008, 08:54 PM

Humm, in San Felipe and haven't even left the pavement yet. A vision of things to come??

Gonzaga Bay is gorgous, but this view is even better:

Coco's Corner with Mr. and Mrs. Scatter:

On the way to LA Bay:

Things are gonna get wet (Scatter has the action shot that is up-coming):

Boondock'n at Bay of LA:

Edge Juice with Attitude: My attitude is starting to suck as much as this Edge programmer. On the way to San Fransiquito:

FISHBREATH · 12-31-2008, 09:39 PM

Nice...............the pic with you guys in shorts says it all

I am jealous........

Please keep the update coming.....

DAVEF

deminimis · 01-01-2009, 09:27 PM

Heading south today to Mulege and started to feel something in the wheel. Was thinking that since the Red Line grease in a U-joint turned to liquid this trip, and the same grease is in my front bearings.... Anyway, pulled over to check things out. Left hub nice and cool. Right hub, not so much. So, with what appears to be failing grease in one hub, a rear seal that is puking oil like, well a puking rear seal, I started thinking going further away from home is not a great idea. So with a week+ left in our trip, we've turned 180 degrees and we're slowly making our way North. In Guerro Negro now. Parts stores were closed today. Hopefully, I can pick up some good grease tomorrow, a crown point socket, and I'll find an out of the way place to repack wheel bearings. If not, at 50mph, the hubs are both staying cool. We're 500 miles form the border, so if no love here, I'll be able to get what I need if/when we get into CA. Looks like we're trading in the last half of our Baja trip for a trip to Lego Land. Still, spending a few days off-road with Mr. and Mrs. Scatter was worth the price of admission all by itself. Great hosts and guides.

De Minimis tip of the day: Carry a grease gun with good wheel bearing grease in it (I took mine out for this trip because of the mess and was trying to conserve some space in my large tool and parts box like a big dummy).

adventureduo · 01-02-2009, 10:12 AM

Great photos! Keep the good times coming!

pjpvi · 01-02-2009, 12:11 PM

De Minimis -

Great pictures, but bummer on cutting the trip a little short.

On re-packing the front bearings, I would greatly appreciate a write up with photos documenting how to do this and what tools are needed (it's been probably 25 years since I last did this procedure myself). I need to do mine and would like to know how to do it myself. As for grease, I read on another 4wd forum that Green Grease is good stuff.

I hope you and your family enjoy the rest of your trip!

Phil

**daveb** · 01-04-2009, 02:53 PM

Iâ€™ll ditto what Phil said. In field repair notes are great to have. Make sure to throw in what kind of beer works well with those repairs. Can't wait for the trip report.

scatter · 01-04-2009, 06:58 PM

Gee deminimis, maybe if you picked the shallow spot you wouldn't be having grease problems

Nah....

Just thot I'd show a couple of pics of deminimis going thru the wet spot in Calamajue upstream of the mission site. It was deeper then it shows, my little camera just wouldn't recycle fast enough to get the good shot. Wettest I've seen it there.
Have a safe trip home deminimis and hurry up with the trip report. I want to see what you did after we split up.

Jammyauto · 01-04-2009, 07:27 PM

Man I really hate having to drive through deep water. I really creates lots of work (problems). If you look at the SMB 4x4 setup on the axel vents they really can't take it that deep. (Note to self; extend axel vent hoses and add filters) I would really really want to get somewhere to drive through water that deep.