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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64721
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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MISION SANTA MARIA TRIP REPORT (PART 4 of 4)
Continued from Part 3:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=46087
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We follow Art’s motorhome over the ridge to the oasis that contains ‘The Bog’ where the road and the water are one.
Just before the bog begins we find Neal Johns’ camper with a serious problem, no rear wheel drive after the ring and pinion in the distributor has
shattered.
Without four wheel drive, Neal will not be able to drive out on his own power. The weight of the camper compounds matters. Chris’ Dodge is powerful
and he hooks up Neal to help him pull through the bog.
My Tacoma brings up the rear of our desert caravan.
The water is deep!
Steve brings the tow strap back for his 4Runner that needs a pull, as it doesn’t have a rear locker or off road tires. He did so well staying dry
until the last palm tree ‘pushed him’ in!
Art’s 4WD motorhome is a beast!
Once we were all out of the bog and on level ground with room, we got to work trying to get Art’s tire reinflated. It had popped off the bead and
presented quite the problem. Unfortunately, Kurt was suffering with a bad respiratory infection that orange juice alone couldn’t cure. Baja Bucko
(Teddi) was also very anxious to get going, so Steve and Zully made room in their 4Runner for Kurt, Teddi and Teddi’s dog and headed on out.
Paul goes to work figured the best course of action. A volume of air is needed, but we only had air pumps and no large tank of compressed air. I
suggested the method used in such emergencies in Mexico, which is to pour a small amount of gasoline into the tire and ignite it! The expanding gasses
(i.e. ‘explosion’) can pop the tire back on the rim. This was one attempt I caught on film, click on image with volume up:
Neal suggested removing the valve stem and igniting there, and I volunteered to ‘light the wick’ this time… By gosh, it worked!
It is all about teamwork, and we had the greatest team on this trip! The next event was the Widowmaker climb. That alone was hard enough, but someone
needed to pull Neal’s camper up it… and the rest of the way out. That someone would be Art and his monster four wheeler!
Paul took some good videos of Art climbing the Widowmaker, and then pulling Neal up. There are posted on YouTube and Baja Nomad.
Further up the mountain climb, things got more difficult because of the sharp turns and the length of the tow strap. It was getting dark and Neal was
getting tired. I don’t know why, he is only 80 years old!
Paul and I followed Art and Neal. Chris was just ahead of Art. Neal’s front steering goes out and Paul quickly sees that the tie rod ends are bent,
but can be adjusted so Neal’s tires both point the same direction, again.
At this point, boulder was in Art’s way as he repositioned to pull Neal up. The solution was for Paul to winch it away.
Night is upon us and there is still more mountain to climb. On the one sharp turn, Chris’ Dakota is used to get Neal around. Once that is negotiated,
the motorhome is reattached. It is a long struggle as we continue on over the highpoint and beyond. Sometime after 1 am, the caravan comes to a stop.
Neal’s tie rod ends are shot and steering is no longer possible. We are 8 miles from Rancho Santa Ynez, and this would be where we would ‘crash’ for
the night. I have not previously slept in the front seat of my truck, so another first for my Tacoma!
The next morning (Monday) it was decided to go find the parts if the could be found in Baja, otherwise bring them from California. Neal had a
satellite phone, but it wouldn’t connect. Neal stayed with his truck and was happy to do so while we headed for El Rosario. Some photos taken along
the way to Santa Ynez:
Boojum fell during rain storms of January, perhaps?
 Baja Angel and a boojum.
Once back in El Rosario, I called Neal’s home and two of his friends with messages for Marian as to Neal’s status. Antonio (the owner of Baja Cactus
Motel) went into action for us via phone as he was in Tijuana and provided a member of his staff to go with Chris to find parts. The parts were found
in San Quintin and arrived later that day. We later learned that Neal got his satellite phone to work and he spoke with Marian the next morning. Paul
and Zoom had to return home and we stayed with them to make sure they found the way safely. Chris returned to Neal the next day with new tie rod ends
installed and Neal was able to drive back to El Rosario.
In El Rosario Neal would have his differential repaired. Here is what it looked like:
It was replaced and Neal returned home on Saturday, a week after this adventure started. What we experienced I don’t wish upon anyone… but what we
experienced was also something I will always treasure… A super group of amazing, talented, friendly, adventure seeking Baja Nomads … the kind of
people that make memories and friendships last a lifetime!
[Edited on 6-7-2010 by David K]
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6340
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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WOW!
[Edited on 6-7-2010 by Udo]
[Edited on 6-7-2010 by Udo]
[Edited on 6-7-2010 by Udo]
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
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Location: Redding, Northern CA
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INCREDIBLE!!!!! You guys and gals ROCK!!!!
What an adventure, and what great NOMADS. I am really impressed with you all.
Of course, things would have been much easier if my rockin X-Terra has been there. Nooooooo problemo!!!! 
Barry
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desertcpl
Super Nomad
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Registered: 10-26-2008
Location: yuma,az
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DK
so give us your take on why Neal had so much problems,
was it to much speed? on the diff. and was it just the wenching that got the tie rods,, what would you have done diff. if you had to do that again,,
or should say if Neal had to
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
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Location: Redding, Northern CA
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| Quote: | Originally posted by desertcpl
so give us your take on why Neal had so much problems,
was it to much speed? on the diff. and was it just the wenching that got the tie rods,, what would you have done diff. if you had to do that again,,
or should say if Neal had to |
It has got to be the "wenching"---------we all know about Neal and THAT. Trouble, trouble, trouble, those wenches, but we will never know because
"what happens in Baja, stays in Baja".
Barry
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6340
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Here is my take on the differential problems
I bought a Toyota pick up a few years ago for the express purpose of coverting it to a light weight motorhome. All it had was a shell, a sofa-bed, a
potty with a holding tank and a stove. The top popped up as well. It was one of the chassis mount conversions. It looked really cool and took me to
many places in Baja as well as many off-road drives.
In the two years that I owned it (before it was stolen), I went through two sets of rear wheel bearings and two differentials.
In my opinion, the rear end problems would have been a no issue had Toyota offered a full-floating rear axle kit. Something similar to what one sees
on one ton pick ups.
IMHO Toyota makes an awesome pick up (I have one now ,4X4, as well as an FJ Cruiser), and they are made to schlep 1000lbs regularly, but not while
off-roading, such as Neal did and I used to do.
[Edited on 6-7-2010 by Udo]
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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hbmurphy
Junior Nomad
Posts: 59
Registered: 6-1-2010
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| Quote: | Originally posted by desertcpl
so give us your take on why Neal had so much problems,
was it to much speed? on the diff. and was it just the wenching that got the tie rods,, what would you have done diff. if you had to do that again,,
or should say if Neal had to |
My opinion would be the stock gears, 2,000 pounds of additional weight, 33 inch tires, combined with the shock to the rear when he hit. If he was
lucky it would have been a u-joint. I personally think taller gears for his beast would help. He does have a great assessory for his truck - a
marlin crawler box! I don't know if he was in low-low at the time but with all that weight, the rear was asked to work double time!
Even though we had some tough times, everyone had a great attitude. NO MAN LEFT BEHIND! Well sort of. I would have loved to stay but my sweetie has
some special stressors at work and needed to be back.
Once again, I want to thank all of you for the invite and the great experience!
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hbmurphy
Junior Nomad
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Registered: 6-1-2010
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I tend to give my truck a good workout and my stock gears lasted 5,000 miles before I popped them at the infamous "Hammers" trails in Johnson valley!
But then again, who the hell would take such a large truck with IFS to the Hammers! I too run 33s but I have an automatic trans and the heaviest
thing I have is my fat ass and my 3 full toolboxes and my ridiculous large compressor.
I have Yukon 4.56s, elocker in the rear and an ARB locker up front. I haven't had any driveline problems since.
[Edited on 6-7-2010 by hbmurphy]
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desertcpl
Super Nomad
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Location: yuma,az
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thanks for the response, I have a 07 Tacoma TRD OFF ROAD,rear locking diff,, we have been doing some wheeling here in Yuma,, but I find the 4X4 low,
is lacking,, I have done the Rubicon before in a stock CJ7, it really had great grears was able to walk up most thing and down things with out a
hiccup
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hbmurphy
Junior Nomad
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David - Thanks again for everything and for documenting this trip - very fun!
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desertcpl
Super Nomad
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Location: yuma,az
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GREAT POST
Oh forgot to tell all of you what a great post this was ,, thanks
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hbmurphy
Junior Nomad
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Registered: 6-1-2010
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One more video... Does anyone know how I can increase the volume? I should have moved right next to Bucco - :-(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL9pADdJHpM
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64721
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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What a wonderful way to end the trip report... thank you very much Paul. Baja Bucko (Teddi) singing to us around the campfire at Mision Santa Maria de
los Angeles, 'The Cowboys of Baja...' 
(I just turned up my speaker volume and heard Bucko and the guitar fine)
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64721
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by desertcpl
so give us your take on why Neal had so much problems,
was it to much speed? on the diff. and was it just the wenching that got the tie rods,, what would you have done diff. if you had to do that again,,
or should say if Neal had to |
I think it was the modifications (transfer case, oversize tires, heavy camper) and many hard miles that pushed the differential to the breaking point.
Nothing is tougher on a vehicle that that road. Others here can give you better mechanical answers. My truck and Bajatripper's 4Runner where the only
two 'pure stock' vehicles (I think) and neither had any breakdowns. The 4Runner needed help only getting through the bog as he had no locker or
traction control... and his tires looked to be more highway rated than off road.
I have driven 3 Tacomas in there now ('01, '05, '10) and the road was the hardest of the three and this new Tacoma drove it the easiest... All three
of my Tacomas received minor underbody damage from the rocks. This one the most with the bumper being snagged. However, the new Active Traction
Control (A-TRAC) available only on '09 and newer Off Road TRD 4WD Tacomas, proved itself beyond all my expectations giving the truck all the
advantages of front and rear lockers, without the highly disadvantage problem with steering caused by lockers.
Thank you Nomads for the kind words and I am glad you could enjoy our trip in a small way, here on the Internet. Do try and join us in-person,
whenever possible. When you combine a great land with great people and great vehicles, fun is bound to happen!
Next trip will be easy and relaxing... just sand, sun and the Sea of Cortez: Shell Island, this summer!
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BajaRob
Senior Nomad
Posts: 722
Registered: 9-15-2003
Location: Bahia Santa Maria y Newport Or
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Thanks for the great trip report and pictures of a very challenging outing. You made it like being there without the carnage. Viva Baja!!
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Baja12valve
Nomad
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Location: Oak View
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David K, I am curious, how much gas, by volume, did you pour into Art's tire to blow it back on the rim? Too little gas is not problem, too much could
be a different issue. Nice job though, I have heard of that method, but I have never seen it done.
For me, breaking teeth in gears is a crapshoot. I have taken my truck in all sorts of places, no problems at all. During a routine shift from a
stoplight,, nothing special, I broke a tooth in 3rd gear in my NV4500. Go figure.
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hbmurphy
Junior Nomad
Posts: 59
Registered: 6-1-2010
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Baja12valve
David K, I am curious, how much gas, by volume, did you pour into Art's tire to blow it back on the rim? Too little gas is not problem, too much could
be a different issue. Nice job though, I have heard of that method, but I have never seen it done.
For me, breaking teeth in gears is a crapshoot. I have taken my truck in all sorts of places, no problems at all. During a routine shift from a
stoplight,, nothing special, I broke a tooth in 3rd gear in my NV4500. Go figure. |
About 1/4 to 1/3 cup... Just from our anecdotal evidence - it finally worked when Neal suggested that we remove the valve core! I think all the other
attempts may have worked but the expanding gas most likely escaped through the bead area!
Remember - his tires were about 1" too narrow for his rims! 
[Edited on 6-7-2010 by hbmurphy]
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TMW
Select Nomad
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Location: Bakersfield, CA
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Thanks David for the trip reports. Sounds like a great adventure I wish I had been on.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by hbmurphy
About 1/4 to 1/3 cup... Just from our anecdotal evidence - it finally worked when Neal suggested that we remove the valve core! I think all the other
attempts may have worked but the expanding gas most likely escaped through the bead area!
Remember - his tires were about 1" too narrow for his rims!
[Edited on 6-7-2010 by hbmurphy] |
I've used that method many times. It will work much easier/better if you take the wheel off the vehicle and lay it flat on the ground. I've never
used more than 2-3 tablespoons. It's the fumes that do the work, not the liquid. Put a couple tablespoons in the tire, leave a trail from the bead
across the tire down to the ground for a couple feet. then lite the "fuse" and wait for the "Whomp". The time laying your fuse lets the gas
evaporate and that's what you need - fumes.
Engine starter fluid works equally as well.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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fandango
Senior Nomad
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wow! what an adventure.
did neal camp alone that night?
sbwontoo
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