By Jose A Cabrera (Jcabrera) on Sunday, September 02, 2001 - 08:44 pm: Edit

Does anyone have any information on the “Miller Trail” run schedule for September the 8th?

By Brian on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 09:22 am: Edit

Jay is planning this one. I think he's out having fun in the sun somewhere. I am sure He'll chime in when he gets back.

Brian

By Jose A Cabrera (Jcabrera) on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 09:29 am: Edit

Hey Brian,
That's right. I saw him in Pismo and he mentioned he’d be out on vacation under the sun. Do you know where Miller Trail is? I'd like to get an idea of where we are going. My Disco is getting the rear main gasket replaced as we speak, and I am not sure I'll get it back in time... I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

By Brian on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 10:10 am: Edit

It up in the Los Padres National forest, somewhere near Hungry Valley, about an hour north of LA. Hope you get everything squared away with your rig...good luck and hope to see you out there.

Brian

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 10:15 am: Edit

It's either in or near Hungry Valley OHV. I don't have any of my old trail maps. I need to rebuild my library.


Jeff

By Jose A Cabrera (Jcabrera) on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 10:17 am: Edit

Hey Jeff how is the series?

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 10:28 am: Edit

Good/better. I think I have the carburator set. However, in the process of getting it squared away, I have discovered a miss in the ignition which I am almost 100% convinced is caused by a wobble in the distributor. I'm getting a Petronix magnetic ignition for it which will be much more tolerant of the wobble. Once that's in and I get the timing squared away for it, I can tinker more with the carb.

Still waiting for the suspension parts. My bushings are MIA.

By Jose A Cabrera (Jcabrera) on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 10:32 am: Edit

MIA, is this the stuff from Canada? Are you going to make the Miller Trail this weekend?

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 10:41 am: Edit

I didn't know there was a run this weekend! I saw your posts, but just tought it was a generic question.

Who's going? It might be tough to make it. Is it a one day run or the whole weekend?

By Jose A Cabrera (Jcabrera) on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 11:13 am: Edit

This is the trip that John & Jay were talking about. You know the Iron Chef trip. I'm trying to collect more info. I'll keep you posted. My in-laws are in Valencia so it would not be such a bad trip for me. I ma planning on taking my son Alex (4 1/2 years old) with me. If I get my car back on time... rear main gasket being replaced, it should be ready by Thursday.

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 11:18 am: Edit

Iron Chef/KKCW is in October at Truckhaven. Or at least that was my understanding.

By Jose A Cabrera (Jcabrera) on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 11:24 am: Edit

???? October is truck heaven? I'll e-mail Jay.

By John Lee on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 11:40 am: Edit

Jose,

Yeah, the Iron Chef Challenge will be in Truckhaven the weekend of October 13th.

By Roverine on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 03:10 pm: Edit

Jose,
how was Wildomar Friday? Hope you didn't experience any mechanical failure while you were there (you mentioned your rear main gasket being replaced ...).

I would like to try to make the Truckhaven trip in october if a) can make arrangements for our son to stay with grandparents, and, b) I get our recovery points and gear completely in order by then. (almost there - geez, you'd think it'd be easy enough - I don't know where the time has gone this summer!)

Kim

By Jose A Cabrera (Jcabrera) on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 03:21 pm: Edit

John = Thank you for clarifying the Iron Chef Trip.
Kim = Wildomar was actually great. I had a great time and encounter a couple of places which considered to be very challenging. I got stuck once but Mr. Winch got me out.... it was hard finding a place to attach my winch, so I dug out a hole between two "BIG" rocks and placed my spare tire in between and the winch to the tire...pulled me right out. The best thing is that there was no one on the trails. We should plan a trip there. The Ranger said that I did not even go to the rough trails, I need to go back soon. go to expeditionexchange.com under photo gallery and take a look at some of the pics.

By Roverine on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 04:02 pm: Edit

Jose - Will do - glad you had a good time there! I only have one pic of us (with the new DSII) driving Wildomar, and it's a nice view, but it's a dud ... (we're standing outside of the vehicle just after we crested a trail (supposedly our friend took some other shots, but they're "MIA" so far ...) Would like to go back there, as long as we don't slow you down

Kim

By Jose A Cabrera (Jcabrera) on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 04:12 pm: Edit

Slow me down?? I might have given you the wrong idea. I am not one of those crazy Off-road driver, unfortunately, my Disco is my every day driver and I don't want to trash it just yet. Let's a plan to go there one of these weekends. I told my wife (and she saw the pics) how much fun we had, so she wants to go too.

By Roverine on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 05:57 pm: Edit

That sounds good! Maybe on a Sunday? (GULP, ... I'm going to get flamed ... we have soccer games on Saturdays for the next few weeks ...) You have our e mail, just let me know.

Kim
Just make sure your winch is in good working order, LOL

By Jose A Cabrera (Jcabrera) on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 06:32 pm: Edit

Kim, I asked my wife and Sunday the 16th of September (after church, it ends at 12:30ish) is open. Let me know what you think to try to get some more people to join us.

By Roverine on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 07:00 pm: Edit

Just checked with Greg - I think we're tied up that weekend (Arrrrggghhh!). I'll e mail you soon, as we're discussing our schedule now ...

Kim

By Jcabrera on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 07:13 pm: Edit

Kim,
Send me an e-mail with dates available. Jose

By Javier Velador on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 07:37 pm: Edit

About Truck Haven... Does anyone have location info, etc. It will be a one day trip for me so I guess I should be there early Saturday mornin'

Hope to meet many of you there.

Javier

By Jose A Cabrera (Jcabrera) on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 07:48 pm: Edit

What's up Javier?
Truck Haven...men that's a long time from now. Are you going to Miller Trail this weekend? Would you also like to join a small group to Wildomar one of these Sundays? Drop me an e-mail if interested. Sorry no clue where Truck Heaven is at.

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 10:22 pm: Edit

Truckhaven is about 180 miles East of LA.

Take the 10 out to Indio & head South towards the Western side of the Salton Sea/Eastern side of Anza Borrego.

By Jay Allen on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 10:30 pm: Edit

Ok I am back. It is 1:20 AM and I just got in from LAX. (three planes, lots of idiots, and lots of Agavero in my bags)
As far as the Miller trais is concerned, I will email all parties involved and also post some trip info on this website. See y'all soon-Jay

By Jose A Cabrera (Jcabrera) on Wednesday, September 05, 2001 - 07:12 am: Edit

Jay,
Welcome back. I was just reading an article on Agavero. Agavero is not Tequila but a Tequila Liqueur and it sells for $99.00 here in the USA when you can find it. Let's us know about Miller Trail
Mucho Guaro!

By Jay Allen on Wednesday, September 05, 2001 - 07:22 am: Edit

ok...Agavero can be had for $24 just about anywhere in Mexico. good stuff.

Miller Trail:
Let's meet at the Macdonalds in Gorman at about 11 am. You can grab a burger there or bring a lunch with you for the trail. The trail should take us no more than 5 hours or so, depending on how many vehicles show up. It starts out easy and gets gradually worse. At the end, you are on top of Alamo Mtn where there is good camping, or there is an easy fire road down to the bottom.
If you get stuck, we'll pull you out.
If you break, we'll fix it.
If you are thirsty, we'll give you a beverage.

Gorman is about a 2 hour drive from Orange County, it is just before the Grapvine on Interstate 5.

All vehicles should have a cb, working spare, proper front and rear recovery points, etc etc etc, blah blah blah. See you there-
Jay Allen
Cell: 714.335.7934

By Jose A Cabrera (Jcabrera) on Wednesday, September 05, 2001 - 07:44 am: Edit

This might be redounded, but this is taking place on Saturday....right? (You understand...ESL

By badams on Wednesday, September 05, 2001 - 08:21 am: Edit

I am trying to schedule my week to make it this saturday at miller's. I will post, if I can make it for sure or not!

I am lookign forward to meeting you all!

Brian

By John Lee on Wednesday, September 05, 2001 - 12:04 pm: Edit

Damn, I tried to avoid this thing because I'm a little burned out on wheeling, but I'm thinking I might have to join in the fun after all.

Is the MJT run this Saturday, September 8th? I'm a bit lost.

By Jose A Cabrera (Jcabrera) on Wednesday, September 05, 2001 - 12:07 pm: Edit

John, I think so. This Saturday the 8th.

By John Lee on Wednesday, September 05, 2001 - 01:16 pm: Edit

Cool, I will see all of you at Mickey Dee's @ 11:00 in Gorman. I'll be the one with the Chicken McNuggets in hand.

My cell is (213) 276-7228. I'll monitor channel 4 and 16.

By hanchung on Wednesday, September 05, 2001 - 02:30 pm: Edit

damn... mjt sounds good too but i have an appointment at area 51 that morning... dunno if i have time.
we'll see.

han

By Javier Velador (Jvelador) on Wednesday, September 05, 2001 - 02:53 pm: Edit

What's up Jose!

Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it this Saturday. I have tentative plans to do some Unix consulting. I'm still unemployed from my last dot-bomb that I have to pimp myself (metaphorically, not literally) every chance I get

But I do plan on going to Truck Haven. Anyone care to caravan from LA?

Are you guys planning to stay there overnight at the Miller trail?

Javier

By hanchung on Wednesday, September 05, 2001 - 07:13 pm: Edit

i think john will take up on an early convoy down to truckhaven... i'm up for a late one...
javier i don't know what time you plan to leave but i'm trying to leave around 5ish from my warehouse.

han

By Jose A Cabrera (Jcabrera) on Thursday, September 06, 2001 - 12:06 am: Edit

I am able to convoy late Friday too. I'll try to coordinate as we get closer.

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Thursday, September 06, 2001 - 09:00 am: Edit

DAMN!

I ordered a Pertronix ignition on Tuesday for the Series and was installing it this morning. The kit has the wrong system and won't work. I was planning to go to this run in the Series, but won't if I can't get the parts by tomorrow. Lisa can't go and if I take the Disco she's stranded.

Jeff

By Javier Velador (Jvelador) on Thursday, September 06, 2001 - 08:14 pm: Edit

I was thinking of leaving real early Saturday morning. Does anyone know what is a good time to leave? For example, if they start at 8am, I guess I/we would have to leave LA at 5am, maybe earlier?

Javier

By jcabrera on Thursday, September 06, 2001 - 10:38 pm: Edit

Javier,
I might be able to convoy with you on Sat morning if I don't end up driving Friday...keep me in mind please. Are you gonna making it this Sat?

By Ho Chung (Ho) on Friday, September 07, 2001 - 08:16 pm: Edit

jeff, it's 2 strikes now...
one more and that series should go out some window.

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Saturday, September 08, 2001 - 03:43 am: Edit

I know. I've got to get this miss resolved before I jump on the highway for a long drive. The part will be here Monday. I got the carb corrected, the battery wiring redone, the valves tuned, the rear dif fixed, the timing set, the clutch master cylinder rebuilt, and the suspension complete. Once I get this miss fixed, and set things in, I should be set for a trip.

Oh the joys of getting a vehicle sorted. This is what I get for driving a truck that's older then I am...

By Javier Velador (Jvelador) on Monday, September 10, 2001 - 11:34 pm: Edit

Cool, Jose,

I look forwad to it if we convoy together. How was the Miller trail? Did anyone take pics?

I ended up working till late Friday night in lieu of working Saturday. Since I woke up late, I went to Steve's place and picked up my new shackle. Took some pics of his rig that I'll be emailing to Ho. It's nice and sqeaky,shiny clean, unlike my dingy, scratched green paint.

Let me know what your plans are.

And by the way, I think I'll start a new Truck Haven thread, haha. This one's getting long.

Javier

By Ho Chung (Ho) on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 - 09:43 am: Edit

http://www.expeditionexchange.com/miller

By Javier Velador (Jvelador) on Sunday, September 23, 2001 - 12:56 am: Edit

Ho, Jose or John...

Do tell us what happened to that RR. It looks painful and, ouch!, expensive. Was he part of the group, or did he happen to have been at the right place and the right time for you guys to recue him?

From the pics, it looks like he was already there and you guys caught up with him.

Anxiously hoping to get the scoop,

Javier

By John Lee on Sunday, September 23, 2001 - 08:51 am: Edit

Collapsed trailing arm.

By Jim on Monday, September 24, 2001 - 08:08 am: Edit

Hi John, were they stock trailing arms? Or some aftermarket unit?

By John Lee on Monday, September 24, 2001 - 09:15 am: Edit

No, they weren't stock. I don't know who made them, but they weren't straight like the stock arms and had some kind of bend in them right before they connected to the axle.

By Javier Velador (Jvelador) on Monday, September 24, 2001 - 11:57 am: Edit

hmm, Charles tried to sell me some of these. I can't remember the company name that makes them. He stated that they had a slight bent and that they were better than stock.

Now I'm glad I declined

Javier