LR4HD

ready for the Rovicon

Well, made it back home - ready to see the hand surgeon on Friday.  
 
What an adventure - great people, great location, great heat - temperature and food.
 
Thanks again.  100% going next year.
 
 

The song that runs through my head as I pack last minute late into the night.

Found this site while looking at rangerovers.net. Pretty cool to see all the original brochures.
 
https://www.auto-brochures.com/land_rover.html

So, I signed up for this thing - https://www.breakfastclubrally.com/. There’s a British Steel 3 Tour, so all British Cars made before 1999.  It’s a three hour drive through some nice roads with other old cars - what could possibly go wrong?  🤣
it’s $50 - if you sign up, let me know if you want to caravan.  
 
 

So I want announce the June MORG that I will be leading. It will be the second weekend (6/7-9) of June instead the traditional first weekend. That will give folks going to the PNW event a weekend to rest. This is an excellent trip and good warm up for the summer rock crawling season. Camping plans are still up in the air, but  I wanted to at least give the dates and trail plan so we can all cancel the children’s baseball tournaments with plenty of time to spare. This thread will be updated. 
 
This MORG will be an overnight and a rock crawling trip. Non rock crawlers can still come and have some fun though. There are plenty of dirt roads and overlanding opportunities in the surround area, not to mention we will be camping near some really nice lakes. I will be leading the run down Hell Hole Jeep Trail, but anybody is welcome to plan and lead a run on some of the surrounding trails and forest roads in the area.
 
The plan is usually to camp at French Meadows, but another late winter has that campground closed again. The option we used last, Stumpy Meadows Campground, is also currently closed. Luckily we did find a really cool campground on the way to the trail from Stumpy Meadows. i don’t have the coordinates / address, but I am sure someone here has it pinned from last year right? Please share if you do. I haven’t had any luck contacting the Forest Service yet, but I should have more concrete plans later on in the week which will be dependent on potential June openings.
 

 
We will be running the trail on Saturday with the plan being to leave camp at 9am SHARP. The trail isn’t long, but you’d be surprised and how quickly we always seem to lose daylight. Getting back to camp at night is not uncommon.
Hell Hole Jeep Trail (it’s called a Jeep Trail, otherwise I would not include Jeep in anything) is an out and back rock crawling trail. 

It’s only about 4 miles long, but it very narrow and steep. The first half of the trail will be dropping down to Hell Hole Reservoir and the second half will be coming back up. Depending on our group, I would anticipate it taking 2-3 hours each way with about an hour long break at the bottom. This is a very rewarding trail that will definitely leave you with a sense of accomplishment when you finish the trail. Body damage is a risk as the trail is narrow, but avoidable especially if you have something short like a D90 or something. The trail involves climbing and dropping down ledges and staircase sections. Minimum vehicle will be rock sliders, a lift, 33” tires, and a rear locker. Independent suspension vehicles can come, but they will need to be built and have a winch. Winching is likely for vehicles that just meet the minimum. I have yet to see an independent suspension vehicle do the trail. It would be an impressive challenge to any driver. Maybe we can convince Don to leave the ROKROVR at home 😉 😂 



 
This is one of my favorite trails to run. This will be my 5th or 6th time leading a run on the trail for the club. I am excited to introduce the trail to folks who haven’t had a chance to run it yet. It is always a challenge for even the most built vehicles and also a good test for the spotters. Please feel free to DM if you have any questions on the trail or trip in general. This is a trip you don’t want to miss and also a great opportunity to test your skills if you’re looking to do other trails like the Rubicon. If you can handle this trail without issue, you’ll be fine for the Rubicon. If you have a lot of issues, it’s a short trail so we can manage any issue and it won’t be the end of the world.

 
 

 
 

Had the whole Rovicon Committee (myself, Don, and Greg)  at the studio today. Check out the podcast, check out the swag!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nclr-after-dark/id1615586586?i=1000654496027
 

Hey ya'll.

New here. CA native but spent last 10 years abroad. Brought back my '99 TD5 Defender 90 to join my '04 Disco II. 

Spend a lot of time on trails in Nor Cal & Southern Oregon.

 

I did this trail in my  LR4 on 19" wheels with GAP tool lift (I have sliders) on the August 2022 MORG. Sasha was in his LR3, which I think was also stock (maybe a GAP or rod lift). It was a lot of fun! We didn't do any of the technical rock crawling offshoots. 
Here's the link to the photos: https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNNGK5_8Fk_BR9jya9179L03k0bnbviqfd2W_zAPPfBScwEszy-k0I9jtDBylln-Q?key=QjdtRV9mYS0zbEhUUkhBSExldGRsQV9uajFQUGd3
And here's the trail map:
Niagara Rim.pdf

I did this trail in my  LR4 on 19" wheels with GAP tool lift (I have sliders) on the August 2022 MORG. Sasha was in his LR3, which I think was also stock (maybe a GAP or rod lift). It was a lot of fun! We didn't do any of the technical rock crawling offshoots. 
Here's the link to the photos: https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNNGK5_8Fk_BR9jya9179L03k0bnbviqfd2W_zAPPfBScwEszy-k0I9jtDBylln-Q?key=QjdtRV9mYS0zbEhUUkhBSExldGRsQV9uajFQUGd3
And here's the trail map:
Niagara Rim.pdf

I was finally able to align calenders and Fletcher and I made it out to Mendo this year for their 30th anniversary of the camping trip to the Mendo forest.
 
It was good to see so many people I've met over the years in one spot...about 60 rigs and maybe more attended.  
 
Here are some of the pictures I captured. 
 
https://capturedbygreg.pixieset.com/mendoreccexxx/
 
If you were there feel free to download and use it,  if on IG please tag me.  
 
Cheers,

Well if you haven't noticed...Rovicon VI tickets are on sale now!!
As we're early on getting the word out for the marketing efforts love to get those of you who have joined to share the word on Instagram and Facebook.
Feel free to tag us or invite us to be a contributor to your social post.  
Some updates on the latest podcast, but we've added a New sponsor in Avio wines owned by club member Sefano.  
Additionally, for the first time, we'll be having dinner Saturday night catered at the Springs plus move event swag.
This year's theme is the iconic Iron Maiden 🙂. 
Hope to see as many as you can out there!
 
 

Moab trip report days 1&2 - Getting there 

We split the 1000 mile journey into two halves and stayed at Spencer Hot Springs last night. As I got to camp, I noticed the battery light was on just as we got there. It’s partially hidden by my Scangauge and may have been on for a while. I was carrying a sore and swapped it over in no time. I started the engine and the battery voltage was about 12.8V. A little low, but then the battery may have been quite flat. 
In the morning we started to line up to leave, when Sasha said that his D2 wouldn’t start. It would not crank. The security system had been tripped (possibly due to the hood being open) and we had to reset the system by locking and unlocking the doors. We tried this several times and it was clear that it wasn’t the problem. The next thought was something to do with the PRNDL lever, but there were no tell tale signs of faulty XYZ switch and the gear was correctly show on the dash. 
We traced the starter circuit through the fuse and relay and down to the starter motor. I was carrying a spare starter and was preparing to swap it out. In desperation I asked Mike to give the starter a whack with a hammer. He used a screw driver handle as a mallet and it worked. The engine fired straight up after and thump to the starter solenoid. 
The next adventure was my replacement, used alternator. This had come of my parts truck and I did not have any issues with it previously. For this trip, the regulator was partially working at the best of times and switching on and off and slowly draining the battery (fortunately it’s a dispose deep cycle unit). I managed to drive the distance and got as low 10.5 V before the alternator kicked in just as we drove into town. I have a replacement ordered which should arrive at O’Reilly’s tomorrow. 
We had a nice dinner at Zax and finally scrubbed up before a night cap at the cabin. 

Great trip, just a couple of minor breakdowns that were dealt with. The trails were amazing as ever. It was great driving with Sasha on Hell's Revenge. He took the Super Truck easily through every obstacle. Jeff grilled up some awesome beef and chicken tacos on our last night.  Looking forward to our next trip!
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!THIS! Saturday April 13, 8-11am, is the 2nd gathering of the S.F. Bay Land Rover Club!   Please join us! 
Meet 1 was super successful with 19 rover’s showing up and a great mix of Series, Defender, Discovery, and. Range Rover  
Rover-On!
S.F. Bay Land Rover Club!   
A monthly Land Rover gathering.
Every 2nd Saturday, 8-10am.
Larkspur Ferry Terminal Car Park
South end by ‘B’ signage. 
 
Instagram:  @SFBayLandRoverClub
Facebookgroups: SFBayLandRoverClub
www.SFBayLandRoverClub.com
SFBayLandRoverClub@gmail.com

Julias birthday was on Friday and we were unable to make it to the dunes or moab with everyone but i couldn't let the weekend pass without some camping.  just about an hour away from our home is Dixie Valley where the us navy does training.  As a result there are tones of old abandoned homesteads and tanks scattered around the area. We spent the weekend wandering decaying buildings, tanks, and army trucks.  The weather was nice but a bit cold at night, all in all a good trip that if anyone wants to recreate someday id be happy to make a trip. 

 

Well more progress on the brakes and started painting body panels...

Need to order a few more parts then off to the races!!







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Just some good old rustoleam...I have thought about doing a clear coat, but likely won't as I like being able to touch it up after trips or make mid trail repairs lo. 

Little late with last weekend updates.

But more painting going on and liking how it's coming out.

Some runs here and there so fixing that, also did a touch up when it was too cold. Learned the hard way there and had to resand.

The 60 year old alluminum isn't the smoothest so dealing with some imperfections, but it's a trail rig.

Dropped off remaining last parts for lt230 to Scully. Once that is back I'll begin the drive train final assembly.

Also bought new accessories parts that I need to install.

Found a bit of a unicorn, the pickup cab that I'll run when it's not summer.









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About 2-3" from bottom of the frame. So I'm going to have to swap from the 1 ton tierods to heims and bolt through the bottom on the pitman.

I'll then have a double sided passenger side.

I see what you mean about the bump stop, but given leaf springs and clearence I'll need to stop before it gets that high or the springs will be close to inverting.


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Engine weight comparison. 
 
Fully dressed LS engine weight about 5% or 15 kg / 33 lbs more than the rover 3.9. 
 
Both of the measurements below include the weight of (similar) engine stands. 
 
LS 213kg + 5kg for the AC vompressor
Rover 203kg
 
 


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Made it to Arnold! Two hiccups of getting warm coming out of the bay, and again on a long slow grade. I have  a heavy trailer, pulled over and let it idle and cooled in 5 minutes and I carried on for 100 miles no issues. The rest of the day no issues on the slow grade coming up from angels camp
Checked out underneath when I got here to discover gear oil leaking between the t case and transmission. Rear rubber drive line bushing is toast. Topped it off once and it's now clean oil everywhere.... up the creek lol

PXL_20240322_013502510~2.mp4  
The engines happy! I've had to adjust the CPS and tone ring on the harmonic balancer once. Had a miss
8.5 mpg loaded roof rack and a 2 ton trailer.

bummed I'm going to miss this - the Mojave is such a wonderful place!
 

K. I am in.
What else....?
--Paul

There was a great turnout for this meet up, and lots of cool Land Rovers, some with great mods. I had a great time and it was fun meeting Rudy and all those who attended - including El Chapomint!