First test run in the Hawk - San Diego County

[dorocks]

I finally got my Deaver springs installed on my 2001 Tundra.‎

http://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Offroading/First-Trip-in-the-Tundra-‎with/12636256_e9Jye#908006685_JCu5Z‎

I decided to take a test run trip to Kitchen Creek Road behind Cibbetts Flat Campground to Fred Canyon Trail ‎and Down Morris Ranch Road to Thing Road, in the Cleveland National Forest (read brush). This is a loop trail ‎in eastern San Diego County off Highway 8‎

The trail begins Behind Cibbetts Creek Campground. Sometimes it is gated off by the Border Patrol. They own ‎our county and gate and block trails at their discretion. Thankfully the gates were open

http://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Offroading/First-Trip-in-the-Tundra-‎with/12636256_e9Jye#908016061_SCu8k

There was good color for our arid area, due to late rains.‎

http://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Offroading/First-Trip-in-the-Tundra-‎with/12636256_e9Jye#908034982_TmAZ8‎

Water pipe from somewhere that of course drips no water.‎

http://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Offroading/First-Trip-in-the-Tundra-‎with/12636256_e9Jye#908038950_MgKXN

At the top of the loop as it starts going down there are few rough spots.‎

http://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Offroading/First-Trip-in-the-Tundra-‎with/12636256_e9Jye#908061720_3WvS3‎

http://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Offroading/First-Trip-in-the-Tundra-‎with/12636256_e9Jye#908069969_i7CVp‎

There are some nice elevation views

http://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Offroading/First-Trip-in-the-Tundra-‎with/12636256_e9Jye#908073405_FTVPB‎

Rains caused some erosion. This rock will probably be on the road next season.‎

http://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Offroading/First-Trip-in-the-Tundra-‎with/12636256_e9Jye#908076100_UPfgv

I had intended to camp at a primitive camp I had seen in the past. As I approached the area I said “look at all ‎those gnats flying above the bushes. Upon closer inspection here is what I found.‎

http://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Offroading/First-Trip-in-the-Tundra-‎with/12636256_e9Jye#908082837_PHtJS

Thank goodness the truck was closed and the air was on. The spots you see in the picture are not dust. I felt like ‎the guy in Encinitas who got attacked and killed by bees. The truck was covered with them.‎

Plan B

We went further east to camp at Smugglers Cave / Elliot Mine near Jacumba.‎

It is off Hwy 8 near the In-Ko-Pah off ramp.‎

It is a quick rise up a semi rough road. Very scenic area especially for those who like rocks.‎

http://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Offroading/First-Trip-in-the-Tundra-‎with/12636256_e9Jye#908023541_KUf6K

http://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Offroading/First-Trip-in-the-Tundra-with/12636256_e9Jye#908086326_Jbnhc

http://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Offroading/First-Trip-in-the-Tundra-‎with/12636256_e9Jye#908084470_FChgV

http://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Offroading/First-Trip-in-the-Tundra-‎with/12636256_e9Jye#908101056_XvCj3‎

http://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Offroading/First-Trip-in-the-Tundra-‎with/12636256_e9Jye#908095230_TQugM

Back down the hill to Old Highway 80‎


http://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Offroading/First-Trip-in-the-Tundra-with/12636256_e9Jye#908020173_jupad

On the way home we jumped on old Highway 94‎

We stopped at a place where you would least expect to see a car collection. Simpsons Nursery in Jamul.‎

http://www.simpsonsnursery.com/‎

http://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Offroading/First-Trip-in-the-Tundra-with/12636256_e9Jye#908036036_tLx6y

It is a real trip down memory lane and free.‎

Keith Jeanne and Ian Barnes

Full library of pictures here.

http://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Offroading/First-Trip-in-the-Tundra-with/12636256_e9Jye#908003810_yhRFM

 

[sotter]

I finally got my Deaver springs installed on my 2001 Tundra.‎



Full library of pictures here.

http://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Offroading/First-Trip-in-the-Tundra-with/12636256_e9Jye#908003810_yhRFM


Keith,
The photos are great. Can you tell me details of the springs? specs maybe? Also, what was the weight you are using for your Hawk? Did you have it weighed? I am now using supersprings on my 2002 Tundra with an Ocelot. The supersprings are adequate I would say but I really am searching for a firm and level ride for my truck. I had airbags before but just not overly impressed with the durability. Anyhow any info you can provide would be great. Again great photos.
Thanks, Steve

 

[dorocks]

Keith,
The photos are great. Can you tell me details of the springs? specs maybe? Also, what was the weight you are using for your Hawk? Did you have it weighed? I am now using supersprings on my 2002 Tundra with an Ocelot. The supersprings are adequate I would say but I really am searching for a firm and level ride for my truck. I had airbags before but just not overly impressed with the durability. Anyhow any info you can provide would be great. Again great photos.
Thanks, Steve


I went to Off Road Warehouse (Junior) in San Diego to talk about springs. I never knew ‎much about them. They suggested Deaver (http://www.deaverspring.com/). Deaver makes ‎a lot of springs for high-speed go-fast empty Tundra trucks. But they also make springs ‎for any application. While I was there they were making customs for a new Ford Raptor ‎pickup. Ford uses plain old F-150 springs on their Raptor with spacers.‎

If I understand it right “progressive rate” springs are better for several reasons. They are ‎thinner and flex better. Thus while a Tundra comes with three thick springs plus a bottom ‎overload spring (4 total) – the replacement set I got is eight springs plus two overloads on ‎the bottom (10 total).‎

Secondly thinner springs and more of them can be less prone to being flattened out while ‎under load and the bouncing of offroading. This makes them less prone to breaking. ‎Junior at ORW has seen broken OEM springs.‎

Let it be said that the best way to get them right is to take it to Deaver’s shop. If he sees ‎your vehicle he will do the best job. There have been times when customers have called ‎up thinking they know how many leaves and such they need but were wrong. Deaver ‎made good on them, but had he seen the vehicle in person, he would have gotten it right. ‎Springs are a very application specific.‎

That’s why there was a delay on mine. But when I went to his shop in two hours he had ‎pulled the newly installed springs off, grabbed new leaves, shaped them on very ‎intriguing to watch machines, reinstalled them with two more leaves and off to In-and ‎Out I went.‎

If you want to do it by phone ask lots of questions and ask him to tell you exactly what ‎info he needs to get you exactly what is needed

For instance Stan at FWC told me to figure 1200 pounds for my Hawk (camper 740 lbs ‎‎+/food/stuff/solar etc). This is constant load. I do not intend to take it off. Thus my ‎springs were designed for a constant load.‎

When I put the camper on truck originally it sank about 4 inches and was low in the ‎back. It hit the bumpstops easily. Now it rides right again and is not hitting the bump ‎stops. Also the back now feels softer then the front suspension. Guess I will work on that ‎front coil suspension next.‎

They did quite well on my first run. Felt good.‎

 

[DirtyDog]

Looks like some good terrain out there. Some of the rock formations remind me of Joshua Tree. Thanks for the pics!

 

[home skillet]

The rock around there is amazing. Looks like great country to explore! Please tell me you used a telephoto lens to get those shots of the bee boxes

 

[dorocks]

The rock around there is amazing. Looks like great country to explore! Please tell me you used a telephoto lens to get those shots of the bee boxes


Well no. I came around the corner not even knowing they were there. Thank goodness we had the truck windows closed and the air on because it was a bit hot. No way was I getting out. I took the pictures from inside and then got the heck out of there. The turnaround goes right around the hives.

I sure wish they hadn't ruined this primitive site on National Forest Land.