Central WA Baja

[CentralWAbaja]

A couple weeks ago I took the opportunity to chase Baja5 and Busk around the Arizona desert for 5 days. We did what is called the Arizona Peace Trail which is a 700+ mile dirt loop in western AZ. Started out in Quartzsite on a Monday morning and traveled North to Lake Havasu. At that point we were 4 cars as MonyPwrRes was giving it a go in the brand new 805Baja. We met up with Leatherneck for dinner under the London Bridge in Havasu at the end of day-1. Day 2 we kept tracking north towards Kingman with a detour to Oatman. The 805 transaxle said no dice about a 1000 ft into the dirt and so we towed them back to asphalt and bid them goodbye. Night two was spent at the Haulapai Mountain resort which is an amazing place worth spending a couple days going back and exploring (Wink Wink nudge nudge Leatherneck?) From there we started south ending day 3 in Salome. Day 4 would continue south to Yuma for a night. And then Friday a northward trek back to Quartzsite. Amazing trip, and amazing ever changing landscape. The video is my first ever attempt at a go pro edit trying to capture all the different trails and scenery. All footage is from the last 3 days as I am still a rookie when it comes to actually getting my camera set up and recording. Anyway enjoy. I did.


https://youtu.be/d922htdEdyw

[Leatherneck]

Daron that is super cool. Wish I could of tagged along. Looks like a cool trip for sure.

[CentralWAbaja]

Daron that is super cool. Wish I could of tagged along. Looks like a cool trip for sure.

I'm telling you, you need to go explore those mountains to the east of you. 1 day up, spend the night at the resort and a day playing your way back home. Let me know when were coming down for a long weekend

[Leatherneck]

Daron that is super cool. Wish I could of tagged along. Looks like a cool trip for sure.

I'm telling you, you need to go explore those mountains to the east of you. 1 day up, spend the night at the resort and a day playing your way back home. Let me know when were coming down for a long weekend

Are you talking about the ones close to me or closer to Kingman, the walapies? I found 2 super cool mines in one location, for sure need a winch to get down into one of them, it is deep

[CentralWAbaja]

The Haulapai mountains. Where there are trees. Those things closer to you are just piled up rocks LOL.

I am sure there is lots of cool stuff to see around you.

[Leatherneck]

The Haulapai mountains. Where there are trees. Those things closer to you are just piled up rocks LOL.

I am sure there is lots of cool stuff to see around you.

Yeah just mines and trails in them there rocks. The ones with trees, not been over there much. Lol, had to double check that I spelt “trees” correctly . Been awhile.

Did you get all of the desert out of the Baja already, fixed, all the jingles tightened?

[Skidmark]

Mixing Leather with trees usually does not go well. Just sayin'... and if you do move forward with this plan I kinda want to be there just to watch! And maybe help tow.

[chuckput]

Mixing Leather with trees usually does not go well. Just sayin'... and if you do move forward with this plan I kinda want to be there just to watch! And maybe help tow.

Ooooo! Sign me up for that adventure, as well!

[baja5]

I'd make the run again, always more to explore.

[CentralWAbaja]

Did you get all of the desert out of the Baja already, fixed, all the jingles tightened?

HAHA, For sure more rocks then I have ever dropped out of the floor of this car from any trip. Couple of small cactus remnants that I have no idea how they ended up in there pretty sure the 2:30 mark of the video explains that

Transaxle is out and on a pallet headed for Dave Folts in Ontario CA for a freshen up and re-gear on 3rd and 4th. So far no... what I would call surprises as I tear into things. Motor has an oil leak, and have main seals on order. Found an 08 motor still in the car for $650 close to me. Might go take it off their hands just to have it. That will keep me from going LS for now....maybe HAHA!

Rear arms have never been off the car so now bushings, pivot bolts and some fresh FK Heims for arms, and sway bar. Jason had an issue with his sway bar on the trip so I will be checking into mine some. The Queen has 7100 miles on her now, and 2100 juts since the failed race attempt back in August. Hard to tear into her while the weather is just getting nice around here but I cannot complain about the amount of play time I have had this last 6 months.

[Skidmark]

Mine has been down since the second weekend of last September. Seven months and counting. But at least I have turned a corner and the reassembly process is under way.

[dustymojave]

This whole trip seems so awesome, Like the guys up north do. I'm jealous. Not sure my Baja would make it through some of that stuff I see in that video. Looks like more gearbox $$ would be required for some of it.

[CentralWAbaja]

This whole trip seems so awesome, Like the guys up north do. I'm jealous. Not sure my Baja would make it through some of that stuff I see in that video. Looks like more gearbox $$ would be required for some of it.

Not sure a stock trans would hold up to the abuse, Denny does well with his built bus box and a Honda behind it. For the most part a well prepped car is going to do fine. And one that is not is going to go home early. And a little luck has to be involved to do that kind of mileage in 5 days without any real slowdowns due to parts failure ect. There are places on this trail that a major parts failure like what Wayne experienced would have been a very difficult recovery. I am sure we were at what I would call the end of the prime "Spring Season" to do this. Snow on he side of the road in the mountains and 95* in Quartzsite when we loaded the cars to come home Friday. It really was a good test and great time!

[Leatherneck]

Good idea to snag that 08. You’ve got me sweating my stock 091.

[CentralWAbaja]

Good idea to snag that 08. You’ve got me sweating my stock 091.

It will last for a while especially if you are nice to it. But 40-50mph in that chatter cannot be good for the trans in general. Cory rode with me on the trail, and as you know he has a VERY high HP sand car with about as much trans as money can buy. He commented a couple times about how abusive the hard pack, rocks ect has to be on the the trans.