North West BS Thread

Trip was great. Snoqualmie Pass was covered, but got thru without any drama. Has to shorten/adjust my trip a bit due to weather but it was a nice 9hr drive.

Snoqualmie at 7am

Somewhere in the Hanford DMZ headed North to Moses Lake

 

I’m just going to keep posting to get caught up on a few things…

@NWPirate I checked my oil fill cap. All looks good. No build-up or milk. Here’s a chitty pick of the dip stick and a wipe from under the cap. Color is about that I’d expect for 3k miles on the oil


I’m guess some moisture collected in the catch can and discolored the collection. Still need to check the return hose to make sure it is tight. Thoughts?

 

Since we talk trash about Les Schwab, I think it is only fair to post a recent experience.

I needed chains for my Corolla. Discount Tire doesn’t carry chains anymore. You can order them online and they will ship from MI. Phuk that. Les Schwab had 13 in stock! Pretty nice give the time of year.

Hat tip to LS

 

And they will refund you if the chains go unused. Might be doing that if I end up changing my tire size next spring.

 

Used to do that with my chains for my 35’s…till I had to use them for a stupid situation. Probably my favorite part about LS.

 

Here in Wenatchee les schwab has a pretty good reputation. I wouldn’t go to discount tire here if they gave me the tires for free.

 

I wanted to get chains from LS, but they didn't have any for 35's - none of the local shops had them that big. I had to order them online

EDIT: 33's, not 35's

 

That sucks. Mine stocked them. They were pretty spendy. Probably $100 bucks like 4 years ago. Now they are probably pushing $500-600 due to…well you know.

 

Yeah - I do still end up getting chains there for most of our rigs

 

Wow! I won't complain about ordering online, then. I ordered them direct from Security Chain Company, and only spent $180 bucks - and they fit both my Tundra (33's) and Jeep (35's)

 

Speaking of chains - which tires should I use them on? The front?

 

Rear. Those are your primary drive wheels. If you’re running in 4wd, you could conceivably run a set front and back, but normally just the rear

 

Awesome; thanks! Glad I asked. I assumed the front because of steering, but the rear makes sense because of traction.

 

You’ve got more weight up front, which aids with traction for steering. The chains on the rears will give you traction to get moving.

And know that 4WD won’t help you STOP. That’s usually most people’s first mistake

 

Yes, I learned that a long time ago. Also learned 4WD doesn't help with ice!!

 

I have sets for front and rear. If you do plan to run chains on the front, make sure you have tried them in your garage. Mount them and spin the wheels to make sure they do not hit the upper control arm

 

Thanks for the advice, but after @RainMan_PNW comments, I'll just run them on the rear tires.

 

Glad you had fun, I love a good road trip.

Would be worth checking hoses for tight but I'm betting it's just motor condensation from short trips. No biggie

 

Depending on the conditions, the rear wheels pushing you may only be “just so useful” if your front wheels are just sliding. Does that make sense?

 

And this is why I had to use my chains for like twenty feet. Ice coupled with me trying to be a nice guy and help some young stuck people up on Timberline road caused me to get stuck on ice up hill before the 4wd engaged.

Which brings me to my next point. Cheapo traction boards off Amazon may just be a better first line of defense instead of throwing chains somewhere you don’t want to.

 

Need to throw my IM traction boards in the truck

 

Hey Oregonians, is anybody familiar with Sunset Bay State Park? Gonna check it out next week. I can't wait.

 

Yep. My sister lives in that part of the state. Sunset Bay, Shore Acres, and Cape Arago are all next to each other down there. Very cool area to explore and visit.

 

oh yeah; that makes perfect sense! Thanks! So depending on conditions, I may need to get a set for the front too. Now I understand.

This cold I caught has me a bit foggy. Brain is running a little slower than normal - which means it went from turtle speed to snail speed

 

I’m taking my wife’s out of the garage and putting them in her 4Runner. I keep my set in my Tundra year round. The next week plus is about to get sketchy. I’m not panick buying but getting prepared. Told my wife to fill up today. Get the essentials at the grocery store and should be ok.

 

Yep, need to throw my traction boards in and fill up with gas in the morning. I expect the stores will be crazy tomorrow with the holiday and panic buying.

 

I'm hoping it doesn't get too crazy because I'm driving out to the peninsula tomorrow and coming back Saturday.

 

I can only assume you are correct. I stopped by my local Costco to fill up. It took longer to get out of the gas station then it did to wait in line to fill up. I had 6 miles to empty. I like to live dangerously lol(yes I know about the magical remaining gas keeping MR Pump under fuel).

You should be good. The potential starts Saturday and goes from there. Luckily I took Sunday off weeks ago. Unfortunately I may end up spending way longer at work then I should if this happens.

Edit: for the Portland area. Not sure about up there.

 

We might run into town for some garlic and eggnog. Other than that we’re good for weeks!

 

Adding eggnog to the list! Thanks for the reminder @gosolo! Love that stuff.