Planning A Trip To Canada

ccov89 · 02-16-07, 05:53 PM

So im planning a trip to Canada in 2 months or so and I figure this is a good time to try my best and take care of anything that may possibly be a problem while miles and miles away from home. I have a 96 L/C with 165,000 on the clock. The truck is in fine shape, but can anyone give me some good advice on what to maybe bring, replace, or check on the truck before my journey? thanks in advance.

MDarius · 02-16-07, 08:06 PM

Do some searching on the site, check FAQ, go to the gear section, etc. I think if you have some special circumstances...you are doing the entire thing off-road, you are looking to sleep in parking lots, etc. there ought to be some feedback. Generally though, do a check of all the particulars...belts hoses (check the PH. do a search for that term...plenty of posts), make sure everything is greased and maintaned, etc. etc.

Where are you going in Canada?

dano82 · 02-16-07, 10:35 PM

where in canada do you plan on going if you come to vancouver squamish or whistler we should meet up

IdahoDoug · 02-16-07, 10:58 PM

Canada has paved roads. So, fill your fluids and don't run out of gas or beer money. Simple.

hill · 02-17-07, 01:06 AM

where abouts are you coming from? where in canada are you headed......might ask you pick up some stuff from slee....

ccov89 · 02-17-07, 03:46 PM

I will be coming from north jersey. the first stop will be niagara falls, the toronto. From there, just north to explore a bit. Its not going to be an incredibly long trip but i just want to make sure for own peace of mind... and my passangers. I ll be replacing the belts, most hoses, i just did a radiator swap. I ll be doing all the normal fluid changes and greasings. Im sure there are a few toyota dealerships in the toronto area....

IronYuppy · 02-17-07, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccov89

I will be coming from north jersey. the first stop will be niagara falls, the toronto. From there, just north to explore a bit. Its not going to be an incredibly long trip but i just want to make sure for own peace of mind... and my passangers. I ll be replacing the belts, most hoses, i just did a radiator swap. I ll be doing all the normal fluid changes and greasings. Im sure there are a few toyota dealerships in the toronto area....

You won't see any measurable difference between NY/NJ and Southern Ontario. Basically they're the same, geographically, except for the border.

Or, as someone I knew once said, "boy, they sure asked a lot of personal questions at that last toll booth!"

Be sure to have lunch at Frank's Place on Ferry Street when you're in Niagara Falls Ontario, and don't miss the Evil Knevel museum (it's in the back of a pawn shop, and is just crazy).

lowbanks · 02-18-07, 07:19 AM

You'll be fine up here. Besides having paved roads and electricity, there is 30 Toyota dealerships between the border at Niagara Falls and the greater Toronto area.
Although 80's series LC is rare, there are lots of LX450's that the dealers are used to fixing.
Make sure to have lunch at the CN Tower in Toronto (best view in the world).

p8nt · 02-18-07, 09:41 AM

I did a trip to the Wawa/Hawk Junction area last fall and plan on going back this year. Beautiful counrty. Depending on how many miles your putting on I would think fluids, tune up, and a properly serviced front axle. my $0.02

dieseldan · 02-20-07, 03:00 PM

[ Make sure to have lunch at the CN Tower in Toronto (best view in the world).[/quote]

.. do you mean the view of all the routes leading out of Toronto?

ccov89 · 02-20-07, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IronYuppy

You won't see any measurable difference between NY/NJ and Southern Ontario. Basically they're the same, geographically, except for the border.

Or, as someone I knew once said, "boy, they sure asked a lot of personal questions at that last toll booth!"

Be sure to have lunch at Frank's Place on Ferry Street when you're in Niagara Falls Ontario, and don't miss the Evil Knevel museum (it's in the back of a pawn shop, and is just crazy).

HAHA I love the last toll quote. I ll be checking Franks Place and the Knevel museum out.. thanks for the tip.

ccov89 · 02-20-07, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowbanks

You'll be fine up here. Besides having paved roads and electricity, there is 30 Toyota dealerships between the border at Niagara Falls and the greater Toronto area.
Although 80's series LC is rare, there are lots of LX450's that the dealers are used to fixing.
Make sure to have lunch at the CN Tower in Toronto (best view in the world).

The CN Tower sounds great. thanks for the suggestion.

shinny · 02-20-07, 08:33 PM

Do you have all your shots?
The snow snakes migrate in the spring, and they are particularily nasty when they've got that spring itch.

BOZ · 02-20-07, 09:17 PM

I took a trip to Newfoundland. One of the best driving trips. Take the ferry from the top of Nova Scotia, cruise to the top of Newfoundland and catch the ferry to Labrador and then back down through Quebec and then home. Lots of great People In Newfie Land.

Squash · 02-21-07, 05:31 AM

If you plan on leaving the city and want some open space head North, we are four hours up the hwy from Toronto. We live on a lake, have some tools and of course access to OEM parts.

If you like to fish, paddle or hike we have places to send you. If time permits maybe even a tour of an underground mining operation with our 79 series LC

PDoyle · 02-21-07, 06:22 AM

Or, as someone I knew once said, "boy, they sure asked a lot of personal questions at that last toll booth!"

Thats funny!
PS Don't forget your passport!

Grench · 02-21-07, 10:11 AM

I did a similar trip. This was in our pre-cruisers days and I didn't want to drive it in my car, so it was in a rental Buick Lesaber. It had 128 miles on it when I got it.
Lincoln, NE - start
Chicago, IL - 2 nights
Around the lake up through Mich. to Saul St. Marie <sp?> 1 night
Toronto - 2 nights
Over around and through Niagra Falls to some motel in Illinois -1 night
Back.
2800 miles in 9 days. I turned in the car and told them it needed an oil change. Got to love unlimited mileage deals.

All the roads are paved through there. Give yourself time for a unload/reload inspection going into and out of Canada.

The CN tower is a blast! I've eaten there twice. It is -not- cheap. Count on $200 for the two of you for dinner if you -don't- have drinks. After dinner we went down to the observation level with the glass floor. We happened to catch a grand slam home run and got to watch the fireworks going off under our feet.

Of the two hotels I've stayed at in Toronto, I liked the Delta Chelsea the best. The Holiday Inn Crown wasn't bad either.

Have a great time!

Truckasaurus · 02-21-07, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Grench

The CN tower is a blast! I've eaten there twice. It is -not- cheap. Count on $200 for the two of you for dinner if you -don't- have drinks. After dinner we went down to the observation level with the glass floor. We happened to catch a grand slam home run and got to watch the fireworks going off under our feet.

Have a great time!

Was that $200 US or CDN? (How expensive could it be if it's CDN, eh?)

92LC_good2go · 02-21-07, 01:02 PM

ccov, have you yet planned where else besides Niagra Falls and Toronto you plan/wish to go?

I have just recently been given an entire box full of info on an extended trip meant for a 4x4, from northern NJ up thru Quebec, Labrador City/Wabush, Churchill Falls/Goose Bay, Cartright, Port Hope Simpson/Red Bay, Forteau/Strait of Belle Isle/Blanc Sablon, Newfoundland, St Anthony, Griquet & L'Anse aux Meadows, Port au Choix, Daniels Harbor/Cow's Head/Gros Morne National Park, Western Brook Pond & Rocky Harbor Lighthouse, Deer Lake, then - EITHER the Avalon Peninsula OR Port-aux-Basques in Nova Scotia, Grand Falls-Windor Gander, Gambo, Clarenville, Burin Peninsual, Marystown, St Lawrence, Fortune NL, St Pierre Island, Avalon Peninsula & St Johns, and back down south (home).

The man who gave me this info (most is quite current) lives in Keasbey, NJ; he met me in one of our local diners, and overheard me discussing with other diner regulars some ideas I'd had for a several-week trip in my Cruiser.

He's terminally ill, and he decided to "pass on" all of his accumulated info on the 4x4 trips he's loved so well over the past few decades. Apparently, this trip was one of his all-time faves, and he's done it numerous times in the 1980s & 1990s and most recently in 2003 (or '04?). He said he wanted "someone who would really appreciate it" and who would "learn to love [that] area" to acquire his info... so he took the trouble to bring up the box of info with him the following week.

I'm still sifting thru all of this, and investigating things, ccov, but if you live in northern NJ, then you're near me, and you are welcome to come here (Orange -- I live in the Seven Oaks section of Orange) and look at it all, and borrow the info, so long as you return it to me.

I hope to make this trip, myself, but don't yet know when. Having been in the hospital the past few weeks, and having just gotten out, has screwed up my previously-expected plans for the first half of this year.

I was told this trip would take about 2 1/2 to 3 weeks, but can be tailored to shorter, too, of course.

ccov89 · 02-22-07, 01:53 AM

Wow that sounds very interesting Im not far from orange at all ( morris county) Let me talk to my girlfriend and find out the max amount of time we have for this trip. I ll get back to you on this. Thanks for giving me the opportunity!