3,300 Miles in 6 Days

VTCruiser · 06-21-07, 06:05 AM

In utter disregard for rational thought, I have decide to fly to the far corner of the country and drive back in a tired 21 year old truck that i've never even laid eyes on. I leave in about a week to fly to sunny California and drive a cruiser back to South Carolina road trip style from July 3-8.

The Vehicle:
1986 FJ60
258,000 miles
no powersteering
no radio
probably no A/C
"rust free"

The Route:
Mt. Shasta. CA to Greenville, SC via...
Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Colorado Springs, St. Louis and Nashville.

The schduled stops for visiting so far are Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and St Louis, I am also picking up some parts in Colorado Springs. Time may be a little tight but is there anything else along that route I NEED to stop for? any other tips? If anyone has a surplus of good luck they could spare, that too would be greatly appreciated!

It should be a cool trip. how far do you think I'll make it?

EDIT: I finally sent the story in to Toyota Trails. Check out "Sight Unseeing" in the May/June 2009 issue!

Trollhole · 06-21-07, 06:07 AM

This ought to be good.

Noah · 06-21-07, 06:08 AM

you are a braver man than i......

I am worried about driving my 40 from CT to ME....and it has a rebuilt engine and runs pretty much flawlessly..

I'll be packing the tools on my 4 hour trip........

Here is the story why it scares me...i've driven this trip once before in the 40 and on the way back my engine threw a rod....

stinkyfj60 · 06-21-07, 06:17 AM

I went 1800mi in the Tercel from Jman's to home in March

Of course, this thing doesnt have many miles on it and I got like 27mpg or something

Gumby · 06-21-07, 06:21 AM

Why does it have no powersteering?

I've discovered you can't drive it cheaper than someone will trailer it for you.

www.uship.com

I've driven a 60 with no a/c from Chicago to Austin. That was far enough thanks.

roscoFJ73 · 06-21-07, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gumby

Why does it have no powersteering?

I've driven a 60 with no a/c from Chicago to Austin. That was far enough thanks.

Maybe it something to do with that puddle under the front drivers side

No A/C not such a big deal on the highway with the windows down and good breeze coming through.

VT is that paint primer?

I would take some basic tools and allow a day for oil and filter changes and good check over before you hit the highway

Woudnt it be quicker to go through Salt Lake City?

Noah · 06-21-07, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roscoFJ73

Maybe it something to do with that puddle under the front drivers side

i think you nailed it...

fsusteve · 06-21-07, 06:43 AM

it'll be an adventure...

'74 UA FJ · 06-21-07, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roscoFJ73

I would take some basic tools and allow a day for oil and filter changes and good check over before you hit the highway

A day for oil and filter changes? I sure as hell hope not.

Hugh Heifer · 06-21-07, 06:54 AM

I can't wait for the updates. Bring a camera and stay connected! We will all live vicariously through you for the 3 months it takes you

Noah · 06-21-07, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Heifer

I can't wait for the updates. Bring a camera and stay connected! We will all live vicariously through you for the 3 months it takes you

also bring a mechanic....

Gumby · 06-21-07, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roscoFJ73

Maybe it something to do with that puddle under the front drivers side

No A/C not such a big deal on the highway with the windows down and good breeze coming through.
?

Yer probably right.

I think I'd try and fix that as well. Not having the ps working on the highway isn't a big deal.

Having the pump seize would suck. At least pull the belt.

Dallas to Austin sitting still on the highway with the windows down was a really long couple of hours. Even moving was not a lot of fun.

here's a visual to fill your thoughts as your driving over the rockies - A 2f crank with four main bearings, every other rod journal, flexes at high RPM and high load conditions. The crank distorts as it flexes back and forth.

Try to keep that out of your mind as you drive 3300 miles with no radio

How's that for a mind fawk?

Noah · 06-21-07, 07:05 AM

i would spring for a Sirius radio......

'74 UA FJ · 06-21-07, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noah

i would spring for a Sirius radio......

ipod and good headphones.....yo.

Colorado Boy-74-FJ40 · 06-21-07, 07:08 AM

If you made your route go through Colorado on highway 50 uoy could go through Salida and stop at http://www.classiccruisers.com/. A huge cruiser salvage yard! I grew up 30 miles away from there in a town called Sargents.
Good luck on your trip. Take pics along the way!

stinkyfj60 · 06-21-07, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorado Boy-74-FJ40

If you made your route go through Colorado on highway 50 uoy could go through Salida and stop at http://www.classiccruisers.com/. A huge cruiser salvage yard! I grew up 30 miles away from there in a town called Sargents.
Good luck on your trip. Take pics along the way!

No, he doesnt want to do down 50 at this time of year with no PS in a truck he isnt familiar with

I would have suggested coming through US160 into stinkyland, but I dont think you would want Wolf Creek Pass either...

Noah · 06-21-07, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '74 UA FJ

ipod and good headphones.....yo.

good call too......BUT he better have a 10 gig ipod, cause 3300 miles/60mph = 55 hours of drive time........................

it will cost him a small fortune to load the ipod

cajun65 · 06-21-07, 07:15 AM

Do you have a St. Christopher's medal? LOL. Good luck. Keep us posted on the way and shout out for help if you need it (REALTIME MUD HELP PLEASE).

'74 UA FJ · 06-21-07, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noah

good call too......BUT he better have a 10 gig ipod, cause 3300 miles/60mph = 55 hours of drive time........................

it will cost him a small fortune to load the ipod

I've got a 30 gig, I'm only using 5.75 gigs right now. 1448, 4.1 days of play time. 4.1 x 24hours = 98.4 hours of playtime.

It costs money to load an ipod

VTCruiser · 06-21-07, 07:25 AM

you are correct, the puddle under the front is PS fluid. the box leaks which lead to the pump burning out. I had him replace the belt to bypass the PS pump so i'm doing this old school. you 40 owners should be proud...

tunes...i'm thinking a cheap walmart jam box. maybe I can return it when i reach SC. I plan to do the same with hand tools and I'll be dedicating an evening to a tune up and prep work before the drive.

I'm going to start putting to gether a shopping list for when I get out there....

Colorado Boy-74-FJ40 · 06-21-07, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stinkyfj60

No, he doesnt want to do down 50 at this time of year with no PS in a truck he isnt familiar with

I would have suggested coming through US160 into stinkyland, but I dont think you would want Wolf Creek Pass either...

Monarch pass can be a bitch too!

D'Animal · 06-21-07, 07:26 AM

Good luck!

I'm taking mine from CA to MI and then back. I leave on the 29th. I will be mudd shipping a few things for:

OrangeFJ45
FJ40Charles
Dehondagod
Mace
Hudehuy
Lunyou

Before anybody else asks, There is only so much room in a 60.

whodat · 06-21-07, 07:34 AM

I would look into shipping.

~$750 in fuel
~$250 for flight out
~$200 for moon pies and cokes at the rest stops
~.01% risk of death by woman driver on a cell phone
~.001% risk of sudden death via flying debris
~.0001% risk of being abducted by aliens near Roswell

Gumby · 06-21-07, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whodat

I would look into shipping.

~$750 in fuel
~$250 for flight out
~$200 for moon pies and cokes at the rest stops
~.01% risk of death by woman driver on a cell phone
~.001% risk of sudden death via flying debris
~.0001% risk of being abducted by aliens near Roswell

That's where I was at when I looked at shipping the FJ55.

For $700 it was picked up, loaded on an enclosed trailer and dropped off at my shop.

It would have cost twice that to burn up the trans on my 80 towing the 55.

Trollhole · 06-21-07, 08:01 AM

Gehn I've got an ipod you can borrow. Any anything else to make the trip. You need to start lifting some weights cause driving a 60 that is supposed to be ps that is not working is going to suck. Maybe Richard would let you use his stuff until you get back.

If you need anything let me know.

bigndn · 06-21-07, 08:15 AM

Get rid of that one and buy mine. At least my PS and AC work!!! Mine has a radio/CD player too.

Don't forget to talk the left turn at Albequreke.

VTCruiser · 06-21-07, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whodat

I would look into shipping.

~$750 in fuel
~$250 for flight out
~$200 for moon pies and cokes at the rest stops
~.01% risk of death by woman driver on a cell phone
~.001% risk of sudden death via flying debris
~.0001% risk of being abducted by aliens near Roswell

...
~ The american road trip experience..... priceless!

I am not taking time off work to save money...I have taken only two days off since January so this is vacation!

I'd like to give it a shot. if i break down, I'll have AAA tow it to a "secure location", fly home and have it shipped. At the very least it'll be a good story.

Capt. Jim · 06-21-07, 08:35 AM

Have a safe trip, Gehn. Detour down here if you can. What's another 2000 miles anyway?

VTCruiser · 06-21-07, 08:37 AM

Thanks marhsall, I've got a ipod which i will bring. I have also thought about pulling the radio from my other 60, and installing it when i get there but It may be more hassle than it's worth. I'd like to minimize luggage...I'll also have company/a co-pilot to talk to.

srplus · 06-21-07, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTCruiser

Thanks marhsall, I've got a ipod which i will bring. I have also thought about pulling the radio from my other 60, and installing it when i get there but It may be more hassle than it's worth. I'd like to minimize luggage...I'll also have company/a co-pilot to talk to.

and hand you the tools! GL!