Alaska Cruiser Trek 2008

[The Dude]

Well, I wasn't sure...that's why I thought I would ask.

You should ask some of the gas guys about the H41. It won't help you on the road much with those tires. Offroad the low first will be nice but I don't think you are going to need it on this trip.

As for the snorkel, I really like mine, but again I think you will get along just fine without it. You will also have to waterproof all your ignition stuff on those gassers, plus run your vent lines up to the top of your engine bay. You will have to do this anyway.

I think, If I was you, I would look at steeper gears or if you really want something nice, invest in a 5spd.

[D'Animal]

Originally Posted by Ducks

I want a snorkel but I may run out of money by then. What do you think, an h41 or a snorkel?

H55

[Ducks]

Originally Posted by medicbob

Lets start posting up if your going.

So only three cruisers are going so far?

medicbob
Ducks
The Dude

[chattfj40]

Originally Posted by Ducks

So only three cruisers are going so far?

medicbob
Ducks
The Dude

I know DSLTOY has sent in his registration and Mine should be getting to Mark this week. So that's two more rigs. We're both bringing co-pilots.

We'll be leaving Southeast TN with both rigs on a goose neck, or if someone wants to tag along, we've discussed adding a third rig on a 3 car wedge. We're still working out the details and we need a 3rd rig, so PM me if you're interested. I'll post a link to our projected route for those not in the SE that might like to hitch a ride.

[Kroll]

Thanks for sending me the info pack !
I'm just confirming a co-pilot in my rig. If anyone is interested in Edmonton or Alberta, just give me a shout. Otherwise I should be sending off my registration to Mark within the next 2 weeks.

[RockDoc]

Originally Posted by Kroll

Thanks for sending me the info pack !
I'm just confirming a co-pilot in my rig. If anyone is interested in Edmonton or Alberta, just give me a shout. Otherwise I should be sending off my registration to Mark within the next 2 weeks.

I would love to tag along, but I have a wedding on the 19th of July I can't miss. Maybe next go-around I'll have the time and the truck to do it.

[The Dude]

Originally Posted by Ducks

So only three cruisers are going so far?

medicbob
Ducks
The Dude

That should read that we have applied. We still haven't got accepted yet.

For any Canadians, I ripped up the check I had written and went down and got a US money order. I never even thought about cashing a CAN$ check in the US???

[chattfj40]

Ok here are the routes we're contemplating.

Proposed Route #1

Proposed Route #2

We're leaning heavily on taking route 1, unless someone had a better idea.

Again, if you might be interested making the trip, but can't get the full three weeks off, or would just rather fly up, send me a PM and we'll see what we can work out.

[AKcruzr]

Route 1 is the way my family and I are going up starting this weekend.

[RockDoc]

Originally Posted by chattfj40

Ok here are the routes we're contemplating.

Proposed Route #1

Proposed Route #2

We're leaning heavily on taking route 1, unless someone had a better idea.

Again, if you might be interested making the trip, but can't get the full three weeks off, or would just rather fly up, send me a PM and we'll see what we can work out.

I would suggest a different route from Calgary to Grande Prairie if you aren't too underpowered/unruly with your truck or truck and trailer. Taking the Ice Fields Parkway from Banff to Jasper and on through Grande Cache is much more scenic. Not quite as fast though. Your original "A" route won't take you very close to the mountains in Alberta, this route will take you through some of the nicest portions.

My linky no worky, just google map Banff to Grande Prairie and it will show the way.

[The Dude]

Yup, going through the Icefields Parkway is really nice, and may be slow in a cruiser. Traffic can also be moderate to heavy that time of year. But it is gorgeous.

from:manchester, TN to:I-90 W @44.104510, -103.200160 to:51.069017,-113.818359 to:Unknown road @51.246080, -117.023810 to:Alaska Hwy/HWY-1/HWY-2 @60.705850, -135.078540 to:Tok, Alaska - Google Maps

If you decide to come through Saskatoon and then up to Edmonton, let us know your time line. It is a double lane highway from Regina to Edmonton....and lots of prairie. That is our route from Saskatoon on.

[chattfj40]

whoops,

You guys are correct...I just made sure it was good to Calgary, I didn't even check it past there. DSLTOY's handling the mapping using a different program...i just used Google to get us out of the states so that people could see how close we're gonna be to them...
Thanks for the heads up.

[DSLTOY]

Originally Posted by The Dude

Yup, going through the Icefields Parkway is really nice, and may be slow in a cruiser. Traffic can also be moderate to heavy that time of year. But it is gorgeous.

from:manchester, TN to:I-90 W @44.104510, -103.200160 to:51.069017,-113.818359 to:Unknown road @51.246080, -117.023810 to:Alaska Hwy/HWY-1/HWY-2 @60.705850, -135.078540 to:Tok, Alaska - Google Maps

If you decide to come through Saskatoon and then up to Edmonton, let us know your time line. It is a double lane highway from Regina to Edmonton....and lots of prairie. That is our route from Saskatoon on.

As much as I would like to see the sites, with a 4k mile trip and pulling a three car trailer, I need the easiest route, is this the one I should take?
Thanks

[RockDoc]

Originally Posted by DSLTOY

As much as I would like to see the sites, with a 4k mile trip and pulling a three car trailer, I need the easiest route, is this the one I should take?
Thanks

If you want easiest route, I would suggest coming up through Regina and Saskatoon and over to Edmonton, or up through Calgary to Edmonton. Both routes are almost all devided highway (all the way to Grande Prairie), with a speed limit of 110 km/h. Pick based on which is the easier route through the states. The less distance you cover within Canada, the cheaper your fuel cost will be, FWIW.

[DSLTOY]

Thanks, we'll be coming up through Montana to Calgary.

[Dave-T]

Originally Posted by Ducks

No, I just bought a used 5" Alcan lift, 35" tires, rear bumper with gas can holder, etc. I have an Aussie Locker in the rear. Thinking about putting an Aussie Locker in the front. I would like to put an h41 transmission in for gearing but I may just settle with 4.11s in the diffs. I want a snorkel but I may run out of money by then. What do you think, an h41 or a snorkel?

Don't think you can compensate for the 35's with a tranny swap. The lower gearing in the h41 and h55 may help a little but what you really need to do is put 4.56's or similar in the diffs.

In my opinion if you are going to go through the trouble of replacing the tranny you might as well put an h55 in.

[Ducks]

Originally Posted by Dave-T

Don't think you can compensate for the 35's with a tranny swap. The lower gearing in the h41 and h55 may help a little but what you really need to do is put 4.56's or similar in the diffs.

In my opinion if you are going to go through the trouble of replacing the tranny you might as well put an h55 in.

Well, the numbers work as far as comparing swapping a tranny (h41 or h55) versus changing to 4.56 diffs. An h41 is $600 and an h55 is $1800. If I stay without an overdrive and 3.73 diffs then I can go 70 with the RPMs at 2500.

Plus I want to put in a toybox in the future and I think I want the shorter h41 to work with. I saw the thread on the h55 with toybox but I don't think I want to have to put in a body lift to make it all fit. Also, I could put an h41 in right now without changing the lengths of the driveshafts.

I agree I would rather have an h55 but finances say I should get an h41.

[The Dude]

WAY off topic, but have you thought about doing a SOA. If you need to buy highsteer, and if you haven't bought the springs yet, this would be the way to go IMO. Do it on stock springs with stock driveshafts, MOPAR axle mounts, a set of longer brakelines (needed with 5" springs) longer shocks (needed with 5" springs)

the only extra expense would be the front housing C&T???

[Ducks]

Originally Posted by The Dude

WAY off topic, but have you thought about doing a SOA. If you need to buy highsteer, and if you haven't bought the springs yet, this would be the way to go IMO. Do it on stock springs with stock driveshafts, MOPAR axle mounts, a set of longer brakelines (needed with 5" springs) longer shocks (needed with 5" springs)

the only extra expense would be the front housing C&T???

I got a great deal on a set of used springs. I've been looking into the pros & cons between SOA and 5" SUA and finally decided on the SUA. SOA has a lot of pros to it and I may eventually go that route. But from all the people I have talked to and from what little I have seen I think staying SUA is more what I want for right now. The great deal on the springs is what made my final decision about it.

[matt.mcinnes]

Mark

A little way away yet but looks like a trip of a life time I may consider 2009/2010 if this is an annual run. So I may bring my 40 over for a holiday. But will need to plan well in advance. I also want to do Moab. So it will be most likely that I ship my truck over for a year and fly in and out to do both.

Would love an info pack just have a look at what's planned.

Matt