Time for the 60s first expedition...

[fjman]

So its time to take some time off and do the roadtrip I have always said I would take. My 20s are almost gone and I have escaped life's great obligations up to this point (ie marriage, kids, sickness....). My business is good. I don't have a bunch of employees to manage yet and I can pretty much work anywhere.

I have always wanted to go to Telluride Colorado. I don't know why its always stood out as the place I most wanted to go, but it has. So thats the destination.

I was planning to get there at the beginning of April so I could snowboard a couple of days before the resort closes on the 5th. This might happen, or I may wait til May. I don't think Black Bear Pass and a lot of those "roads" open until June. While they would be really cool, I don't think I have the patiance to wait that long.

So there are a handful of things I need to do to get the 60 ready for the 5000 mile trip This thread will sort of serve as my to do list, place to document my trip, and a place you guys can chime in if you want to offer advice or have some tips for me.

So here's what I know I need to do to the truck before I leave:

-Plugs, wires, and possibly replace my distributor
-Tighten up the belts
-replace my leaky side cover gasket
-replace the heater control valve (it leaks if I'm not running the heat due to over tightening of the heater hose)
-Probably adjust my valves again although I think they are fine
-retorque my manifold bolts
-get a 190 degree tstat and gaskets, the 180 seems to not get things hot enough unless everyone thinks its fine the way it is
-Check/adjust timing
-rebuild the knuckles
-change gear oil in diffs
- possibly replace my tires. They have enough tread for the trip but after 7 years, they my be a bit too dry rotted. I'll post pics. Ideally, I'd like to run them and get some mud/larger tires when I get back
-reinstall my center console so I can put a drink somewhere and rest my elbow!
-patch the hole behind my rear tire. It howls on the highway!
-Maybe add a leaf and/or some shocks for driving comfort.
-A 33 inch spare tire since I'll be a good ways from home!

So I have lots to do in the next couple months. I'm planning my first stop around Louisville and the next one near Topeka. I want to camp everywhere except for the week I spend in Telluride so if anyone knows some good, gotta stop there type of places, chime in! Also, if there are any incredibly important spare parts to bring with me (trying to pack relatively light here), let me know. The trip back will possibly involve a stop outside cleveland to see family and will be a bit more leisurely.

I'm planning to take roughly 3 weeks off.

I'll get some pics of my tires up soon.

I can't wait to get the hell out of northern VA for while!

[fjman]

Think there is enough tread? You'll notice some cracking around the outer lugs and some spliting between them. Not sure.


fjman/tires - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

[colangut]

If your going out that way, make sure you take the trip north of Durango to Ouray and check out the crazy roads up there and around Silverton and Leadville. Lots of nice mining roads to explore and all kinds of old mining gear rusting up in the hills. The highway is a crazy ride too with huge drop offs.

The Mexican restaurant in Durango is awesome - don't miss that. It's right in the heart of town across from the old hotel and rail road station. Mountain Bike Specialist is right there too. Cool place.

South west of there the Anasazi ruins are a cool place to check out too.

I explored through there a few years ago and had a great time.

I can see why so many of my friends have moved there.

-Stumbaugh

PS Check out Danimals thread about his long range FJ60 trips. Dan is a super cool guy.

[Jakes40]

dude just do it!
if you wait you'll talk your self out of it you will have a blast.
I did the same thing to go mountain biking back in 98 ( late 20's alot more hair) in calorado.

chris

[fjman]

Yeah, I can't wait. Just know there are a couple of maintenance things I need to do before I go. I will definately be taking a trip out to Ouray and Durango! We'll see if I come back!

[colangut]

Check out the list of spare parts that Dan D'Animal brought along with him. Smog pump, alternator, etc.

I'd bring a fuel pump, ignitor, cap and rotor, a plug and a plug wire, water pump, jumper cables, fuel filter and line, some amalgamating tape (self sealing), etc.

Change all of your cooling lines.

I'd bring a head gasket kit.

You should out my long range travel tool kit.

[smtyblt]

I would no runt those tires.

I would be nervous that they would come apart. And you know Murphy if they come apart it wont be at the right time.

They just look to drie rotten to me.

[bkfj40]

It's only 5000 miles...just hop in and go

I would do the above maintenance as you have planned on. hoses, belts, etc. Make sure you leave enough time after doing the above to make sure everything is tightened down and working properly.

I personally, would leave the head gasket kit at home. If you think your water pump is bad, replace it before you go. It's not like you are going to be in the middle of africa. When I had my first 40, I was moving back from Wyoming after living in Kansas City Hell for a year. Part way into my trip, my alternator started giving me trouble. I pulled into some little shop in the middle of farm county and the NAPA store there had a chevy alternator...so that's what I put on. They helped me with the wiring during their lunch and off I went.

The biggest thing you are going to notice is the lack of power due to the elevation.

be ready for lots of snow...and more snow....


bk

[fjman]

Originally Posted by bkfj40

It's only 5000 miles...just hop in and go

I would do the above maintenance as you have planned on. hoses, belts, etc. Make sure you leave enough time after doing the above to make sure everything is tightened down and working properly.

I personally, would leave the head gasket kit at home. If you think your water pump is bad, replace it before you go. It's not like you are going to be in the middle of africa. When I had my first 40, I was moving back from Wyoming after living in Kansas City Hell for a year. Part way into my trip, my alternator started giving me trouble. I pulled into some little shop in the middle of farm county and the NAPA store there had a chevy alternator...so that's what I put on. They helped me with the wiring during their lunch and off I went.

The biggest thing you are going to notice is the lack of power due to the elevation.

be ready for lots of snow...and more snow....


bk

I was wondering how elevation would effect the truck... I'll probably change out all the hoses and belts (maybe just bring spare belts, they only have 10k on them). maybe bring a hg with me just in case. Its only got about 5K on it, but I did do the work so.. The waterpump has about 25K on it so I'm not to worried about it........ The alternator was a used OEM unit I bought from cruiserparts.net a while back so who knows. Maybe I'll pick up another used one ($25)... If the smog pump goes.... who knows, guess I could just gut it and plug it until I got someplace to replace it .

The tires probably need to go, but in all honestly if I was leaving tommorrow I'd run them. We'll see, ideally I'll replace them. Especially since I'm planning to do some nonhighway exploration.
I've been really surprised how well they have held up aired down and wrapped around rocks recently. Go pepboys.

I need to find out where my coolant is slowly going as a priorty (should've remembered that one up top!) Had some splattered down the passenger side of the engine going down to GWNF in November. We couldn't figure out where it was coming from though. After I cleaned it up, no more has reappeared since after doing the same drive back and spending 6 hours going 5mph... who knows.
Thanks for all the feedback and pointers so far. I'm really excited about this.

[John Smith]

You should either pack a spare smog pump or buy one of JimC's bypass pulleys. If your smog pump seizes on a 60 you are not going anywhere since your PS is on the same belt.

[colangut]

The last place that I'd be worried about a tire failing is off road, I'd be concerned about the interstate! Especially with the huge drop offs in the rockies.

You'll feel a huge power loss, especially if your truck is not geared properly such as lifted with bigger tires. My friend Jason in Pine Colorado is bitter about this!

Cam is right, get new tires!

[VA.CRUISER]

I've seen those tires when I wasn't on the bourbon you need to replace them

All in all go for it though let me know if you need any help with anything

I noticed you picked up the 60 from your parents, I was hope in to go offer them a couple of $ and talk them out of it

Burl

[smtyblt]

You should make your trek a little early and go out to Moab with us at the end of March

cam

[fjman]

Originally Posted by VA.CRUISER

I've seen those tires when I wasn't on the bourbon you need to replace them

All in all go for it though let me know if you need any help with anything

I noticed you picked up the 60 from your parents, I was hope in to go offer them a couple of $ and talk them out of it

Burl

Stalker


Burl, I'll let you know. I know I could use a hand on my axles seals. Looks like the going concensus is to replace the tires so I'll start shopping for them....

[fjman]

Originally Posted by smtyblt

You should make your trek a little early and go out to Moab with us at the end of March

cam

Sounds like a good idea if I can leave that early. Its probably going to be a little closer to May though. Do you guys trailer out?

[wesintl]

I would just fly to durango and rent a focus if you want to ski. Otherwise wait til summer to drive the 60 out and have some fun. winter is why you go, summer is why you stay.

Those tires will be fine (with a spare) until you hit some real snow, then you'll be wanting new tires

[smtyblt]

Originally Posted by fjman

Sounds like a good idea if I can leave that early. Its probably going to be a little closer to May though. Do you guys trailer out?

We have some of both, I of course am towing the buggy and Tim Minner's 40 out on the double trailer. Then we have two in the group that are driving there trucks out there. It will be a great event.

Cam

[fjman]

Originally Posted by smtyblt

We have some of both, I of course am towing the buggy and Tim Minner's 40 out on the double trailer. Then we have two in the group that are driving there trucks out there. It will be a great event.

Cam

So Cam, you're saying I could caravan out with you guys, a bunch of spare parts, and a group of guys that can fix my brokendown truck...!!!!

But seriously, let me think about it and see if I can go this early. Moab would be pretty cool!

[fjman]

Originally Posted by wesintl

I would just fly to durango and rent a focus if you want to ski. Otherwise wait til summer to drive the 60 out and have some fun. winter is why you go, summer is why you stay.

Those tires will be fine (with a spare) until you hit some real snow, then you'll be wanting new tires

Surprisingly, these things kick ass in the snow..... but it looks like I'll be replacing them.

I saw some 35s here on mud but they are up in NY. Seemed like a good price although one had a plug in the sidewall. Might see if he'd meet me halfway. 35s would be a squeeze right now and maybe a little to slow with my 3.70s.

[Felix]

35s??

You doing a lift, too? You really think you'd fit 35s?

[John Smith]

Originally Posted by fjman

Surprisingly, these things kick ass in the snow..... but it looks like I'll be replacing them.

I saw some 35s here on mud but they are up in NY. Seemed like a good price although one had a plug in the sidewall. Might see if he'd meet me halfway. 35s would be a squeeze right now and maybe a little to slow with my 3.70s.

I agree with Felix, there is no way you are going to fit 35s on there without a lift of some type. That gearing and 35s will also bring the suck.

[Felix]

Originally Posted by John Smith

I agree with Felix, there is no way you are going to fit 35s on there without a lift of some type. That gearing and 35s will also bring the suck.

I actually have changed my mind. Andrew, you should follow these simple steps:

Step 1 - Get 35s and install
Step 2 - Flex out suspension
Step 3 - With sawzall, cut off any sheet metal that touches the tires.

[Blue77FJ40]

Originally Posted by fjman

Surprisingly, these things kick ass in the snow..... but it looks like I'll be replacing them.

I saw some 35s here on mud but they are up in NY. Seemed like a good price although one had a plug in the sidewall. Might see if he'd meet me halfway. 35s would be a squeeze right now and maybe a little to slow with my 3.70s.

Andrew, even if you could fit the 35s, and you didn't mind the suck, a plug in the sidewall is a huge no go flag! I'd definitely pass on these. Good luck.

[fjman]

I figure, I've only rubbed with the 33s when one tire is way up off the ground... whats another inch closer to the wheel well....... The sidewall plug was really my bigest concern. Maybe I'll just do what normal people do and buy new tires!


I was thinking about going the AAL route anyway since I'll never get around to that SOA!

[Blue77FJ40]

Andrew, I don't know what tire you're looking for, but a non-wheeling buddy of mine who usually gets Goodrich ATs for DD/snow saw these for much less and they seem to get a good rating.

General Grabber AT2 Tires - All Terrain Tire Reviews

[fjman]

Originally Posted by Blue77FJ40

Andrew, I don't know what tire you're looking for, but a non-wheeling buddy of mine who usually gets Goodrich ATs for DD/snow saw these for much less and they seem to get a good rating.

General Grabber AT2 Tires - All Terrain Tire Reviews

I'll have to go check these out. they look good and the price is pretty awesome. Plus 60K miles worth of wear means they'll be dry rotted before I drive the tread off

[H2o]

I would just buy new tires from an national company, with the on/off road insurance so that if you destroy them, they will give you credit. I think Costco has good prices, but dont' know if they do the insurance thing.

I would also recommend getting the truck checked out by a good mechanic. They will charge $50-100 to give it a good check over and might catch something that as a back yard mechanic, you will overlook. Besides, you will save $$$ since he probably will tell you what parts you REALLY need to replace and what is fine. Also cheap insurance.

I am jealous. go for it. you will never regret it. Make sure you take pictures and try to keep us updated to you progress (before leaving and once on the road.)