Buying a '99 - Cross country Adventure CA to PA! (1 Viewer)

[fireball]

Guys,

After months of searching for a 100 to use as the family adventure vehicle to replace our '99 4R, I've finally found one, and barring any crazy findings during the pre-purchase inspection tomorrow, will be flying out to San Diego on Monday to drive it back east! Shipping would be a few hundred dollars cheaper, but it just seems against the nature of buying a LC to *not* have a cross country adventure!

Many thanks to @sandiegocruiser who was nice enough to spend a few hours of his weekend going over to drive it and check it out for me.

It's a '99 w/ rear air, diff-locker, river rock green and bone stock except for some brand new 295/75/16 BFGs. 134k with the TB done at 100k. Here's my WTB post I had made, pretty much an exact match!

I need some advice and wisdom from the experts on a few things:

1. Route from San Diego to Golden. This will be the fun part of the trip. Should have 7 days to make it from San Diego to the Slee World HQ in Golden, CO. Keeping in mind I'll be in a stock vehicle with no tools or spares how would you get there?

Thinking SD to Vegas to Zion Nat'l Park. Then to Ouray and Telluride and then up into Denver area. Could skip Zion and do Grand Canyon and Lake Powell?

2. Anyone want to do some easy wheeling/trails/exploring in Ouray on the weekend of Oct 5-6th? Would love some company or some locals to show me around.

3. Was thinking about renting a U-haul in Denver and hauling stuff back east. I can either pay them to install a bumper and suspension (not the worst thing ever!) or rent a trailer and bring it home and install myself. If I could rent the trailer and get at least 3-4 guys to chip in for rental cost/gas money I could deliver anywhere on my route b/w Denver and Harrisburg PA. Trailer is 250-300$. Shipping on bumpers and skids and such is pretty expensive, so could help some guys save some money if there was enough interest.

That's all for now. Looking forward to planning the trip and getting behind the wheel!

Thanks,

Fireball

 

[re_guderian]

3. For reference, I towed a lightly loaded, double axle, enclosed u-haul from VA to AZ on 295's, and never cracked 11MPG. couple that with rental, if you don't get any takers to share costs, it might just be easier/cheaper (or at least close) to have Slee do the install.

 

[mgilvan]

dude
check this 99 out beforre you drive up, its in san diego aswell
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...][]]&listingId=355611454&listingIndex=1&Log=0
its a 99 with 74k , and look clean

 

[fireball]

dude
check this 99 out beforre you drive up, its in san diego aswell
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...][]]&listingId=355611454&listingIndex=1&Log=0
its a 99 with 74k , and look clean

That looks super nice! A bit out of my price range though, and black cars don't do well with the pinstripping inherent with most east coast off-road adventures.

3. For reference, I towed a lightly loaded, double axle, enclosed u-haul from VA to AZ on 295's, and never cracked 11MPG. couple that with rental, if you don't get any takers to share costs, it might just be easier/cheaper (or at least close) to have Slee do the install.

I've been driving the Bronco around lately and it gets about 9mpg, so double digits will be an improvement! Wonder what I should be expecting stock on 295s? I was hoping for 15hwy. Is even that too optimistic?

 

[re_guderian]

That looks super nice! A bit out of my price range though, and black cars don't do well with the pinstripping inherent with most east coast off-road adventures.

I've been driving the Bronco around lately and it gets about 9mpg, so double digits will be an improvement! Wonder what I should be expecting stock on 295s? I was hoping for 15hwy. Is even that too optimistic?

15 is doable, if you're not a lead foot. Over 2500+ miles that's a difference of a couple hundred bucks. Course, so is spending an extra day in a hotel in Golden...

 

[mister bean]

That looks super nice! A bit out of my price range though, and black cars don't do well with the pinstripping inherent with most east coast off-road adventures.



I've been driving the Bronco around lately and it gets about 9mpg, so double digits will be an improvement! Wonder what I should be expecting stock on 295s? I was hoping for 15hwy. Is even that too optimistic?

I get about 17 on the highway with a bumper , 1.5" lift and 285s. 15 is definitely doable.

After hauling a trailer around town all weekend, I would opt for installing at Slee and driving home unloaded.

 

[duggy]

Definitely have Slee do the install. You won't have to worry about your bumpers/sliders/skids/lift walking off in the middle of the night when you're in a hotel.

 

[fireball]

It's official!!!

Pre-purchase inspection went great today. Mechanically in great shape. Verified TB/WB, CVs in good shape, tranny in good shape, 4lo and diff locker working, etc.

Flight booked and will arrive in San Diego on Sunday midday. Finalizing the transaction, grabbing some gear and provisions and then heading out towards Vegas and hopefully making it into Utah/St. George/Zion area where the adventure will begin.

Have a stop with Slee and Mike @BIOR already planned for a few days later.

 

[CappyKD]

It's official!!! Pre-purchase inspection went great today. Mechanically in great shape. Verified TB/WB, CVs in good shape, tranny in good shape, 4lo and diff locker working, etc. Flight booked and will arrive in San Diego on Sunday midday. Finalizing the transaction, grabbing some gear and provisions and then heading out towards Vegas and hopefully making it into Utah/St. George/Zion area where the adventure will begin. Have a stop with Slee and Mike @BIOR already planned for a few days later.

Congrats!

 

[SmoothLC]

Sweet - post some pics when ya get back.

Sounds like a good deal.

 

[mcewan13]

Congrats on finally finding the right rig for you needs. I did a similar trip when I purchased our '03 in Denver. I took the long way home to Portland via Vail, Moab, Escalante, Bryce, Zion, Vegas, Death Valley, & Yosemite.
Before you fly out, I highly suggest researching the sights along Utah's Hwy 12. ....and pack the gear to camp in the back of your new rig. It's a great way to get to know it quickly.
Best of luck on your trip.
.matthew

 

[fireball]

Congrats on finally finding the right rig for you needs. I did a similar trip when I purchased our '03 in Denver. I took the long way home to Portland via Vail, Moab, Escalante, Bryce, Zion, Vegas, Death Valley, & Yosemite.
Before you fly out, I highly suggest researching the sights along Utah's Hwy 12. ....and pack the gear to camp in the back of your new rig. It's a great way to get to know it quickly.
Best of luck on your trip.
.matthew

Thanks!!!

Tell me more about Highway 12...

Planning to spend at least a few nights in the back! Sending as much stuff as will fit in a large flat rate box out tomorrow...pocket knife, flashlights, headlamp, my whisperlite stove, etc. Will be running pretty light on gear for this trip though!

 

[2000UZJ]

Congrats! That sounds like a great road trip. You will be blown away as you are driving into Ouray. The highway is breathtaking. Actually that entire area!

 

[paflytyer]

Congrats!

If you're coming through Colorado..

-Colorado National Monument. Kinda like a mini Grand Canyon. All paved roads. http://www.nps.gov/colm/index.htm

-Last Dollar Rd and Owl Creek Pass outside of Ouray, CO. Both very doable in a stock 100. Dirt roads through some of the most beautiful country you'll ever see. The aspens should still have some color left and the views are unreal. However, that area just got dumped on with snow. Over 3 feet in some spots.......We are getting into that time of year where a major snowstorm could make some of the passes above 10k very sketchy. Even on the major roads. It's always a good idea to plan accordingly. Water, warm clothes, and provisions just in case.

It's faster to stay south through Arizona. Flagstaff, Prescott, Sedona and all really nice too.

 

[fireball]

Congrats!

If you're coming through Colorado..

-Colorado National Monument. Kinda like a mini Grand Canyon. All paved roads. http://www.nps.gov/colm/index.htm

-Last Dollar Rd and Owl Creek Pass outside of Ouray, CO. Both very doable in a stock 100. Dirt roads through some of the most beautiful country you'll ever see. The aspens should still have some color left and the views are unreal. However, that area just got dumped on with snow. Over 3 feet in some spots.......We are getting into that time of year where a major snowstorm could make some of the passes above 10k very sketchy. Even on the major roads. It's always a good idea to plan accordingly. Water, warm clothes, and provisions just in case.

It's faster to stay south through Arizona. Flagstaff, Prescott, Sedona and all really nice too.

Thanks for the info. 3 ft of snow already?! Might have to bring extra fuel so I can turn the heat on overnight sleeping in the back.

I've got a stop at Slee planned for Monday the 7th to get fitted with the 2.5" heavy lift. So will definitely be coming through CO. Would Last Dollar and Owl Creek be something fine to attempt solo?

I've got a ABP out looking for wheeling companions on this thread here. I'll likely be into Telluride sometime Thursday, just need to make my way up to Golden by Monday morning. Wanna come have some fun?!

 

[fireball]

spare wheel/tire?

Quick question....anyone know what the OEM spare wheel is on my '99? Is it a generic steel wheel or does it match the 4 alloy rims?

I'm debating purchasing another tire so that I can have a full size spare for the trip back. 275/70 to 295/75 is a pretty big jump!

Thanks

 

[SanDiegoCruiser]

It's the same as the other 4 alloy rims, so all you need to do is throw on a 295 and then cram it up into the back of your truck. Others have done modifications to allow 295's to not sit down as low and thus give you more clearance.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/76405-spare-tire-modifications.html

 

[SmoothLC]

Here's more on Utah Scenic Byway 12.

Lots of things to do and see along the way if you're willing to explore off it.

 

[fireball]

A little itinerary is shaping up here...

Sunday afternoon arrive in San Diego, finalize the transaction, crush some beers with Sandiegocruiser and drool over his truck.

Monday morning get a full size spare fitted, oil change, wiper blades, remove running boards and heard out towards UT, arriving campground in St. George.

Tues & Wed hiking and exploring around Zion. Still need to sort out a place to stay... any free backcountry camping in those areas?

Thur head over to Telluride, possibly via rt 12 and Arches/Moab? Could leave Zion and take route 12, then stop for the night at Goblin Valley State Park. Paging @Fitzgerald .... looks like he's been there. https://forum.ih8mud.com/showpost.php?p=8439066&postcount=77 Adds a lot of distance....is it worth it?

Fri-Sun in Telluride/Ouray and then up to Denver. Hoping to meet up with Paflytyer for a little fun somewhere in that time frame. Will try to do Last Dollar Road and Owl Creek Pass.

Anything else I should add to the agenda?!

 

[2000UZJ]

Is Telluride/Ouray worth it? In short, it will take your breath away, your eyes will be the size of dinner plates, your memory card in your camera will melt...you will never want to leave. So, yes, worth every second. Your already out there! Go see it!