Keep the pics and commentary up mate your journeys being watched from all around the world, nice looking cruiser you've got there 
1982 BJ42 Adventure on the Horizon
- Thread starter Dirty Koala
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brian
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lol, i thought you had an extra special nj accent.
Dirty Koala
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- Thread starter
- #43
Coming right up, and thank you.Keep the pics and commentary up mate your journeys being watched from all around the world, nice looking cruiser you've got there
According to @35inchoverdrive I am Ukrainian.
Dirty Koala
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- Thread starter
- #44
Well I just wrapped up a 12 hour day on the road. I would say there were two themes to describe today.
I pit stopped in Pine Bluff, WY to fuel up, get some water and a couple essentials that I forgot to bring, sunglasses and headphones.
Sporting my $14.99 polarized sunnies and new ear buds, I crank up the AC/DC and hit the road once again.
I picked a hot week for this trip, the whole route back is going to be in the low to mid 90's, by 11am as I cross into Nebraska the sun was belting down unrelenting. I didn't stop to get a picture as I crossed the border as it wasn't particularly picture worthy.
The western plains of Nebraska look much like every western movie I saw as a kid, I find it very easy to imagine how it was before the interstate and towns popped up.
Nothing for miles and miles
At some point the open Plains were replaced with a never ending supply of corn fields and gigantic sprinklers...I am not sure if the sprinklers are for water or pesticide.
I passed the Cabelas headquarters, if I had more time I may have stopped in to do some shopping, I picture will have to do.
From 11am till about 6:30, it was incredibly hot out on the road, and even hotter in the cab, arriving at the hotel in Omaha, NE where there is a cool room, comfortable bed and shower waiting for me was a very satisfying feeling.
So far the 42 has carried me about 700 miles, 1200 more to go.
- Hot Hot Hot
- Corn Corn & more Corn
I pit stopped in Pine Bluff, WY to fuel up, get some water and a couple essentials that I forgot to bring, sunglasses and headphones.
Sporting my $14.99 polarized sunnies and new ear buds, I crank up the AC/DC and hit the road once again.
I picked a hot week for this trip, the whole route back is going to be in the low to mid 90's, by 11am as I cross into Nebraska the sun was belting down unrelenting. I didn't stop to get a picture as I crossed the border as it wasn't particularly picture worthy.
The western plains of Nebraska look much like every western movie I saw as a kid, I find it very easy to imagine how it was before the interstate and towns popped up.
Nothing for miles and miles
At some point the open Plains were replaced with a never ending supply of corn fields and gigantic sprinklers...I am not sure if the sprinklers are for water or pesticide.
I passed the Cabelas headquarters, if I had more time I may have stopped in to do some shopping, I picture will have to do.
From 11am till about 6:30, it was incredibly hot out on the road, and even hotter in the cab, arriving at the hotel in Omaha, NE where there is a cool room, comfortable bed and shower waiting for me was a very satisfying feeling.
So far the 42 has carried me about 700 miles, 1200 more to go.
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2011
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- www.freewayoneentertainment.com
My BJ74 is 24V and I love it. Electrical items rarely break down but are slightly more costly to repair. Just need a good auto sparky.
Dirty Koala
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- Thread starter
- #46
Saturday:
I wakeup in Omaha after another restful night, grab some breakfast, the selection was pretty slim and the coffee was hidden around the corner like they didn't want you to find it, but nevertheless, I got what I needed and checked out.
I find my trusty steed waiting and ready to share another day on the road with me.
I checked fluid levels as I do a few times a day, all still looks good, then packed my bag in the back, opened the windows, cranked up the 3B and hit the road.
Within minutes I am crossing the Missouri river into Iowa and almost immediately the terrain changes from the never ending flat Nebraska plains to rolling hills of Western Iowa.
As we cruise along I note the many many gigantic windmills scattered across the corn fields as far as I can see. They are pretty impressive and I need to be careful to not watch too long as I start to drift onto the shoulder getting mesmerized.
To put these windmills into perspective, each blade is significantly longer than a semi trailer. I caught a pic of one of the blades being transported heading West. Well part of the blade anyway.
It's not long before I get a bit of a convoy rolling, the only other guys on the road cruising at my speed are the military I'm their Humvee's, these fellas tailed me for about 150 miles until I had to stop for fuel.
I have to say that I enjoyed the western half of Iowa, the roads were open, not too much traffic, rolling hills kept the drive interesting and the weather cooperated. It was about 90 through the hottest hours of the day, but didn't feel as oppressive as the day riding through Nebraska.
I wakeup in Omaha after another restful night, grab some breakfast, the selection was pretty slim and the coffee was hidden around the corner like they didn't want you to find it, but nevertheless, I got what I needed and checked out.
I find my trusty steed waiting and ready to share another day on the road with me.
I checked fluid levels as I do a few times a day, all still looks good, then packed my bag in the back, opened the windows, cranked up the 3B and hit the road.
Within minutes I am crossing the Missouri river into Iowa and almost immediately the terrain changes from the never ending flat Nebraska plains to rolling hills of Western Iowa.
As we cruise along I note the many many gigantic windmills scattered across the corn fields as far as I can see. They are pretty impressive and I need to be careful to not watch too long as I start to drift onto the shoulder getting mesmerized.
To put these windmills into perspective, each blade is significantly longer than a semi trailer. I caught a pic of one of the blades being transported heading West. Well part of the blade anyway.
It's not long before I get a bit of a convoy rolling, the only other guys on the road cruising at my speed are the military I'm their Humvee's, these fellas tailed me for about 150 miles until I had to stop for fuel.
I have to say that I enjoyed the western half of Iowa, the roads were open, not too much traffic, rolling hills kept the drive interesting and the weather cooperated. It was about 90 through the hottest hours of the day, but didn't feel as oppressive as the day riding through Nebraska.
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Dirty Koala
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- Thread starter
- #47
Saturday Continued:
Somewhere in Iowa I pulled over to fuel up the tank, reload my water supply, as driving in the heat has me drinking over a gallon a day.
Not sure who was the brainchild behind naming this gas station chain... Kum & Go. I bet the girl at the counter loves her job.
As I am about to leave this fella who is airing up the tires on his heavily loaded trailer, manages to over inflate, and BOOM, the sidewall blows. The poor guy landed on his butt, was a little shaken and then had a bit of a meltdown. I offered my time and tools to help, but he didn't have a spare and had to call in assistance.
Mid afternoon I crossed the mighty muddy Mississippi River into Illinois, and made for Chicago.
The rest of the drive through Illinois and Indiana was nothing special, the traffic worsened the closer I got to Chicago, but never turned into NY or LA traffic.
I am really missing my wife and son by now, so I put a plan into action that will ensure I make it home on Sunday. I make am aggressive goal of reaching Toledo, OH, a whopping 700 miles from Omaha.
I stop for more water around 5pm and got into a conversation with a group of fellas that couldn't believe there was no rust. They also tried to tell me it's worth north of $70k because they saw one just like it sell on Jackson Barrett for that much.
Around 9pm I am famished, so stop for dinner at a cracker barrel, call the wife, chow down and then make the last 2.5hr push to Toledo, arriving at 12:15am. I check in, grab a shower and shut down the motor for the night. After a solid 16 hours of driving I am knackered.
Somewhere in Iowa I pulled over to fuel up the tank, reload my water supply, as driving in the heat has me drinking over a gallon a day.
Not sure who was the brainchild behind naming this gas station chain... Kum & Go. I bet the girl at the counter loves her job.
As I am about to leave this fella who is airing up the tires on his heavily loaded trailer, manages to over inflate, and BOOM, the sidewall blows. The poor guy landed on his butt, was a little shaken and then had a bit of a meltdown. I offered my time and tools to help, but he didn't have a spare and had to call in assistance.
Mid afternoon I crossed the mighty muddy Mississippi River into Illinois, and made for Chicago.
The rest of the drive through Illinois and Indiana was nothing special, the traffic worsened the closer I got to Chicago, but never turned into NY or LA traffic.
I am really missing my wife and son by now, so I put a plan into action that will ensure I make it home on Sunday. I make am aggressive goal of reaching Toledo, OH, a whopping 700 miles from Omaha.
I stop for more water around 5pm and got into a conversation with a group of fellas that couldn't believe there was no rust. They also tried to tell me it's worth north of $70k because they saw one just like it sell on Jackson Barrett for that much
.Around 9pm I am famished, so stop for dinner at a cracker barrel, call the wife, chow down and then make the last 2.5hr push to Toledo, arriving at 12:15am. I check in, grab a shower and shut down the motor for the night. After a solid 16 hours of driving I am knackered.
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Dirty Koala
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- Thread starter
- #49
Thank you, I am in OH around milemarker 104 on 80...hopefully I do think need anything, but thanks for the offer.
Dirty Koala
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- Thread starter
- #50
Saturday Cruiser Enabled Interactions:
I forgot to mention my cruiser enabled interactions for the day.
The first was at about 11am, cruising through Iowa, a pickup truck pulls alongside and an attractive 30-35ish woman is practically hanging out the window, emphatically giving me the double thumbs up, I was half expecting her to whip out the tata's. I think her hubby realized she was a little too excited and pulled away before the show got good.
I mentioned the fellas and their $70k quote already.
Later in the evening as I pull through a toll both, the toll girl wanted to know about it, she liked my A/C (kick vents).
About an hour later as I am about to enter Ohio, another toll both lady wanted to know what year it was, "very cool" seems to be the reaction. I had to get moving when they started honking their horns behind me.
This cruiser definitely gets some attention.
I forgot to mention my cruiser enabled interactions for the day.
The first was at about 11am, cruising through Iowa, a pickup truck pulls alongside and an attractive 30-35ish woman is practically hanging out the window, emphatically giving me the double thumbs up, I was half expecting her to whip out the tata's. I think her hubby realized she was a little too excited and pulled away before the show got good.
I mentioned the fellas and their $70k quote already.
Later in the evening as I pull through a toll both, the toll girl wanted to know about it, she liked my A/C (kick vents).
About an hour later as I am about to enter Ohio, another toll both lady wanted to know what year it was, "very cool" seems to be the reaction. I had to get moving when they started honking their horns behind me.
This cruiser definitely gets some attention.
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I'm surprised you were able to drive after Cracker Barrel. I'm usually so stuffed afterwards that I am worthless.
Dirty Koala
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- Thread starter
- #52
I had their new campfire chicken meal it was actually really good, and not overly large. Just right to keep me going.
Great work Morgan and Jon.
I brought this truck to Jon originally and it was brutally hot then too.
Can't wait to see the H55F swap Morgan.
Regards.
Onur
I brought this truck to Jon originally and it was brutally hot then too.
Can't wait to see the H55F swap Morgan.
Regards.
Onur
I spent the first 4-5 years of my retirement bringing that beauty back to life and now reading your story and seeing the pics I wish I never sold it. The little women said I can't have 2 Cruisers so I sold the 42 and am now restoring the 76 FJ40 that I have owned for about 15 years. It gives me that warm and fuzzy feeling to hear that so many people enjoy the 42 as much as I did. Keep the story and pics coming so I can follow your journey.
Dirty Koala
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- Thread starter
- #55
Thank you for connecting Jon and I, everything went smoothly.Great work Morgan and Jon.
I brought this truck to Jon originally and it was brutally hot then too.
Can't wait to see the H55F swap Morgan.
Regards.
Onur
Maybe we can time your next North East trip with the H55F swap.
Dirty Koala
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- Thread starter
- #56
Vern, I love that all the previous owners are a part of this journey.
Last weekend as I sat around the campfire at Coal Mine Cruiser Classic, downing IPA's and BS'ing with @beno, @35inchoverdrive, @Stumpalama and the rest of the Capital Cruiser folks, we get to talking about my upcoming cross country trip. Stump pipes up, "Vern's truck?, going to send him a text right now" small world isn't it.
I forgot to mention last night as I was making the last push to Toledo, Tanner @Snow Peak, the owner between Vern and Jon, messaged me, he had just got back from a few weeks in Alaska. We chatted about the cruiser for a bit.
I love that the history and story of this truck is well known and documented here within the Mud community. Know that the 42 has landed in another good Landcruiser family.
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Dirty Koala
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- Thread starter
- #57
Sunday:
I got a little bit of a later start than I had hoped for today, breakfast at 8, my ritual fluid check and then on the road by 8:30.
Within about an hour or so, the skies opened up with a vengeance, good thing the wipers work well. It's amazing how little water comes in the window due to the terrible aerodynamics of this box.
Around 12 or so I cross into Pennsylvania...one last big state to cross.
As I have done throughout the trip, I periodically turn on the Google GPS to check if there are any delays ahead, today I discovered a big honking 2.5hr delay on 80 that would have ruined my schedule. Fortunately there was an alternate route that would only add 30 mins, saving me 2hrs.
The alternate route took me through a scenic little town and a state park, which was a nice diversion from the interstate.
I lost track of the Cruiser enabled interactions today, there were just too many. Everytime I stopped for fuel, water, bathroom, food I had to bake in some time for the discussion that was bound to happen...and they did. The number of thumbs up from all sorts of people was staggering. One fella nearly lost his mind when he realised it was a diesel. He had a 77 FJ40 and a 55. I also noted a woman in a mini van give me the side eye...before hubby gunned it up a hill that I could not compete on.
Around 8:30pm I cross the Delaware Water Gap into NJ...nearly home!
Pulled into the driveway at 9pm, reunited with my little man, wife and pups. Life is good. 12.5 hrs on the road today.
It was a long haul, 43 hours behind the wheel, there were lots of sights, lots off heat, and quite the experience. Thank you Jon @greenbeast for working with me, and thank you Onur @beno for connecting the dots and making this happen.
I plan to continue updating this thread as I build the 42, I hope you all continue to follow along.
Cheers,
Morgan
I got a little bit of a later start than I had hoped for today, breakfast at 8, my ritual fluid check and then on the road by 8:30.
Within about an hour or so, the skies opened up with a vengeance, good thing the wipers work well. It's amazing how little water comes in the window due to the terrible aerodynamics of this box.
Around 12 or so I cross into Pennsylvania...one last big state to cross.
As I have done throughout the trip, I periodically turn on the Google GPS to check if there are any delays ahead, today I discovered a big honking 2.5hr delay on 80 that would have ruined my schedule. Fortunately there was an alternate route that would only add 30 mins, saving me 2hrs.
The alternate route took me through a scenic little town and a state park, which was a nice diversion from the interstate.
I lost track of the Cruiser enabled interactions today, there were just too many. Everytime I stopped for fuel, water, bathroom, food I had to bake in some time for the discussion that was bound to happen...and they did. The number of thumbs up from all sorts of people was staggering. One fella nearly lost his mind when he realised it was a diesel. He had a 77 FJ40 and a 55. I also noted a woman in a mini van give me the side eye...before hubby gunned it up a hill that I could not compete on.
Around 8:30pm I cross the Delaware Water Gap into NJ...nearly home!
Pulled into the driveway at 9pm, reunited with my little man, wife and pups. Life is good. 12.5 hrs on the road today.
It was a long haul, 43 hours behind the wheel, there were lots of sights, lots off heat, and quite the experience. Thank you Jon @greenbeast for working with me, and thank you Onur @beno for connecting the dots and making this happen.
I plan to continue updating this thread as I build the 42, I hope you all continue to follow along.
Cheers,
Morgan
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As we have discussed, glad you got home ok. Love all the attention you got. I never got that much driving the other red bj42 home. Must have been that seedy Turkish fella sitting next to me!!
Dirty Koala
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- Thread starter
- #60
Those Turks are very questionable, probably scared off most of the attention.
