- Thread starter
- #61
Thanks
we are over 3,600 miles in at this point and still having fun. Smart math says that many miles in an FJ40 is roughly equivalent to 25,000 miles in a normal vehicle.
3 Weeks, 9 States and a 45 year old FJ40/M416 Combo
- Thread starter Rock40
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Thanks
we are over 3,600 miles in at this point and still having fun. Smart math says that many miles in an FJ40 is roughly equivalent to 25,000 miles in a normal vehicle.
POTATO LAUNCHER
TLCA #6928
1300 miles in a FJ40 with two kids and a trailer was enough for me. You're journey is epic. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
This is awesome! So glad I came upon this thread, your 40, trailer, scenic pictures, and updates are great. Can't wait to see and read more. Thanks
- Thread starter
- #64
Glad folks are enjoying this; it's hard for me to believe how far we've gone in such a short time
We're in Yellowstone NP now which is surprisingly still busy in mid September. We got a campsite at Norrris by arriving at 9am!
Good fishing this time of year though because the fish are getting ready for the long hard winter. Caught 8 native Cutthroat like this at Riddle Lake.
While we were on the trail, we both heard "woodpecker" like popping sounds and stopped walking. Seconds later, this tree fell across the trail right in front of us. It looks like lots of dead trees (possibly from the fire in 88') are finally coming down. Never a dull moment.
We're in Yellowstone NP now which is surprisingly still busy in mid September. We got a campsite at Norrris by arriving at 9am!
Good fishing this time of year though because the fish are getting ready for the long hard winter. Caught 8 native Cutthroat like this at Riddle Lake.
While we were on the trail, we both heard "woodpecker" like popping sounds and stopped walking. Seconds later, this tree fell across the trail right in front of us. It looks like lots of dead trees (possibly from the fire in 88') are finally coming down. Never a dull moment.
- Thread starter
- #65
Three days without service but with plenty of activities. We spent the last three days exploring Yellowstone. Thursday we took a trip up to the boiling river and enjoyed the rain while sitting in nature's hot tub. We were also treated to some amazing lightning shows.
Friday we played tourist visiting all the smelly sulfur pools and geysers on our way down to Old Faithful.
After some disappointment with the famous geyser (we saw mostly steam) we took our neighbors suggestion and hit up the Lonestar geyser the next day. We weren't disappointed this time - we had a private 20 minute viewing of impressive 30-40' high spray and rainbows in the mist from the morning sun.
Ross also got in some more good fishing at Riddle Lake and we challenged our lungs on the 328 steps to the lower Yellowstone Falls on Uncle Tom's trail.
Off to Glacier today - a lot of miles ahead of us.
Friday we played tourist visiting all the smelly sulfur pools and geysers on our way down to Old Faithful.
After some disappointment with the famous geyser (we saw mostly steam) we took our neighbors suggestion and hit up the Lonestar geyser the next day. We weren't disappointed this time - we had a private 20 minute viewing of impressive 30-40' high spray and rainbows in the mist from the morning sun.
Ross also got in some more good fishing at Riddle Lake and we challenged our lungs on the 328 steps to the lower Yellowstone Falls on Uncle Tom's trail.
Off to Glacier today - a lot of miles ahead of us.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #66
Of note - we encountered speedometer issues and odd voltage spikes and drops after Ross drove around in some thick morning fog. The voltage issues resolved on their own but we went an entire day without a speedometer. After pulling the magnetic pickup sending unit off (it appeared just fine) and putting it back on, we seemed to have a magic fix. The speedometer has worked perfectly ever since. The only reason we can think of that could have set off all these electrical gremlins with the voltage was the ridiculously thick fog that morning. The speedometer was likely a loose drive pin. For now we are just happy for an easy fix.
FJ40-GARAGE
I`ll be back....
Allow me to describe your journey with just one foreign word: GROSSARTIG 
Hope to find time to do a similar journey soon.
Hope to find time to do a similar journey soon.
- Thread starter
- #69
LOL, we had to look it up. I took two years of German but I don't remember that one!Allow me to describe your journey with just one foreign word: GROSSARTIG
Hope to find time to do a similar journey soon.
- Thread starter
- #70
I have been thinking just that for the past several days as the trip starts to wind down a bit. It's been awesome and the day we left seems like a LONG time ago.
- Thread starter
- #71
Made it to Glacier NP this afternoon! To our surprise, it was the very last day that The Going To The Sun Road was open for the year. Amazing luck for us
Our fortunes changed however when we entered the park and a Ranger told us our truck/trailer combo was over 21'; too long to navigate the road and abide by park rules. I argued that the trailer shouldn't count since its turning radius perfectly matches the truck. The Ranger wasn't convinced and told me my option was driving around on US 2; a trip of 2-3 extra hours. When I asked what would happen if I drove the road anyways I was told I could receive a citation for disregarding park rules. After being warned again that my license plate was being recorded and law enforcement notified, I took my chances and entered the park.
Perched on top of our renegade vehicle/trailer combo
This is "The Loop" which is the tightest corner in the road. I'm too terrified to look at the road
honestly though, the tour buses caused more traffic backup than we did.
Did I mention that the alternator is crapping out? It's refusing to charge at this point but I managed to limp the truck out of the park after tapping on the alt a few times with a hammer (which caused it to start charging again) the plan is to hopefully get to the GM dealer in Kalispell, MT tomorrow or hit the Car Quest in Columbia Falls, MT (where we are now)
Our fortunes changed however when we entered the park and a Ranger told us our truck/trailer combo was over 21'; too long to navigate the road and abide by park rules. I argued that the trailer shouldn't count since its turning radius perfectly matches the truck. The Ranger wasn't convinced and told me my option was driving around on US 2; a trip of 2-3 extra hours. When I asked what would happen if I drove the road anyways I was told I could receive a citation for disregarding park rules. After being warned again that my license plate was being recorded and law enforcement notified, I took my chances and entered the park.
Perched on top of our renegade vehicle/trailer combo
This is "The Loop" which is the tightest corner in the road. I'm too terrified to look at the road
honestly though, the tour buses caused more traffic backup than we did. Did I mention that the alternator is crapping out? It's refusing to charge at this point but I managed to limp the truck out of the park after tapping on the alt a few times with a hammer (which caused it to start charging again) the plan is to hopefully get to the GM dealer in Kalispell, MT tomorrow or hit the Car Quest in Columbia Falls, MT (where we are now)
Rebel.
- Thread starter
- #73
Well, no luck with the GM dealers. Apparently the alternator for this engine is too old to be kept in stock, so on to plan B - auto parts store. We hopped in the truck (which started perfectly) and stopped at the first auto parts store we saw and bought a brand new alternator. We contemplated just taking the new one along and changing it later, but restarting the truck proved that that would not be the wise choice. The alternator had failed again and was no longer charging. A quick swap in the parking lot and we were on our way!
Thank goodness for easy to find GM parts...
Thank goodness for easy to find GM parts...
- Thread starter
- #74
Ha! We like to live life on the wrong side of the law
- Thread starter
- #75
If you're in Bonners Ferry, Kootenai River Brewing is worth a stop, great stuff
very cool thread! looks like I just missed you I was in Ouray in my 40 the last week of august. took a real similar picture next to the California pass sign overlooking como lake. I did rocky mountain national park, Tetons, yellow stone, badlands, and glacier in my 40 last year in july and death valley, Yosemite, sequoia, and Pismo beach last February! nothing like being on the road in a 40!
- Thread starter
- #77
Dang! That's a lot of driving in a 40 Very impressive. We passed the 5,000 mile mark today while in eastern WA and that seems like an impossibly far distance in an antique vehicle. Tomorrow we'll be home and we both can't believe it's over already, kind of sad in a way but satisfying at the same time.
Here's one more pic of beautiful fall color in Glacier NP
Very impressive. We passed the 5,000 mile mark today while in eastern WA and that seems like an impossibly far distance in an antique vehicle. Tomorrow we'll be home and we both can't believe it's over already, kind of sad in a way but satisfying at the same time. Here's one more pic of beautiful fall color in Glacier NP
sheepdawg
Champagne appetite. Beer income.
So the Park Ranger threatened you with an infraction. Whopity do. If you ran a stop sign, it would probably have cost more than his ticket. Good choice by being the rebel. I would have done the same but not even asked what would happen. Remember, sometimes it is better to ask for forgiveness than permission. Great photos.
- Thread starter
- #79
My thoughts exactly. This thing is a rolling citation and yet we have somehow made it through 9 states without being pulled over a single time. What are the odds?
- Thread starter
- #80
We camped our last night (sniffle, sniffle) at Steamboat Rock State Park on Banks Lake in WA.
After weeks of travel it was a bit strange to be back in our home state. Oddly enough, neither of one of us are sick enough of riding in the 40 to want to go home.
Unfortunately, responsibilities await and we will just have to settle for planning our next adventure. Thanks to everyone who followed along!
After weeks of travel it was a bit strange to be back in our home state. Oddly enough, neither of one of us are sick enough of riding in the 40 to want to go home.
Unfortunately, responsibilities await and we will just have to settle for planning our next adventure. Thanks to everyone who followed along!
Last edited:
