Advice for a long roadtrip?

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Elyse LC

Elyse LC

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Mar 6, 2006
Threads
11
Messages
106
Location
SF Bay Area
I'm looking at taking a 1000+ mile journey in my 73 :pig:.

All highway miles, taking it slow and easy, 200-250 miles a day, keeping it around 55, drafting trucks when possible. But the route would be from Southern Cal to CO with those pesky Rocky Mountains in between :lol:


No mechanical issues currently; it's been my daily driver for the last 15 years. 4speed was rebuilt at the time I got it and there's about 20k miles on the rebuilt engine. Clutch replaced, brand new tires, brakes, alignment all good. Fuel pump and alternator replaced not too long ago. Everything's stock.

I'm thinking I should be prepared for a breakdown. Sadly, I don't currently wrench myself (lots of desire to learn but no space) so I'd pack my AAA card w/long distance towing and a rental sat phone.

But that would suck.

Are there any specific things I can check out and/or replace before I make the trip? Things I can learn to do on the road? (I used to tear apart Panavision film cameras for a living, so I think I could handle simple operations). A list of spare parts I should have on hand?


Any thoughts? Advice? Horror stories?

:steer:

-
ELC
 
That's not that bad!! We drove the '76 FJ55 from British Columbia to Guatemala two years ago!! I'd bring spare hoses and belts and the tools to swap those. Other than that, if you're not into wrenching you'll want to tow it for anything bigger.

We had no issues with the '55 on our trip two years ago and we even did a lift install 1/2 way through in Phoenix!!

Here's some pic's!! We went from snow in Canada to hot and humid in the tropics!!
salmo.webp
cali.webp
mexico3.webp
 
Have somebody in MUD's phone number ready so they can post "real time help" info for you. IF you do breakdown maybe it's near a MUD members home full of tools and he/she is not busy.
Bring some rubber inner tubes and some various diameters of hose clamps. Use them to slow down fluid loss on any leaks on any of the trucks old lines if anything should occur.
 
I also suggest watching your TEMP gauge as much as the speedometer, make sure your radiator, hoses, water pump, and t-stat are good with no dry rot. Bring extra coolant, oil, water.

I would think the most likely breakdown would be due to a cooling / overheating issue.

Check at your stops for any new leaks under the truck. Maybe check / adjust the valves before you leave, if it has been a while since the last (more than 8K miles).
 
a gun, maybe, depending on how remote you will be. Never a bad idea IMO as long as it is packed away and you are safe with it.

mechanically you may want to just walk around your truck and "think" about what could go wrong, bring some small stuff, like: lugnuts, cotter pins, various bolts, tire plug kit, some wd40 or other lube, bailing wire.

driving home in the middle of the night from college, when I was much younger, my throttle cable snapped in half. My dad had passed away that past easter, and he gave me a roll of the stuff and said "put that in the cruiser, it can be used for hundreds of stuff". Well, it worked and got me home, although a little sticky for a throttle cable. Still carry a roll to this day. Thanks Dad. :)
 
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Duct tape.......don't leave home without it:D
 
read landcrusher909's thread in the trip section...he just did 4100 miles in a 67 fj45. said he was really enjoying everything when he was at my house.

where in colorado? if your close to denver, you're welcome at my place if you need a place to crash.
 
golly...

Wow. This is encouraging. Those trip photos from BC to South America are sweet! Looks alot like my rig.

Anything can happen, but now I'm not QUITE so worried. Hoses, clamps, fan belt, standard tools, oil, coolant, advil... and lots of CDs.

And duct tape, and bailing wire of course. In honor of gup's Dad.

Maybe I should pack my flare gun too - multipurpose! :lol:

I've taken remote trips solo before, distant corners of Death Valley, etc. Always the pig got me home just fine. (Okay, once I blew a fuse on Wildrose Pass.)

But this is the first real interstate expedition. So I'm definitely checking the cooling systems beforehand.

Sometimes the points get fouled on long hauls so maybe I should have a spare set? Prolly my carb needs to be bitchslapped.

I was thinking of taking the 15 to the 70 through Vail but now I'm thinking the longer southern route may be less problematic come November. The 40 out of CA through AZ and NM to the 25.

It adds about 300 miles, though decreases the Rocky Mountain factor. Anyone driven either way? Maybe tracked a little of the old route 66?

Nuclearlemon, I will check out that thread and consider yourself pm'd. Guh-dur! I didn't even know about a trip thread. Apologies for my rookie clutter.


:pig:

-ELC
 
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The last long roadtrip in my pig was about 1400 miles. I was lucky and it only burnt 1 quart of oil and nothing broke, besides a rear window roller. If you have a lot of gear, make sure your rear window is in good shape so you can easily access your stuff. My fuel gauge also stopped working and made fuel a guessing game.

1000 miles isn't that far in a cruiser, but an air compressor, fluids, points, coil, hoses, tools, ear plugs, etc, are worthy. Unless it is a jalopy, don't expect it to break down. Cruisers don't usually break, they just stop running as good.
 
The most important thing is the FSM. Get one and bring it with you. Read it while your not driving. Learn.

Also with the above items bring one of those battery booster boxes. You can get one for under 40 bucks. It can be very handy incase your battery dies or you need to charge a cell phone.
 
Elyse LC said:
I was thinking of taking the 15 to the 70 through Vail but now I'm thinking the longer southern route may be less problematic come November. The 40 out of CA through AZ and NM to the 25.

It adds about 300 miles, though decreases the Rocky Mountain factor. Anyone driven either way? Maybe tracked a little of the old route 66?


-ELC
Click to expand...

actually i-70 is so heavily traveled that it's usually in good condition. i-25 south of denver (monument area, then south of colorado springs) can get pretty nasty. i, personally, would stick with i-70
 
Another vote for baling wire...
Instead of bitch-slapping your carb, perhaps take it to see Mark A.
Spare points is a must. Probably should buy several.
Plan the drive so that you do your hill climbing in the mornings when it's cool.
Keep the speed down, keep your fluids up. Should be no problem
 
Thanks for reminding me! I have been making due with my Haynes book but it is nothing near answering a lot of the questions I have. I just called Toyota and the FSM is on backorder and should arrive in 4-6 weeks. I hope its not much longer.

I have cables but a battery booster box? is that sorta kinda like a spare battery? And I should get the carb looked at before I go - Richard at K&H is my guy but I've heard excellent things about Mark.

Speed down, fluids up. I'm also thinking of repacking the wheel bearings too. And like Landcrusher909 I will get some extra running lights for the back. Don't want to damage the front end of some speed demon that doesn't see me in time :lol:

Landcrusher's thread was so fun to read. What a great trip and a great truck! A toast in your honor sir! :cheers:

I guess it all comes down to being safe, having fun, and be prepared enough that if something happens it's all part of the adventure and not a screaming nightmare.

I'll post again when I'm closer to the launch date.


thanks everyone!


:steer:

ELC
 
Howdy! If ya come thru Phoenix, there are a lot of us Pigsters here for moral and mechanical support. I have rear axle, both driveshafts, 4 speed and transfer, plus small junk for spares. Others have more. Don't be shy now! John
 
That offer almost makes me WANT to break down just for the socializing opportunities! Seriously, a Phoenix sidetrip may actually be in the cards. Right now its way too soon to tell, but I will post again.

:beer::beer::beer:

-ELC
 
Don't worry, drive your Pig and enjoy it! You have some great suggestions here: FSM, bailing wire, hoses, belts, gun, list of Mudders in various cities, etc.

I bought my Pig sight unseen in Phoenix. The owner would have been happier if I towed it but I knew she would make it. Me and my 5 year old son made the drive, camped and had a blast as we came back home to the SF Bay Area.

Enjoy, I am jealous!

:cheers:
 
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